Vermont Conservation Voters
working to make environmental protection a top priority for elected officials, candidates, and voters
Make a Donation
Join the Movement
Our kids want to know: What’s Your Plan on Climate?
%
of endorsed candidates elected in 2022
Activist Engagements this biennium
Our Work
Each year, VCV works with the major environmental groups to identify and advocate for the most pressing environmental issues. We publish an Environmental Common Agenda of Legislative Priorities, and then produce an Environmental Scorecard to hold lawmakers accountable for votes on these priority issues.
Accountability
We track, score and hold lawmakers accountable.
Endorsements
We endorse and work to elect candidates who vote for the environment.
ADVOCACY
We campaign for strong environmental laws.
Democracy Dispatch Podcast
Every Monday during the Legislative session, VCV’s Justin Marsh is joined by folks from their team to update you about everything that happened in the Vermont State House the week before, and what to expect throughout the upcoming week. Listen to exclusive interviews with legislators and environmental allies, and go deeper on policy initiatives affecting our air, water, open space, democracy, and quality of life.
New podcast episodes launch every Monday during the Vermont Legislative Session.
Latest Episode
Silver Bullet or Piece of the Puzzle? Act 250’s Impact on Affordable Housing
Guest interviewer, Cora Smith, talks with Kathy Beyer of Evernorth about Act 250’s role in allowing affordable housing as well as how it’s created and defined.
Explore past Episodes
All Episodes
Listen to the Democracy Dispatch podcast on the following services:
Spotify Podcasts | Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio | TuneIn | Podchaser
Latest News & Updates
Climate Dispatch: Jun 7: Senator Baruth Debriefs the Session
This year, the Vermont Legislature worked hard to address the climate challenges we are experiencing. Flood safety, making Big Oil pay for climate disasters, modernizing Vermont’s renewable energy standard, allowing thermal energy networks, banning PFAS, protecting...
Climate Superfund Law Enacted; Vermont Becomes First State to Hold Big Oil Financially Responsible for a Fair Share of Climate Damages
MONTPELIER – Legislation authorizing the State of Vermont to recoup financial damages caused by climate change from major fossil fuel companies became law today when Governor Phil Scott failed to sign or veto the bill during the constitutionally-mandated five-day...
Governor Scott’s Veto of Landmark Renewable Energy Bill is Short-Sighted
Montpelier, VT — In a dismaying attempt to obstruct Vermont’s environmental and economic progress, today Governor Scott vetoed compromise legislation aimed at modernizing the Renewable Energy Standard and setting the state on a path to delivering 100% renewable...
Our Core Issues
VCV works side-by-side with your elected officials to help pass legislation that will ensure Vermont offers a bright future for our children and grandchildren.
CLIMATE ACTION
Vermont has both a legal and moral obligation to cut climate pollution in a just way, and at a pace that recognizes the scale and severity of the climate emergency. While the Climate Action Plan requires additional refinement and input — particularly from historically marginalized Vermonters — the Legislature has clear direction on what we need to do to transform our energy systems.
HEALTHY Forests + Wildlife
Vermont’s forested landscape is central to our state’s identity and economy. From traditional jobs in the woods, to recreational opportunities for hunters, hikers and anglers, to helping filter and clean our waters, mitigating the effects of climate change, and providing a home for iconic wildlife – healthy forests are an essential asset for Vermont.
Clean water
Clean water is essential to Vermonters’ health, well-being, and quality of life. By adopting policies to better protect and restore our river corridors, riparian buffers along streams, and enhance our wetlands, we will improve water quality, increase species biodiversity, support our tourism and outdoor recreation economies, address stormwater, filter groundwater, and restore the cold-water habitat for which Vermont streams are renowned.
toxic chemical reform
PFAS and other toxic chemicals harm our bodies’ immune systems, cause diseases like cancer, and contaminate our environment. In the past few years, lawmakers have unanimously enacted nation-leading legislation that banned PFAS and other chemicals from a range of consumer products.
sustainable communities
The housing crisis is a nationwide, multi-faceted issue with numerous, complex underlying causes. Accordingly, it demands a multi-faceted response. We can and must address our housing needs while simultaneously protecting our environment. Advancing smart growth housing solutions supports Vermonters’ quality of life, resilience to economic, social and environmental change, and and protects ecological systems.
Upcoming Events
View the Full Calendar
VCV plays a key role in helping the every day person know how their legislator voted on the issues that matter to them. That allows people to be informed citizens when they go to the ballot box. No other organization in this state has as big of an impact as VCV does on elections.
Our Partners
The Vermont environmental community’s vision for a bright future includes working to advance and defend policies that protect the environment; promote health, civil rights, social, racial and economic justice; bolster strong communities; and strengthen our democracy.
- Audubon Vermont
- Connecticut River Conservancy (CRC)
- Connecticut River Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited
- Conservation Law Foundation (CLF)
- Lake Champlain Committee (LCC)
- Preservation Trust of Vermont
- Renewable Energy Vermont (REV)
- Rights & Democracy (RAD)
- Slingshot
- The Trust for Public Land (TPL)
- Third Act Vermont
- 350VT
- Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR)
- The Vermont Climate & Health Alliance
- Vermont Chapter of the Sierra Club
- Vermont Interfaith Power & Light (VTIPL)
- Vermont Natural Resources Council (VNRC)
- Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG)
Give Today
Vermont Conservation Voters
P.O. Box 744, Montpelier, VT 05601802-224-9090
info @ vermontconservationvoters.org