Newport News, VA (March 6, 2024) The Virginia Living Museum is excited to announce that it has been selected as a recipient of a grant from the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation. Dominion Energy recently revealed $1.3 million in grants through its Environmental Education and Stewardship grants program, with the Virginia Living Museum being among the 45 recipient organizations in Virginia.
This grant from Dominion Energy will bolster the Museum’s “Community Conservation” initiatives in 2024. The funds will be instrumental in supporting various projects aimed at safeguarding and preserving the region’s natural environment. From conducting Turtle Census and Salamander Surveys to participating in Monarch Watch, Frog Watch USA, and Bee City USA programs; engaging in Project Feederwatch, organizing Waterway Cleanups, and more, the Virginia Living Museum makes a real-world impact on the community. Through these projects, the Museum helps to restore the environment, encourage recycling, create and improve habitat for pollinators, promotes species conservation, and monitors the health of native wildlife populations.
“We are profoundly grateful to Dominion Energy for their unwavering support and dedication to environmental stewardship,” said Rebecca Kleinhample, Executive Director of the Virginia Living Museum. “Their generous grant will enable us to expand our Community Conservation projects and engage our community in meaningful ‘citizen science’ initiatives aimed at preserving our natural heritage.”
The conservation projects also serve as meaningful environmental education opportunities for children and their families who volunteer to participate, promoting interactive learning about environmental science, and inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.
Crystal Bright, External Affairs Manager for Dominion Energy, visited the Museum in January to witness firsthand the impact of their support and to present the grant check. Joining her were John W. Morgan, Museum Board Member and Manager at Dominion Energy; Claudia Kessel, Museum Grants Officer; Kortney Jaworski, Herpetology Curator; and Ms. Kleinhample. Ms. Bright’s visit underscored Dominion Energy’s commitment to environmental sustainability and its partnership with organizations like the Virginia Living Museum to effect positive change.
For more information about the Virginia Living Museum and its commitment to environmental protection, or to volunteer for the Museum’s conservation efforts, visit www.thevlm.org.
About the Virginia Living Museum
The Virginia Living Museum is a leader in natural living exhibits! Native Virginia mammals, marine life, reptiles, amphibians, birds, plants, and planets are presented in natural ecosystems that connect people to nature through educational experiences that promote conservation. Accredited by both the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (living exhibits) and the American Alliance of Museums (non-live collections), the Museum’s high standards are its hallmark, as only 14 institutions share this designation in the country.
The Museum is an independent 501c3 organization, a successful public/private partnership with the City of Newport News and Museum guests. Created in 1966 by the Warwick Rotary Club and Junior League of Hampton Roads, the Museum is built by the community, beloved by the community, and sustained by the community.
Located at 524 J. Clyde Morris Blvd., Newport News (I-64, exit 258-A), hours are 9 to 5 daily. Learn more at thevlm.org, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, or call 757-595-1900.
About the Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation
About 7 million customers in 15 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D). Through its Dominion Energy Charitable Foundation, as well as EnergyShare and other programs, Dominion Energy contributed $46.7 million in 2023 to community causes. The Foundation supports nonprofit causes that meet basic human needs, protect the environment, promote education, and encourage community vitality. Please visit www.DominionEnergy.com to learn more.
About Dominion Energy
About 7 million customers in 15 states energize their homes and businesses with electricity or natural gas from Dominion Energy (NYSE: D), headquartered in Richmond, Va. The company is committed to providing reliable, affordable, and increasingly clean energy every day and to achieving Net Zero emissions by 2050. Please visit DominionEnergy.com to learn more.
