State Policy Advocacy
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
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
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.
Regional & Statewide Coalitions
Southside ReLeaf collaborates with regional and statewide coalitions to advance collective advocacy around environmental justice, conservation, climate resilience, and equitable community investment across Virginia.
Coalition work strengthens collaboration, aligns shared priorities, and builds broader support for policies that create healthier, more resilient communities.
Virginia Conservation Network
Southside ReLeaf is a member of the Virginia Conservation Network, the Commonwealth's only statewide environmental advocacy coalition, which connects over 170 Network Partners to build a coordinated conservation movement. We support the development of the coalition’s annual Common Agenda, which outlines shared environmental and conservation policy priorities for Virginia’s legislative session.
Choose Clean Water Coalition
The Choose Clean Water Coalition harnesses the collective power of more than 320 organizations — including Southside ReLeaf — to advocate for clean rivers and streams in all communities in the Chesapeake Bay region. By coordinating policy, messaging, action, and accountability, the Coalition speaks louder with one voice toward our collective goal: clean water.
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.
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 Priorities
Local Policy Advocacy
Campaigns & Calls to Action
