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Virginia C apitol C onnections, Winter 2016 19
from cabins to playgrounds, protects Virginia’s scenic resources and
coordinates statewide trail efforts.
To celebrate 50 years of dedicated service to the commonwealth,
PRRwill be celebrating regionally at planning meetings and preparing
for the openings of additional parks that might occur during the
McAuliffe administration.
Natural Heritage Celebrates 30 years
In 1986, Virginia Natural Heritage was established within the
state Department of Conservation and, then, Historic Resources.
Three years later, the Virginia Natural Area Preserve Act charged the
Natural Heritage Program with “maintaining a statewide database
for conservation planning and project review, land protection for
the conservation of biodiversity, and the protection and ecological
management of natural heritage resources (the habitats or rare,
threatened, and endangered species, significant natural communities,
and other natural features).”
In 30 years, biologists of the Natural Heritage Program (NHP)
have discovered 36 species new to science and 313 species not
formerly known to exist in Virginia. NHP has also discovered 3,894
state and global rare plants, 3,361 animal species and 1,586 rare
natural community types.
In 1990, the Virginia Natural Area Preserve System was
established to protect some of the most significant natural areas in the
commonwealth. The first preserve was protected in 1990, this system
is managed by the NHP Stewardship staff and includes 62 natural
areas totaling more than 55,600 acres, all of which are protected and
managed for the natural communities and rare animals and plants
found there. Natural Area Preserves are publicly accessible either
openly, or via contact with Natural Area Stewards.
In 1994, and again in 2006, the Virginia Natural Heritage
Program was recognized by NatureServe as the most outstanding
natural heritage program in the Western Hemisphere.
This year, Virginia Natural Heritage celebrates its 30th
anniversary and will continue to bring awareness to the program via
Parking available adjacent to building
Phone 804-644-1702
FAX: 804-644-1703
E-Mail:
Web Site:
hen it comes to events no one
throws a party like David Napier.
Known throughout Central Virginia for his
wonderful food and hospitality, David is
delighted to have opened his catering facility in
the heart of Shockoe Bottom. No event is too
small or large. Delicious Box Lunches delivered.
O ne of Richmond’s most elegant dining
rooms is now exclusively available for your
private parties and special events. Our award
winning chefs produce an array of dishes from
steaks and seafood to vegetarian and
international masterpieces that will satisfy the
most discriminating palate. The Old City Bar
is the perfect place to celebrate.
See Celebration, continued on page 20