Conservation, Wise Use

Ultimately our livelihood, quality of life and future depend on how intelligently all of us manage our natural resources. With this in mind, the department enhances natural and recreational resources through land management planning, funding, education and regulation. Nearly everyone in Virginia is touched by a DCR activity.

Conservation. It just means wise use. Conserving our resources, protecting them for the future . . . it's not simple work. And we don't handle it alone. We work with many local, volunteer and citizen groups. Whether it's with one of the state's 47 soil and water conservation districts, the Nature Conservancy, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, or a local parks and recreation department, the focus is always on conserving our natural and recreational resources.

The words of one of Virginia's first European visitors, Captain John Smith, are still true today: Heaven and Earth never agreed to frame a better place for man's habitation than Virginia.

Future Virginians have a right to share the meaning of Captain Smith's words.

DCR's mission - To provide opportunities that encourage and enable people to enjoy, protect and restore Virginia’s natural and cultural treasures.
DCR's organization - View DCR's organizational chart.
DCR's vision - 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.
Learn about DCR’s regulatory actions by visiting the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall’s website. There you’ll find the agency's and its boards’ regulatory content, such as proposed final regulations, Notices of Intended Regulatory Action, background information, and schedules for public meetings and hearings. Click here to sign up to receive notices (select preferences at the bottom of the form).
Strategic plans - Here are DCR's strategic plan.
Code of ethics - Click here to read DCR's code of ethics.