Our Virginia Outdoors

03/19/2026

We are very concerned about data centers' impact on Virginia's public lands, outdoor recreation opportunities, and overall quality of life. Check out this important new report from OVO Coalition member National Parks Conservation Association, then share it with your networks and elected officials!

03/01/2026

Action Alert! Add your name to make Oak Hill Virginia’s newest state park!

Virginia Association for Parks VRPS: Virginia Recreation & Park Society The Nature Conservancy Virginia Piedmont Environmental Council Potomac Conservancy Virginia's United Land Trusts Virginia Conservation Network

We need your help to save Oak Hill in Northern Virginia, a critical piece of American history.

02/24/2026

Virginia's Great Outdoors Act has been tabled for this year in both chambers of the General Assembly. While this is disappointing, our coalition has a LOT to celebrate!

One highlight from VGOA's run in 2026: a record-high number of bipartisan co-patrons in BOTH the House and the Senate! A HUGE THANK-YOU to Chief Patrons Sen. Russet Perry and Del. Paul Krizek and Chief Co-Patrons Sen. Richard H. Stuart and Del. Buddy Fowler.

We're also thrilled to see great enthusiasm from newer legislators stepping up for nature: Delegate Gretchen Bulova, Del. Karen Keys-Gamarra, and Del. Destiny LeVere Bolling (Destiny for VA) all signed on as co-patrons of HB641 this session! We're so happy to have their support and grateful for their leadership.

Thank you all. Onward.

02/10/2026

👏Your outreach is working! 🙌 Several legislators have been convinced to support Virginia's Great Outdoors Act this session thanks to constituents contacting them about the bill. Nice work!

HB641 will be in the House Finance Committee tomorrow, so please send a note to your Delegate TODAY!

OVO coalition member Piedmont Environmental Council has made it easy, and it only takes a moment. Thanks for speaking up for Virginia's !

Virginia Green Travel Alliance VRPS: Virginia Recreation & Park Society The Nature Conservancy Virginia Virginia Association for Parks Roanoke Outside Virginia Conservation Network Virginia's United Land Trusts

A full 70% of Virginians support additional public spending to prevent the loss of natural areas and open spaces. Ask your state elected officials to support increased funding for land conservation, historic preservation and outdoor recreation.

01/27/2026

TODAY! Virginia's Great Outdoors Act is on the docket in the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, & Natural Resources Committee this afternoon!

There's never been a better time to speak up for nature: Please urge your legislators to vote YES!

Tell your legislators to invest in conservation and vote YES on Virginia's Great Outdoors Act.

01/23/2026

Thanks to our friends at The Nature Conservancy Virginia and Potomac Conservancy for helping make it easy to speak up for Virginia's great outdoors!🙌

01/21/2026

One week from today we're hosting Virginia's First Outdoor Recreation Day at Capitol Square in Richmond! 🌳🏛️🌲

Come for the coffee and the camaraderie, stay for the inspiration, the Outdoor Showcase, and the chance to share your support for Virginia's great outdoors with legislators, community and business leaders, and more. ☕️🤩

Learn more and register: https://ourvirginiaoutdoors.com/Outdoor-Recreation-Day/
Environment Virginia Piedmont Environmental Council VRPS: Virginia Recreation & Park Society Virginia Association for Parks Roanoke Outside Virginia Bicycling Federation virginia Virginia Conservation Network Central Virginia Land Conservancy

01/19/2026

Today we honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by reflecting on his working bringing people together for contemplation, building community, and taking action. 🌿

History is made in meeting halls, public parks, and crossing bridges. These shared spaces are places where everyone belongs — our literal common ground, meant to nurture and strengthen community connection across the Commonwealth.

It hasn't always been this way, and today the idea can still feel aspirational. It's still too hard for too many Virginians to access these shared treasures, whether because of distance, disability, or lack of transportation.

Virginia's Great Outdoors Act takes a big step toward addressing the challenges of unequal access, providing dedicated funding for protected or expanded access to parks, outdoor classrooms, historic sites, and public lands of all sorts. You can help expand access to green space for more communities by contacting your lawmakers today using this Action Alert from Our Virginia Outdoors Coalition member Potomac Conservancy:

Potomac Conservancy is the region’s leading clean water advocate, fighting to ensure the Potomac River boasts clean drinking water, healthy lands and vibrant communities.

01/15/2026

It's the first day of Virginia's General Assembly session!

We've been working hard in the interim to prepare a big advocacy push in support of Virginia's Great Outdoors Act (HB #641), sponsored by Delegate Paul Krizek and Senator Russet Perry.

VGOA provides dedicated funding for Virginia's parks, trails, forests, farmland and historic sites -- helping to ensure these special places will be around and accessible for generations to enjoy. If you love and value Virginia's lands and waters, please join us in championing Virginia's Great Outdoors Act this session!

Stay tuned for opportunities to speak up, show up, and show your support! Meanwhile, learn more: https://ourvirginiaoutdoors.com/

11/17/2025

Last week, Governor Youngkin announced $15.5 million in Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) funding to conserve 8,606 acres around the Commonwealth.

The 28 projects receiving grant awards for fiscal year 2026 include acquisitions to expand state natural area preserves and open spaces and parks, as well as conservation easements to protect prime farmland, working forests, historical battlefields and culturally significant lands.

“The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grant awards will support projects spanning all the way from Scott County in Southwest Virginia to Virginia Beach on the Chesapeake Bay. I’m proud that we have made significant, meaningful investments over the last four years to protect our natural resources and boost our local economies,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “By expanding open spaces and outdoor recreational opportunities, we’re bolstering local economic activity while providing beautiful, natural places for Virginians and visitors to recreate.”

See the full press release here:

Governor Glenn Youngkin, 74th Governor of Virginia

09/02/2025

Public lands are for everyone but only if we invest in making them accessible. Members of Our Virginia Outdoors published a new policy paper in Virginia Conservation Network's Our Common Agenda on "Investing in Accessible Public Lands" because Virginia’s outdoors are only as strong as our commitment to maintaining them.

Top takeaways:
🌎 Public lands keep Virginians healthy, support clean water and wildlife, and anchor a $13.4B outdoor recreation economy.
⚠️ Virginia’s state parks face a $388M maintenance backlog, creating an inefficient “budgeting by emergency” system.
💡 Dedicated, sustained funding is needed for staff, maintenance, operations, and land acquisitions to ensure parks remain accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all.

Authors of the policy paper include Kyle Hart with National Parks Conservation Association, Mikaela Ruiz-Ramón with The Nature Conservancy Virginia, and Michelle Schopp, PMP with the Virginia Association for Parks. Read the policy paper here:

RETURN TO TABLE OF CONTENTS INVESTING IN ACCESSIBLE PUBLIC LANDS Kyle Hart // National Parks Conservation Association // [email protected] Mikaela Ruiz-Ramón // The Nature Conservancy // [email protected] Michelle Schopp // Virginia Association for Parks // [email protected] PDF Download L...