Our special programs are free and open to the public.

These programs are usually held virtually.  Please register by clicking on the link of the program you are interested in, and you will be sent zoom instructions.  Occasionally, in-person events are held at Sandy Bottom Nature Park in Hampton, located at 1255 Big Bethel Road 23666. Sandy Bottom Nature Park is an Environmental education preserve on 456 acres with a lake and nature center set on reclaimed land.

The programs for the first half of the 2026-2027 season (in reverse chronological order) are as follows:

Wednesday, September 16, 2026, 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom

Program:  This exciting program begins with a greeting from State Delegate Mark Downey who represents HD 69, to include parts of York County, James City County, Gloucester and Newport News.  Delegate Downey is a pediatrician and is the only doctor serving as an elected legislator in the VA General Assembly.  Sustainability managers and representatives from Virginia Peninsula localities will report on their latest initiatives in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to include solar arrays, energy efficient building practices, EV vehicles, EV charging stations, and other creative measures.  These localities are Gloucester, Hampton, James City County, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, and Williamsburg.  Whitney Katchmark with Hampton Roads Planning District Commission will give an update on the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant of an initial $1 million, with HRPDC as the lead for the 17 localities in the Hampton Roads area.  With input from localities and citizens, the first Climate Action Plan for Hampton Roads was submitted to the EPA in November of 2025 which details actions leading to clean energy generation and ensures that low income communities will benefit.

Concluded

Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 7:00-8:30 p.m. on Zoom

Program:  We have invited State Delegate Bonita Anthony provide opening remarks who represents parts of Norfolk and Chesapeake in HD 92.  Sustainability managers and representatives from Southside Hampton Roads localities will report on their latest initiatives in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to include solar arrays, energy efficient building practices, EV vehicles, EV charging stations, and other creative measures.  These localities are Chesapeake, Franklin, Isle of Wight, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Southampton, Smithfield, Suffolk, Surry and Virginia Beach.  Whitney Katchmark and team from Hampton Roads Planning District Commission will give an update on the EPA’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant of an initial $1 million, with HRPDC as the lead for the 17 localities in the Hampton Roads area.  With input from localities and citizens, the first Climate Action Plan for Hampton Roads was submitted to the EPA in November of 2025 which details actions leading to clean energy generation and ensures that low income communities will benefit.

Hosted jointly by York River Group and Coastal Virginia Group, Sierra Club.

Register here: https://act.sierraclub.org/events/details?formcampaignid=701Po00002859JfIAI&mapLinkHref=

Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 7:00-8:00 p.m. on Zoom

Program:  Speaker Bob Hodson with Protect Virginia will speak.

The mission of Protect Virginia is to have cruise ships and other commercial ships switch from dirty fuels to keep our rivers healthy and marine life free from polluting contaminants.  This campaign is moving ahead with great energy and Protect Virginia would like to engage additional public support, expanding from its original scope on the York River to encompass all of Virginia’s waterways.

Registration will be available at a later date

A summary of most of our recent past programs can be found under Our Blogs.