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2025-2026: 36th Annual Environment Virginia Symposium Held at VMI - VMI News
News ClipVirginia Military Institute·Lexington, Lexington City County, VA·4/4/2026
The 36th annual Environment Virginia Symposium was held at Virginia Military Institute, bringing together state and local governments, non-profits, academia, and the private sector to discuss environmental issues. "Challenges for data centers" was listed as one of many breakout session topics. The event focused on protecting and preserving Virginia's environment through discussions, awards, and collaborative efforts.
environmental
Gov: Virginia Military Institute, Department of Natural and Historic Resources, Department of Wildlife Resources, Department of Forestry, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, Department of Conservation and Recreation, Lancaster County, Prince William County Public Schools, Rappahannock Tribe, Fairfax County Park Authority, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District, Fairfax County Public Library Department of Procurement and Material Management, City of Fredericksburg
The 36th annual Environment Virginia Symposium convened over 570 representatives from government, nonprofits, academia, and the private sector at the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) in Lexington, VA, from March 24-26. Co-hosted by VMI's Center for Leadership & Ethics, the event aimed to foster collaboration and idea exchange among leaders and regulators on environmental protection across the Commonwealth. Superintendent Lt. Gen. David Furness '87 welcomed participants, emphasizing VMI's role in developing future environmental leaders through its STEM programs.
David Bulova, Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, delivered opening remarks, highlighting Virginia's natural beauty and its economic and cultural significance. A key panel discussion featured directors from five state government co-host agencies: the Department of Wildlife Resources, Department of Forestry, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Department of Environmental Quality, and Department of Conservation and Recreation. They discussed budgetary constraints, grants, and guiding principles like transparency and innovation, as well as the application of artificial intelligence and public land management.
Breakout sessions covered a diverse range of environmental topics specific to Virginia, including Chesapeake Bay commitments, water quality, flood resilience, and notably, "challenges for data centers." Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni, COO of Pasteur Labs, presented a plenary on "AI and the Environment," advocating for a disciplined approach to AI by focusing on specific problems and available data to enhance environmental solutions.
The symposium also recognized significant contributions to environmental protection. Becky Gwynn, executive deputy director of the Department of Wildlife Resources, received the Erchul Environmental Leadership Award for her nearly 40 years of conservation work. Additionally, the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards honored various entities for innovative projects across Virginia, including initiatives in Loudoun, Lancaster, and Prince William Counties, and the cities of Fairfax and Fredericksburg.