The mission of the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network (VPPPN) is to promote and facilitate coordination, collaboration, and communication among groups working to reduce plastic pollution throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. | |
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December 2024
Welcome to the Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network (VPPPN). The newsletter will continue to come out monthly. Meetings will occur bi-monthly. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, December 17th at 2PM using Google Meet.
In this edition:
- December 17th VPPPN Meeting
- Virginia Marine Debris Summit: Register Now
- Keynote Speakers Announced
- Your Guide to Plastic-Free Holiday Gifts!
- Boat US: Turning the Tide Virtual Summit Call for Presentations
- First Round of Projects Announced Under the Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program
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Existing U.S. Federal Authorities to Address Plastic Pollution: A Synopsis for Decision Makers
- CBF's General Assembly Preview
- Reduce Plastic Tip of the Month - Check out the Guide To A Greener Holiday
- Meet Our New Communications & Partnership Manager - Terra Pascarosa
- CVW is Hiring
*Note: meetings will be done using the Google Meet platform. Please email us if you need assistance getting set-up*
Newsletter content is provided by VPPPN members.
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December 17 VPPPN Meeting
A Plastic-Free Farmers Market Toolkit
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Guest Speakers, Jen, Vanessa and Elli of Clean Fairfax, will discuss the recent publication of a Plastic-Free Farmers Market Toolkit and the successes and challenges so far!
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SAVE THE DATE!
Virginia Marine Debris Summit 2025
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Save the date for the 2025 Virginia Marine Debris Summit, March 18-20 at the Norfolk Botanical Garden! We will be discussing all aspects of the Virginia Marine Debris Reduction Plan as we begin the process of updating the plan for 2026-2030. Join us for informative talks, networking opportunities and keynote speakers:
Sign up below for summit updates, exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities.
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First Round of Projects Announced Under the Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program | |
NOAA is pleased to announce with the William and Mary’s Batten School and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science 11 new marine debris removal projects under the Nationwide Fishing Trap Removal, Assessment, and Prevention (TRAP) Program. These projects represent an investment of $1.4 million to clean our nation's waterways with funds provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The Virginia Institute of Marine Science selected these projects, in coordination with the NOAA Marine Debris Program, through a rigorous and competitive review process. | |
Existing U.S. Federal Authorities to Address Plastic Pollution: A Synopsis for Decision Makers | |
The 2025 Marine Debris Calendar Is Now Available! | |
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The NOAA Marine Debris Program is proud to announce that our 2025 Marine Debris Calendar is now available for download!
The annual art contest aims to get students thinking about how marine debris impacts our ocean and Great Lakes, and what they can do to help. This year’s calendar features artwork from 13 students in kindergarten through eighth grade from eight states and two U.S. territories, all winners of the “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” art contest.
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CBF's General Assembly Preview | |
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The 2025 Virginia General Assembly is approaching quickly. Join Chesapeake Bay Foundation for the following events as part of your advocacy preparations.
· VA General Assembly Preview Webinar | Virtual | Wednesday, December 18 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Join us for a webinar hosted by Jay Ford, CBF’s Virginia Policy Manager, who will provide an overview of what CBF will be working on during the 2025 general assembly session. Register: events.cbf.org/2025gapreview
· VA General Assembly Legislative Preview | In-person at Brock Environmental Center | Thursday, January 9 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm | Jay Ford, our Virginia Policy Advisor, will be reviewing key issues on clean water, covering topics from environmental education and oysters to menhaden and wetlands. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding and become an expert advocate for the Bay topics you are passionate about. Register: events.cbf.org/va-leg-preview-010925
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· Water Lobby Day | Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025 | Water Lobby Day is your chance to lobby with fellow advocates and meet with your legislators at the General Assembly. We need advocates like you, now more than ever, to help advance policies that benefit clean water and meet Chesapeake Bay restoration goals. Prior to Lobby Day, we will host a Zoom call to discuss active legislation and budget requests, provide you with fact sheets, provide lobbying tips and best practices, and answer any questions you may have to ensure you feel completely comfortable. | Register: events.cbf.org/waterlobbyday | |
Reduce Plastic - Tips of the Month
Guide To a Plastic-Free Holiday and Greener Holiday
by
NOAA's Marine Debris Program & Beyond Plastics
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If there’s one time of the year that’s become synonymous with over-consumption and waste, it’s the holiday season. Fortunately, you can spread cheer with thoughtful gifts for your loved ones that don’t harm our environment. | |
- Give an Old Item New Life
- Choose Plastic-Free Gifts That Prevent Waste
- Give a Gift Subscription or Certificate To A Zero-Waste Service Or Refill Shop
- Support Democracy & Your Community With A Newspaper Subscription
- Give an Awesome Experience
- Make Your Own Gifts
- Support a Local Farm & Feed a Loved One
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‘Tis the season of giving! Gift wrapping, shipping packages, and gifts themselves often result in large sums of waste that can end up in our oceans and Great Lakes. This holiday season, the NOAA Marine Debris Program has thought of everyone on your list for a debris-free gift exchange. | |
Meet Our New Communications & Partnership Manager - Terra Pascarosa
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| |  | Clean Virginia Waterways is excited to announce our newest addition to the CVW team in the Virginia Beach office - Terra Pascarosa, Communications & Partnership Manager. As a native of Hampton Roads and growing up in Chics Beach on the Chesapeake Bay, Terra’s name literally means earth, so she did not miss her calling. Terra has worked in ocean conservation, plastic pollution prevention, beach cleanups and advocacy for over 20 years and has dedicated her career to protect, preserve and enhance our waterways and environment for future generations. Her proudest achievement is her son, Brady Duff, who often travels and advocates with Terra. She avidly loves the outdoors and wants to ensure current and future generations have the ability to enjoy the simplicity of nature that she works so hard to protect. She will be committed to advancing plastic pollution reduction with our partnerships, education, outreach and policy. Terra considers herself very blessed to work on projects that enhance and protect the world in which we live.
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CVW IS HIRING - JOIN OUR TEAM! | |
Clean Virginia Waterways is looking for a part-time Education & Outreach Specialist. If you love talking and educating about marine debris and plastic pollution prevention, please visit our website for more information. | |
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The VPPPN monthly eNewsletter wants
YOUR INPUT!
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If you would like to have your upcoming event (or publication) mentioned in the monthly VPPPN eNewsletter, write a paragraph with the following information, and email it to VirginiaPPPN@gmail.com.
FORMAT: Submissions to the VPPPN monthly eNewsletter must be sent as a Word or Pages document or as text in an e-mail. Word limit: 150. You can also send us a photo, logo, or flyer as a JPG.
CONTENT: Include the title, time, date and place of the event or program, and a phone number (with area code) or e-mail address of a contact person. State if the program is free or has a fee; has an age requirement or other restrictions; or has a registration deadline or welcomes drop-ins. Also include the name of the group sponsoring the event, and a website (if available) for more information.
Are you reading a book about plastics, environmental justice, ocean sustainability and health or another related topic? What about a podcast series relevant to plastic pollution or marine debris? We want to know so we can share that information with other VPPPN members!
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Support the
Virginia Plastic Pollution Prevention Network
| As our network grows, so do our expenses. On this upcoming Giving Tuesday, please consider a donation to support the VPPPN if you have found it to be valuable to you. We would appreciate your support of $10, $20 or more. Member organizations that donate $100 or more will have the opportunity to add their logo and website link to our website. | | | | |
