Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation Working to protect, conserve and enhance natural areas, waterways, floodplains, farmland and more. The Virginia DCR page is a family friendly page.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation works to conserve, protect, enhance and advocate wise use of the commonwealth’s unique natural, historical, recreational, scenic and cultural resources. Citizens’ livelihood, quality of life and future depend on how wisely we manage our natural resources. That’s why DCR strives to give individuals, businesses, communities and all levels of gov

ernment tools and the information needed to make wise decisions in conserving natural and recreational resources. The agency does so through planning, funding, education and, in a few cases, regulation. DCR’s work falls into several broad categories ranging from protecting rare plants, animals and natural communities to ensuring the smart use of soil and water resources. The agency manages, protects and provides access to more than 26,625 acres, including numerous state parks and natural area preserves throughout the commonwealth. Please keep that in mind when making comments. Our entire comment policy can be found at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/social-media-disclaimer

Join the Virginia Natural Heritage Program for Highland Natural History, a guided exploration of some of Highland County...
09/01/2026

Join the Virginia Natural Heritage Program for Highland Natural History, a guided exploration of some of Highland County's most unique high-elevation communities.

Participants will search for rare and unusual plants, animals and fungi — species typically found much farther north — while learning what makes these ecosystems so special.

For more information and how to register, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/eventsdetail-highland

On Aug. 4, 2026, DCR's Virginia Natural Heritage Program field zoologist Andrew Rapp surveyed Caledon State Park for sta...
08/31/2026

On Aug. 4, 2026, DCR's Virginia Natural Heritage Program field zoologist Andrew Rapp surveyed Caledon State Park for state‑rare and watchlist animals. While surveying one of the park’s many wetlands, he encountered two stripe‑backed resin‑leafcutter bees (Trachusa dorsalis; GNR S1). This discovery marks only the third known location in Virginia for this rare species.

The individuals observed at Caledon State Park were utilizing pink wild bean (Strophostyles umbellata). Pink wild bean typically prefers xeric woodlands, meadows and barrens, but it can also occur in tidal freshwater marshes. At least within Virginia — and possibly throughout the species’ range — this is the first documented instance of Trachusa dorsalis using a wetland habitat.

This discovery expands the range of potentially suitable habitats for the species in Virginia.

📸: USGS Bee Lab, DCR

Virginia farmers have another tool to help protect water quality. The Virginia Agricultural BMP Tax Credit Program offer...
08/28/2026

Virginia farmers have another tool to help protect water quality. The Virginia Agricultural BMP Tax Credit Program offers a 25% credit on the first $100,000 spent on approved best management practices — giving producers financial support as they invest in cleaner, healthier waterways across the Commonwealth.

To qualify, producers must apply with their local Soil and Water Conservation District before installing the BMP and ensure they have an approved conservation plan.
Smart conservation pays off.

To learn more, visit https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/soil-and-water/costshar3.

The Virginia Natural Heritage Program is part of an international network spanning all 50 states and every Canadian prov...
08/27/2026

The Virginia Natural Heritage Program is part of an international network spanning all 50 states and every Canadian province, contributing vital data to NatureServe. Virginia’s program has earned the title of Outstanding Natural Heritage Program in the Western Hemisphere three times for its innovative work using science to drive conservation statewide.

Pictured is an article detailing the Natural Heritage Program’s first honor of receiving the award in 1994, just eight years after the program was created.

At the time, Tom Smith, director of DCR’s natural heritage program, said, “Credit for the award really goes to the hard-working, professional staff of the program. They’re the best.”

Read the pictured 1994 Grassroots article here:https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dcr100/document/grassroots-nhrecognition.pdf

Virginia State Parks offers managed hunting opportunities each year to help control deer populations and protect vegetat...
08/26/2026

Virginia State Parks offers managed hunting opportunities each year to help control deer populations and protect vegetation and habitat quality.

New this year, Clinch River State Park in Wise County will host its first hunting opportunity, giving hunters a chance to experience one of Virginia’s newest and most biologically diverse parks.

Natural Tunnel State Park in Scott County will also debut an archery hunt by permit. Special designated areas will be open, with only 10 permits available through a lottery drawing.

Across select state parks, hunting options vary from open hunting in designated areas to organized deer management hunts. Hunters can also reserve stands or zones through the online system, which operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

To learn more, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/hunting

DCR has officially adopted the Mayo River State Park Master Plan, setting the vision for a 637-acre future state park in...
08/25/2026

DCR has officially adopted the Mayo River State Park Master Plan, setting the vision for a 637-acre future state park in Henry County.

The plan includes a visitor center, day-use amenities, cabins and camping, expanded trails connecting to North Carolina, new river access for paddling and fishing and protection of rare natural and cultural resources.

Learn more and view the master plan: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/mayo-river-sp

Protecting Virginia’s waterways starts with the ground beneath our feet. When rain carries excess nutrients and chemical...
08/24/2026

Protecting Virginia’s waterways starts with the ground beneath our feet. When rain carries excess nutrients and chemicals into streams, rivers and bays, it can trigger harmful algal blooms and reduce oxygen levels — threatening the aquatic life that depends on clean water.

Soil and water conservation districts have been tackling erosion and runoff pollution since the 1930s, and today Virginia’s 47 districts continue that work alongside the DCR, farmers and landowners across the state. But protecting water quality isn’t just their job — it’s everyone’s responsibility.

Every action we take on the land affects the water downstream. By managing nutrients wisely and reducing runoff, we help keep Virginia’s waterways healthy for the communities and wildlife that rely on them.

Help protect Virginia’s rare species—right from your phone! By uploading clear, well-documented observations to the iNat...
08/19/2026

Help protect Virginia’s rare species—right from your phone! By uploading clear, well-documented observations to the iNaturalist app, nature enthusiasts can support the Virginia Natural Heritage Program and strengthen the state’s official Biotics database.

Here are a few essential tips to make sure your iNaturalist observations count:

🪪 Choose a Creative Commons license so Natural Heritage scientists can use your observation.
🤝 Join the DCR iNaturalist project to securely share your coordinates.
📸 Snap clear photos that highlight the species’ unique features.
📍 Make sure your location is accurate within 20 meters; edit it if needed.
📑 Add helpful details, including how many individuals you spotted.

To learn more, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/insights/how-to-make-your-inaturalist-observation-count

The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program manages Virginia’s Natural Area Preserve system...
08/18/2026

The Department of Conservation and Recreation’s Natural Heritage Program manages Virginia’s Natural Area Preserve system, which was created in 1989 when the General Assembly passed the Natural Area Preserves Act.

A 1994 survey conducted by Virginia Commonwealth University found that 78 percent of Virginians believed the state should protect previously untouched habitats and 66 percent said they preferred that these areas be protected from commercial and residential development.

That public support did not go unnoticed. At the time of the survey, the system included eight preserves totaling about 5,000 acres. Today, it has grown to 69 preserves protecting 66,700 acres in perpetuity. More than 20 natural area preserves offer free public access for visitors.

Read the pictured 1994 Grassroots article here:https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dcr100/document/grassrootspublicsupport-1.pdf

https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dcr100/document/grassrootspublicsupport-2.pdf

08/18/2026

On Aug. 7, the Virginia Natural Heritage Program celebrated its 40th anniversary at Buffalo Mountain.

Speakers included Acting Director Anne Chazal; the program’s first director, Michael Lipford; DCR Director Nikki Rovner; Virginia Nature Conservancy Director Bettina Ring and Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources David Bulova.

Watch the full conference here:

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