Author: Renee Grebe
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Say NO to the Edsall Substation at Plaza 500
We need your voice to stop the approval of a proposed 5-acre substation (artistic rendering shown above). This substation is only being proposed because of an approved (but not yet built) data center. It would be just 67 feet away from a townhome community, connecting to transmission lines that would run straight through a Resource…
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De la maleza a la naturaleza: Community Empowerment for Invasive Management
How community environmental leaders along Route 1 in Alexandria learned about invasive species management–and then took action in their community!
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Fairfax County’s FY27 budget is open for comments!
Fairfax County is facing another economically tough year, and the County Executive’s draft budget reflects the challenges via streamlining and cutting costs. For the past several years, in conjunction with our partners in the Fairfax Parks Coalition, we have engaged in budget advocacy to ensure the County is making wise investments in the Fairfax County…
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Ask Fairfax County’s Board to Support the Planning Commission’s Recommendations for Active Transportation
Fairfax County is updating its Active Transportation Plan, and we need your help to ensure that the Board of Supervisors passes it with recommendations that promote trail development that does not damage our environment. On May 5, the Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing regarding the Active Fairfax Transportation Plan Study (PA-2025-00001) and…
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Virginia’s General Assembly: highs and lows
Updated 4/13/26 @ 11:15am Thank you to Nature Forward volunteers Anne DeNovo, Chris Powell, Heather Safford, and Sabine Miller who helped track VA legislation this General Assembly and co-wrote this blog post with NOVA Conservation Advocate Renee Grebe! Lots of good environmental wins and some progress still to be made It is undeniable that many…
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2026 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Priorities
2026 Virginia General Assembly Legislative Priorities (Updated as of 4/8/26 @ 11:47amSee updates post-General Assembly here: https://natureforward.org/2026-va-ga-wrap-up/ . . . This year’s Virginia General Assembly (a time when legislators get together to make a new set of laws) has seen a lot of change since last year. Virginia has a new governor – the first…
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Virginia’s 2026 General Assembly will be different
A lot has happened since the November 2025 state elections! Virginia’s General Assembly will be a bit different this year. Here’s a quick lay of the land: What else will be different? Key topics we’ll be monitoring Join us in Richmond for Lobby Days: February 4 & 9, 2026 Hop on a bus, join a…
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Fairfax County’s Policy Plan & substation ZOA must be stronger
Tell our Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to Strengthen Data Center Regulations! Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors will be making two important data-center-related decisions on Tuesday, December 9. They will be (1) deciding which updated Policy Plan language to approve and (2) holding a public hearing on updating the electrical substation zoning ordinance amendment. The…
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Speak up for data center protections in Fairfax County
Before October 30: Tell our Fairfax County Planning Commission to Strengthen Data Center Regulations! Your voice has power! Please tell our Fairfax County Planning Commissioners to protect our communities from data center impacts. The Planning Commission held two important public hearings on October 15 and 16 – both outcomes could dictate county guidelines on data…
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Empowering Environmental Leaders in Audubon Estates
View this page in: English | Español Congratulations to 17 Audubon Estates residents and nature champions who joined us for the Menos Basura, Más Vida (Less Trash, More Life) initiative (in Fairfax County, VA). In June 2025, these advocates completed their capstone project as the culmination of a 10-month, 18-class community-led litter reduction program. Nature…