
Conservation Blog
Biodiversity & Habitats
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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2026 Maryland General Assembly Legislative Priorities
Updates: Bill Outcome Next Steps CHERISH (HB1287) Dead – read more here Work with MDE and coalition members to ensure that CHERISH finds a middle ground for next session CHERISH (HB1268) Dead – read more here Work with MDE and coalition members to ensure that CHERISH finds a middle ground for next session Bottle Bill… Read more
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Lighting the Way to a Safer DC: Shine Safely Act of 2025
Washington, DC is taking an important step toward a healthier, more sustainable future, and your voice can help make it happen. The Shine Safely Act of 2025, introduced by Councilmember Janeese Lewis George and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Brianne Nadeau, Brooke Pinto, and Charles Allen, aims to phase out the sale and distribution of mercury-containing fluorescent… Read more
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Conservation on the Chopping Block
The Maryland Department of Legislative Services’ proposed funding cuts to the Department of Agriculture, Department of Natural Resources, and Maryland Energy Administration would impact every part of our state and put us behind on our environmental and conservation goals Source: Maryland Protected Lands Dashboard What is on the Line? The Maryland state budget shortfall has… Read more
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Montgomery County’s BYO-Bag Bill
February 12th, 2025 Update On February 11th, 2025, Montgomery County Council passed Bill 24-24, Bring Your Own Bag (BYOB) Bill. Nature Forward has been working with Councilmembers since last summer to ensure that Montgomery County passed a bill that protects our waterways and our most vulnerable communities. Thanks to our members and supporters, we sent 121 letters… Read more
