Thank You UCP for Hosting Our Annual Strategic Planning Meeting!

We are deeply grateful to United Christian Parish for warmly hosting FACS’ annual strategic planning meeting. Being welcomed into one of our partner congregations supported meaningful conversations as we reflected on the last year and mapped out next steps. This staff gathering helped set a clear and intentional direction for the year ahead.

Join a FACS Committee: Tree of Life & Finance

Tree of Life

We're looking for 2-3 passionate, big-hearted people to join the Tree of Life Committee to help extend the wave of green action across our faith congregations. This is your chance to turn shared values into meaningful impact while caring for creation, strengthening community, and inspiring hands-on initiatives. If you feel called to help faith communities become champions for biodiversity and creation care, we would love to hear from you. Please contact info@faithforclimate.org by the end of February.

Finance

Interested in supporting an organization’s financial health and long-term sustainability? Finance Committee members help review budgets, monitor financial performance, and ensure responsible stewardship of resources so FACS can continue to grow its impact with integrity and transparency. To learn more or express interest, please contact info@faithforclimate.org.

Advocacy Roundup: Making Progress in the General Assembly

Good News: HB 324 has successfully passed its first hurdle by making it through the House Labor and Commerce Committee with 15 members in support and only 5 opposed. We are very pleased with this result, especially since our team has held several meetings with committee members about this bill.

HB 324 now has to make its way through the Appropriations Committee and then pass on the full floor of the House of Delegates. There's a lot of momentum, but it's still critical to make your voice heard!

ACTION ALERT: Support HB 324 (Electric Vehicle Rural Infrastructure Fund)

As electric vehicles have become increasingly prevalent, our communities have benefited from fewer gas-powered vehicles burning fossil fuels. However, the lack of access to public EV charging infrastructure has prevented many Virginians from purchasing electric vehicles, especially in rural and low-income areas. HB 324 would help ensure that charging infrastructure is more accessible to all Virginians.

Encourage your legislators to vote in favor of HB 324 and support greater access to electric vehicle charging stations in Virginia.

Say "Hi!" to Us on Conservation Lobby Day!

The entire FACS Team will be heading to Richmond as a lead for Conservation Lobby Day on February 4th, hosted in partnership with the Virginia Conservation Network.

Just on that one day, FACS is leading over a dozen meetings with Virginia state legislators to advocate for pro-climate legislation. If you’re attending Conservation Lobby Day, connect with us at the FACS table!

Join FACS' Rapid Response Team

Our new Rapid Response Team will be the first to receive updates when action is quickly needed on crucial pieces of legislation and other top priorities. We will provide you with all the tools you need to take action on critical issues that need extremely quick and timely action.

By signing up for this team and taking action, you'll be playing a key role in ensuring our priorities are taken seriously by the General Assembly and other leaders.

Want to Keep Up with Everything Going On?

Check out our General Assembly Hub for up-to-date information on key bills, fact sheets, important dates, Advocacy Roundups (frequent updates from our Advocacy Director), and more!

Free Pop Up Clothing Swap for Community Members, Families, & Students!

Sat | Feb 21 | 12–4 PM | @Washington-Liberty High School

Help keep fast fashion from landing in landfills and take home a new fashion piece or accessory for your closet. Organized by Arlington Students for Climate Action, this free event is open to everyone! New and gently used items will be collected at several locations ahead of the swap. Sign up for the “Arlington County” FACS Hub’s mailing list to receive details.

Last year, the clothing swap collected an impressive 1,200 articles of clothing. Of those, 400 items went directly to community members, while the remaining pieces were donated to two Arlington nonprofits and a local Goodwill.

General Assembly Updates

Wed | Feb 4 | 7 PM | Virtual

For their February meeting, the Hub will hear updates from FACS experts and Hub members on the status of General Assembly activity. Sign up for the “Arlington County” FACS Hub’s mailing list to receive details.