Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
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 MORE
Vanessa Sandin is a role model for new farmers aiming to minimize their impact on the Chesapeake Bay. READ MORE
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 MORE
How tricky is it to find a rare butterfly? Tag along for one day in the field. READ MORE
Virginia Outdoors Foundation adds 178 acres to Bull Run Mountains thanks to a generous gift. READ MORE
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 MORE
+6 more things you need to know on Dam Safety Awareness Day. Dams are engineering wonders - workhorses that shore up clean water supplies, help irrigate crops and produce clean energy. But when they fail, they can cause sudden, catastrophic flooding. READ MORE
Grayson Highlands State Park recently expanded its protected boundaries with the acquisition of two new parcels of land. These additions not only increase the park's total acreage to 4,518 acres but also enhance efforts to preserve the region's unique ecosystems, scenic beauty and diverse wildlife habitats. READ MORE
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 MORE
One of New River Trail State Park's most notable features is the diverse array of trestles that span the river and its tributaries. Some of them are more than 100 years old and more than 1,000 feet long. The park launched a restoration project in 2023 to address some of the aging trestles. It's expected to last through the spring of 2025, and park visitors may experience trail closures or detours. READ MORE
