In This Issue:

RESILIENT VIRGINIA NEWS
 
 

The Power of Partnership

What it means to be a State Affiliate of the American Sustainable Business Network

Resilient Virginia is proud to become the Virginia State Affiliate of the American Sustainable Business Network (ASBN) — a national organization that amplifies the voice of sustainable, values-driven businesses in public policy.

This partnership brings:

  • Access to national tools, research, and campaigns
  • Greater policy influence for Virginia’s resilience efforts
  • New opportunities for collaboration and funding
  • Resources and benefits for Resilient Virginia members, including discounts, toolkits, and events

This affiliation strengthens our mission to build a climate-smart, inclusive, and regenerative economy across Virginia. Stay tuned for joint membership opportunities and ways to get involved!

Read more

As proud partners of the American Sustainable Business Network, we invite you to ASBN’s Fall Conference: Business, Policy, and Purpose—The Business of Democracy, held virtually on October 21–23, 2025.

Learn more and register

In-Person Networking Events During the Conference

    As part of the conference, Resilient Virginia is hosting two in-person networking events and we'd love for you to join us! Both events are free and open to everyone — whether or not you attend the conference.

    Virginia Beach

    October 22, 4:30pm RSVP

    Clark Nexsen Corporate Headquarters

    4525 Main Street, Virginia Beach, VA 23462

    Richmond

    October 23, 5:30pm RSVP

    Hardywood Park Craft Brewery

    2410 Ownby Lane, Richmond, VA 23220

    Spotlight On

    Exploring Resilience Solutions Across Virginia

    Resilient Virginia’s Spotlight On webinar series brings together experts, community leaders, and innovators to explore real-world strategies for building resilience across the Commonwealth.

    Coming up, we’ll dive into:

    • Local Resilience in Action (Oct 29 @ noon — register)

    • Parametric Insurance as a Risk Tool (Nov 5 @ 1:00PM — register)

    • Climate-Resilient Water Management Strategies (Dec 4 @ 10:30am — register)

    • The upcoming Virginia Climate Assessment from George Mason University

    Join us as we highlight practical, cross-sector approaches to advancing climate resilience in Virginia.

    Help Shape Our New Resilience Certificate Program

    We’re excited to announce the upcoming pilot cohort of our Resilience Certificate Program—designed to equip professionals and community leaders with the practical tools and knowledge needed to advance resilience across sectors.

    As we prepare to launch, we invite you to take a brief survey to help us:

    • Gauge interest
    • Identify potential participants
    • Tailor the program to meet the needs of our network

    Your input will guide our decisions around content, scheduling, and outreach. Completing the survey does not commit you to participate—it simply lets us know you’d like to learn more.

    Take the Survey
     

    New Interactive StoryMaps Advance Climate Equity in Virginia

    Resilient Virginia and VCU Research Institute for Social Equity (RISE) wrap up EJ Data Project

    Resilient Virginia and VCU RISE have released a powerful set of interactive StoryMaps created through the Environmental Justice Data Project. Focused on Charles City County, Emporia, and Richmond, these tools combine maps, local data, and community stories to highlight climate and infrastructure challenges in historically marginalized areas. Designed to support local planning, emergency preparedness, and grant efforts, the StoryMaps are now live and ready to explore.

    Learn more

    Resilient Virginia Collaborative Alliance (RVCA) Updates

    Working Groups, Priority-Setting Meetings, and the Regional Roadmap for Central and Southwest Virginia

    Looking to get more involved in advancing resilience solutions across Virginia? Join one of our RVCA Working Groups! These monthly virtual meetings are where ideas turn into action—bringing together cross-sector stakeholders to collaborate on high-priority issues through partnership, peer exchange, education, and capacity-building.  Current working groups include: water infrastructure, clean transportation, and agriculture.

    Whether you're a practitioner, policymaker, advocate, or community leader, RVCA Working Groups offer a space to connect and contribute to meaningful progress.

    Learn more and get involved

    Help Shape Central and Southwest Virginia's Resilience Roadmap

    Throughout 2025, the RVCA has hosted Priority-Setting Workshops to gather community input for a Regional Resilience Roadmap in Central and Southwest Virginia. Thank you to all who’ve participated so far!

    Only one session remains — a virtual workshop on December 2. Stakeholders across sectors are encouraged to join and share their priorities.

    Register now for the December 2 virtual workshop

    RESOURCES AND FUNDING

    CFPF Round 6 Open - $110 Million for Flood Resilience Projects in Virginia

    Applications due December 1, 2025 at 11:59pm

    The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is administering a new round of funding to support flood resilience statewide, including:

    • $50M in grants

    • $35M in low-interest loans

    • $25M in grants for Coastal and Flood Risk Management

    Priority goes to projects aligned with local, state, and federal floodplain standards and resilience plans. Eligible projects can help communities reduce flooding impacts, strengthen infrastructure, and plan for long-term climate resilience.

    Apply by December 1, 2025, at 11:59 PM

    Learn more

    Tackling Emerging Contaminants (TEC) Water Technical Assistance

    Technical assistance to assess and address emerging contaminants and PFAS challenges in public water systems

    The TEC WaterTA Initiative provides no-cost technical assistance to small and disadvantaged communities addressing PFAS and other emerging contaminants in public water systems. Services include sampling and analysis, technical planning, funding application support, operational training, and community engagement. While it doesn’t provide direct funding, TEC WaterTA helps build capacity to secure funding and implement solutions.

    Learn more

    Closing America's Wastewater Access Gap Initiative

    No-cost technical assistance to communities with failing septic systems or without existing wastewater infrastructure

    This EPA initiative provides no-cost technical assistance to communities without adequate wastewater infrastructure, helping them access funding through programs like the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF). With support from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the initiative is expanding to assist 150 underserved communities, aiming to improve public health, environmental conditions, and economic opportunity in rural and historically excluded areas.

    Learn more

    Firewise Virginia Community Hazard Mitigation Grant Program

    Grants to help at-risk communities reduce wildfire threat

    The Virginia Department of Forestry offers Firewise Community Hazard Mitigation Grants to help at-risk communities reduce wildfire threats. Funded through the National Fire Plan, these 80/20 match grants (up to $9,999) support projects like fuel reduction, firebreaks, hazard assessments, and water resource upgrades. Priority is given to communities with higher wildfire risk and those working toward Firewise USA recognition.

    Learn more

    Share Your Flood Story

    Help Virginia's leaders better plan for flooding challenges

    From property damage to blocked roads, flooding can seriously impact your community, no matter where you are in the state. By sharing your flood story through the Flood Story Web Viewer, you help Virginia's leaders better plan for and respond to flooding challenges. Submit your experience with flooding from hurricanes, heavy rain, or high tides, and explore stories from across the state.

    Share your flood story

    Climate Change Vulnerability Index

    Assess how vulnerable plant and animal species are to climate change

    The NatureServe Climate Change Vulnerability Index (CCVI) helps conservation professionals assess how vulnerable plant and animal species are to climate change. By analyzing exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity, the CCVI supports informed decision-making, prioritizes at-risk species, and guides effective adaptation strategies across regions.

    Learn more

    Collaborating with State Partners on Disaster Resiliency Planning

    Webinar on November 19, 2025

    Since 2016, EPA, ECOS, and ASTHO have collaborated to strengthen environmental health systems and protect public health from environmental hazards. This EPA Tools and Resources webinar will highlight past projects under their MOA and dive into recent work on state disaster resiliency planning, featuring case studies from Vermont and Colorado.

    Register to attend

    Resilient Virginia Resources

    Members Only

    Feel free to send your suggestions for stories, as well as comments on existing stories. Contact: trish@resilientvirginia.org

    Thank you to our Annual Sponsors

     

    Resilient Virginia • Accomac, VA

    Copyright © 2025 Resilient Virginia. All rights reserved.

    resilientvirginia.org

    Resilient Virginia is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on accelerating resiliency planning in communities across the Commonwealth.