Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

10/15/2026

DCR is expanding its dam safety oversight from five regions to six, strengthening local support and improving response times across the commonwealth. The new structure will help communities benefit from more tailored guidance, faster technical assistance and enhanced emergency preparedness.

“Our priority is ensuring the safety of Virginians and the infrastructure that protects them,” said DCR Director Nikki Rovner.

With more than 2,400 regulated dams statewide, the shift to six regions positions DCR to meet growing needs and support dam owners more efficiently.

To learn more, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains/dsfpmcontx

10/15/2026

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has added 2,211 acres just below Buffalo Mountain in Floyd and Carroll counties — protecting a favorite summit view and nearly 14 miles of native trout streams forever.

Thanks to a partnership with The Conservation Fund and a $9.5M Forest Legacy Grant through the Virginia Department of Forestry, this land now provides a vital buffer to Buffalo Mountain Natural Area Preserve and expands DCR-owned lands to 4,332 acres.

The area’s mature forests are now part of a new state conservation area, with plans to enhance public access in the future.

To learn more, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/conservation-areas/conservation-area-buffalo-mountain

10/14/2026

The canoe launch parking lot at Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve, located on Brooke Road, will close beginning Thursday, Oct. 15.

We will be conducting major renovations to the boardwalk. The Brooke Road parking lot will remain closed until further notice, with an estimated closure of two to three weeks.

Please check the website before planning a visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/crowsnest

10/13/2026

Balancing productivity, profitability and environmental stewardship is at the heart of modern farming. With the right conservation strategies, Virginia producers can improve soil health, protect water quality and boost biodiversity — all while benefiting from increased efficiency and access to state cost-share programs.

Conservation plans give farmers a clear road map. They outline goals, identify challenges and highlight opportunities, helping producers make sound environmental decisions tailored to their land and operation.

In Virginia, farmers can work with certified conservation planners through their local soil and water conservation districts to build a plan that supports both their operation and the natural resources we all depend on.

To learn more about why conservation planning is crucial for Virginia farms, read our blog:

This article was originally featured in the Small Farm Outreach Program (SFOP) Fall 2024 Quarterly newsletter published by the Cooperative Extension at Virginia State University. DCR Conservation Planning and Training Coordinator Carl Thiel-Goin contributed to this post.  Crucial to any modern fa...

10/12/2026

DCR led a field trip at Grafton Ponds Natural Area Preserve as part of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program's 40th anniversary celebration.

Participants explored the preserve’s rare seasonal depression ponds — formed by the collapse of an ancient fossil shell layer — and learned about the unique plants, animals and natural communities found there.

The group also visited one of Virginia’s only populations of Pondspice (Litsea aestivalis) and discovered how these natural ponds offer valuable insights into hydrology, paleoclimate and paleoecology.

To learn more about Grafton Ponds Natural Area Preserve, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-area-preserves/grafton

📷 Photo Credits: Lilly Living

10/08/2026

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's Virginia Natural Heritage Program has been named the recipient of the Palustris Team Achievement Award from the Regional Longleaf Awards Program.

This award recognizes the Natural Heritage Program for its exceptional efforts in managing and restoring Virginia’s longleaf pine ecosystem.

Through prescribed burns, sapling plantings and other restoration activities, DCR continues to steward the longleaf population with initiatives that will support its recovery and resilience for years to come.

To learn more about DCR’s longleaf stewardship efforts, visit:
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/insights/planting-a-new-longleaf-pine-woodland

10/06/2026

Check out WHRO Public Media's coverage of DCR Lead Field Zoologist Ellison Orcutt’s rediscovery of the rare bee Protandrena abdominalis, a species that appears to have gone unseen in Virginia for more than 100 years!

10/06/2026

Join the Virginia Natural Heritage Program for a strenuous 5‑mile hike up the mountain slopes of Chestnut Ridge Natural Area Preserve — an outstanding ecological core that’s home to globally imperiled species and irreplaceable natural communities.

Along the way, trip leaders will share why old‑growth forests like this are so rare and why protecting them is vital for Virginia’s landscape.

📅Oct. 17
🕛10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
🗺️Dry Fork Rd, Rocky Gap, VA 24366

This tour is limited to 15 participants, to register for this event, visit: https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/fdaedebc01b14762addd1c0eb046f623?field:event_id=9

10/05/2026

DCR and the Federal Highway Administration have awarded grants to seven trail projects through the Recreational Trails Program.

This federal matching program helps build and improve recreational trails across the Commonwealth, supporting everything from non‑motorized paths to motorized and multi‑use routes.

During the latest application cycle, $1.3 million has now been awarded to enhance trail access and experiences statewide.

These projects will help more Virginians explore the outdoors, connect with nature and enjoy safer, better‑maintained trails.

10/02/2026

Don’t miss your chance to visit the DCR and Virginia State Parks booth at the Virginia State Fair! 💚💙

Swing by to meet some of the team, explore outdoor opportunities across the Commonwealth, learn about conservation and snag some swag before the fair wraps up for the year at the end of the weekend.

Come say hi and celebrate the outdoors with us! 🌲⛺