Have you registered? WVEC’s Annual Meeting is almost here — join us on Saturday, September 20,  at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley, WV.

Register today!

Visit our event page for full details on registration, meeting agenda, lodging, and more.

We encourage you to come for the day or make it a weekend getaway — with Friday arrivals, evening bonfire, and Sunday brunch.

Explore Cedar Lakes’ recreational options — from hiking trails and basketball courts to horseshoes and more. Learn more at cedarlakes.com/recreation

For students, meals are provided, and free dorm lodging is available, please fill out this form!

Whether you’re new to this or a long-time advocate, we’d love for you to join us! Everyone is welcome.

Questions? Please email us anytime at WVECevents@gmail.com. Register here to join us in Ripley!

Agenda (Click here to download a printable pdf)

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 20

Location:     Jackson Hall, Cedar Lakes Conference Center

  9:00 am      Continental Breakfast in the meeting room. (Provided by WVEC!)

  9:30 am      Welcome and Introductions. We will discuss the day’s agenda and goals.

 10:00 am      Partner Updates. Time to hear about any WINS!

10:30 am      Speakers

• HB 2014 and air permits, land use, and zoning
  Andrew Earley, Fairshake Environmental Legal Services

• Data Centers: A perspective from Virginia
  Julie Bolthouse, Director of Land Use, Piedmont Environmental Council

• Flooding and resiliency policy, WV and Appalachian perspective
  Brendan Muckian-Bates, Policy & Advocacy Associate at Appalachian Citizens’ Law Center and a leader of the Appalachian Appalachian Flood Resilience Coalition

12:00pm      Lunch* in the Lions Shelter, adjacent to Jackson Hall

1:00 pm      2025 Legislative Session Recap, Kasey Russell, WVEC Lobbyist

1:15 pm      Policy Briefing Book Preview, Question King, WVEC Vice Presiden           

1:30 pm      Speakers

• Public land updates and what could be on the horizon
  Mike Jones, Conservation Manager, WV Rivers Coalition

• Attacks on community air monitoring: A Kentucky perspective
  Byron Gary, Program Attorney, Kentucky Resources Council

2:30 pm       Break

2:45 pm       Working Groups Presentations

• Preview of 2026 Priorities
• Flood Resiliency/River Trails and Access
• Data Centers
• Energy Policy

3:30 pm       Q&A with Delegate Evan Hansen     

4:00 pm       Legislative Strategy Brainstorming

• Tools: Legislator tracking, citizen advocate recruitment, utilize coalitions/groups we have something in common with; public awareness campaigns
• Flood resiliency next steps with Grace Dever, Assistant Director of WVU Center for Resilient Communities
• Break-out groups for each priority

4:45 pm       Wrap Up

• Final reflections
• Next steps and follow-up timeline
• 2026 E-Day Overview, Environmental Day is Monday, Feb. 23, 2026!!
• Thank you to all participants

5:00 pm       Dinner* and a campfire at #66 around 7:30 pm!

*Meals can be purchased when you register.