Why Advocacy is Important

Advocacy - or influencing public policy and elected officials - is important to make sure we have a healthy environment, from stopping habitat destruction to creating more parks and protected areas.  

Since governments manage public lands, people should expect and demand accountability from government officials. 

By attending meetings, speaking out and communicating with government officials, the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) works for strong conservation policies at the local, state and federal levels.  For example, the chapter has advocated for measures to:

• Stop climate change

• Support stronger tree and habitat conservation

• Increase parks and protected areas

• Encourage more natural landscaping

• Ensure cleaner air and water

• Support low-impact development approaches, and

• Develop more "green" and energy-saving buildings

NVBA serves on local governmental committees and commissions to help protect our environment.

Sign up for National Audubon's Action Alerts to keep current on what Congress is doing. Visit audubonaction.org/audubon

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has."
Margaret Meade, Anthropologist 

Here are the issues we are following, both at the local and national levels.

Local and State Issues

 National Issues

How to Be an Effective Advocate

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

• Want to stop unreasonable development?  Learn how to influence land use decision-making and get involved in governmental decision-making.

• Sign up for National Audubon’s Action Alerts to keep current on what Congress is doing.  Visit https://action.audubon.org/signup/join-our-action-network

Get Involved

Interested in working on conservation advocacy? Contact NVBA Advocacy Chair Tom Blackburn.

Monitor Your Representatives

Check with your legislators and find out when they are having town meetings. Most of them have at least one a year and it is a great opportunity to carry the conservation message to them and hold them accountable.

State Representatives

• To find your state legislators, click here.

• You can also find committee assignments of members of the Senate and House of Delegates here.

• For bills, check here and here. You can also check the website of the Virginia Conservation Network.

Virginia’s Members of the U.S. House of Representatives

• You can find your member of the U.S. House of Representatives here.

Use Your Refund To Help Nature

If you are getting a Virginia tax refund this year, you can donate all or part of it to the Virginia Non-game Wildlife Program by indicating a voluntary contribution on your state income tax form. This program supports research and management of Virginia’s native birds, fish, and other non-game animals. (Of course, you could also take your refund as usual and donate it to NVBA.)