Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

Last Friday was a special day for New River Trail State Park! ✂️ We opened 2️⃣ new experiences: the Foster Falls Self-Guided Tour (photos 1-3) and Ivanhoe Birding Trail (photos 4-10). Thanks to the tremendous work of staff and partners like the Friends of New River Trail. Learn about the new offerings here: https://lnkd.in/enAzv6r7

This spot along the Daniel Boone historic trail will host a special event on May 3 as part of the 250th Boone Trace Commemoration. Learn history connected to this natural bridge in The Cedars Natural Area Preserve & find event details here: https://lnkd.in/eTsRirNk Photo by Luke Moore

It may be April Fools' Day, but Low-Head Dam Public Safety Awareness Month is no joke. ⚠️ Here are 3 things you to know so that low-head dams don’t fool you: 1️⃣ They run from bank-to-bank across a river or stream. 2️⃣ They create a “spin cycle” under the water’s surface that can trap even the strongest swimmer wearing a flotation device. 3️⃣ They’ve been nicknamed “drowning machines” for a reason! In cooperation with Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, we urge everyone to stay safe: Before boating, paddling or floating, find out if there are any low-head dams on your route — and always portage around them. Find more safety tips at https://lnkd.in/gniR-WDm

Welcome two new Invasive Species Specialists: AG Sweany, left, and Lindsay Caplan, right. These new positions created by the General Assembly will help DCR's Natural Heritage Program and partners implement the Virginia Invasive Species Management Plan for the well-being of Virginia's flora and fauna. Pictured in between is Kevin Heffernan — now our Invasive Species Coordinator, formerly served as Stewardship Biologist for 27 years. SPOTLIGHT: AG is well-prepared with more than 3 years in the part-time role of Invasive Species Technician at DCR. AG was vital in updating the DCR Invasive Plant Species List and expanding the Virginia Native Plant Finder (https://lnkd.in/gM4Va-VT). They previously worked at Virginia Department of Transportation as an Environmental Data Specialist. AG earned a B.S. in Biology with a Chemistry minor from Virginia Commonwealth University and obtained a GIS Post-Baccalaureate Certificate from VCU. ⭐ Core memory connecting to nature: hearing a bobwhite quail call in a family garden 🌸 Favorite native plant: mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) 🍷 Favorite invasive species to consume: wineberry (Rubus phoenicolasius) SPOTLIGHT: Lindsay, who formerly worked for DCR in 2022 as a Botany Technician, was the first Invasive Species Specialist at the Virginia Department of Forestry, where she collaborated with government, nonprofit and private partners to coordinate invasive species removal. Lindsay has also been a Forest Technician for U.S. Forest Service and a Natural Resources Technician for the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Lindsay graduated from Oregon State University, with a B.S. in Wildlife Biology and a specialization in Conservation Biology. ⭐ Places she grew up connecting to nature: the zoo, Shenandoah National Park and Maryland parks 🌿 Favorite Virginia native plant: Eastern Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea) 🌳 Top invasive species topic: American chestnut blight Kevin expressed excitement for the future with this team. “We look forward to collaborating with our larger team and partners on priority invasive species projects and other restoration efforts throughout Virginia.”

We love seeing youth interested in bugs! 🐛 Pictured is a 4-H group visiting us to learn about Virginia's insect biodiversity from our zoology team in DCR's Virginia Natural Heritage Program. Zoology Lab Manager A.J. Bordell shared her passion for insects with the youth, going over how to identify an insect, the benefits they offer and why conservation is important for insects. They looked at pinned insects from our lab as well as live insects (tobacco hornworms and cockroaches). The group left with ideas on how they can help insect biodiversity in their community, like planting pollinator gardens for native bees. 🌻🐝

We are seeking more applicants for the Virginia State Parks Revenue Manager position, which closes on March 28, 2025. The Revenue Manager is vital to the success, prosperity and efforts of DCR's Division of State Parks. This position will execute and oversee all revenue generating programs, revenue operations and administrative projects related to division revenue. 📍 Location: Eligible to work from any state park (find map here: https://lnkd.in/dVEDGpX) with some travel required to DCR headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. Minimum qualifications: ✅ Significant experience managing outcomes of a large multi-million dollar revenue operation with diverse generating lines across several remote revenue operations. ✅ Familiarity with revenue accounting procedures, procurement of goods, or software systems related to business operations. ✅ High level commitment to provision of consistently high standards of customer service and ability to liaise and communicate effectively with a range of stakeholders. ✅ Experience with financial predictions, market trends, and demonstrated ability to utilize forecasting analysis methods to reach desired financial outcomes. ✅ Demonstrated high level experience and skills in the leadership, management and deployment of multi-disciplined teams. Seem like you'd be a good fit? Check out the listing for full details and apply: https://lnkd.in/eiZt-eB3

Meet Charlie Marston, who works to conserve public lands at DCR! Charlie calls it “pure luck” that transformed his career from buying and selling real estate for development into happily conserving land for Virginia State Parks and Virginia’s Natural Area Preserves. 🍀 His background is in property management, sales, appraisal and right-of-way acquisitions. Most recently, Marston worked in the Real Property Office at Henrico County. At DCR, Marston is part of the Real Property Office, where he manages land acquisition projects, utility easement requests, assists managing the agency’s portfolio of leases and provides expertise on title research, valuation and surveys. He spends considerable time coordinating with landowners, contractors and the Department of General Services and the Office of the Attorney General. 🏢 The best part of his job is being in the field -- which, in this case, really does mean the field! He loves experiencing the special places that DCR is working to save. Driven by a passion for conservation, his work results in moments like celebrating the opening of a new state park! Help us thank Charlie for helping us conserve land. 👏 When he’s not working, you’ll find him camping with his family at First Landing State Park and traveling to other favorite destinations. 🏕️

Virginia park authorities and local governments: Do you have a land or water trail that needs repair? 🚧 ➡️ Applications are open for $1.7M in Recreational Trails Program (RTP) grants, due May 6. Learn about this year's eligibility and application process in a virtual workshop on March 25 at 2 p.m. More details: https://lnkd.in/d67F3C8J Photo shows these grant dollars at work! Photo taken by Appalachian Conservation Corps in 2024 shows their crew finishing repairs to the Augusta Springs Wetlands Trail in Augusta Springs, Virginia.

🌾 Happy National Ag Day! 🚜 Today we recognize the importance of agriculture in the U.S. DCR’s Soil and Water Conservation division supports Virginia farmers by offering cost-share dollars and tax credits to implement an array of voluntary agricultural best management practices, or BMPs, while offering nutrient management planning, conservation planning, and technical and financial support for Virginia's 47 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. This video gives you a glimpse of the Virginia Agricultural Cost-Share Program (VACS). Watch more here: https://lnkd.in/eQJSQ57F

On National Ag Day, we recognize the unwavering dedication of American farmers, ranchers, and ag workers for providing the food and resources that sustain our communities. USDA is committed to supporting their vital work & ensuring a strong future for generations to come. #AgDay25 #NationalAgDay