Conservation, The Garden Club of Virginia

From its beginning in 1920, the Garden Club of Virginia has directed public attention to conservation issues around the state by establishing Conservation as its first standing committee. Through that committee, the GCV pledged to conserve natural resources, plant trees and deal with pests and pesticides. Today, the Garden Club of Virginia is still leading the way by focusing attention on conservation issues through educational leadership initiatives and legislative involvement.

The GCV Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellowship was established in 2014 to support research in areas relating to the conservation of natural resources and/or environmental studies concerning flora, fauna or community (cultural practices) that directly impact the Commonwealth of Virginia. Learn more...

Goshen Pass is Virginia's oldest state-managed natural area. Located in Rockbridge County, about 10 miles north of Lexington, the Commonwealth first acquired the property in 1954 to help protect the spectacular views of the 3.7-mile long gorge along the Maury River. More recently a number of biological treasures were discovered on the property. Among them are outstanding examples of chestnut oak forest, pine-oak-heath woodland, rocky riverside scrub communities, a state-rare damselfly called the Appalachian jewelwing, and several rare plants. The preserve, which encompasses the southwest face of the gorge, was dedicated as a State Natural Area Preserve in 2001. http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural_heritage/natural_area_preserves/goshen.shtml Photo by: Anita Filson http://www.scenicvirginia.org/photocontest_2009_waterways.html