Communities face increasing threats from extreme weather events and unpredictable climate patterns that exacerbate existing economic, environmental, health, and other social stresses. It is critical that communities identify, address, and prepare for these risks and challenges to survive, thrive, and become more resilient. In this report, we look at the attributes of a resilient community, the various approaches Virginia communities have taken to build resilience, and how we can work together to become more resilient.
Where Resilience Meets Reality: Highlights from the 2025 Resilient Virginia Conference
Over 200 leaders, experts, and community advocates gathered at James Madison University this July for the 2025 Resilient Virginia Conference, themed “Moving Virginia Forward.” The two-day event offered a powerful mix of strategic insights, grassroots innovation, and hands-on learning—from climate-smart infrastructure and equity-driven planning to immersive experiences like the Science on a Sphere and FIRST Chesapeake’s “Robot Petting Zoo.”