Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team

Yellow wildflowers in front of a paved walkway.
HEART logo. A green and blue heart with a branch and leaf relief in the middle. Text reads H.E.A.R.T. Henrico's Environmental Action Resource Committee.

Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team (HEART) pledges to reduce the impact of Henrico County General Government and Henrico Schools on the environment. 

Henrico Environmental Action Resource Team (HEART) is made up of representatives from various Henrico County agencies, schools and the community all dedicated to pushing forward county efforts to promote sustainability, preserve natural resources, beautify the community and protect the environment. They serve as a think tank for the county’s environmental initiatives and aim to streamline such programs. Follow along as they make Henrico County and our environment a better place! 

We will:

  • Promote sustainability, conserve resources, and strive for the highest quality of life for our residents. 
  • Expand and promote the use of our sustainable transportation network. 
  • Protect county greenspace and provide high quality recreation opportunities. 
  • Conserve and provide stewardship of our natural water resources. 

Join Stewart’s Travel Blog as he explores HEART’s environmental adventures across Henrico County.

Projects

Logo of Stewart the Turtle in a yellow hard hat, holding a shovel, with green trees and blue sky in the background.

Check out HEART’s long-term sustainability projects that protect natural resources, improve climate resiliency, increase access to green spaces and public transportation, and provide resources and services for residents and visitors.

Solar Access Henrico logo.

Energy Dashboard

A graphic of various types of charts representing energy usage.

View the County’s Energy Use

Podcasts

A row of green composting bins.

Look at the results of Henrico’s composting efforts in 2025!

A collage of images to represent a scrapbook collection.

Check out recent pictures of HEART in action

Fun at the Pet Expo 2025
Stewart celebrates bike month

Climate Resilient RVA logo.

Richmond MSA Climate Pollution
Reduction Grant (Phase 1)
Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (Phase 2)

A food waste composting poster showing Stewart the Turtle holding a basket of fruit alongside the HEART logo.

At Home Composting
Residential Drop-off Composting

Our Teams 

We will work diligently on behalf of our residents, businesses, and visitors to provide equal access to Henrico County’s natural resources and to encourage a shared responsibility for their protection.

Workers installing solar panels.

Energy and Resource Conservation 

Promotes a culture of sustainability in Henrico County to: Conserve resources, Build Resilience, Improve Quality of Life, and Protect the Environment. 

Volunteers planting a tree.

Green Space and Recreation 

Champions the preservation and stewardship of greenspace and passive recreational opportunities in Henrico County.

Closeup of bike spokes with a sidewalk and grass in the background.

Mobility and Active Transportation  

Encourages awareness and expansion of Henrico County’s sustainable transportation infrastructure.

Two men wading in a stream collecting trash.

Water Resources  

Protects and improves Henrico’s water resources through community education, partnerships, and County-led actions.

Videos

Varina District Supervisor Tyrone E. Nelson hosted a community meeting June 26 to give residents an opportunity to discuss Title V air permits with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The permits are designed to improve compliance with the federal Clean Air Act by clarifying what source facilities must do to control air pollution, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Varina Community Meeting with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality - June 26, 2025

Henrico Board of Supervisors and Richmond City Council Special Meeting - June 30, 2025

Henrico Board of Supervisors and Richmond City Council Special Meeting - June 30, 2025

Henrico County is celebrating National Bike Month. Join us as we share updates related to county cycling routes, new end of ride stations at county facilities and a full schedule of bike safety events for the whole community during the month of May.

National Bike Month Podcast

Vallerie Reilly became the first resident to receive solar panels through Solar Access Henrico, a new program offered to eligible homeowners. Henrico and Dominion Energy Solutions are partnering to help homeowners take advantage of sustainable technologies while saving money on electricity and reducing the community’s environmental impact. “We're the only place in the commonwealth where we were directly involved in making sure that low or minimal-income residents have access to this type of program,” said Varina District Supervisor Tyrone Nelson, who dropped by Reilly's home when the panels were being installed last week. “We do a lot of firsts here, and this is one that I'm super proud of.” The program was created through a $5 million grant, which will support the installation of solar panels on as many as 250 homes. Because funding is limited, interested homeowners are encouraged to apply promptly. To be eligible, applicants must live in Henrico, own their own home and have a household income at or less than 100% of the area’s median income. Their home also must be deemed a good fit for solar. To learn more: https://henrico.gov/genserv/solar-access-henrico/

Qualifying residents can receive solar panels at no cost through Solar Access Henrico

The next phase of Tuckahoe Creek Park is getting ready to move forward, thanks in large part to a local community partner. The Wilton Companies, a local business with deep roots in Tuckahoe, is donating roughly 21 acres of land just north of Patterson Avenue to expand the park. This property connects to the existing Tuckahoe Creek Park and will allow visitors to enjoy more of the natural beauty of the creek. “This generous gift of land will allow the county to make Tuckahoe Creek an even better place for Henrico residents to enjoy all that we have to offer,” Tuckahoe District Supervisor Jody K. Rogish said at a Monday press conference recognizing the donation. “Thank you, thank you, thank you for your incredible contribution to our community and your vision that will help us enhance this beautiful space for generations to come.” For more information visit https://henrico.gov/news/2025/04/tuckahoe-creek-park-expansion-planned-on-newly-donated-land/ 00:00 - John Zannino - Recreation & Parks Director 01:25 - Jody Rogish - Tuckahoe District Supervisor 05:31 - Rich Johnson - President & CEO - The Wilton Companies

Tuckahoe Creek Park expansion planned on land donated by The Wilton Companies

H.E.A.R.T visits with members of the student Youth Council. These Henrico County Public Schools high school students share why they joined H.E.A.R.T and what is important to them about the environment. So, join us as we listen to their solutions and ideas on how we can protect and preserve the natural environment. Go Green!

Henrico's Environmental Action Resource Team podcast: H.E.A.R.T. Youth Council

2024 Land Lover Award winner, Lollie George, loves spending time working on her garden. In this video, she discusses how she keeps her garden sustainable by conserving resources to nourish her native plants and the wildlife that they support. The Land Lover and Clean Business Awards are about encouraging Henrico citizens and business owners to practice sustainability wherever they can. If you consider yourself to be a good steward of the environment, nominate yourself on the Keep Henrico Beautiful website: https://henrico.gov/utility/keep-henrico-beautiful/awards/. Nominations are open year-round.

Land Lover and Clean Business Awards: Growing a Community with Resource Conservation


View All

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Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team wants to hear from you!

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Follow us on Instagram!

HEART Instagram QR code.


HEART Partners

Keep Henrico Beautiful logo.
Virginia PACE Authority logo.
Virginia Clean Cities logo.
PlanRVA logo.
Dominion Energy Solutions logo.
Henricopolis logo.
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation logo.
Fall Line logo.
GRTC logo.
Central Virginia Waste Management Authority logo.
1380AM Radio Poder logo.
Capital Trees logo.
NOPE Compost Company logo.
Virginia Department of Forestry logo.