Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Government Relations Services

Richmond, VA 4,432 followers

CONSERVE. PROTECT. ENJOY.

About us

Virginia's Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), with the cooperation of partners and customers, is a leader in: providing tangible and lasting improvements to the quality of Virginia's resource lands and waters; serving as a trusted steward of the outdoor recreational and natural resources placed under its care; promoting the conservation and enjoyment of Virginia's diverse and unique environment and rich cultural legacy for future generations; protecting public safety through regulatory programs and conservation law enforcement; and recognizing the value of its dedicated and committed workforce. DCR's mission is to provide opportunities that encourage and enable people to enjoy, protect and restore Virginia's natural and cultural treasures.

Website
http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/
Industry
Government Relations Services
Company size
501-1,000 employees
Headquarters
Richmond, VA
Type
Government Agency
Founded
1926
Specialties
Conservation, Outdoor Recreation, Natural Resources, Dam Management, Floodplain Management, State Parks, Natural Area Preserves, Natural Heritage, Native Plants, Protected Wildlife, Land Conservation, Agriculture, Watershed, Waterways, Recreation Planning, Soil, Outdoor Grants, Trail Planning, Conservation Grants, Water, Americorps, Gardening, Virginia Outdoors, and Volunteer Program

Locations

Employees at Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Updates

  • Ever take a step down stone stairs in public lands and think, "Wow this must have been a lot of work to install." Well, it is! Or maybe you've never thought about this... either way, here's a behind the scenes look. 👀 These are photos from an inaugural Trail Training 102-Stone Craft Workshop we held with several partners this spring. 🪨 Our Virginia State Parks' Resource Management and Virginia Natural Heritage Program teams coordinated with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and The Nature Conservancy in Virginia to bring the Jolly Rovers Trail Crew (an all-volunteer group that specializes in rock steps and walls) from New York to conduct the training. 📍 Goshen Pass Natural Area Preserve was the perfect demonstration area with its proximity to necessary trail-building material and accommodations at Natural Bridge State Park. There is a very steep section of trail that needed stone work to create a better, safer experience for the visiting public. The Rovers marked 60 feet of trail that needed up to 24 steps. There was no expectation that building all of the stairs was possible during this short course, but the group completed all of the work in just 2 days. 💪 The instructors were very pleased with how quickly the participants picked up the training and worked well together to construct an amazing staircase. Everyone in the group showed great satisfaction in the finished product. We intend to put the training on year after year to pass on this important craft for trail building and maintenance efforts.

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  • In celebration of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) funding projects for 25 years, we’re featuring a funded project monthly to highlight land preservation accomplishments achieved by our state, local, tribal and nonprofit partners. [BTW applications are being accepted until Aug. 28 for the FY25 VLCF grant round, learn more: https://lnkd.in/eEQHnAhZ] ⭐ VLCF project: Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve, natural areas category An ecological gem in a rapidly developing area in northern Virginia, Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford County protects more than 3,300 acres of uninterrupted, biodiverse forest and tidal marsh habitats. 🐦⬛row’s Nest, which offers water and hiking trail amenities, is one of 21 natural area preserves with public access for low-impact recreation activities. 🥾 Limited parking spots are intended to prevent overcrowding. Check the website before visiting: https://lnkd.in/eTvnim-6 Photos by Gary P. Fleming Partners: Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, Stafford County Government, DCR's Virginia Natural Heritage Program Check out this Story Map for a look at 25 projects over 25 years: https://lnkd.in/gnnytfPm

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  • Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation reposted this

    View organization page for Virginia State Parks, graphic

    4,853 followers

    From the mountains to the beach, 6️⃣ Virginia State Parks now have full-time opportunities open. ⛰️ Wilderness Road State Park - Park Manager - Closes on 08/27/2024 🚤 Claytor Lake State Park - Assistant Park Manager - Closes on 08/27/2024 👮 Clinch River State Park - Chief Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - Closes on 08/25/2024 👮 Lake Anna State Park - Park Ranger - Public Safety & Law Enforcement - Closes on 08/22/2024 👷 First Landing State Park - Maintenance and Facilities Manager - Closes on 08/28/2024 📋 Seven Bends State Park - Office Manager - Closes on 08/28/2024 📋 Wilderness Road State Park - Office Manager - Closes on 08/27/2024 Find the full listings and more details at https://lnkd.in/ecj8mEt.

  • 🌱 With the growing demand for Virginia-grown seeds of native wildflowers and grasses, several farmers have been working over the past 2 years to jumpstart a new industry. In a pilot project led by the Clifton Institute in Warrenton, Virginia, volunteers collected seeds from 18 species. These species are beneficial for pollinators, naturally grow across most of the state and would work for both large restoration projects and home gardeners. 🐝 Seven farmers are currently producing seeds from the thousands of plants grown by the Clifton Institute and Ernst Conservation Seeds. The growers will have their first full harvest this fall! 🧑🌾 While one species, rose-pink (Sabatia angularis), has proven difficult to grow, the rest show promise for large-scale seed production. Additional species will be tested as the project expands to more growers throughout Virginia. DCR is proud to join partners including Virginia State University and others to support these efforts! Pictures 1-3: In Saluda, Virginia, Sandra and Tracy Porter's farm was blooming last fall with late purple aster (Symphyotrichum patens) and gray goldenrod (Solidago nemoralis). Pictures 4-5: In Delaplane, Virginia, the native seed project coordinator Isaac Matlock stopped by to see the fields planted by Scott Barboza and Marky DeWhirst, which included Maryland goldenaster (Chrysopsis mariana).

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  • Happy Water Quality Month! 💧 We have three jobs open in our Soil & Water Conservation division that helps farms protect Virginia's water quality with suggested conservation methods, including these three: 🌱 Cover crop: to reduce soil erosion 🐄 Livestock stream exclusion (fencing) 📋 Nutrient management planning: to decrease fertilizer usage and costs Find Soil & Water Conservation jobs at DCR here: https://lnkd.in/ecj8mEt

  • Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation reposted this

    View organization page for Virginia State Parks, graphic

    4,853 followers

    Do you want to help establish a new state park? If you're up for the challenge, see below 3️⃣ full-time job opportunities at two new parks. 1️⃣-The future Hayfields State Park in Highland County is a picturesque former farm nestled along the Bullpasture River, between Bullpasture Mountain to the east and Jack Mountain to the west.  It's seven miles south of McDowell and about an hour west of Staunton. More information in each job listing. 📝 Hayfields Office Manager (closes on 08/18/2024): https://lnkd.in/e7rbWdYs 🔨 Hayfields Park Ranger - Maintenance (closes on 08/18/2024): https://lnkd.in/eSYkRVsc 2️⃣-Clinch River State Park, one of Virginia's newest state parks that's still under development, in Southwest Virginia needs a chief ranger and conservation officer who is capable of planning, development and construction of properties, as well as recruiting wage staff and volunteers to support growth. 👮 Clinch River Chief Ranger - Law Enforcement (closes on 08/25/2024): https://lnkd.in/egr8yZWp For more opportunities to have a better job, naturally, visit: https://lnkd.in/ecj8mEt

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  • Under a new 10-year agreement, DCR's Virginia Natural Heritage Program staff will assist the US Army with protecting natural heritage resources, including the rare species pictured, at Fort Walker military training facility in Virginia. The 76,000 acre-base including a live fire complex has diverse terrain including ponds. DCR Director Matthew Wells and Lt. Col. Matthew S. Bauer, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Walker Garrison Commander signed the agreement this month. 📸 Photo credits: 1-Pond at Fort Walker by Gary P. Fleming 2-Signing by Christopher Hall 3-Swamp pink (Hellonias bullata) courtesy of U.S. Army 4-Sandhills bog lily (Lilium pyrophilum) by Haley Rodgers/DCR 5-Frosted elfin (Callophrys irus) 🦋 by Darren Loomis/DCR 6-Indiana bats (Myotis sodalis) by Ann Froschauer/USFWS 7-New Jersey rush (Juncus Caesariensis) by Zach Bradford/DCR

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  • The Natural Heritage program recently welcomed another new field zoologist, Derek Hennen. He is an entomologist and naturalist specializing in the taxonomy of Appalachian myriapods (millipedes and centipedes). He joins us with great experience, having conducted extensive fieldwork throughout the eastern US, Mexico, and Vietnam. More than 60 new species of millipedes have been described by Derek! 👏 In 2021, he authored the Millipedes of Ohio field guide, published by the Ohio Division of Wildlife. He is also a Research Associate with the Virginia Museum of Natural History. Derek previously worked for VDACS as the coordinator of the Slow-the-Spread project, focused on the invasive Spongy Moth. Originally from Ohio, he joins us from Blacksburg, Va where he completed his Ph.D. in Entomology at Virginia Tech, after earning a Masters in Entomology from the University of Arkansas. 🎓 His hobbies match his profession, as he enjoys using Berlese funnels to hunt for myriapods and other critters of the leaf litter. When pressed for another hobby he said, “How about identifying other people’s bugs on iNaturalist?”. 🐛 We let it count since it involves other humans (sort of). He also enjoys hiking with his wife (undoubtably to look for insects). Next time you find a millipede or centipede upload a picture to iNaturalist and maybe Derek will end up identifying it for you! 🤳 We are grateful to have this expert on our team. Photo: Derek using an insect aspirator in the field to capture small insects.

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  • It may not be a fun topic, but Mayor Stoney of City of Richmond, Virginia and others sure had fun stopping by our DCR Floodplain Management booth at the 8️⃣0️⃣4️⃣ Day event. Thanks to all who stopped by to learn about floodplains and how to be prepared so you can be at ease when a storm hits. Learn about our Floodplain Management division: https://lnkd.in/eXrcKAb Partners: Virginia State Corporation Commission and FEMA Region 3

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