Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

REMINDER: SPRING BRINGS INCREASED BEAR ACTIVITY 🐻 As spring approaches, both people and wild animals become more active. During this time of increased activity, it is important for Virginia residents to secure all potential food sources to reduce bear encounters in their neighborhoods and near their homes. In 2024 alone, DWR received nearly 2,200 conflict calls Recorded by the Wildlife Conflict Helpline—many of them tied to unsecured trash, birdfeeders, and backyard chickens. Keeping these items secured will encourage a bear to move along and continue foraging for natural foods. Here’s how you can help avoid attracting black bears near your residence: 🗑️ Secure Garbage: Keep in a locked shed or inside until collected or use a bear resistant container. 🐦 Take down birdfeeders. 🐕 Secure pet and/or livestock feed in bear resistant containers or inside locked sheds. 🌭 Clean up porches/decks: Clean grills, remove any potential food sources, and remember a screened-in porch is not a “secure” storage area from a bear’s point of view. 🚗 Never leave food, trash, or pet/livestock feed inside your vehicle. Never attempt to handle or capture a black bear cub found on your property. If the cub has a visible injury, is lethargic, or has been seen in the same location for more than 24 hours, please contact the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Wildlife Conflict Helpline, toll free at 1-855-571-9003. Read the full press release + tips: https://lnkd.in/eQYPX83R #BearWise 📷: DWR Staff

Looking for a meaningful, hands-on way to support wildlife conservation in Virginia? In honor of National Volunteer Week, we’re spotlighting one of the most impactful ways to get involved with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources: fish stocking! Each year, thousands of fish are stocked across the Commonwealth—and dedicated volunteers are essential to making that possible. If you’re passionate about the outdoors and want to give back in a tangible way, this is your chance to: ✔️ Assist DWR fisheries biologists 🐟 Support fish management efforts 💧Help sustain healthy aquatic ecosystems across Virginia No prior experience is required—just a willingness to learn and contribute to meaningful conservation work. Learn more and explore volunteer opportunities with DWR: https://lnkd.in/emXJ3VJQ. #FishStocking #Volunteer #NationalVolunteerWeek #ExploreTheWild 📷: DWR Staff

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and Triple Crossing Brewing Company are teaming up to bring wildlife lovers and beer fans a once-in-a-lifetime experience: the 2025 Peregrine Falcon Banding Raffle! In this unique partnership, winners will get a rare chance to witness science in action on Falcon Banding Day—and enjoy a hands-on brewery experience with the team at Triple Crossing. There are TWO prize packages: The Peregrine Prize (DWR) 🐥 Join biologists on Falcon Banding Day and see #RVAFalconCam chicks up close 🐥 Tour and brew experience at Triple Crossing 🐥 DWR swag pack 🐥 Exclusive DWR x Triple Crossing collab t-shirt The Falcon Smash Prize (Triple Crossing) 🍻 You + a guest will attend Falcon Banding Day 🍻 Go behind the scenes of the brewing process with the TC team 🍻 Triple Crossing swag pack + Gold Falcon Membership 🍻 Exclusive DWR x Triple Crossing collab t-shirt 🎟️ 1 Ticket = $10 | 3 for $25 | 5 for $40 | 10 for $75 🗓️ Enter now through May 14 | Winners announced May 15 Don't miss your shot at an unforgettable wildlife experience. Must be 21+ to enter. Tap the link to learn more and enter to win: https://lnkd.in/ea2kTMwK. #vawildlife #wildlifeconservation #triplecrossing #craftbeer

This National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, we’re proud to celebrate one of our own. 🎉Congratulations to 2024 Communications Officer of the Year, Dana Sanders! In 2024 alone, Dana answered more than 2,800 calls for service, exemplifying unwavering dedication, integrity, and attention to detail that help keep our officers safe and the public informed. As part of our round-the-clock, 13-person dispatch team, Dana plays a key role in coordinating emergency response across DWR, DCR, and partner agencies across Virginia. She also serves as our Continuity of Operations Coordinator and an auxiliary trainer, further strengthening the team that supports public safety and natural resource protection across the Commonwealth. Please join us in recognizing Dana—and the entire DWR Telecommunications team for their outstanding service and commitment. Read the full press release: https://lnkd.in/ec5hkPAJ. #TelecommunicationsWeek #Dispatchers #WildlifeConservation #PublicService 📷: DWR Staff

🦅 We’re proud to be part of this year’s Virginia Osprey Festival hosted by the Virginia Osprey Foundation! DWR will be on-site connecting with the public and celebrating the osprey's annual return to Colonial Beach. Stop by our booth to learn more about these raptors and how we work with partners to conserve Virginia’s wildlife. 🗓 April 12 | 🕘 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. 📍 Town Hill, Colonial Beach, VA More event details: https://lnkd.in/g34nip-e. #OspreyFestival #VirginiaBirds #Wildlife #Community 📷: DWR Staff

🎉 Celebrating Service at DWR! 🎉 This spring, the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources proudly recognized employees across Headquarters and regional offices during the 2025 Employee Service Awards—a long-standing program honoring those who have reached key milestones in Commonwealth service, from 1 year to 50 years. These recognitions reflect the dedication, passion, and professionalism that drive DWR’s mission across Virginia. Among those honored was a particularly special member of our agency: K9 Bailey, who received her 5-Year Service Award. 🐾 As part of DWR’s elite K9 Unit, Bailey played a vital role in supporting Conservation Police Officers in wildlife crime investigations. Her recognition award marks an exciting evolution in the Commonwealth’s service recognition program—one that now celebrates the contributions of working K9s alongside their human partners. Congratulations to all DWR team members recognized this year! Your commitment to conservation, community, and public safety exemplifies the best of public service. Your contributions help build a Commonwealth we can all be proud of—not just here at DWR, but across all state government. Thank you for choosing a career in service to Virginia and its citizens. And to K9 Bailey—thank you for your brave and loyal service. #PublicService #EmployeeRecognition #ServiceAwards 📷: DWR Staff

DWR Welcomes VMRC to the Academy! 💚 The 14th Conservation Police Basic Academy is officially underway! This year’s academy is a historic first—it’s the first time another law enforcement agency has enrolled in the DWR-led academy. The current class includes 19 total recruits, with five Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) Marine Police Officers training alongside DWR Conservation Police Officer recruits. This combined class will graduate on September 26, 2025, after which they'll continue field training assignments with their respective departments. “In the field, we often work side-by-side protecting Virginia’s natural resources, so naturally training together will enhance that partnership,” said DWR Colonel John Cobb. “Good teamwork and comradery begin in the Academy, and DWR is proud and excited to host our partners at VMRC and train beside them.” Read the full release 🔗: https://lnkd.in/e5R3-HFx. #LawEnforcement 📷: DWR Staff

Last Call! 🚨 Virginia birders—registration for the 2025 Virginia Birding Classic closes April 10! This year, choose between the classic Cardinal Cup or the brand-new Big Sit. The Big Sit pairs everything you love about birding and tailgate parties into one perfect day! With no limit to the size of the team, you can invite as many people as possible to join your circle on one of Virginia’s public lands and spot as many bird species as possible in a 24-hour period. 🗓 Competition runs April 15 – May 15. Whether you're in it to win or just for the vibes, there's a category for you! 📍 Learn more and make your Big Sit plan here: https://lnkd.in/eNN5szQF. #VABirdingClassic #BirdingTogether #BigSitVA 📷 : DWR Staff

The best 35 seconds you’ll ever love. 🐣 If you were one of the many viewers tuned in over the weekend (or late last night!), you may have caught one of the biggest moments of the season—live. The Richmond female, 95/AK has now laid four eggs! 🥚 Third egg: 3/23 at approx. 1:02 p.m. 🥚 Fourth egg: 3/26 at approx. 12:40 a.m. Thanks to infrared camera tech, we got a clear look at the action inside the nest box—even in the dark. Watch the full clip for a glimpse of this amazing moment on the #RVAFalconCam! https://lnkd.in/ed4KWWA.

Each year, DWR’s Restore the Wild Artwork Competition highlights the powerful connection between art and wildlife conservation—raising awareness for the habitats Virginia’s wildlife depend on. 🎨🐟 This year’s winning artwork, inspired by the majestic Atlantic sturgeon, will help champion our mission throughout 2025—and now, we’re proud to announce the 2025 Restore the Wild Artwork Competition winners and celebrate the artists behind these remarkable works! 🏆 Winner: Natural History Illustration Category Autumn Haynes – “The Search for Snails” (Acrylic Painting) 🏆 Winner: Artistic Expression Category Larry Schmehl – “Canned Wild Sturgeon” (Crafted from aluminum cans and nails) 🏆 Winner: Youth 11–17 Category Ayelu Mason (age 15) – “The Sturgeon of Steel Ascends” (Gouache Painting) 🏆 Winner: Youth 10 & Under Category Billie Kendrick (age 10) – “Cute Little Fishy” (Charcoal and Graphite Drawing) 🏆 Selected for Restore the Wild Art Print Whitney Hixenbaugh – “Time to Rock and Roll” (Fluid Acrylic Painting) 🏆 Winner: Restore the Wild Sticker Kristin Reed – “There He Lay in All His Armor” (Linocut Print) All 97 entries are now on display at The Gallery at Main Street Station, Richmond, VA. Swing by daily from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. through March 30 to see these incredible works up close! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/eN5wvNap. #RestoreTheWild #AtlanticSturgeon #ArtExhibition #WildlifeConservation