Department of Conservation and Recreation's
Virginia Conservation Lands Database

Virginia's Managed Conservation Lands Map

Virginia Conservation Lands Database

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) maintains the Conservation Lands Database, the Commonwealth’s central repository of spatial information on protected lands. These lands support natural resource management, outdoor recreation, open space preservation, and cultural heritage.

History

DCR began digitally mapping the boundaries for agency owned and managed State Parks and State Natural Area Preserves in 1998. In 1999, the Department of Technology Planning designated DCR as the lead agency in developing the Commonwealth's state-wide Conservation Lands Database. Since then, the database has grown to include lands protected by federal, state, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners. It also serves as the official source for tracking Virginia’s progress toward major past and present land conservation initiatives, such as:

The Chesapeake Bay 2000 Agreement, which aimed to protect 20% of the Bay watershed by 2010.
The 400,000-acre conservation goals set by Governors Kaine and McDonnell.
The Land Conservation Treasure Initiative launched by Governor McAuliffe.
ConserveVirginia: Virginia's Land Conservation Strategy implemented by Governor Northam.

Database Development

Data Sources: GIS boundaries are obtained from state and federal agencies, local governments, and land trusts. DCR also creates boundaries in-house using surveys, tax parcel data, and other records.
Accuracy: Boundaries reflect the best available data at the time they were created. Attribute fields in the datasets describe original format, accuracy, and source.
Overlaps: In cases where boundaries from different agencies overlap or conflict, DCR does not alter or “edgematch” them. Users should contact the original data provider with questions about boundary accuracy.
Continuous Updates: DCR works with partners statewide to refine and improve mapping. Contributions are welcome—contact the Conservation Lands GIS Planner for more information.

Database Updates

The Conservation Lands Database is updated quarterly (March, June, September, December). Updated datasets are:

Available for download from the DCR website.
Accessible as an ArcGIS Online service.

The update date for each dataset is posted alongside the download link.

Data Access & Use

Downloads: Metadata and GIS spatial data are available as ZIP files (Virginia Lambert projection).

Legal Notice:GIS boundaries are not intended for legal uses and no warranty, expressed or implied, is made by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) as to the accuracy of this data. The act of distribution shall not constitute any such warranty, and no responsibility is assumed by the DCR or in the use of these data. Re-distribution of these data for profit is prohibited.

Virginia Land Conservation Statistics

As of June 2025, Virginia has an estimated land area of 25.27 million acres. Of this, more than 4.33 million acres (17.15%) are permanently protected.

GROUP	EASEMENTS (acres)	FEE-SIMPLE (acres)	TOTAL CONSERVED (acres)	% OF TOTAL CONSERVED
Federal	14,692.77	2,339,668.54	2,354,361.31	54.26%
State	1,005,923.27	452,040.12	1,457,963.39	33.60%
Local	50,135.08	110,464.39	160,599.48	3.70%
Non-Profit	258,339.27	106,351.06	364,690.33	8.40%
Tribal	0.00	2,320.90	2,320.90	0.05%
TOTALS:	1,329,090.38	3,010,845.02	4,339,935.40	100.00%

More Information

The Office of Land Conservation provides additional resources for citizens and organizations interested in land conservation options.