Ford awarded for conservation

Jay Ford, Virginia Policy Manager for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, has been named the Virginia Conservation Network’s Conservation Champion of the Year for 2025. Presented on October 7, the award honors Ford’s exceptional leadership in advancing key environmental policies across the Commonwealth, from coastal resilience to clean water initiatives. The recognition is reserved for individuals who have achieved major accomplishments in water quality, land use, clean energy, or environmental justice within the past year.

The Virginia Conservation Network praised Ford for his “strategic, high-impact policy leadership,” citing his success in securing state funding for coastal resilience projects and agricultural conservation efforts. Ford’s work on recurrent flooding and sea level rise earned him a seat on the Joint Subcommittee on Recurrent Flooding, where he has helped develop science-based solutions to protect vulnerable communities. “Jay Ford’s legislative victories—from securing funds for coastal resilience to farmers for clean water—represent precisely the kind of leadership this award celebrates,” said VCN Executive Director Mary Rafferty.

In addition to his coastal policy work, Ford has been a strong advocate for Virginia’s agricultural sector through his efforts to sustain full funding for the Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share Program. This initiative supports farmers who implement conservation practices that improve water quality in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. He also championed legislation to expand wetland protections, strengthen tree canopy preservation, and establish the Office of Commonwealth Resilience, while supporting measures to advance clean energy and reduce microplastics in public drinking water.

“I am deeply honored and grateful to receive the Conservation Champion of the Year award from the Virginia Conservation Network,” said Ford. “This recognition is a testament to the collective efforts of the dedicated conservation community, our farmer partners, and the passionate citizens across Virginia who show up to advocate for cleaner water and more resilient communities every day. The hard work continues, but this award fuels our commitment to safeguarding Virginia’s natural resources for generations to come.”