Richmond, VA – Following the General Assembly's acceptance of all of Governor Spanberger's amendments to Virginia's 2026-2028 biennium budget, Chesapeake Conservancy CEO Susan Shingledecker issued the following statement.

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“Chesapeake Conservancy appreciates the Commonwealth’s continued investment in conservation in this year’s budget, including progress on priority projects that protect Virginia’s natural and historic resources.

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“At the same time, Virginia still faces significant environmental and resilience challenges, and sustained investment across water quality, land protection and habitat restoration remains important for communities and the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

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“Chesapeake Conservancy is especially grateful for funding for Oak Hill, which will help move this historic landscape toward becoming a future state park at President James Monroe’s home site. Protecting Oak Hill preserves forests, wildlife habitat and scenic open space while also safeguarding a landscape that reflects a fuller story of our nation’s past, including the lives of the enslaved people who lived and labored there.

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“Congratulations to The Conservation Fund, Loudoun County Government, the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation for their partnership in advancing this effort.”

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_{Feature Photo: Virginia State Parks / flickr (https://flic.kr/p/8pq6S8)}

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