Environment
Richmond, Virginia's high pollen levels are exacerbated by factors such as the presence of invasive plant species and monoculture landscapes, highlighting the need for a comprehensive understanding of our local ecosystem. This guide serves as a starting point for your sustainability efforts while connecting you with everything from national initiatives to local tree planting efforts, empowering you to take meaningful action at any level.
Where to Start
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A simple way to help the environment is to start a garden, focusing on native plants to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies, which are vital for healthy habitats. Whether you have a small space or a large yard, you can make a difference by following a guide on how to build a pollinator garden. It's important to learn to identify native plants and remove any invasive species that might harm the local ecosystem and pollinators. By planting native and removing invasives, you'll directly support a thriving local environment.
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A simple way to start protecting the environment is by engaging with your local community parks. Participate in trash cleanups and help remove invasive species to keep these spaces healthy and enjoyable. Explore RVA volunteer opportunities to get involved in the upkeep of these parks, working alongside Parks and Rec and other community members to ensure they are well-maintained. You can also advocate for new park projects and greener improvements to enhance these vital community resources.
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Taking your commitment to environmental protection to the next level involves deeper engagement and specialized knowledge. Becoming a Richmond Tree Steward offers a fantastic opportunity to actively contribute to the health and vitality of our local urban and rural forests. As trained community volunteers, Tree Stewards play a crucial role in promoting healthy forests through training classes, educational programs, and hands-on projects within the community. By sharing your knowledge and passion, you'll increase public awareness of the invaluable benefits of trees and teach practical skills in tree care, directly contributing to a greener and more sustainable Richmond.
Volunteers plant trees during Richmond Tree Week 2023. Source
Build your Toolbox
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U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit
The goal is to improve people’s ability to understand and manage their climate-related risks and opportunities, and to help them make their communities and businesses more resilient to extreme events.
National Environmental Health Association
Their Mission is "To build, sustain, and empower an effective environmental health workforce."
Program committees provide guidance, input and expertise to leadership and program staff, fellow environmental health professionals and partner organizations on environmental health policies and programs.
U.S. General Services Administration
"GSA is involved in many programs and activities that enhance and protect the environment."
"Inspire and mobilize everyday Americans to help conserve, sustainably utilize, and develop a deeper connection with our public lands"
NEEF is the nation’s leading organization in lifelong environmental learning, creating opportunities for people of all ages to experience and learn about the environment in ways that improve their lives and the health of the planet.
Natural Resources Conservation Service
The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides technical and financial assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners to address natural resource concerns
Find your local service center
Council on Environmental Quality
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) ensures agencies consider the significant environmental consequences of their proposed actions and inform the public about their decision making.
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Mid-Atlantic Region 2024 Summit
The first half of the session discusses issues of equity and how they are being address on a federal level. The second half of the session engages the EPAs environmental state secretaries on issues within their respective states with questions from their stakeholders.
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Department of Housing and Community Development
The Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) reduces household energy use through the installation of cost-effective energy savings measures, which also improve resident health and safety. Common measures including sealing air leaks, adding insulation, and repairing heating and cooling systems. WAP does not offer assistance with paying utility bills.
Virginia Department of Environmental Quality
Environmental Impact Review
DEQ coordinates the Commonwealth's response to environmental planning documents for proposed state and federal projects.
Green Business Directory
The Virginia Green Travel Alliance (VGTA) is the 501c3 non-profit organization that was created in 2014 to support and expand the outreach efforts of the state’s Virginia Green program and sustainable tourism efforts statewide.
Rental Protection Plan (RPP)
Pine is North America's leading equipment provider for Environmental Monitoring, Nondestructive Testing, Remote Visual Inspection, Safety, and Field Supplies.
Tackling climate change
From the rivers of the Clinch Valley to the mountains of the Appalachians and Allegheny Highlands; across the Piedmont to the pine forest savannas of the Tidewater; throughout waters of the Chesapeake Bay and beyond, we're working to create a world where people and nature can thrive. Will you help us continue this work?
Don't Trash Central Virginia
PlanRVA works with member localities and other partners to improve the region's environmental health, protect its natural resources, and enhance recreational access.
Plant RVA Natives
The Plant RVA Natives campaign encourages residents of the region to consider using native plants in their landscapes.
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Richmond Environmental Group, Inc. (REG) is a full-scale environmental consulting firm offering an array of environmental services, and specializing in underground storage tank (UST) compliance, removal, and remediation.
PlanRVA works with member localities and other partners to improve the region's environmental health, protect its natural resources, and enhance recreational access."
The Richmond region boasts a wealth of natural assets that make it a great place to live, work, study, and play. The region lies on the fall line, the zone where the hills of the Piedmont give way to the lower lying coastal plain of Virginia. We have forests, fields, rivers, rapids, tidal estuary, lakes, and streams. Recreational amenities across the region help residents and visitors access and appreciate these resources. On any given day, you can see a variety of wildlife across the RVA region including bald eagles, osprey, blue heron, river otters, and sturgeon.
James Rivers core programs include Advocacy, Education, Community Conservation, JAMES RIVERKEEPER© Program, and Watershed Restoration
The mission of the James River Association is to be a guardian of the James River. We provide a voice for the river and take action to promote conservation and responsible stewardship of its natural resources.
Our Green Grants program empowers groups all across Virginia to make an environmental impact in their own communities. This is one of the ways we can engage the people who live in Virginia to improve our natural and scenic environment. We believe in a shared responsibility to end littering, improve recycling and beautify communities, and we know with your determination and our support, much can be accomplished!
Save the Bay®, and keep it saved, as defined by reaching a 70 on CBF's Health Index.
For more than 50 years, we have fought vigilantly for healthy rivers, clean streams, and a saved Chesapeake Bay
Tree Ambassador Program
Southside ReLeaf works with community partners in creating educational programming that will build the brain trust of our neighbors so residents have the capacity to join in decision making about how to make Richmond’s Southside resilient, greener, and more beautiful.
Volunteer opportunities
The James River Park System is a 600-acre urban oasis that features rocks, rapids, meadows, forests, and an abundance of plant and animal life. It is a pristine bit of wilderness in the heart of Richmond. (James river park works closely with Richmond Parks and Rec in maintaining and stewardship of the park)
Richmond Water Systems
RVAH2O is driven by the belief that everyone can make a difference and help us achieve the goal of cleaner water faster for all of Richmond.
City of Richmond -Department of Public Utilities
The Stormwater Utility offers customers the opportunity to receive a reduction in their stormwater fee. Customers who reduce stormwater runoff or who improve the quality of the stormwater runoff from their property to the Richmond stormwater system and/or the surrounding water bodies by installing "green practices" will qualify for the credit.
Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD)
The Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) is an urban cost-share program that provides financial incentives and technical and educational assistance to property owners installing eligible Best Management Practices (BMPs) in Virginia’s participating Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCDs). These practices can be installed in areas of your yard where problems like erosion, poor drainage, or poor vegetation occur. Qualified sites shall be used for residential, commercial, or recreational purposes with a proposed practice that addresses a need.
Porter Street Natives Plant Request
If you are a resident of RVA Please fill this form out if you are interested in obtaining native plants for your local RVA yard.
This isn't a business, just a hobby for a gal living in Old Manchester.
Tree Planting Guide
Learn How to plant a tree like a pro
Installing rain barrels could make your home eligible for a stormwater utility credit. Source
Sustainability Guide Resources
