
Department of Conservation and Recreation


Matt Sabas is a Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist with the DCR Public Communications and Marketing Office. In this role, he works closely with the DCR divisions of Soil & Water Conservation, Dam Safety, Floodplain Management, and the Office of Resilience Planning to develop, implement, and evaluate regional and statewide marketing and public relations activities.
Matt has eight years’ experience implementing strategic communications campaigns on behalf of clients in the agriculture, chemical, and energy industries. Prior to joining DCR, Matt was the Senior Director of Communications & Public Affairs at the Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) and worked for five years as a research director with the White House Writers Group. Earlier in his career, Matt held policy and research positions at think tanks based in Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the College of William & Mary and currently resides in Richmond, VA.
By Matt SabasPosted September 15, 2025
Virginia’s rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay are some of the Commonwealth’s most treasured natural resources. Keeping them clean and healthy is imperative for not only the environment, but Virginia’s economy and farmers. That’s where the Water Quality Improvement Fund comes in. READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted August 27, 2025
The Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) is committed to supporting commercial vegetable and agronomic crop production by conducting state-of-the art research into cover crops, fertilizers, soil tillage and soil management. READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted August 18, 2025
Recognizing farmers' contributions to protecting Virginia's waterways this National Water Quality Month. READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted August 13, 2025
Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in Virginia. From hurricanes and tropical storms to spring downpours and flash floods, flooding remains a serious risk year-round. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to safeguard your life and property. READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted July 30, 2025
When Bruce and Katherine Johnson purchased Dragonfly Farms just west of Louisa, they confronted severely eroded soils and degraded conditions after years of corn and soybean row-cropping, motivating them to stabilize the soil, create a productive farming system, and transform the property into a model for regenerative practices. READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted July 10, 2025
Vanessa Sandin is a role model for new farmers aiming to minimize their impact on the Chesapeake Bay. READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted June 26, 2025
For the fourth year in a row, record-breaking cost-share assistance is available for farmers through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share Program (VACS). READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted June 11, 2025
Tim Alderson and his family strive to implement conservation practices on their 210-acre cattle farm in Pittsylvania County by improving surrounding water quality, an effort made possible through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share (VACS) Program. READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted May 16, 2025
Massie and Sons Farm's unique use of agricultural best management practices exemplify stewardship of the York River Basin and earned them a Grand Basin Clean Water Farm award in 2023. READ MOREBy Matt SabasPosted April 21, 2025
If you were a farmer impacted by damage from Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for financial relief through your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). READ MORE