2021 Virginia Environmental Assembly (Virtual + In-Person Field Trips)

The Virginia Environmental Assembly brings together conservation leaders from across the Commonwealth to discuss Our Common Agenda to protect Virginia’s natural resources. This annual conference is hosted by Virginia Conservation Network, the partnership of more than 150 Virginia environmental organizations.

In the past, this conference has been hosted in a different region of the state to highlight Virginia’s distinct natural resources, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the morning portion of this year’s conference will be held virtually. In the afternoon VCN partners are invited to join in regional field trips.

VCN is proud to announce this year’s lunch speaker, Dr. Edward Maibach. Dr. Maibach is the Director of the George Mason University Center for Climate Change Communication. He’ll share tips on how the VCN community can communicate more effectively, and how we can more effectively help people and organizations change their behavior.

This year’s event will also include question and answer sessions with key legislators and an update and group discussion on VCN’s continued work on diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice.

Register: http://vcnva.org/assembly/

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Fredericksburg – Paddle with Friends of the Rappahannock
2:30-5:00 – Join Friends of the Rappahannock on a four mile paddle on the Rappahannock River. You’ll experience up to Class II whitewater in a sit-on-top kayak. Kayaks, paddles, and personal flotation devices (PFDs) will be provided by Friends of the Rappahannock. Participants will want to bring water bottles, snacks, and clothes/shoes that can get wet. This field trip can accommodate up to 16 people. Thank you to our partners at Friends of the Rappahannock for making this trip happen!

Front Royal – Tour of the Piedmont Memorial Overlook with Piedmont Environmental Council
2:30-5:00 – PEC has managed the approximately 50 acres on the Blue Ridge for wildlife habitat, in particular the 30 acre wildflower meadow. Combining walking trails with a permanent memorial to conservation leaders from the Piedmont, all adjacent to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and Sky Meadows State Park. Participants will meet near Ashby Gap, where Route 50 crosses the Blue Ridge, near Sky Meadows State Park. Thank you to our partners at Piedmont Environmental Council for making this trip happen!

NoVa – Ride with Washington Area Bicyclist Association
Bring your own bike and join The Washington Area Bicyclist Association and the Capital Trails Coalition on a ride of the Mt. Vernon Trail in Northern Virginia! The Mount Vernon Trail has approximately 1 million users annually and provides recreation and transportation connections to nationally and regionally significant destinations. The 18 mile paved trail stretches from George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate to Theodore Roosevelt Island linking Fairfax County, the City of Alexandria, and Arlington County to the District of Columbia. Due to its popularity, the trail is in need of repair and the volume of use demands a wider trail in many locations. In 2020 the National Park Service released the “Mount Vernon Trail Corridor Study.” The Corridor Study is the first comprehensive analysis of this data and will help inform park operations and maintenance needs, and identify long term capital investments to improve visitor experience. The data was also used to apply for a VDOT SMART Scale grant to improve 6.5 miles of the trail, from the access point to Roosevelt Island down to Jones Point Park in Alexandria. We will be joined by Arlington County’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Transportation Planner, David Patton, to discuss the importance of trail count data and how it is used to secure funding for trails! Thank you to our partners at Washington Area Bicyclist Association for making this trip happen!

NoVa – Tour the Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows with Piedmont Environmental Council
2:30-4:30 – Tour he PEC Community Farm at Roundabout Meadows and the Old Carolina Trail. Demonstrating the importance of Community Based Agriculture and Public Access to Open Space. PEC has worked for the past five years to build out several components of public access to sustainable agriculture and open space at the intersection of Route 15 and Route 50 in Loudoun County, at the edge of the fastest growing suburban community in Virginia. PEC’s projects include the PEC Community Farm, Gilbert’s Corner Farm Market, and ongoing efforts to provide public access to the Old Carolina Road and natural and historic resources along Howsers Branch, a tributary to the Little River and Goose Creek. Participants will meet at Mt Zion Historic Park, a NOVAPark partner. We will take a series of short walking tours of trails, the PEC Community Farm and Gilberts Corner market site. Thank you to our partners at Piedmont Environmental Council for making this trip happen!

Richmond – Litter cleanup with Keep Virginia Cozy
2:30-4:30 – Join with one of VCN’s newest partners, Keep Virginia Cozy, in a litter cleanup on the shores of the James. Bags and gloves will be provided. Thank you to our partners at Keep Virginia Cozy for making this trip happen!

Richmond – Ride the Capital Trail with Virginia Capital Trail Foundation
2:30-5:00 – Join with Virginia Capital Trail Foundation for a 15-20 mile bike ride along the Capital Trail. Please note that bikes will not be provided. This trip will meet at 2:00 at Basket & Bike at 1301 E Cary St, Richmond, VA 23219. Bikes can be rented there or participants may bring their own. If rental prices are prohibitive, please reach out to admin@vcnva.org for a fee waiver. Thank you to our partners at the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation for making this trip happen!

Roanoke – Hike with Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Details for this trip are still being finalized. If you are interested, please register for this field trip and we will be in touch with more details. Thank you to our partners at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy for making this trip happen!

Virginia Beach – Behind the Scenes Tour of the Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center with the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center
3:00-4:30 – The Darden Marine Animal Conservation Center is an operational support facility for the Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center. The new Darden Center opened in May 2021 and houses aquatic animal collections and research and conservation programs, including the Aquarium’s award-winning marine animal Stranding Response Program. Some of the highlights of the new facility include an internal seawater processing system, specialized animal care and quarantine systems, stranded animal treatment and rehabilitation areas, research laboratories, and office and technical support spaces for specialized professional staff. MASKS ARE REQUIRED FOR THIS TOUR. Thank you to our partners at the Virginia Aquarium and Marine Science Center for making this trip happen!

Waynesboro – Tour of the Wildlife Center of Virginia
3:30-4:00 – Explore the outdoors areas of the Wildlife Center of Virginia. Visit the education animal corner which includes brand new housing for three of their education birds! Buddy the Bald eagle and the rest of the gang should be on display. Unfortunately, the indoor areas of the Center are not open the public due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Thank you to our partners at the Wildlife Center of Virginia for making this trip happen!