New Virginia Outdoors Plan Released
By Emi Endo, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Virginia Outdoors Plan, the state’s new comprehensive, statewide plan for conservation planning and enhancing outdoor recreation, is now available at dcr.virginia.gov/vop.
The 5-year roadmap reflects the recreation needs and interests of Virginians, supports localities in pursuing grants and unlocks millions of dollars in federal grants. Priorities identified in the plan include recreation facilities and amenities that enhance the protection of important natural, scenic and culture resources as well as improving ecological resiliency for the long term.
References to the importance of resiliency to Virginians can be found throughout the plan. The section "Becoming More Resilient” (Section. 3.1.5) focuses on combatting invasive species and ecological restoration. Go to: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/847e21807e864c1abc9f0157c326e66d#ref-n-sOwOym
By Emi Endo, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Virginia Outdoors Plan, the state’s new comprehensive, statewide plan for conservation planning and enhancing outdoor recreation, is now available at dcr.virginia.gov/vop.
The 5-year roadmap reflects the recreation needs and interests of Virginians, supports localities in pursuing grants and unlocks millions of dollars in federal grants. Priorities identified in the plan include recreation facilities and amenities that enhance the protection of important natural, scenic and culture resources as well as improving ecological resiliency for the long term.
References to the importance of resiliency to Virginians can be found throughout the plan. The section "Becoming More Resilient” (Section. 3.1.5) focuses on combatting invasive species and ecological restoration. Go to: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/847e21807e864c1abc9f0157c326e66d#ref-n-sOwOym
New Videos in DOF's Invasive Species Series
--Contributed by Ellen Powell, VDOF
DOF recently released two new videos as part of its invasive species series. These videos help to clarify proper usage and mixing of common herbicides.
Using Triclopyr Herbicides at Home
How to Mix Herbicides
More videos by the Virginia Department of Forestry on their ForestryTV channel
--Contributed by Ellen Powell, VDOF
DOF recently released two new videos as part of its invasive species series. These videos help to clarify proper usage and mixing of common herbicides.
Using Triclopyr Herbicides at Home
How to Mix Herbicides
More videos by the Virginia Department of Forestry on their ForestryTV channel
VMN volunteers collecting data on benthic macro invertebrates to evaluate stream water quality. Photo courtesy of Old Rag Master Naturalists. Water Quality Data Call
--From the VDEQ News Volume 4, No. 1
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is announcing a data solicitation deadline for water quality data to be used in the 2026 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report (IR). Water quality data collected between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2024, will be reviewed and assessed per water quality assessment guidance for the 2026 IR. DEQ accepts water quality data to be reviewed and evaluated for assessment purposes on a continual basis. However, in order to be used for the 2026 IR, all data must be submitted by March 3 and accompanied by a DEQ Data Use Authorization Form, which can be found on DEQ’s Citizen Monitoring Webpage. Data submitted after the deadline will be reviewed in preparation of the 2028 IR.
The Virginia Data Explorer is an online data management tool that is the preferred method for submitting water quality data collected by non-agency monitoring groups. Data Use Authorization Forms and benthic macroinvertebrate data should be submitted directly to [email protected].
--From the VDEQ News Volume 4, No. 1
The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is announcing a data solicitation deadline for water quality data to be used in the 2026 305(b)/303(d) Water Quality Assessment Integrated Report (IR). Water quality data collected between Jan. 1, 2019, and Dec. 31, 2024, will be reviewed and assessed per water quality assessment guidance for the 2026 IR. DEQ accepts water quality data to be reviewed and evaluated for assessment purposes on a continual basis. However, in order to be used for the 2026 IR, all data must be submitted by March 3 and accompanied by a DEQ Data Use Authorization Form, which can be found on DEQ’s Citizen Monitoring Webpage. Data submitted after the deadline will be reviewed in preparation of the 2028 IR.
The Virginia Data Explorer is an online data management tool that is the preferred method for submitting water quality data collected by non-agency monitoring groups. Data Use Authorization Forms and benthic macroinvertebrate data should be submitted directly to [email protected].
Designing Living Shorelines for Sea Level Rise in Virginia
--Contributed by Virginia CZM/DEQ and Wetlands Watch
The Virginia Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Wetlands Watch are thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new resource, Designing Living Shorelines for Sea Level Rise in Virginia. This comprehensive guide compiles adaptive strategies and case studies for the first time and is tailored for shoreline professionals seeking sustainable solutions to combat the challenges posed by rising sea levels and coastal hazards, such flooding and saltwater intrusion.
In addition to providing NOAA funds for this project, the Virginia CZM Program facilitated input from its networked partners and stakeholders to develop the guide, including the critical insight of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia’s shoreline permitting body. “Virginia CZM is confident that this investment has produced a resource that will be useful to anyone making shoreline design decisions in the coastal zone. That’s in large part due to the leadership of our project partner Wetlands Watch and the time and expertise of the group of subject matter experts that remained engaged throughout the process” states Ryan Green, manager of the Virginia CZM Program.
Virginia requires living shorelines as the default erosion control strategy for property owners. Programs including cost-sharing, grants, low-interest loans, and tax incentives are available from nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Without intervention, the effects of sea level rise are predicted to result in significant loss of tidal wetlands in Virginia. Living shorelines create new or enhance existing wetlands along a shoreline and can offset Virginia’s predicted wetlands losses. Designing Living Shorelines for Sea Level Rise in Virginia contains best practices for shoreline professionals to design living shorelines that will help protect tidal wetlands and shoreline property now and in the future.
Master Naturalists can help spread the word about this new resource by sharing it with members of the public and encouraging them to share with their contractors to ensure they have the tools needed to design and install an adaptive, proactive means of controlling erosion, providing lasting protection for years to come.
For more information, contact Virginia CZM and Wetlands Watch staff:
Will Isenberg, [email protected]
Stacie McGraw, [email protected]
Link to Resilient Shorelines page: https://www.wetlandswatch.org/designing-living-shorelines-for-sea-level-rise
--Contributed by Virginia CZM/DEQ and Wetlands Watch
The Virginia Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program at the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and Wetlands Watch are thrilled to announce the launch of an exciting new resource, Designing Living Shorelines for Sea Level Rise in Virginia. This comprehensive guide compiles adaptive strategies and case studies for the first time and is tailored for shoreline professionals seeking sustainable solutions to combat the challenges posed by rising sea levels and coastal hazards, such flooding and saltwater intrusion.
In addition to providing NOAA funds for this project, the Virginia CZM Program facilitated input from its networked partners and stakeholders to develop the guide, including the critical insight of the Virginia Marine Resources Commission, Virginia’s shoreline permitting body. “Virginia CZM is confident that this investment has produced a resource that will be useful to anyone making shoreline design decisions in the coastal zone. That’s in large part due to the leadership of our project partner Wetlands Watch and the time and expertise of the group of subject matter experts that remained engaged throughout the process” states Ryan Green, manager of the Virginia CZM Program.
Virginia requires living shorelines as the default erosion control strategy for property owners. Programs including cost-sharing, grants, low-interest loans, and tax incentives are available from nonprofit organizations and government agencies.
Without intervention, the effects of sea level rise are predicted to result in significant loss of tidal wetlands in Virginia. Living shorelines create new or enhance existing wetlands along a shoreline and can offset Virginia’s predicted wetlands losses. Designing Living Shorelines for Sea Level Rise in Virginia contains best practices for shoreline professionals to design living shorelines that will help protect tidal wetlands and shoreline property now and in the future.
Master Naturalists can help spread the word about this new resource by sharing it with members of the public and encouraging them to share with their contractors to ensure they have the tools needed to design and install an adaptive, proactive means of controlling erosion, providing lasting protection for years to come.
For more information, contact Virginia CZM and Wetlands Watch staff:
Will Isenberg, [email protected]
Stacie McGraw, [email protected]
Link to Resilient Shorelines page: https://www.wetlandswatch.org/designing-living-shorelines-for-sea-level-rise
RSS Feed