Calling all environmental professionals in Virginia! The National Association of Environmental Professionals (NAEP) is gauging interest to begin the first ever Virginia chapter of the organization. As an interdisciplinary organization dedicated to developing the highest standards of proficiency in the environmental profession, the new Virginia chapter—VAEP—will support the advancement of environmental professional careers across the Commonwealth.
Fostering a collaborative relationship between the public and private sector, VAEP will host recurring events to help members stay current on the unique environmental considerations in Virginia and changes in science, law, practice, and policy, including guest speakers like regulators and attorneys to provide clarity and guidance. The new chapter will provide a venue for professionals to network and seek opportunities for career growth and business development, while engaging in mentoring between seasoned and emerging professionals in the environmental community. A database will be maintained for entities to easily identify environmental professional referrals, while serving as a conduit for the distribution of new information to encourage best practices and disseminate current information across membership.
“The future Virginia chapter will provide the access and network for you to grow as a professional,” said Cindy Shurling, Federal Environmental Practice Leader at VHB. “It will serve as a forum for state-of-the-art information on environmental planning, research and management; provide a network of professional contacts; act as a resource for structured career development; and stand as a strong proponent of ethics and the highest standards of practice in the environmental professions. I am excited to be working alongside colleagues across our industry to get this organization started.”
NAEP hosts numerous working groups to keep members informed of important legislative and regulatory changes throughout various practice areas and to highlight best practices on emerging issues. Cindy has participated in several NAEP working groups, including the Environmental Justice Working Group, NEPA Practice Working Group, Water and Coastal Resources Working Group, and the newly formed Offshore Wind Environmental Professionals Working Group. The value from these working groups and the additional benefits the National organization provides is what motivated Cindy to join other industry professionals to help bring more of these benefits locally.
To help further articulate the vision for the VAEP chapter organization, obtain feedback, and gauge interest, informational meetings are being planned in the coming months. The first interest meeting is being planned for March 2, 2022, in Virginia Beach. If there is sufficient interest in membership, an application to establish a chapter under the NAEP will be filed, and the necessary documents to form the VAEP as a nonstock & nonprofit Virginia entity will be prepared.
If you’d like to receive information about the March meeting or future activities, please contact Cindy Shurling. For more information about NAEP, visit their website.