Recognizing the importance of bringing community environmental leaders and advocates together, Renew Rocktown, the Friendly City Food Co-op, and the Shenandoah Valley Chapter of the Sierra Club hosted events on Earth Day 2025. The days’ events, including a Luncheon and an evening Happy Hour, provided space for community members to celebrate our environmental & climate wins, connect on local initiatives, and discover ways to take action for a stronger, more sustainable Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Conversations facilitated by JMU’s Institute for Constructive Advocacy & Dialogue helped identify local gaps and opportunities, helping shape the direction of Renew Rocktown’s work.
Renew Rocktown also presented the inaugural Cathy Strickler ‘Good Trouble’ Award to Cathy Strickler and the 2025 awardee Joy Loving. The award will be given each year to someone in our community for their, ‘commitment to environmental sustainability and social equity, and for displaying the courage, care, collaborative spirit, and tenacity to make the world a better place.‘
Photos by Andrew DeVier-Scott.
