Check out Article XI … and to save you time questioning “Why Article VI for the title of the blog?”

What is “Article XI,” you ask? Yeah, I’d never heard of it either. In fact it’s the part of Virginia’s Constitution dealing with conservation and protection of Virginia’s environment and natural resources. Section 1 of Article XI is particularly relevant, and I quote it here (bolding added for emphasis):

To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop, and utilize its natural resources, its public lands, and its historical sites and buildings. Further, it shall be the Commonwealth’s policy to protect its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth.

Well, you can’t get much clearer than that, can you now? 🙂 And please note that this language is not in a “treehugger” organization’s charter, it’s in the Virginia constitution for ALL Virginians. That’s right, it’s not just for Democrats. It’s not just for Republicans. It’s not just for liberals. It’s not just for conservatives.