Think Globally - Act Locally!

Through its advocacy efforts, the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) supports green buildings, air quality, waste management, tree and habitat conservation, water quality and natural landscaping. ASNV also serves on local board committees and commissions to help protect our environment. 

• Want to stop unreasonable development?  Here is a chance to demystify the jargon and unravel the governmental maze of land use decision-making on Saturday, October 4.
   
• Learn how to get involved in governmental decision-making by attending the ASNV Advocacy Work Shop on Saturday, November 15.
   
• Every conservationist in Virginia who wants action to curtail global warming and climate change needs to email Governor Tim Kaine's Commission on Climate Change and urge the commission to adopt a goal of 80% reduction in greenhouse gases by 2050.
   
• Are you registered to vote on November 4 and informed about the candidates?  Get more election information here.
   
• Vote for Parks in November: Fairfax County will have a parks bond on the November ballot: $65 million for county parks and $12 million for regional parks.  The Park Authority is emphasizing stewardship (efforts to protect natural and cultural resources such as Huntley Meadows wetlands’ restoration), renovation, land acquisition, and new facilities. 
   
• Sign up for National Audubon’s Action Alerts to keep current on what Congress is doing.  Visit audubonaction.org/audubon.

National Issues:

• Special thanks to US Congressman Jim Moran who strongly supports the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and the Audubon at Home program.
   

• Virginia residents are represented in Congress by 2 Senators and 11 Representatives.  See a list of current contact list for Virginia senators and representatives.
   

• Visit the National Audubon Society to learn about national environmental issues and how you can take action. 
   

• To see where the presidential candidates stand on environmental issues, visit www.ontheissues.org/Environment.htm and www.presidentialprofiles2008.org

Virginia Issues:

• ASNV works closely with the Virginia League of Conservation Voters (VALCV), the statewide nonpartisan political action arm of Virginia's conservation community. Visit www.valcv.org to learn about Virginia’s pending environmental bills, VALCV’s legislative positions, conservation candidates and more.
   

• ASNV is also an active participant in the Virginia Conservation Network (VCN), an organization devoted to advancing a common, environmentally sound vision for Virginia.  Visit VCN’s site at www.vcnva.org for details on legislative priorities, the conservation briefing book and more.
   

• To check on the status of all of Virginia’s bills, visit the Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information System site at http://leg1.state.va.us/

Local Issues:

• ASNV and its advocacy committee are working with the Fairfax County Park Planning Committee and its Great Parks, Great Communities initiative.
   

• The Environmental Quality Advisor Council (EQAC) is an advisory group that has been appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to advise the Board on environmental matters.  The public is welcome at meetings.
   

• Fairfax County and Arlington County are part of "Cool Counties", a nationwide initiative seeking to marshal the resources of all 3,066 US counties to address the challenges climate change poses to our communities.
   

• Read about Arlington County Environmental Services.
   

• Check out Eco-City Alexandria, VA
   

• Find your Virginia local government Web site. 

State and Local Elections:

Visit the Virginia State Board of Elections site at  www.sbe.virginia.gov  for information on registering to vote, where to vote, upcoming elections in your state and local government and more.

Get Involved:

Interested in working on conservation advocacy? Contact ASNV Advocacy Chair Glenda Booth at 703-765-5233 or gbooth123@aol.com.