2026 SESSION

INTRODUCED

26109231D

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 257

Offered March 9, 2026

Commending the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

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Patron—Marsden

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WHEREAS, for 100 years, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has worked diligently to protect the Commonwealth's natural and cultural resources for the benefit of current and future generations; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) traces its roots to 1926 and the establishment of the State Commission on Conservation and Development; and

WHEREAS, since that time, DCR and its predecessor agencies have served as the principal stewards of the Commonwealth's natural and cultural treasures and ensured access to diverse outdoor recreational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, DCR is responsible for a wide array of critical functions, including managing Virginia's award-winning system of state parks, which offer millions of visitors opportunities for recreation, education, and enjoyment of the Commonwealth's scenic beauty; and

WHEREAS, DCR oversees the protection of the Commonwealth's most ecologically significant lands through its Natural Heritage Program, preserving rare plants, animals, and natural communities, and managing the Virginia Natural Area Preserve System; and

WHEREAS, DCR plays a crucial role in land conservation efforts, working with partners to protect open space, working farms, working forests, and historic sites through conservation easements and other tools; and

WHEREAS, DCR is instrumental in the protection of the Commonwealth's water quality through its oversight of soil and water conservation districts, promotion of best management practices for agricultural and urban runoff, and provision of technical assistance for watershed protection and restoration; and

WHEREAS, DCR ensures the safety of Virginians by administering the Commonwealth's dam safety, floodplain management, and flood resilience programs, mitigating risks and promoting responsible land development; and

WHEREAS, DCR supports outdoor recreation across Virginia by developing and promoting trails, greenways, and access to the Commonwealth's rivers and waterways, enhancing the health and well-being of its citizens; and

WHEREAS, the dedicated employees and volunteers of DCR have consistently demonstrated unwavering commitment, expertise, and passion in their mission to protect, enhance, and promote the Commonwealth's natural resources; and

WHEREAS, over the past 100 years, DCR has had a profound impact on the environmental health, economic vitality, and quality of life in the Commonwealth; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation hereby be commended on the occasion of its 100th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the director of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation as an expression of the General Assembly's admiration for the department's legacy of leadership in conservation and its invaluable contributions to the preservation of the Commonwealth's history, heritage, and natural resources.