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About Us

Bridge Builder Celebration

Each year, VIRGINIAforever holds its signature event, the Bridge Builder Celebration, to honor an individual who has championed the protection of the Commonwealth’s natural resources. Learn more about our signature event here.

Our mission

As a unique coalition of concerned businesses, environmental organizations, and outdoor enthusiasts, VIRGINIAforever advocates for increased funding to restore and protect the lands and waterways of the Commonwealth.

Who we are

VIRGINIAforever is a diverse coalition of businesses, environmental organizations, and outdoor enthusiasts that advocates for increased funding for water quality improvements and land conservation across the Commonwealth. We are the only statewide organization that has a primary focus on increasing funding for natural resources protection.

What we stand for

Protection of natural resources is a key component of the Constitution of Virginia, and as Virginians, we have an obligation to invest in the land and waters of the Commonwealth. To realize this commitment, adequate funding at the state level is required. VIRGINIAforever advocates for this critical land and water funding.  Learn about 4-year funding goals here.

Our members

Our stakeholders are the driving force behind numerous policy actions that have produced tangible improvements in the quality of Virginia’s water and the preservation of hundreds of thousands of acres. Members of VIRGINIAforever include individuals from corporations and non-profit organizations across the Commonwealth. Through collaboration and a consensus-based approach, our diverse coalition brings together unique perspectives.

Our leadership

Our Board of Directors guides our strategic direction and all advocacy efforts. Our Board includes:

Peggy Sanner, Chair*

Phil Abraham, Vice-Chair*
Virginia Association for Commercial Real Estate

Jim Thornton, Treasurer*
Huntington Ingalls Industries

Parker Agelasto
Capital Region Land Conservancy

Jon Amores*
Appalachian Power Company

Elizabeth Andrews

Hobey Bauhan
Virginia Poultry Federation

Hedrick Belin*
Potomac Conservancy

Mark T. Bowles*
McGuireWoods Consulting

Robert Burnley

Tee Clarkson
Atoka Conservation Exchange

Corey Connors
Virginia Forestry Association

Robert L. Dunn**
Retired (formerly DuPont)

Andrew DuPuy
Rails to Trails Conservancy

John Eustis
New River Land Trust

Pamela Faggert

Johnny Finch**

Kevin Finto**

Karen Forget
Lynnhaven River NOW

Katie Frazier
Farm Credit of the Virginias

Sarah Hellewell
Garden Club of Virginia

Ted Henifin**

Kristen Hughes Evans
Sustainable Chesapeake

Lisa Kardell*
Waste Management

Tim Kennell*
Virginia Association of Parks

Adrienne Kotula

Cristi Lawton
Keep Virginia Beautiful

Stewart Leeth*
Smithfield Foods

Chris Leyen
Virginia League of Conservation Voters

Henry P. Long**

TJ Mascia
Davey Mitigation / Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc.

Maureen Matsen

Joseph McCauley
Chesapeake Conservancy

Charles G. McDaniel
Hilldrup Companies

Jamie Mitchell*
HRSD

Chrissy Noonan*
ReedSmith LLP

Paul Nyffeler*
Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP

Molly Parker*
Dominion Energy

Eric Paulson
Virginia State Dairymen’s Association

David Paylor

Chris Pomeroy
AquaLaw

Nikki Rovner*
The Nature Conservancy

Alan Rowsome
Northern Virginia Conservation Trust

Rebecca Rubin
Marstel-Day

Ellen Shepard
Virginia United Land Trusts

Ginny Snead
AMT Engineering

Emily Steinhilber
Environmental Defense Fund – Virginia

Bill Street*
James River Association

Chris Tabor
Hazen and Sawyer

Mike Town
Virginia League of Conservation Voters

Dennis H. Treacy**
ReedSmith LLP

Kendall Tyree*
Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

Brian Wagner
RES

Carol Wampler**

Jenny West*
The Wildlife Foundation of Virginia

Mark Williams*
Luck Companies

Cliff Williamson*
Virginia Agribusiness Council

Andrea Wortzel
Troutman Pepper

*=denotes Executive Board member
**=denotes Emeritus Board member

Karri B. Atwood, Executive Director of VIRGINIAforever katwood@virginiaforever.org | (804)728-0199

How to join

Great challenges lie ahead as we continue to work to improve funding for our natural resources, but there are even more opportunities for you, your colleagues, and your neighbors to make a recognizable difference. Individuals, companies, and organizations interested in joining VIRGINIAforever can click here to learn more.


Membership dues are not tax deductible. VIRGINIAforever is a 501 (c)4 organization.