Virginia Conservation Network and the Garden Club of Virginia present Conservation Lobby Day 2012
When: Monday, January 23, 2012, 8:00-2:00 PM
Where: Richmond Center Stage Rhythm Hall, Corner of East Grace Street and North 7th Street
Last week Virginia's General Assembly members began the 2012 legislative session. Whether you discuss uranium mining, smarter growth, water quality funding, or other important conservation issues, your legislators need to hear from you. Every year, General Assembly members learn important information from citizens like you. Your visit to the capitol can inspire your lawmakers to do the right thing for the environment!
With your help, we can keep changing Virginia for the better. Please register today at dana_AT_vcnva.org
Sign The Petition to Keep the Ban on Uranium Mining in Virginia.
Over 9,500 citizens have signed the petition to Keep the Ban on Uranium Mining in Virginia. Help us hit our goal of 10,000 signatures by Conservation Lobby Day, January 23rd.
Already signed the petition? Please forward this to a friend and help us reach our 10,000 signature goal.
Virginia has a nearly 30-year ban on uranium mining. There is a well financed push by the industry to lift the ban in the 2012 General Assembly Session so they can mine and process uranium, starting in Southside Virginia. Drinking water, human health, farmland, property values, wildlife and tourism across Virginia are at risk.
Uranium mining is a dirty and dangerous practice that will leave a legacy of radioactive waste in Virginia. The first uranium mining and processing site alone will create 28 million tons of radioactive and toxic waste that will need to be stored in the Roanoke River watershed indefinitely. The industry has a bad track record contaminating drinking water supplies across the globe. A spill or major weather incident at the first proposed site in Virginia could contaminate drinking water for over 1.2 million people in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake. Toxic uranium waste has been linked to cancer, kidney failure, leukemia and other severe health impacts.
Don’t let uranium mining happen in Virginia. Visit the Keep the Ban Website and sign the petition today! This is not just a Southside issue. In fact, in the 1980s, thousands of acres of uranium mining leases were acquired in Virginia including Fauquier, Madison, Culpeper and Orange. While these leases have expired, if the ban is lifted it will likely be lifted statewide and these areas could be reconsidered for mining. The leases sat along the Occoquan and Rapidan Rivers, apublic drinking water source for Fairfax County and Fredericksburg City.
Visit www.KeepTheBan.org for more information and to sign the petition today!
Small Grants Conservation Fund
The VSO Board established the Small Grants Conservation Fund in March 2007.
The VSO Conservation Committee manages the fund. Grants of $500 to $1000 are
made from the fund to aid the conservation of Virginia’s birds.
Applicants are encouraged to make a request in writing to the Conservation Committee Chair, Patti Reum. Provide an amount of money being requested, what the money will be used for, a justification as to why it is important to bird conservation in Virginia and what positive impact will be made on the conservation of Virginia birds.
Patti can be reached by email at pareum_AT_gmail.com.
Donations to the Small Grants Conservation Fund are tax deductible and always welcome. Mail donations to: Virginia Society of Ornithology, Small Grants Conservation Fund, 1230 Viewmont, Evington, VA 24550.