Photo: Virginia State Capitol Building, Wikimedia user Skip Plitt via CC BY-SA 3.0
Connie Ericson
I have been active in NVBA’s advocacy committee since 2018 when I joined the board. I had just retired and had not been active in any of the organization’s many projects. But when a board member asked for a volunteer to draft a letter to the National Park Service about a planned activity along the GW Memorial Parkway that could potentially disturb Bald Eagles, my hand shot up. Over the years my participation has waxed and waned, but there’s always something the committee needs help with. With the 2026 Virginia General Assembly about to convene on January 14 for a fast-moving two-month session, the committee needs many volunteers to make sure its voice is heard.
There’s more information below on how you can help, but first, here’s a little perspective on the scope of the committee’s activities.
Much of the work of the committee naturally focuses on local issues within NVBA’s geographical area, such as urging local officials to (i) take conservation into account when proposing and developing bike paths, (ii) support more preservation and restoration of land, (iii) encourage responsible dark sky lighting practices, (iv) prevent encroachment of development on nature reserves like Occoquan Bay NWR, (v) negotiate with Dominion Energy for streetlights that minimize light pollution, and much more. Whenever possible, NVBA will join with other organizations to increase the potential impact of our efforts.
Sometimes the committee will take a stand on issues relevant to the larger area, particularly when there’s a troubling environmental or conservation impact. A current example is helping reverse the serious decline in Ospreys in the Chesapeake Bay and addressing the menhaden reduction fishery operations in Virginia.
The committee will also comment on some federal regulatory and legislative issues, such as recent proposals to reduce the effectiveness of the Endangered Species Act and the Clean Water Act. In those efforts NVBA often partners with National Audubon, the National Parks Conservation Association, and the Southern Environmental Law Center.
Focus on the 2026 General Assembly
And, there are state-level actions, which affect northern Virginia and the rest of the Commonwealth. In the regulatory arena, NVBA is promoting building code amendments to require bird-safe windows. The committee has already been taking action in advance of the upcoming session of the General Assembly. The committee cosponsored a workshop on the menhaden/Osprey problem and hosted a free online seminar with Delegate Kathy Tran, who spoke on how to be an effective advocate. You can view the recorded seminar here.
Because the General Assembly session is only two months long, bills move quickly, and we have to act fast when bills we support or oppose are scheduled for action. We would love to have your help. We anticipate advancing positions on invasive plants, menhaden fishing, data centers, much-needed funding for state parks and other protected lands and waters, retaining the Clean Economy Act, tree preservation and more. To learn more about anticipated bills and their need, visit The Virginia Conservation Network's "Our Common Agenda.”
If you can help, send an email to advocacy@nvbirdalliance.org with your name, email address and telephone number, and we will send you an email with some suggested talking points when action on an issue is required. Because time will be short, make sure you know in advance who your Delegate and Senator are and how to contact them. You can get that information from the Virginia General Assembly website on the Who's My Legislator page. Also, many state legislators have town meetings at home during the session and that is a great, nearby opportunity to advocate for sound conservation policies.
Let’s all do what we can in 2026 to help birds, other wildlife and the environment!