Blog
A New Administration, New General Assembly, and 60 Days to Act
On January 14, Virginia lawmakers will begin a 60-day marathon to make decisions that will affect our air, water, housing, and health for years to come. In our latest blog post, Southside ReLeaf co-founder Sheri Shannon explains what’s coming in the 2026 General Assembly, how Virginians can get involved, and why our collective advocacy matters.
The Hidden Work of Greening Richmond’s Southside: Why Autonomy Matters Beyond the Grant
In a new blog post, former Southside ReLeaf intern Destiny Brown shares insights from her urban planning research on the hidden challenges community-based organizations face when greening Southside Richmond — especially the funding barriers that limit community autonomy. She also imagines what change could look like when systems center trust and reparative justice.
Securing Virginia's Green Future: A New Plan for Forests and City Trees
Virginia is taking a bold step to protect one of its most valuable natural assets: its trees. In a new guest blog, Nathan Thomson, Policy and Legislative Analyst with the Virginia Department of Forestry, shares how a first-of-its-kind statewide initiative — the Forestland and Urban Tree Canopy Conservation Plan — will shape the future of Virginia’s forests and city trees.
Code Refresh: Help Shape the Richmond You Want to Live In
The City is updating its zoning ordinance for the first time since 1976 through the Code Refresh process, shaping where we live, work, and play for decades to come. From housing affordability to green spaces and neighborhood character, zoning affects every Richmond resident. This blog, guest-authored by the City's Code Refresh team, introduces the zoning process in simple terms and outlines the opportunities for you to share feedback and influence how Richmond grows.
Rainfall and Resilience: Closing the Gap with Community Data
This summer, University of Richmond student Holden Habermacher joined the school’s RESILIENCE team to put Richmond flood models to the test. By comparing community reports of flooding with rainfall data, she uncovered surprising insights — and learned why your observations matter more than you might think. See what the data revealed and how you can help “Go with the Flow” before Sept. 1, 2025.