When it comes to enhancing conservation efforts in Henrico, new group thinks it 'CAN'

Whether working to protect the Chickahominy River from a pipeline project or to preserve historical environments, citizens have rallied together over the decades to conserve Henrico’s historical and environmental landscapes.

But unlike other notable Virginia counties like Hanover, Loudoun, Prince William and Charles City, Henrico didn’t have a formal organization devoted to its conservation. That is until a group of environmentally focused citizens decided it was Henrico’s time and formed the Henrico Conservation Action Network earlier this year.

The positive impact and collaboration with local planners of the surrounding organizations are what particularly inspired HCAN’s founders.

“By being proactive and being engaged and built to last, instead of just rising to the occasion for one issue, you're able to have a much greater positive impact,” HCAN Steering Committee member John Montgomery said during HCAN’s kickoff meeting March 24. “Hopefully we will become the go to for the conservation aspects of developer’s particular consideration.”

While various stakeholders have different and sometimes competing “dreams” for an open plot of land, the “dreams” of environmentalists have gone unheard for too long, Montgomery said.

“It’s time for us to express our dream as well,” Montgomery said. “And make sure when things are being considered on a particular parcel or area that all of the dreams are heard, particularly those of the conservationists.”

The impacts of construction of data centers on the environment, protecting rural areas like Varina and maintaining prime agricultural land were all “dreams” members expressed interest in pursuing during HCAN’s kickoff meeting.

Along with the recent rise of developers’ interest in Henrico, HCAN’s founding is especially timely given that county officials currently are soliciting public feedback for Henrico County’s 2045 Comprehensive Plan update, HCAN Steering Committee member Aileen Rivera said.

It is important for environmentalists to educate planners on conservation because the Comprehensive Plan serves as a blueprint for the approval or denial of future development proposals, HCAN steering committee member Bland Goddin said. Also, offering input through HCAN allows residents to communicate with the county about what they want to see in their own community, Rivera said.

HCAN is an all-volunteer 501(c)(3)registered non-profit organization focused on preserving and protecting Henrico County’s land, history and environment. The group is governed by a steering committee of six Henrico citizens, including two elected members of the Henricopolis Soil and Water Conservation District Board (Claiborne Yarbrough and Anne-Marie J. Leake).

Aside from the steering committee, most of HCAN’s work will be done by ad hoc committees made up of members with shared interests on specific issues. Members of HCAN are not required to participate in every ad hoc committee and are free to choose which committees to join.

HCAN has held two monthly meetings through Zoom to date and is planning its next one sometime this month. Anyone interested in joining can sign up here to join the email list and stay up to date via Facebook.