By Dave NeudeckPosted January 03, 2023
As we look to the new year, let's take a moment to reflect upon all we did in 2022. It was a year of noteworthy achievements and important projects completed — as well as many new, exciting programs and services that are just getting underway. The DCR team, and our numerous partners throughout the commonwealth, continue to be diligent and proactive in efforts to meet the agency's mission to Conserve, Protect and Enjoy.
Record $14.9 million in land conservation grant awards: Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grants will help protect nearly 14,000 acres. A total of 40 projects will receive funding, including acquisitions of land for new local parks and recreation areas, and conservation easements to protect working forestland. For the first time, federally or state-recognized Indian tribes were eligible to apply. The Rappahannock Tribe of Virginia and the Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe each received grants.
Largest private land donation for permanent conservation: DCR finalized the acceptance of a gift of nearly 7,400 acres of land in Halifax County, the single largest private land donation for permanent conservation to DCR in Virginia history. The property, known as Falkland Farms, would be owned by DCR as the first-ever joint project of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program and Virginia State Parks, to be managed for biodiversity conservation and, ultimately, for public outdoor recreation.
280 acres for future state park acquired in Loudoun County: A 280-acre parcel of the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship preserve in western Loudoun County has been acquired by DCR for the development of Sweet Run State Park.
Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve expansion: Northern Virginia Conservation Trust has helped the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation acquire a 59-acre property of high-priority forested wetlands adjacent to the Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford County. The acquisition of this critical tract protects habitat for bald eagles, great blue herons, at least 25 species of waterfowl, several rare plant populations and countless neo-tropical migratory birds.
Poor Mountain Natural Area Preserve expansion: The latest acquisition protects scenic mountain viewshed, globally rare piratebush habitat and drinking water quality. More than 78 acres of forest facing development pressure on Poor Mountain has been conserved and added to an adjacent Virginia natural area preserve, protecting the scenic viewshed for area residents and the habitat for a globally rare plant.
Protecting habitat along the Clinch River: The rugged Clinch River, which flows southwest from Virginia into the upper Tennessee River basin, is one of the most significant biodiversity hotspots on Earth. Thanks to a donation from The Nature Conservancy, 258 acres along the Clinch – including 4,716 feet of river frontage – is now permanently dedicated under state ownership as part of the Pinnacle Natural Area Preserve in Russell County.
Accokeek Bottomlands dedication ceremony: On Oct. 26, 2022, the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Voyles, DCR Director Wells and other officials dedicated a 59-acre property comprised of high-priority forested wetlands adjacent to the Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford County.
Record funds for Ag Best Management Practices: Governor Youngkin and the General Assembly appropriated a record $123 million for the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share (VACS) Program. Administered by DCR in partnership with Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts, this program helps farmers implement practices that protect water quality and soil health, and can also improve the farm’s bottom line. Expansion of the whole farm approach, which was piloted last year, has streamlined the application process for many farmers.
More outreach to underserved farmers: This year, DCR required soil and water conservation districts to hold at least one outreach event specifically focused on introducing VACS to small farms and farms owned by Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers.
Cost-Share Conservation Partnerships: DCR also leveraged record state funding for cost-share to provide matching funds to projects that bring additional conservation investments to Virginia. Partner organizations were Virginia Tech, Virginia State University and the Conservation Innovation Fund, all of which received grant awards from USDA Climate Smart Commodities Grant.
Improvements to tillage survey methods: DCR completed its updated tillage survey of Chesapeake Bay cropland, which incorporated technological improvements to data collection and analysis methods.
More opportunity for Nutrient Management Planner Certification: Changes to nutrient management regulations, implemented this year, will expand eligibility for planner certification.
No-Cost Conservation Buffers: The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP), a partnership between DCR and the Farm Services Agency, helps farmers protect water quality by planting forest, grass and shrub buffers near waterways. Previously, farmers had to cover a portion of the cost of establishing these buffers, but this year, FSA and DCR will pay 100% of eligible practice installation costs.
Ten farms honored for exceptional soil and water conservation practices: DCR announced 10 winners of the Virginia Grand Basin Clean Water Farm Awards for 2022. DCR sponsors the awards in partnership with Virginia’s 47 soil and water conservation districts. One winner is selected from each of Virginia’s major river basins.
Flood Awareness Week proclamation and events: Governor Glenn Youngkin declared March 13-19, 2022, Virginia Flood Awareness Week. DCR’s awareness-building outreach included a gallery exhibition, media relations that yielded a 125% increase in news stories over 2021 and 15-second ads on flood risk and protection run by 68 gas station companies statewide, reaching 690,000 viewers. DCR’s flood awareness outreach campaign received a Virginia PR Award.
Low Head Dam Awareness Month: DCR partnered with the Department of Wildlife Resources on a social media campaign to educate the public about the dangers of swimming and boating near Virginia’s 86 low head dams (also known as run-of-the-river dams).
Major grant funding for Community Flood Preparedness: In 2022, DCR announced a total of $65.3 million in flood preparedness grants through the Community Flood Preparedness Fund, giving localities across the commonwealth support to address recurrent flooding, sea level rise and extreme weather. DCR, in cooperation with the Virginia Resources Authority, administers the fund and grant program.
Dam Safety Awareness Day proclamation and event: Governor Glenn Youngkin proclaimed May 31, 2022, Dam Safety Awareness Day in Virginia, encouraging individuals and communities to understand the flood risk associated with dam failures and to take actions that increase safety. Federal, state and local officials marked Dam Safety Awareness Day at Augusta County’s award-winning Hearthstone Lake Dam.
Dam Safety Awareness Month: In October, DCR engaged in activities to make owners of dams aware of their responsibilities under the law. Tactics included placing articles in two large regional newspapers, social media and radio ads statewide.
Educating youngsters about flood risk: DCR partnered with the Urban League of Richmond to educate students and their families at Fairfield Middle School in the City of Richmond about flood risk and preparedness. The interactive presentation included a demonstration of DCR’s popular floodplain model, which shows how quickly floodwaters can inundate a community.
Hurricane Agnes 50th Anniversary: DCR partnered with the National Weather Service, the Science Museum of Virginia and the Library of Virginia to present a suite of educational programs to educate the public about Hurricane Agnes, with a focus on insights that can boost flood resilience today. Activities included a panel discussion at the Science Museum of Virginia and an exhibition at the Library of Virginia.
Work on Virginia Flood Resilience Master Plan begins: DCR began development of the Virginia Flood Resilience Master Plan, a key planning document for state flood preparedness. In 2022, DCR completed public surveys and drafted a related Community Outreach and Engagement Plan designed to elicit input and make Virginians aware of progress.
Improving safety of Virginia’s regulated dams: DCR regulates more than 2,600 dams in Virginia, most of which are privately owned. These efforts saw the following successes in 2022:
Dam Safety Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund: The DSFPPAF awarded $1.6 million in June for projects that enhance public safety and reduce risk of dam failures and property damage from flooding. Another $5 million in grant opportunities through this fund was announced in November. In January and December, DCR presented virtual training on regulatory requirements and applying for cost-share funding.
Communications with dam owners: DCR sent letters of engagement to the owners of 401 dams considered to have the highest downstream risks. These letters provided a specific pathway to compliance and advised owners of regulated dams were responsible for the safe design, construction, operation and maintenance of these structures and must have documentation on file with DCR.
Reimbursement for costs of emergency actions: For the first time in the history of the Dam Safety Fund program, DCR has received reimbursement for a portion of the costs associated with action taken under § 10.1-608. Unsafe dams presenting imminent danger.
Mitigation at The Cedars Natural Area Preserve: In 2019 and 2020, DCR worked closely with TNC and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to secure a $208,000 grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Brownfields Program to clean up TNC's 71-acre Russell tract adjacent to The Cedars Natural Area Preserve in Lee County. In April and May, 2022, a total of 30.94 tons of nonhazardous solid waste, 48.61 tons of scrap metal, three (3) scrap motors, and 2.03 tons of tires were removed from the site and transported for off-site disposal.
Dedication of Seven Bends State Park: Governor Glenn Youngkin officially dedicated Seven Bends State Park on June 14 in Shenandoah County. The park consists of 1,066 acres situated in the geographically unique Seven Bends area of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River.
New trail system opens in Henry County: Citizens, representatives and business leaders gathered on Friday, April 22, to open a new trail system at the site of Virginia’s future Mayo River State Park in Henry County. The ribbon-cutting took place at the trails’ new parking area on Pratt Road in Spencer, Virginia. The event coincided with Earth Day, an international observance in support of environmental protection.
Seven projects selected for Recreational Trails Program grants: The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Federal Highway Administration have awarded seven trail projects through the Recreational Trails Program. The Recreational Trails Program, or RTP, is a federal, matching reimbursement program established to construct and rehabilitate recreational trails and trail-related facilities.
Governor and First Lady celebrate Earth Day: Governor Glenn Youngkin and First Lady of Virginia Suzanne Youngkin planted two Eastern Redbud trees with the help of Patrick Copeland Elementary School kindergarteners in an Earth Day celebration. Youngkin told the students the trees would help filter water, impacting the James River.
Work on 2023 Virginia Outdoors Plan begins: PRR partnered with survey experts at VCU to develop and implement the Virginia Outdoors Survey for statistical sampling and analysis of what Virginians want from a Virginia Outdoors Plan. DCR also launched a crowd-sourced survey that received more than 4,000 completions statewide. A dedicated Virginia Outdoors Plan writer was hired and is developing the plan with DCR and stakeholders across Virginia.
The Inn at Foster Falls nears completion: PRR has been restoring a long-abandoned 19th-century hotel situated in the middle of New River Trail State Park. When the building reopens as the Inn at Foster Falls, it will be the only inn in the Virginia State Park system. The painstaking construction and renovation was completed this year, and the inn is expected to open within the next year.
Two Parks earn Virginia Green Travel Award: Twin Lakes State Park and Westmoreland State Park have received Virginia Green Travel Awards for 2022. All 41 Virginia State Parks are certified in the Virginia Green Travel program, and VSP and Virginia Green Travel are working to “co-brand” and promote sustainable tourism opportunities in all regions of the Commonwealth.
Historical Highway Marker unveiled: Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears unveils Virginia historical highway marker for ‘Group Camp 7’. The marker is located near the main entrance to Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield County and was issued by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources that recognizes a camping area created for African Americans during the late 1930s.
Kiptopeke State Park wins Conservation Educator Award: The Garden Club of Virginia presented Kiptopeke State Park with the Conservation Educator Award in recognition of the staff’s hard work in an educational environment, mainly in the Big Water Visitor Center. The educational center provides a learning environment, which benefits the community and the park and staff are recognized for their dedication to conservation education.
New online reservation system launched: On February 3, 2022, Virginia State Parks launched the new online reservation site to better assist visitors with overnight accommodations. Guests can now enjoy a better mapping experience and a more flexible loyalty program.
AmeriCorps Recognition and National Volunteer Week: U.S. Representative Rob Wittman, Virginia Service Commission, AmeriCorps and DCR all worked together at York River State Park during National Volunteer Week. The congressman and several of his staff participated in a service project alongside AmeriCorps members, which included planting trees and developing a pollinator garden.
Recruitment campaign launched: New phases such as “A Better Job. Naturally” were launched along with more detailed job descriptions and updated photos that are more impactful in overall staff recruitment.
New mountain bike trail at Pocahontas: The "JT" trail is a 4.3 mile cross country trail suitable for all skill levels, including hand cycling. This trail was built by an all-volunteer work force that involved hundreds of volunteers and hundreds of volunteer hours over a two year time period. The trail was opened to the public on National Trails Day, June 4, 2022.
National Public Lands Day celebrated with call for volunteers: This year’s theme was Giving Back Together and included 38 events scheduled offering opportunities at nearly all Virginia State Parks to allow the public to give back and improve the environment while connecting with the outdoors. DCR and Governor Youngkin created a video announcement asking for people to volunteer at their local state park.
New trail center groundbreaking at High Bridge: The trail center will be situated at the eastern end of the actual High Bridge from which the park receives its namesake and is the most popular section of the trail. The building will be located about 0.3 miles from High Bridge and there will be an ADA-accessible path to the trail. The trail center will serve as the new centerpiece of the park highlighting the recreational, cultural and historical significance of the trail and resources in the surrounding area.
4th Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC)
DCR’s Public Safety and Law Enforcement received its fourth Virginia Law Enforcement Professional Standards Commission (VLEPSC) accreditation, remaining as one of the oldest State law enforcement agencies to receive and maintain law enforcement certification.
Natural Heritage Data Explorer (NHDE) video tutorial project: Over 60 individual video clips for the NHDE video tutorial project were completed and submitted to the Public Communications and Marketing Office (PCMO) for editing into six video segments by topic, totaling ~ 1 hour.
Categories
Conservation | Land Conservation | Natural Heritage | Soil and Water Conservation | State Parks
Tags
dams | natural area preserves | nutrient management | state parks