Dam Safety Awareness Day
Posted May 31, 2026
Today we acknowledge Dam Safety Awareness Day as a reminder of how vital strong infrastructure and proactive planning are for protecting Virginia communities.
Back in 2006, the Commonwealth passed Chapter 648 (HB 596) which renamed The Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund to the Dam Safety, Flood Prevention and Protection Assistance Fund.
The fund’s mission expanded to offer loans and grants supporting:
- Dam design and repair
- Safety modifications
- Mapping and digitizing dam break inundation zones
This milestone continues to play an important role in building safer, more resilient communities.
Dam Safety Day highlights the importance of ongoing vigilance, smart planning and strong infrastructure across Virginia.
To learn more, visit: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains
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Flood Protection Fund
Posted May 19, 2026
In 1991, the Division of Soil and Water Conservation’s Bureau of Flood Protection released Virginia’s first Floodplain Management Plan, which received the national Tom Lee Award for excellence in floodplain management.
The plan was considered the first of its kind in the nation at the time, providing a comprehensive assessment of the state’s flood risks and strategies for reducing flood damage.
Today, DCR’s Division of Dam Safety, Division of Floodplain Management and Office of Resilience Planning work closely with localities, state agencies and our federal partners to provide technical assistance and educational outreach that help reduce flood risk across the Commonwealth.
Learn more about the Virginia Floodplain Management Program: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains
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Community Flood Preparedness Fund
Posted May 5, 2026
Established in 2020, the Community Flood Preparedness Fund has been powering local and regional efforts to reduce the impacts of flooding — including those intensified by climate change.
Today, the fund has invested over $300 million across six grant rounds, supporting projects that protect communities, strengthen infrastructure and improve long-term resilience.
Learn more about the Community Flood Preparedness Fund: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dam-safety-and-floodplains/dsfpm-cfpf
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Virginia's Natural Heritage Program
Posted April 29, 2026
In 1986, The Nature Conservancy took a bold step to protect the Commonwealth’s rare plants, animals and natural communities by launching the Virginia Natural Heritage Program which became a part of the DCR in 1988.
In 1989, the Natural Area Preserve System was created — and today it safeguards 69 preserves spanning 66,700 acres of some of the most remarkable habitats in the state.
Now internationally recognized, Virginia’s Natural Heritage Program has been honored three times as the outstanding Natural Heritage Program in the Western Hemisphere. A true testament to Virginia’s leadership in biodiversity conservation and the power of protecting what makes our natural treasures extraordinary.
Learn more about the Natural Heritage Program, and its 40th anniversary here: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/nh40
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Virginia Flood Damage Reduction Act
Posted April 20, 2026
After a series of devastating floods — from Hurricane Camille in 1969 through major flooding in the 1980s — Virginia took bold steps to protect our communities. In 1987, the General Assembly consolidated all flood‑related programs under the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Two years later, the 1989 Virginia Flood Damage Reduction Act officially made DCR responsible for statewide floodplain management.
Today, we continue that mission by helping communities reduce risk, strengthen resilience, and prepare for the future.
Learn more about DCR’s floodplain management here.
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First Virginia Outdoors Plan – Virginia’s Common Wealth
Posted April 17, 2026
Since 1965, DCR has guided Virginia’s investment in outdoor recreation — administering more than $135 million in Land and Water Conservation Fund grants for 400+ projects and leading the Virginia Outdoors Plan for over six decades.
Today, the 2025–2030 Virginia Outdoors Plan continues this legacy with an interactive digital resource that helps shape parks, trails, and recreation access statewide. Virginians consistently show strong support for investing in the outdoors — and together, we’re building high‑quality places to explore, play, and connect.
Pictured are pages from the very first 1965 Virginia Outdoors Plan.
Read the full original document here.
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Virginia’s commitment to protecting open space runs deep.
Posted April 14, 2026
Since 1966, the Commonwealth has built a strong land conservation framework through legislation that created the Open-Space Land Act, the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, and key preservation structures like the Virginia Cave Commission, Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, and the Land Preservation Tax Credit.
Today, more than 4.33 million acres — 17.15% of Virginia — are permanently protected for future generations.
Learn more at https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/land-conservation/
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From six State Parks to 44, and from bold beginnings to statewide impact —DCR has been making history since 1936.
Posted April 8, 2026
On June 15, 1936, Virginia became the first state to open an entire system of state parks on the same day, launching a legacy of outdoor recreation, public access and cultural preservation that still thrives today.
With the opening of more parks, the protection of additional acres and the addition of new miles of trails, DCR has made accessibility a top priority.
Today, visitors can enjoy all-terrain wheelchairs, RightHear navigation technology for blind and visually impaired guests, and EnChroma-adapted viewfinders for colorblind visitors — ensuring Virginia’s outdoors are open to all.
Plan your visit to one of Virginia State Parks today: https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/
Learn more at www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/history
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The foundation of the State Commission on Conservation and Development
Posted April 2, 2026
On March 17, 1926, the Virginia General Assembly passed landmark legislation creating the State Commission on Conservation and Development — the foundation of today’s Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
This new commission united the work of the Water Power and Development Commission, the State Geological Commission, the State Geological Survey, the Office of the State Geologist, and the Office of the State Forester. It also established the authority to acquire land for public parks, setting the stage for a century of conservation leadership.
Today, 100 years later, DCR continues a legacy rooted in protecting what Virginians value most.
Learn more at www.dcr.virginia.gov/dcr100/dcr100-history
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
