VIRGINIAforever

09/14/2026

🎟️ Tickets & Sponsorships Are Selling Fast!

Join us on October 7, 2026, at Oakdale Winery in Ashland, VA for the annual VIRGINIAforever Bridge Builder Celebration!

We are proud to honor Hon. Brian Ball and Marjorie Mayfield Jackson for their outstanding leadership in land conservation and water quality protection across Virginia, with a special keynote address by Secretary of Natural Resources David Bulova.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect with state leaders, conservation partners, and supporters dedicated to protecting Virginia’s natural resources.

👉 Secure your tickets or sponsorship today:

Each fall, VIRGINIAforever hosts our signature event – the Bridge Builder Celebration – in Central Virginia. The event honors elected officials and others who have championed efforts to protect Virginia’s land and water.

09/09/2026

🚨 Tomorrow! Don’t miss our upcoming webinar, Funding Our Clean Water Future: Wastewater Infrastructure Funding in Virginia.

Join our expert panel, including Delegate Alfonso Lopez, state agency leaders from DEQ and VDH, and regional water experts, for an insightful discussion on legislative priorities, Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) investments, and essential strategies for protecting our state’s water resources.

🗓 Date: Tomorrow, September 10

⏰ Time: 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM EST

📍 Location: Zoom

Whether you're a local official, water professional, or advocate, this is a great opportunity to get a clear picture of Virginia's clean water funding landscape.

👉 Register/Join here: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1p08S_mfTiS86ArUC0G4ug

08/20/2026

Protecting Virginia’s Waters, Funding Our Future! 💧🌿

Join us on Thursday, September 10th, from 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM for a virtual webinar on Virginia's Wastewater Management and Infrastructure Funding, hosted by VIRGINIAforever as part of our VEE grant-supported series, Funding Our Natural Resource Future.

We’ll be joined by key legislative leaders, state agency officials, and regional partners to discuss critical investments in the Water Quality Improvement Fund (WQIF) and the ongoing efforts safeguarding the Commonwealth’s water resources.

Speakers Include:

Delegate Alfonso Lopez & VIRGINIAforever Lobbyist Preston Bryant

Representatives from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) & Virginia Department of Health

Experts from James River Association, Chesapeake Bay Foundation, HRSD, and AlexRenew

🗓 When: Thursday, September 10, 2026 | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM

📍 Where: Register at https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_1p08S_mfTiS86ArUC0G4ug #/registration

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08/17/2026

Bridging the Gap for Virginia's Natural Resources! 🌿💧

Join us on October 7th at Oakdale Winery for VIRGINIAforever’s annual Bridge Builder Celebration as we gather to honor leaders dedicated to protecting the Commonwealth’s land, rivers, and water quality.

This year, we are thrilled to recognize two outstanding honorees for their incredible dedication to Virginia's environment:

Hon. Brian Ball, former Secretary of Commerce and Trade

Marjorie Mayfield Jackson, founder and long-time leader of the Elizabeth River Project

This signature event brings together diverse voices from across Virginia's corporate, environmental, agricultural, and outdoor communities to celebrate collaborative conservation.

🗓 Date: October 7, 2026

📍 Location: Oakdale Winery

🎟 Tickets & Sponsorships: https://www.virginiaforever.org/bridge-builder-celebration/

Space is limited—register today to reserve your spot and help us honor these remarkable bridge builders!

06/29/2026

VirginiaForever, a unique coalition of businesses, environmental organizations, and citizens dedicated to securing robust funding for the Commonwealth’s natural resources, released the following statement regarding Governor Spanberger’s proposed budget amendment to acquire Oak Hill as Virginia's newest State Park:

"On behalf of our diverse coalition, we want to thank Governor Spanberger for introducing a budget amendment that creates a clear pathway for Oak Hill to become a State Park.

As the historic home of President James Monroe, Oak Hill is an irreplaceable cultural and ecological treasure. Transforming this extraordinary property into a State Park will not only preserve its vital open space and natural resources in perpetuity, but it will also expand outdoor recreation and historic tourism for Virginians and visitors from around the world.

As the General Assembly returns to Richmond today to consider the Governor’s proposals, we strongly encourage legislators on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of this amendment. This is a rare, historic opportunity to protect a vital piece of Virginia’s heritage for generations to come."

06/26/2026

06/26/2026

We had a phenomenal day on June 18th for our VIRGINIAforever summer Board meeting and field trips around the Charlottesville area!

It was a packed day of collaboration, learning, and looking ahead as our unique coalition of business leaders and environmental organizations came together to advocate for our Commonwealth’s natural resources.

A massive thank you to our incredible hosts who showed us firsthand the vital connection between land conservation, sustainable agriculture, and community education:

Edge Hill Farm: Thank you for walking us through your beautiful property with the Thomas Jefferson Soil and Water Conservation District staff and sharing how agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) protect our water quality and soil health. Virginia Association of Soil & Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD)

Ivy Creek Foundation: We loved learning about your dedication to preserving local ecosystems and your inspiring public nature education programs. Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm

King Family Vineyards: A wonderful final stop to discuss how land preservation and agribusiness thrive hand-in-hand in Virginia. King Family Vineyards

From muddy boots in the field to productive strategy sessions at the board table, days like this remind us exactly why securing robust state funding for land conservation and water quality matters.

Thank you to all of our board members and partners who joined us! Together, we're building a more resilient Virginia.

05/18/2026

At VIRGINIAforever, we know that protecting the Commonwealth’s land and water requires collaboration, consensus, and strong leadership. That’s why we are proud to support the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute (VNRLI)!

Many of our own board members, coalition partners, and staff are proud VNRLI alumni. We have seen firsthand how this incredible program equips leaders to move beyond conflict, bridge gaps between different sectors, and find creative, bipartisan solutions for Virginia's environment—values that are at the very heart of our "Bridge Builder" mission. 🌾💼

Applications for the VNRLI Class of 2027 are officially open! If you are a natural resource professional, advocate, or leader looking to sharpen your conflict resolution skills and build a statewide network, this is your opportunity.

📅 Application Deadline: June 5, 2026, at 5:00 PM
💡 Who should apply? Leaders from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors across Virginia.

Invest in your leadership journey and help us build a sustainable future for Virginia's natural resources.

👉 Learn more and apply today: https://www.coopercenter.org/ien/vnrli-application

The Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute is great opportunity for environmental leaders to develop and refine skills in conflict resolution and collaborative problem solving. Applications are now being taken for the 2026-2027 cohort. More info at www.coopercenter.org/ien/vnrli-application

04/09/2026

Check out our VF Member, Keep Virginia Beautiful's Green Grants Program, supporting funding for environmental improvement projects.

We are almost 30 days out from the deadline to receive Green Grant applications - learn more and apply today! https://keepvirginiabeautiful.org/programs/30-in-30-green-grants/

02/20/2026

We are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Delegate Barry Knight. A dedicated public servant and a lifelong farmer, Barry was a steadfast voice for Virginia’s natural resources and a vital partner in our mission to protect the Commonwealth’s land and water.

His legacy of leadership and his love for the Virginia landscape will live on for generations. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Knight family and all those who worked alongside him.