It has been 23 days since the offshore oil rig Deepwater Horizon tragically exploded in the Gulf of Mexico. In that time, some 5 million gallons of crude oil have gushed to the surface according to the Times-Picayune. The effects are being felt by shrimpers, fishermen and their families along the Gulf Coast. Hoteliers and outfitters are bracing for what could be a summer without tourists if the oil spill, now hovering in the water southeast of Venice, La., makes landfall. As I observed in a recent Daily Press op-ed: ‘When man-made disasters harm fish and wildlife, they harm people too.’
According to NOAA, some 13,000 personnel are responding to the spill and have already deployed 1.5 million feet of boom to contain the spill. We wish them safety and success—but surely those aren’t the jobs that Gulf Coast residents were promised when oil companies were lobbying congress for a cap on liability.
In the recent past, politicians of all stripes asserted that a stellar safety record for drilling in the Gulf was reason to expand offshore drilling to places like Virginia. Those politicians are now backpedaling en masse … with a few notable exceptions. This presents an opportunity for conservationists like us.
First, educate yourself. The Virginia Conservation Network’s primer on offshore drilling is a good place to start, and our partners at National Wildlife Federation have set up a special webpage with videos from Louisiana. Then, take the opportunity to educate your friends and neighbors:
Write a letter to the editor of your local paper to help keep this issue on the front page, where it belongs.
It may be several more weeks before BP can staunch the oil leak on the ocean floor, and many months before the spill is cleaned. We can’t afford to let this tragedy without learning its lessons.
Sincerely,
Nathan Lott, Executive Director
Virginia Conservation Network
nathan@vcnva.org
May is Bike Month!
All around the country cities and states are celebrating the bicycle and the joy of biking. May is official "Bike Month".
There are lots of ways we can celebrate as individuals or groups. Here are some suggestions:
Show a bike related movie and ask your friends to ride over.
Ask a local official to take a bike ride with your riding group to showcase the good and the opportunities for improvement to cycling in your community.
Organize a clean up crew to pick up litter on a bike path or trail.
Donate a bike to a local community group or organization like Bikes for the World
Final Report: Virginia Offshore Wind Studies
(July 2007 to March 2010)
Within five to 10 years, wind turbine projects off the coast of Virginia could produce electricity at competitive costs and create thousands of jobs, according to a comprehensive feasibility study just released by the Virginia Coastal Energy Research Consortium (VCERC).
The 67-page report, which reflects 30 months of fact-finding and analysis by researchers affiliated with Virginia universities and industries, has identified sufficient potential for offshore winds to provide 10 percent of Virginia's annual electricity demand in high-wind zones 12 miles or more off the coast - beyond the visual horizon - on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
New Report: Cool Communties: Identifying Climate Friendly Developments in the Washington D.C. Region
The report demonstrates that mixed use, walkable neighborhoods, especially near lots of transit, can significantly reduce climate change-causing carbon emissions. These neighborhoods also save money, improve access to jobs and help protect the environment. For example, CO2 emissions from driving can be reduced from 8 to over 40 percent depending on community location and design.
Scenic Virginia Viewshed Photo Competition Call for digital entries for its third annual Viewshed Photo Competition. “Scenic Virginia loves hosting this photo contest because it reminds all of us how lucky we are to live in our beautiful Commonwealth,” notes president Jane Henley. “And this year we’re making some changes,” adds executive director Leighton Powell. “Two of our photo categories will showcase noteworthy 2010 events: the 75th Anniversary of the Blue Ridge Parkway and the 40th Anniversary of the State Scenic Rivers program.”
Administrative and Outreach Coordinator - NoVA Outside
NoVa Outside, a new regional alliance, is seeking an administrative and outreach coordinator. NoVa Outside is an alliance of schools, universities, small businesses, nature centers, green groups, government agencies, and individuals.
Field Organizer – Sierra Club
The Field Organizer is responsible for recruiting, engaging, and motivating large numbers of new people to take repeated action which will further Sierra Club’s targeted campaign or program goals.
Regional Representative - National Wildlife Federation
This position will ensure the long-term effectiveness of NWF and its affiliates by building strong affiliate organizations, serving as a staff liaison with NWF board members and more.
Grants Manager – Civil War Preservation Trust
CWPT, the nation's largest battlefield land preservation organization, seeks an experienced professional for an immediate opening as a Grants Manger in its Real Estate Department.
Membership & Outreach Coordinator - Friends of the Rappahannock
Friends of the Rappahannock (FOR) is currently accepting applications for a Membership and Outreach Coordinator. This is an Americorps Vista community service position with a paid stipend, education award and benefits.
Executive Director - Clean Valley Council
Roanoke non-profit environmental organization seeks a qualified, dynamic individual to lead a small, well-established group.
Program Coordinator - Rivanna Basin Commission
Program Coordinator is responsible for managing day-to-day operational and programmatic functions of RRBC, including project and meeting coordination and stakeholder development.
Seagrass Restoration: Calling All Volunteers!
The Nature Conservancy is looking for 100 volunteers to help us collect eelgrass seeds along Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Grab a snorkel and be a part of the largest seagrass restoration project in the world!
Invasive Pull Opportunities
Help the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust remove invasive plants. May 15th Fairfax City; May 20 and May 27 in Chinkapin Park in Alexandria.
Pick Up America Coming to Virginia: Roadside Cleanup Volunteers needed Pick Up America will be starting their walk in Alexandria at the DC border on Saturday, May 15th. You can see our route on our tour page and our rough itinerary is below. They need your help finding volunteers and groups to host our evening events. Any help and/or contacts you can provide will help engage neighbors in your community and environmental stewardship and inspire action towards cultural sustainability.
Grants Enhance the Environment in Virginia and Surrounding Regions
The mission of the Virginia Environmental Endowment is to improve the quality of the environment by using its capital to encourage all sectors to work together to prevent pollution, conserve natural resources, and promote environmental literacy. The Endowment provides grants to nonprofit organizations for programs conducted in the state of Virginia and in the Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys of Kentucky and West Virginia. Specific grant programs include: the Virginia Program, the Virginia Mini-Grant Program, and the Kanawha and Ohio River Valleys Program. The upcoming application deadline for all three of these programs is June 15, 2010. Visit the Endowment’s website to review the funding guidelines for each program.
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