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Download the Fy13 Virginia Factsheet with updated talking points

Download the LWCF Factsheet for Virginia, FY 12 Projects and Talking Points

LWCF Success in Virginia

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of Virginia’s most treasured places.  Virginia has received approximately $266 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Fredericksburg & Spotslyvania National Military Park and the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge.

James River National Wildlife Refuge

The Fish and Wildlife Service established the Refuge to protect nationally significant habitat for bald eagles.  Widely recognized as a bald eagle stronghold, the refuge is one of the most important areas in eastern North America for this species and supports one of the densest piscivorous bird communities in Virginia (osprey, herons, egrets, and cormorants).  The Lower James River Important Bird Area is recognized as one of the largest bald eagle roosting areas east of the Mississippi, supporting an average of 100 roosting eagles each year, with maximum numbers of 200.  LWCF funds helped protect this invaluable habitat.

Economic Benefits

Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Virginia economy. Each year, 1 million sportspersons and 2.3 million wildlife watchers combine to spend $2.4 billion on wildlife-associated recreation in Virginia.  This is an integral part of the greater American outdoor recreation economy, which contributes $730 billion annually to the U.S. economy, supports 6.4 million American jobs (1 out of every 20 jobs in the U.S.), and stimulates 8 percent of all consumer spending, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.