Wild Virginia

Join us for an elk conservation webinar on?November 7th at 6:30 pm EST, featuring Jackie Rosenberger, Elk Project Leader for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR). Jackie will discuss the success of the?Virginia Elk Restoration Project,?share insights into elk conservation efforts, and highlight the importance of creating safe passageways for elk across roads, particularly along Corridor Q in Southwest Virginia. Jackie has been passionate about wildlife from a young age and an avid hunter since she was just 14! She earned her biology degree from Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania, where she conducted whitetail deer and black bear research. Jackie went on to obtain her master’s degree at the University of Georgia, focusing on whitetail deer movements and hunting impacts. She has also worked on elk projects in Pennsylvania, bringing extensive experience and knowledge to her role in Virginia's elk conservation efforts. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about Virginia’s elk population and efforts to create safe corridors for these majestic animals.

This southwest Virginia store, located in Lynchburg, offers some fantastic brands that are perfect for families, but others that are specifically geared toward moms and children. Learn more about how to start your sustainability journey ?? https://lnkd.in/ek9zyJhW

Our Conservation Director, David W Sligh, who works on all issues related to water (PFAS, our Advocates program, MVP Southgate, etc.) recently attended a conference on Clean Water Act permitting. ?? Zyg Plater, the lawyer who argued and won in court the landmark Endangered Species Act case involving the snail darter. Sligh and him discussed our efforts to protect the candy dater and Roanoke logperch from the MVP. As with MVP, Congress stepped in where the people had beaten the government in court and exempted TVA’s Tellico Dam from the ESA.

Gorgeous lights in Shenandoah county, Virginia ??

We have seen success of the Virginia Elk Restoration Project & elk conservation efforts, but the biggest thing to focus on for habitat connectivity with this species is creating safe passageways for elk across roads, particularly along Corridor Q in Southwest Virginia. Join us for an exciting event with Jackie Rosenberger, Elk Project Leader for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources! Learn more about this and our other upcoming events at www.wildvirginia.org ??

Just horrifying.

The diamondback terrapin used to be so synonymous with Maryland that the state’s premier university claims the terp as its mascot. It’s officially designated as the state reptile. But the species has faced significant threats, first from harvesting for food and more recently from drowning in crab traps. The Center for Biological Diversity (CBC) and 20 other organizations have teamed up to fight for Endangered Species Protection for the diamondback. The group, which includes Bay-region organizations like Assateague Coastal Trust and Wild Virginia along with national nonprofits, petitioned NOAA Fisheries last month to protect the diamondback in its coastal marsh habitat range from Massachusetts to Texas.

Chevron doctrine has played a critical role in how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) is interpreted and enforced.

The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) is advising Virginians to avoid natural bodies of water after Helene’s impact across multiple areas of the Commonwealth. The department added that during heavy rainfall and flooding, pollution along with debris from land can wash into rivers, streams and lakes which can eventually land in coastal waterways. The James River Watch map will give you a descriptive look into the conditions of the James River in various parts of the region. You can access the map here: https://lnkd.in/e-8v_F7c ABC 8NEWS WRIC - Nexstar Media Group

Virginia is ranked 9th in the Nation for wildlife-vehicle conflict. The average deer crash is $41,000 and there are approximately 60,000 deer crash claims per year. Learn more about our advocacy and other efforts on the topic at www.wildvirginia.org.