State Policy
State policy decisions shape how communities across Virginia experience environmental conditions, public health, development, infrastructure, and access to natural resources. Southside ReLeaf engages in statewide advocacy to help advance policies that support environmental justice, climate resilience, equitable investment, and healthy communities.
Our work includes legislative advocacy during Virginia’s General Assembly session, participation in statewide advisory groups and technical workgroups, and collaboration with coalitions working to strengthen environmental and community-centered policy across the Commonwealth.
Virginia General Assembly
Caption
Each year, Southside ReLeaf tracks and engages with legislation during Virginia’s General Assembly session related to environmental justice, urban and community forestry, climate resilience, equitable development, public health, housing, and infrastructure.
Advocacy during the General Assembly is critical because statewide legislation directly shapes the policies and funding decisions that impact communities across Virginia. From tree canopy protections and environmental justice planning to energy efficiency and resilience investments, these decisions influence how resources are distributed and which communities receive support and protection.
Southside ReLeaf participates in advocacy efforts by tracking legislation, supporting coalition priorities, engaging with lawmakers, and helping elevate community-centered perspectives within statewide policy conversations.
Urban & Community Forestry
Sheri Shannon with Virginia’s Secretary of Agriculture, Katie Fraizer, and Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, Ben Rowe, after meeting to discuss the importance of urban and community forestry across the Commonwealth.
Urban and community forestry policy plays an important role in shaping environmental health, climate resilience, neighborhood livability, and equitable access to green infrastructure across Virginia. Southside ReLeaf participates in statewide workgroups and advisory bodies focused on strengthening tree canopy protections, forestry policy, and long-term environmental planning.
Current Workgroups
Forestland and Urban Tree Canopy Technical Advisory Committee
Virginia Tree Canopy Advisory Workgroup
Through this work, Southside ReLeaf contributes community-informed perspectives to conversations on tree canopy preservation, replacement policy, urban forestry best practices, and equitable environmental planning.
Previous Workgroups
[Space to add previous workgroups and memberships]
Statewide Coalitions
VCN coalition members gather for a group photo at the 2026 Environment Virginia Symposium at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington.
Southside ReLeaf collaborates with statewide coalitions to support collective advocacy around environmental justice, conservation, climate resilience, and equitable community investment.
We are a member of the Virginia Conservation Network and contribute to developing the coalition’s annual Common Agenda, which outlines shared environmental and conservation policy priorities for Virginia’s legislative session. We also support coalition advocacy and lobbying efforts that advance policies aligned with community and environmental well-being across the Commonwealth.
Coalition work helps strengthen collaboration between organizations, align advocacy efforts, and build broader support for policies that advance environmental justice and resilient communities statewide.
Statewide Advocacy in Action
Statewide advocacy takes many forms — from legislative meetings and coalition events to workgroup participation, public testimony, community education, and environmental justice organizing. Explore moments from Southside ReLeaf’s statewide policy and advocacy work across Virginia.
Roots to Roof Summit
Delegate Rae Cousins
VCN coalition members gather for a group photo at the 2026 Environment Virginia Symposium at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington.
Our advocacy is powered by the people who live, work, and play in Southside Richmond. Never miss an update by signing up for our Policy Alert emails.
Explore Our Policy Work
We “pass the mic” to our neighbors and empower Southside residents to advocate for the change they want to see in their own community. Through education, civic engagement and thoughtful dialogue, we advocate for sound policies that preserve our natural environment, strengthen climate resiliency, and provide opportunities for communities to thrive.
Our Policy Agenda
Local Policy
Campaigns & Calls to Action