• 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…


  • Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Show Disregard for Residents with Vote on Electrical Substations

    For Immediate Release – December 11, 2025 For more information contact Lisa Goodnight at [email protected] or 301-450-1478, or Nature Forward Communications Director [email protected] 301-450-1458   Chevy Chase, MD – In a unanimous ruling, Fairfax County’s Board of Supervisors dealt a huge blow to residents and communities negatively impacted by data centers and their associated energy infrastructure,…


  • Final Push: Veto Override

    Update as of 12/16:  The General Assembly voted today to override the Governor’s Veto on the Data Center Study Bill! Thank you to the Senators and Representatives who voted today for transparency around data center development, and the hundreds of Marylanders who wrote and called demanding this override! Update as of 12/9: Governor Wes Moore has signed…


  • 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…


  • 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…


  • Prince George’s County Deserves Professionals, Not Negligence

    On October 21, Dr. Moki was confirmed in a 8-2 vote to lead the Department of the Environment. We applaud Eric Olson (District 3) and Tom Dernoga (District 1) for their dissent. 300 emails were sent to the County Council, voicing your concerns on the confirmation of Dr. Moki. 45 residents signed up to use…


  • Stop the Data Center at Landover Mall

    To do: Community Corner: What your neighbors are saying about the proposed Landover Data Center: Educational Resources Issue History Write Your County Councilmembers TODAY:


  • Montgomery County Council Agenda Heating UP!

    The Montgomery County Councilmembers saw the rising temperatures and said to themselves, “let’s set a record for how many individual pieces of legislation we can introduce so we can all stay inside.” And with that, we have some advocacy to do from the comfort of our homes and workplaces! Expedited Bill 19-25, Noise Control –…


  • Write Your Elected Officials: We need an Override

    Image and news referenced in banner image: Inside Climate News If we truly want to understand the full impacts of data center development on Marylanders and our environment, State Lawmakers must override Governor Moore’s veto of the Data Center Study Bill. Nature Forward urges you and all of our members to write and call your elected officials to urge…


  • Guide better development in Fairfax Co.!

    Your feedback on the Policy Plan is critical! But why? The Policy Plan is guidance for developers as they explore options for developments that are outside of the existing zoning laws and building code (e.g. like needing a rezoning or a special exception). This situation may sound unusual, but it’s quite common in Fairfax County.…