Conservation Resources for Valley Landowners
We’re lucky in the Valley to have a plethora of resources for landowners interested in doing conservation projects. Below are a list of resources available to landowners and the counties they operate in.
If you have questions about any of the listed resources reach out to info@valleyconservation.org
State Programs
There are two main offices that assist in conservation projects in the sate; the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). For issues or questions regarding wildlife issues, hunting, fishing, or general information regarding wildlife, contact DWR. For more general conservation questions, restoration assistance programs, or outdoor access, contact DCR.
Department of Wildlife Resources
https://dwr.virginia.gov/contact/
Department of Conservation and Recreation
https://www.dcr.virginia.gov/
Department of Forestry
https://dof.virginia.gov/
Has information on prescribed burning
Soil and Water Conservation Districts
Soil and Water Conservation Districts are regional offices that assist in conservation projects. They specialize in water quality projects, and some programs like VCAP (listed below) can assist in projects for homeowners of all kinds.
Main Programs
Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP) – All Districts (except Mountain)
Can help with areas in yards with erosion, poor drainage, poor vegetation
Ex: Rain gardens, permeable pavement, etc
Virginia Agricultural Cost Share (VACS) – All Districts
Common BMPS: Stream fencing for cattle exclusion, Alternative Watering systems, Animal waste storage, Cover crops, Riparian buffer tree planting on crop/pasture
Regional Offices
Natural Bridge Soil and Water Conservation District (NBSWCD)
Serves Rockbridge, Buena Vista, Lexington
Main website - https://www.naturalbridgeswcd.org
Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District (SVSWCD)
Serves Page, Rockingham, Harrisonburg
Main Website - https://svswcd.org/
Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District (LFSWCD)
Serves Frederick, Shenandoah, Warren, Winchester
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/LordFairfaxSWCD
Main Website - https://www.lfswcd.org
Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District (HWSWCD)
Serves Augusta, Staunton, Waynesboro
Main website - https://headwatersswcd.org/
Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District (MSWCD)
Serves Alleghany, Bath, Highland, Covington
Main Website (Seems out of date and not linked from main state website) - https://www.mountainswcd.org/
Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District (MCSWCD)
Serves Botetourt
Main Website - https://www.mountaincastles.org/
Virginia Cooperative Extension
The Cooperative Extension Office is an assistance program for farmers and landowners run through land grant universities - primarily Virginia Tech. While primarily for farmers, programs like soil testing are available for landowners of all sizes statewide.
NorthWest Office
Serves: Frederick, Warren, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Bath, Rockbridge
Website: https://ext.vt.edu/districts/Northwest.html
SouthWest Office
Serves: Alleghany, Botetourt
Website: https://ext.vt.edu/districts/southwest.html
Water Resources
These organizations can offer assistance in habitat restoration and water quality monitoring.
Trout Unlimited
Trout Unlimited is a national organization that protects and restores trout habitat. The Virginia chapter is active in the Shenandoah Valley due to our brook trout habitat.
They offer conservation resources and information for landowners on their website: https://www.virginiatu.org/conservation
For more general information, here is their website: https://www.virginiatu.org/
Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay is an advocacy organization for the Chesapeake Bay. They offer information and resources for landowners with waterways on their property and more general information for people interested in reducing their impact on the Chesapeake Bay.
Resources Page: https://www.allianceforthebay.org/get-involved/resources/
Homepage: https://www.allianceforthebay.org/about/our-story/
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
The Chesapeake Bay Foundation is an advocacy organization for the Chesapeake Bay watershed, known for its ‘State of the Bay’ reports. They offer resources for farmers regarding BMPs to help water quality, and resources for the installation and upkeep of riparian buffers
Resources Page: https://www.cbf.org/about-cbf/our-mission/restore/
Homepage: https://www.cbf.org/