Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Fones Cliffs in Richmond County. Photo by Ivy Jennings.
Five projects have won 2026 gold Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards in the categories of land conservation and implementation of the Virginia Outdoors Plan.
The awards, sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, recognize the significant contributions of environmental and conservation leaders.
The winners accepted their awards at the Environment Virginia Symposium at Virginia Military Institute in Lexington on Tuesday, March 24.
Preserving James Monroe’s Oak Hill
The Conservation Fund has permanently preserved James Monroe’s Oak Hill Farm in Loudoun County.
Oak Hill was the presidential home of James Monroe, the last Founding Father to become president. The 1,200-acre property was at risk of development.
As careful stewards of the estate, the DeLashmutt family and TCF worked together to develop a plan to ultimately open the property to the public.
Funding support came from the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation.
Rappahannock Tribe Return to the River Restoration Initiative
The Rappahannock Tribe’s Return to the River restoration initiative seeks to restore the Tribe’s ancestral lands and return its ecosystem to sustainable health.
The tribe’s project conserved more than 900 acres on the Rappahannock River at Fones Cliffs, including a mile of frontage on the river, for future generations. The site is adjacent to property owned by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
VLCF provided funding support for the project.
Water Access for All at Four Mile Run
Four Mile Run Conservancy was honored for a new public kayak and canoe launch at lower Four Mile Run in Alexandria.
The 187-foot raised boardwalk ramp, the first of its kind in the D.C. metro area, is part of Alexandria’s 49-acre Four Mile Run Park.
The project was partially funded by the Recreational Trails Program.
Windmill Point County Maritime Recreational Campus
Lancaster County won a gold award for its project to protect and restore the shoreline at the new Windmill Point County Maritime Recreational Campus. The waterfront park provides multiple recreational and educational opportunities for the public.
Years of planning efforts led to the project’s readiness for implementation and eligibility for funding. The project was supported by funding from the Community Flood Preparedness Fund.
Environmental Literacy (ENLIT) Project
The Rockfish Valley Foundation’s Environmental Literacy (ENLIT) Project is a multi-year initiative designed to enhance environmental education along the South Rockfish River Trails in Nelson County.
ENLIT has become a unique educational asset in Virginia, offering self-guided learning, structured walk-talks and new opportunities for school field trips, community programs and environmental stewardship.
The RTP program provided grant funding for the project.
For the full list of winners, visit the DEQ website.
Categories
Conservation | Flood Resilience | Floodplain Management | Land Conservation | Nature | Recreation Planning
