Virginians have always treasured and relied on our waters to provide fresh drinking water, support healthy ecosystems, and sustain our economy — from the productive, historic Chesapeake Bay; its mountain headwaters; and the Clinch and Powell Rivers (which host some of...
The health of Virginia’s rivers and streams is paramount to a strong economy and environment. The Commonwealth is blessed with natural aquatic wonders such as the James River and the Chesapeake Bay and has a storied history of responsible water conservation....
The eastern brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) — the official freshwater fish of Virginia — is valued by conservationists and sportsmen alike for its beauty and as an indicator of high water quality. Once widespread, the native brook trout has been lost from 38% of...
The native oyster (Crassostrea virginica) is one of the Chesapeake Bay’s keystone species and of great ecological, economical, and historical importance in the Commonwealth. Fortunately, during the 2018 legislative session, the Virginia General Assembly authorized an...
Virginians rely on local waterways in a variety of ways: clean drinking water, seafood production, and recreational tourism. Virginia is the largest seafood producer on the East Coast and the third largest in the United States — this is an example of an industry that...
The upper Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers are home to some of the finest smallmouth bass waters in Virginia. There are lunkers to be found, but they’re crafty and hard to land if you don’t know where to look. Here’s three tips to help you find that trophy...
Watching our campers grow over the years is a highlight for our education staff. Every summer we get to forge relationships with kids who attend our camps to learn about the river and have fun. Year after year they come back, and it is amazing to see how they grow and...
Channel cats are the top dog above the fall line The ecology of the upper Rappahannock River is changing. The good news is, fisheries biologists are not alarmed. The bad news is… well, there really isn’t any bad news. “The upper Rappahannock River remains a...
Article by UMW Professor Jason Sellers for America’s Most Endangered River series The Rappahannock River has long been a focal point for Virginia’s human communities, and its health remains vital for Virginians today. Although often confident in the resilience...
Editorial article from the Green County Record The state’s 47 soil and water conservation districts will use $7.2 million this fiscal year to help Virginians implement conservation practices. The districts began in 1935 when Congress ordered the U.S. Department of...
