ROANOKE, Va. (WFXR) – On Thursday, January 23, Governor Glenn Youngkin announced the ‘Virginia Outdoors Plan,’ a new statewide initiative for enhancing outdoor recreation.
“Virginia is rich with an abundance of best-in-class outdoor recreational opportunities. The 2024 Virginia Outdoors Plan serves as a tool for enhancing outdoor recreation offerings throughout the Commonwealth,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “This plan demonstrates the Commonwealth’s commitment to outdoor recreation, land conservation, and education. In partnership with the great leaders that collaborated on this resource, we are making Virginia the best state to live, work, and recreate.”
The Virginia Outdoors Plan is a guide issued by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation and meets the remaining eligibility requirements for the record $7.2 million federal Land and Water Conservation funding issued for the 2024 fiscal year.
According to Gov. Younkin, recreation resource planners, managers, and community stakeholders rely on the plan for funding applications and park projects, and since 1965, almost $126 million in total apportionments have funded more than 450 projects in Virginia.
A survey found that most Virginians place a high value on access to outdoor recreation. 82% said access to outdoor recreation was “very important,” up from 70% in 2017. In 2011, the figure was 55.6%. The survey also found an even higher percentage of Virginians who strongly believe in protecting the state’s natural and open-space resources from development. 86% considered protection “very important,” and 12% said it was “somewhat important.”
Other findings include:
- The top reasons Virginians participated in outdoor recreation were physical activity or exercise; taking a break, reducing stress and improving mental health; and experiencing nature.
- The most needed outdoor recreation opportunities were natural areas, trails, and parks.
- Restrooms or bathrooms, easy-to-walk or paved trails, and more facilities are available closer were the top ways facilities could improve participation in outdoor recreation.
“The theme of the new Virginia Outdoors Plan, ‘Best in Class Recreation for All,’ reflects our commitment to expanding public access to top-notch outdoor recreation opportunities and promoting stewardship of our natural and cultural resources,” said DCR Director Matt Wells. “By utilizing the data and survey results in the plan, park planners, community stakeholders, and the public can make well-informed decisions as they pursue conservation and recreation goals.”
The priorities identified in the plan include expanding access and opportunities for outdoor recreation, improved safety and health outdoors, and recreation infrastructure that is adequately funded and highly resilient.
The 2024 version of the Virginia Outdoors Plan, approved by NPS on Dec. 18, will be implemented 2025-2030 and can be accessed at www.dcr.virginia.gov/vop.