Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation announced $2 million in awards for the maintenance of forested buffers to grantees located throughout the commonwealth.
Riparian forested buffers, which are forested areas adjacent to streams and waterways, are critical to protecting water quality by serving as a natural filtration system. Buffers trap sediment, nutrients and pollutants from agricultural runoff before they enter waterways. Vegetation also stabilizes stream banks, reducing harmful erosion and sedimentation, and when mature will provide shade to help reduce summertime water temperatures.
In 2023, DCR received $2 million in an earmark in the Water Quality Improvement Fund to provide additional incentives for the maintenance of riparian buffers by agricultural producers. In August 2025, DCR issued a request for proposals for these funds. The application period closed Oct. 1, 2025.
DCR received five proposals for funding buffer maintenance projects. The agency is recommending funding for each of the proposals received. This is a unique, one-time funding opportunity.
These awards are specifically for the maintenance of existing riparian forest buffers; the establishment of new forested buffers is not an eligible activity. Maintenance activities may include, but are not limited to mowing, survival checks, replanting due to mortality loss, invasive species management and tree shelter maintenance.
The list of awarded projects is available in the below table:
Organization |
Amount recommended for funding |
Counties covered |
$822,605 |
Albemarle, Alleghany, Amherst, Augusta, Bath, Botetourt, Buckingham, Campbell, Chesterfield, Craig, Cumberland, Fluvanna, Goochland, Henrico, Highland, Nelson, Nottoway, Powhatan, Prince Edward, and Rockbridge [Middle and Upper James watersheds] |
|
$542,781 |
Caroline, Culpeper, Essex, Fauquier, Gloucester, Greene, Hanover, King and Queen, King William, Lancaster, Louisa, Loudoun, Madison, Mathews, Middlesex, Northumberland, Orange, Rappahannock, Richmond, Stafford, Spotsylvania and Westmoreland. [Rappahannock and York watersheds] |
|
$272,604 |
Augusta, Frederick, Page, Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Warren |
|
$100,000 |
Carroll, Giles, Grayson, Montgomery, Pulaski, and Wythe [New River watershed] |
|
$262,010 |
Carroll and Grayson |
|
Total |
$2,000,000 |
|
Funding for the establishment of riparian buffers on agricultural lands is available through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share (VACS) Program.
