Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Many agencies in Virginia play important roles in land conservation. Some are qualified to accept land or open space easements from landowners, and others carry out a wide variety of land conservation programs.
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation's (DCR) mission is to conserve, protect, enhance and advocate the wise use of the commonwealth's unique natural, historic, recreational, scenic and cultural resources.
The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1966 to promote the preservation of open-space lands and to encourage private gifts of money, securities, land or other property to preserve the natural, scenic, historic, scientific, open-space and recreational areas of the Commonwealth. VOF has worked with landowners, government agencies, and non-governmental conservation organizations to protect more than 915,000 acres in 114 counties and cities. These lands encompass farms, forests, parks, wildlife habitat, and scenic and historic landscapes. VOF’s primary tools are open-space easements, acquisitions, and grants through programs such as the Open-Space Lands Preservation Trust Fund.
Contact: Jason McGarvey, 866-863-9800 x370, jmcgarvey@vof.org.
One of Virginia Department of Forestry’s (DOF) primary goals is to conserve Virginia’s forestlands. DOF manages more than 50,000 acres of state forestland, holds open-space easements, and helps other state agencies manage state-owned forestland.
Contact: Amanda Scheps, 434-987-7102, amanda.scheps@dof.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) is the state's historic preservation office. Its mission is to foster, encourage and support stewardship of Virginia's significant historical, architectural, archaeological and cultural resources.
A fundamental goal of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is to conserve wildlife habitat. DWR owns Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) and lakes across the state. DWR acquires WMAs fee simple, and manages these lands for wildlife habitat, but many provide opportunities for hunting, fishing, and other recreation.
Contact: Daniel Boggs, 804-929-0920, daniel.boggs@dwr.virginia.gov
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality manages the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund, which can be used to permanently protect land that improves water quality and protects open-space values.
Contact: Karen Doran, 804-698-4133, karen.doran@deq.virginia.gov.
