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Membership

We encourage everyone in the surrounding area to come participate in WCAN in whatever way they feel comfortable. We have members from many different backgrounds and all different ages.

Leadership

Director - Christine Llewellyn
Advisory - Randie Testrail, Kathryn Borden, Patti Gray

Meetings

8/10/09 - Meeting cancelled.
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Member meetings are generally the second Monday of the month and are currently held at the Williamsburg Unitarian Universalist Church on Ironbound Road (directions/map) from 7pm-9pm. Meeting activities are varied. Some examples of past meetings included science-oriented guest speakers, legislative updates and education, film nights, letter writing, sharing green ideas, Low Carbon Diet, etc. Everyone is welcome. Childcare is not provided. Leadership Meetings are held weekly on Mondays.

7/13/09 WCAN monthly meeting was attendance at the Dendron Town Council Meeting to oppose the Surry coal plant.

6/8/09 Surry Coal Plant Opposition Planning.

5/11/09 Gardening with Native Plants presented by the Virginia Native Plant Society.

4/13/09 A Biomass Energy Future: Al Weed of Public Policy Virginia outlines the biomass resource in Virginia and proven technology, then explores potential economic effects of developing this industry. Dr. Dennis Taylor (VIMS) will discuss the biofuel plant at W&M that turns waste cooking oil into biodiesel fuel and Dr. Liz Canuel (VIMS) will discuss using algae to fuel our cars.

2/9/09 The Public Policy Challenge: Al Weed of Public Policy Virginia and Glen Besa of the Virginia Sierra Club will discuss state and federal legislation that will impact climate change, including cap and trade, carbon taxes and tax incentives for renewables/efficiency measures. Discussion includes how we can engage the power industry to fight global warming and how to promote a biomass energy economy in Virginia.

At our December 8, 2008 meeting we had a working meeting where we discussed the agenda for the WCAN meeting with representative Wittman and began planning for the upcoming speaker series.

At our November 10, 2008 meeting we received a Legislative Update from Antigone Ambrose, and Rick Kennerly talked about Utility Scale Solar Power Generation.

At our October 13, 2008 meeting, the topic was Building a Drought Tolerant Lawn...Bob Winter and Rich Strenkowski...Bob's topic covered soils, need for organic matter, roots, seed recommendations. His presentation was titled "Turn it Off" which describes a methodology to reduce weeds, tips for proper lawn maintenance leading to a conclusion that if a homeowner follows these recommendations then they can turn off their irrigation system in August and still have a decent looking lawn saving money and water resources (and perhaps the need to fertilize).

At our September 8, 2008 meeting we discussed Rain Barrels and Rain Gardens...Carol Fryer(Rain Gardens) and Jim Pressly(Rain Barrels) Rains gardens covered when you should consider a Rain Garden, how to build one, how to select proper plants that will work, testing for proper drainage. Rain Barrels will show how to build your own barrel...basic elements of construction and where to purchase parts.

Volunteers Needed

Please fill out the contact form if you would like to volunteer for any of these tasks or if you have any questions.

1. Event photographer
2. Group historian
3. Cool Cities/Counties contact person/local government liaison
4. Website maintenance
5. Maintain e-mail list
6. Submit ads to (2) papers for monthly meetings and special events

E-mail List

Sign up for our e-mail list to receive weekly or bi-monthly e-mails which contain climate change and clean energy initiative updates, action alerts, listings of upcoming events and volunteer opportunities!

FAQ

Are there member dues?
There are no official dues, but as everyone knows it takes money to sponsor events, hold educational programs, and engage the community. Donations are always welcome!

Your meetings are held at a church. Are you a church group?
The WUU church has been kind enough to allow us to use their spaces for meetings at no charge. Some members of WCAN attend WUU, but there is no direct affiliation with WUU or any other church. We have active WCAN members from all different backgrounds.