As spring arrives, Virginia’s bats are on the move. Some are waking from hibernation, while others are returning home. Whether they’ve spent winter in caves or stayed active in warmer regions, this season is critical for their survival.

As winter fades and spring approaches, Virginia's black bears begin emerging from their winter dens. This seasonal shift is an exciting time in our parks, but it's also a time to be prepared and respectful of wildlife.

Grayson Highlands is the highest state park in Virginia, with elevations topping 5,089 feet. This altitude creates an environment more like what you’d find hundreds of miles north in New England than what’s typical of the southern Appalachians.

The eastern hellbender is North America's largest salamander. Unfortunately, the future of the this aquatic giant is uncertain due to habitat loss from damming, sedimentation from logging and mining, agricultural runoff, pollution and flooding.