Spring 2025
Virginia General Assembly Delivers Clean Water Wins
Though it was a short legislative session, Virginia lawmakers secured significant victories for climate adaptation, conservation, and cleaner water—all helping lead to healthier communities and a stronger economy.
This session marked wins for the state's wetlands, outdoor learning for students, stronger safeguards against disastrous weather, and protecting Virginia's trees.
But there's still more work to be done when it comes to the Chesapeake Bay's most important fish known as menhaden, funding living shorelines, studying microplastics in our drinking water, and protecting homes and businesses from extreme storms. CBF remains committed to advancing these priorities.
"This General Assembly session delivered some significant wins for Virginia's environment and our communities. Lawmakers prioritized wetlands protection, expanded local authority to preserve vital tree canopy, and secured critical funding for flood preparedness and stormwater management. These victories will bolster our resilience to climate change, protect clean water, and create a healthier Commonwealth," CBF's Virginia Policy Manager Jay Ford said.
Volunteers Meet One-on-One with Virginia Legislators
Just over 120 advocates joined CBF from across the state to meet one-on-one with more than 60 different legislators on January 14. Many of these advocates may have been green when it comes to a lobby day at the Virginia General Assembly, but not for long.
Half of these volunteers boarded and early morning bus or drove from the Hampton Roads region. And many of them were students who wanted to see younger students get the kind of outdoor learning experience they did.
CBF supported an increase in investment in Meaningful Watershed Education Experiences (MWEEs) in this year's budget. The veteran and first-time Clean Water Lobby Day advocates also spoke to legislators on living shoreline funding, wetlands protection, preserving more of Virginia's trees, and protecting homes and businesses against disastrous flooding.
CBF Holds Successful "Oysters on Capitol Square"
In early February, CBF and the Chesapeake Oyster Alliance hosted Oysters on Capitol Square. This beloved annual event fills Darden Garden, right outside the General Assembly Building. The outreach effort underscores progress in oyster restoration efforts in the Bay and continuing efforts to bring back the population from historic lows.
Many legislators stopped by for a tasty treat while hearing from oyster farmers, including Walker's Seafood from the Eastern Shore, Great Neck Oysters from the Lynnhaven River, Big Island Aquaculture from Mobjack Bay, Chessie Seafood from the York River, Oyster Catcher Sea Farms from the Rappahannock River, and Sapidus Farms from the Upper Bay.
—Chris Moore
Virginia Executive Director
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
