Sponsors and Partners

Virginia Cooperative Extension

Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) is an educational outreach program of Virginia's land-grant universities: Virginia Tech and Virginia State University, and a part of the National Institute for Food and Agriculture, an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture. Extension programs are delivered through a network of faculty at two universities, 107 county and city offices, 11 agricultural research and Extension centers, and six 4-H educational centers.

Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) works to give individuals, businesses, communities and all levels of government the tools and information needed to make wise decisions in conserving our natural and recreational resources. They do this through planning, funding, education and, in a few cases, regulation.

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality

The mission of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is to protect and improve the environment for the well-being of all Virginians. DEQ administers state and federal laws and regulations for air quality, water quality, water supply and land protection. In addition, other programs cover a variety of environmental activities, such as improving the ability of businesses and local governments to protect the environment, and offering technical and financial assistance for air and water quality improvements.

Virginia Department of Forestry

The mission of the Virginia Department of Forestry (DOF) is to protect and develop healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians.

Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources

The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR) is responsible for the management of inland fisheries, wildlife, and recreational boating for the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Virginia Museum of Natural History

The Virginia Museum of Natural History interprets Virginia's natural heritage within a global context in ways that are relevant to all citizens of the Commonwealth.

Virginia Instiute of Marine Science, Center for Coastal Research

The Center for Coastal Resources Management (CCRM) develops and supports integrated and adaptive management of coastal zone resources. To fulfill this mission, the Center undertakes research, provides advisory service, and conducts outreach education.

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1994 to protect the Bull Run Mountains Region through education, research, and stewardship.

Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve

The Bull Run Mountains are the easternmost mountains in Virginia. The Virginia Outdoors Foundation’s (VOF) Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve is approximately 2,500 acres that serves as a living laboratory and open-air museum in the backyard of our nation’s capital.

Clean Virginia Waterways

Clean Virginia Waterways’ mission is to enhance the health of Virginia’s water resources through pollution prevention, education, and stewardship activities involving Virginians from the classroom to the boardroom.

Conway Robinson State Forest

Conway Robinson State Forest, located in Prince William County, is a 440-acre woodland oasis in a heavily-developed suburban area. The forest provides a fascinating blend of mature and immature hardwoods, pine plantations, prehistoric and historic sites, rare plants, and attractive wildflowers.

Keep Prince William Beautiful

Keep Prince William Beautiful is a 501(c)3 environmental organization that serves Prince William County through partnering with residents, businesses, community organizations and the government to educate and inspire environmental stewards who, through locally informed action, actively work to reduce litter waste, increase recycling, and broaden environmental education throughout the County.

Leesylvania State Park

Leesylvania is nestled along the tidal shores of the historic Potomac River. Native Americans lived on this land for thousands of years. Capt. John Smith visited the area in 1608 on his voyage of discovery. Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks, Leesylvania offers many land and water activities, including hiking, picnicking, fishing and boating.

Leopold's Preserve

Named for the famous conservationist Aldo Leopold, Leopold's Preserve is a 380-acre park located in western Prince William County, VA. The Preserve features a 7-mile trail system that allows visitors to explore diverse habitats, scenic overlooks, and historic sites. The Preserve is free to access and open to the public every day from dawn until dusk.

Manassas National Battlefield Park

While Manassas National Battlefield Park preserves the sites of the First and Second Battles of Manassas, it also protects over 4,000 acres of natural habitat. Nearly half the park is grassland that provides crucial habitat for grassland birds and pollinators including monarch butterflies. The other half is forests from early-successional Virginia pine stands to relatively mature oak-hickory forests.

Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area

Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area (WMA) is located in one of the fastest developing areas in the Commonwealth. This WMA was acquired through a partnership with DWR, the United States Marine Corps, and the Prince William Conservation Alliance to insure the land remains wild and serves as productive wildlife habitat in the face of development, and to serve as a buffer for Quantico Marine Corps Base.

Northern Virginia Bird Alliance

The mission of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance is to engage all northern Virginia communities in enjoying, conserving, and restoring nature for the benefit of birds, other wildlife, and people.

Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Twenty miles south of Washington, D.C., where the Potomac meets the Occoquan River, lies Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge: an oasis for migratory birds and busy city residents seeking a quiet escape from development.

Plant NOVA Natives

Plant NOVA Natives is the all-volunteer, joint marketing campaign of a grand coalition of non-profit, governmental, and private groups, all working to reverse the decline of native plants and wildlife in Northern Virginia.

Plant NOVA Trees

A native tree is one that evolved within a given local ecosystem and therefore participates fully in its intricate plant/animal/fungal/soil interactions. Plant NOVA Trees is an all-volunteer organization that pledges to protect native trees in the Northern Virginia area.