Over the next week or so, Virginia House and Senate conferees will meet to finalize a budget agreement for the 2022-2024 biennium. Included in the House and Senate budget bills, which passed their respective chambers last Thursday, are a number of opportunities for historic investments in the preservation and enjoyment of Virginia's natural lands. We ask that you please take a moment to contact your legislators to express support for the funding measures noted below:
- Land conservation
- $32M in FY23 and $20M in FY24 for the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF)
- $4M per year for Virginia Farmland Preservation Fund (VFPF)
- $4.5M in FY23 and $5.25M in FY24 for the Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund (VBPF)
- Historic resources
- $5M for the Black, Indigenous and People of Color Historic Preservation Fund (HB 141/SB 158)
- Outdoor recreation
- $233M for multi-use trails
- $170M for Virginia's state parks
- Agricultural Best Management Practices
- $250M per year for Virginia's Agricultural Cost-Share Program
VCN has compiled information on each of these budget priorities (and others) here, including estimates from each chamber and the governor. We hope you will take a moment to advocate for the investments that matter to you most so that Virginia remains a beautiful place to live, work and visit for generations to come!