Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Virginia Outdoors Plan is the state's comprehensive plan for land conservation, outdoor recreation and open-space planning. The document helps all levels of government and the private sector meet needs pertaining to those matters.
The plan is required for Virginia to participate in the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund program. In addition, it provides guidance for the protection of lands through the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.
The 2013 edition is the 10th to be produced and the first to be completely paperless. It features a custom-built online mapping tool called VOP Mapper.
The plan's foundation is the Virginia Outdoors Demand Survey. DCR conducts the survey every five years to gauge the level at which Virginians are participating in specific outdoor recreation activities. In 2011, the survey was administered by the University of Virginia's Center for Survey Research. It was sent to nearly 14,000 adults, and about 3,100 responded.
Download an executive summary of the 2011 Virginia Outdoors Demand Survey, or read the actual survey.
Search a database of the most popular activities and most-needed facilities.
Between December 2011 and March 2012, DCR planners conducted 42 meetings across the state to gather public input for the plan. Four-hundred eighty citizens attended the meetings. Their input, in addition to survey responses and feedback from regional planners, was used to develop the plan's recommendations.
Download the entire document (60 Mb)
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