2026 SESSION
ENROLLED
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 264
Commending the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, March 10, 2026
Agreed to by the Senate, March 12, 2026
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