Henrico’s Environmental Action Resource Team

A photo of two ducks on a lake with leafless winter trees in the background.
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. 
Stewart’s Travels. A cartoon turtle standing next to a map of Henrico County in a park-like setting.

Exploring Henrico’s Environmental Initiatives

Hello! I am Stewart the Turtle! As HEART’s mascot, I will be sharing all things environmental — news, programs and projects. My blog will be updated with reports of HEART’s initiatives. Together, we can make our community a greener and better space for all Henrico’s inhabitants. 

HEART Goes Biking
May 6, 2025

Wilton Farm Tree Inventory: A Collaborative Effort for Sustainability
February 24, 2025

HEART Paints Out Pollution
November 22, 2024

Reduce, reuse, recycle ... food waste composting? 
October 24, 2024

Keep Henrico Beautiful Awards Have Sprouted! 
July 24, 2024

Summer Stream Cleanups
June 20, 2024

Blog Archive

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

Learn about Henrico’s sustainability projects

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!

Solar Access Henrico logo.
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Check out recent pictures of H.E.A.R.T. 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

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

H.E.A.R.T. is excited to announce the inaugural Community Impact Grants program. This podcast will explain the details of this program that offers financial assistance to non-profit organizations that are looking to help our local environment.

Henrico's Environmental Action Resource Team podcast: Community Impact Grants Program

H.E.A.R.T. visits with Henrico‘s Fire Marshal, Justin Finan, and Deana Williams from the Department of Public Works to find out the connection between the Division of Fire and the environment. Once again, we discover another resource the county offers to help Henrico become a more sustainable and environmentally responsible community.

Henrico's Environmental Action Resource Team podcast: Fire Marshal's role in code enforcement


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!

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H.E.A.R.T. 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.