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Moving Virginia ForwardAnnouncing the 2025 Resilient Virginia Conference |
On July 23-24, 2025, Resilient Virginia is hosting our 6th biennial conference at James Madison University. This statewide conference will bring together resilience practitioners and researchers for peer to peer learning, networking, and collaborating.
This year’s conference focuses on Moving Virginia Forward through innovative approaches to resilience at the state, regional, and community levels, emphasizing climate adaptation, equity, economic sustainability, and systems-based solutions. |
5 Ways to Get Involved With the Conference |
🎟️ Attend Did you know that Resilient Virginia Members get 20% off conference registration?! Join today to get your discount off the early-bird rate (upon joining, you will receive an email with a discount code). Already a member? The discount code was emailed to you earlier this month. Or, reach out to Trish and she can send it to you! Register |
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🌟 Sponsor
Sponsors will receive extensive brand exposure, as well as an exhibit table, presentation opportunities, and more. Learn more |
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✨ Exhibit
Exhibitors will have opportunities to showcase their products and services at the conference. Learn more |
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🎙️ Present
We are currently inviting proposals for presentations, panels, workshops, and case studies that align with the conference’s mission to move Virginia forward through integrated, actionable, and forward-thinking strategies. Learn more Submission deadline is Friday, May 6, 2025. |
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📽️ Highlight Your Work
Resilient Virginia is now taking submissions for the Moving Virginia Forward Poster Session that will take place at the Conference. We have 25 poster slots that will highlight contributions and research that is helping Virginia move forward. Learn more Submission deadline is Friday, June 27, 2025. |
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Thank you to our current conference sponsors: |
VISIONARY SPONSOR AND HOST |
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Collaborating for a Resilient FutureRVCA Launches Priority-Setting Workshop Series in Harrisonburg |
On April 8, more than two dozen professionals, extension specialists, and regional stakeholders came together at the Harrisonburg Innovation Hub to kick off the Spring 2025 Resilient Virginia Collaborative Alliance (RVCA) Priority-Setting Workshop Series. This inaugural session marked a significant step forward in building a shared vision for climate resilience across Central and Southwest Virginia.
Representatives from across the region—including leaders from local and regional governments, private sector organizations, nonprofits, and academic institutions—gathered for thoughtful conversation. Each participant brought a unique perspective, enriching the discussion and helping to lay the foundation for a roadmap that will guide the region toward a more resilient and sustainable future.
The workshop was facilitated by Dr. Rob Alexander, Associate Professor of Political Science at James Madison University, who led participants through a structured discussion focused on exploring barriers and identifying priorities.
Following the workshop, attendees continued their conversations over lunch at a local Harrisonburg restaurant. This informal networking session provided a valuable opportunity to deepen connections and reinforce the collaborative spirit that defines the RVCA’s approach.
About the RVCA
Established by Resilient Virginia in 2023, the Resilient Virginia Collaborative Alliance (RVCA) is an initiative focused on strengthening regional climate resilience. The RVCA aims to create a roadmap that:
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Provides a clear list of regional priorities and feasible solutions for state-level decision-makers;
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Identifies shovel-ready projects that are poised to take advantage of funding opportunities as they arise; and
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Supports collaborative efforts for long-term systems change.
The Priority-Setting Workshop Series is a cornerstone of the RVCA process, designed to ensure that the roadmap reflects the needs, ideas, and expertise of stakeholders across the region. By listening to community voices and working collaboratively, RVCA is building a stronger, more resilient Virginia.
Learn more about the 2025 RVCA Priority-SettingWorkshop Series and register to attend a session.
Stay tuned for updates as the workshop series continues throughout the year. We’re excited to share what we learn and the progress we make—together. |
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📷 Photo Credit: Rachel Holderman, JMU
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Real Connections, Real Conversations at the Environment Virginia Symposium
After an amazing workshop in Harrisonburg, Jessica and Trish traveled to Lexington for the Environment Virginia Symposium. We had a fantastic time learning, networking, and—best of all—seeing people in person instead of on Zoom. The sessions were insightful, and it was energizing to connect with others who are passionate about the same environmental issues we're working on. A truly valuable experience all around! |
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Please join us for one of our Resilient Virginia Collaborative Alliance Working Groups! RVCA working groups are where the rubber meets the road. They offer a space to spotlight top-priority issues and consist of cross-sector stakeholders coming together for partnership, peer-exchange, education, and capacity-building.
The RVCA hosts monthly virtual Working Group meetings on Water Infrastructure, Clean Transportation, and Agriculture.
- Water Infrastructure: Meets 2nd Thursday of the month @ noon - Register
- Clean Transportation: Meets 3rd Wednesday of the month @ noon - Register
- Agriculture: Meets 4th Thursday of the month at 11am - Register
Learn more about RVCA Working Groups |
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Partnering with Communities |
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Resilient Virginia is working with communities around the state with the VERS project to measure their community energy resilience. The team is accepting applications from communities interested in participating as a case study. Participating communities will receive a customized engineering design for an energy resilience hub. Read more
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Over the past year, Emporia has collaborated with our partners at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) through the Environmental Justice (EJ) Data Project to collect social and climate-related data and identify the community's top priorities. Building on that work, Resilient Virginia is now partnering with city leaders to explore funding opportunities aligned with these priorities and to provide support in drafting competitive proposals.
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Geos Institute Eyes Virginia for Climate Innovation Center ExpansionSurvey to assess local government interest and needs |
The Geos Institute is preparing to launch a fundraising campaign to support the expansion of its Climate Ready America initiative into Virginia. As part of this effort, they are surveying local governments across the state to assess interest in establishing a Climate Innovation Center. This center would provide vital support to communities aiming to build resilience against climate-related challenges.
If Virginia is selected, the Climate Innovation Center will be hosted by Resilient Virginia, a trusted local partner in advancing climate preparedness.
The survey seeks to identify the types of assistance local governments need most—from technical guidance to community engagement strategies—and will help shape the Center's offerings. Take the survey |
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Funding Opportunity: Community Energy Resilience GrantsApplications accepted on a rolling basis |
The Virginia Department of Energy launched an application for Community Energy Resilience Grants. The primary objective of this work is to measure communities’ energy resilience and identify practical long-term solutions to reduce or eliminate vulnerabilities, particularly due to power outages.
All Virginia localities are invited to apply. Ten communities will be selected to receive RACER funding, which will include up to a $10,000 grant for resilience planning, and design drawings for a Community Energy Resilience Hub utilizing solar plus energy storage at a facility within the community. Selected communities can leverage the design drawings to apply for additional federal, state, or private grants for the purchase and installation. Learn more and apply
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Virginia Energy Seeking Vendors to Assist in Solar for All
Mandatory Preproposal Conference May 1st at 1:00pm ET
Proposals Dues May 30, 2025 at noon
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Virginia Energy has issued a Request for Proposals for organizations interested in supporting the development and implementation of Virginia's Solar for All Single-Family & Multi-Family Sub-Programs. Please note there is a mandatory preproposal conference on May 1st at 1:00pm ET (registration instructions are available in the RFP documents) Other important dates:
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Funding Opportunity: GHHI's Thriving Communities Grantmaking ProgramApplication Close Date: April 30, 2025 |
GHHI’s Thriving Communities Grantmaking program is accepting applications for Tier 1 Assessment Grants through April 30, 2025. Learn more. |
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Learn about the Virginia Flood Protection Master PlanPublic Webinar April 29th at 7pm ET |
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SWVA Solar Summit - Free, Open to the Public, and Fun for All Ages!May 21, 2025 at 3 - 7pm ET |
The first-ever SWVA Solar Summit, hosted by Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia, is happening on May 21st in Wise! Join them for a day highlighting solar energy in the region - learn about solar power, listen to some live music, and meet the solar leaders and organizations working in Southwest Virginia. Learn more and register here.
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FEMA Ends Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program |
On April 4th, FEMA announced that it is ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. All funds that have not been distributed for BRIC applications from FY 2020-2023 will be returned either to the Disaster Relief Fund of the U.S. Treasury and the FY2024 notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) has been canceled. Read FEMA's Announcement Learn what this means for grant recipients
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Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Seeking Public Comment on FY26 Grant ManualPublic Comments due May 9, 2025
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The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees is providing an opportunity for public comments on the proposed FY26 Grant Manual. Anyone wishing to submit written comments for the public comment file may do so through mail or email to:
Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, Board of Trustees
600 E. Main Street, 24th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
vlcf@dcr.virginia.gov
In order to be considered, comments must be received by 11:59 pm on May 9, 2025, the last day of the public comment period.
The full board will meet on June 3, 2025, to open the FY26 grant round.
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Resilient Virginia Resources |
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Thank you to our Annual Sponsors |
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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.
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