The Virginia Natural Heritage Program
Since 1989, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has dedicated its natural heritage staff to the identification, protection, and stewardship of Virginia's biodiversity. To date, inventory has identified over 2200 conservation sites
containing one or more rare species, significant caves, or exemplary natural communities. With over 45 employees dedicated to the preservation and stewardship of Virginia's natural heritage
resources, the Division has available the skills of biologists, ecologists, zoologists, conservation planners, environmental resource managers, landscape
architects, and data managers.
In 1994, 2006 and again in April 2016, The Virginia Natural Heritage Program was recognized by NatureServe as the outstanding natural heritage
program in the western hemisphere.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
