Legislation Will Dedicate Millions in Existing Funds to Parks, Trails and Natural Resource Conservation Needs
RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia is losing outdoor spaces at an alarming rate, even as the demand for these spaces is growing for health, recreation, and clean air and water. State investment in natural resource protection and the development of parks, trails, and public lands for outdoor recreation has been limited and inconsistent. Virginia lags behind neighboring states like North Carolina, Tennessee, and Maryland, which have made significant investments in recent years to grow their outdoor recreation economies and protect more of their lands and waters.
Now, Virginia lawmakers will consider Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act (HB2059), sponsored by Delegate Paul Krizek (D-Fairfax). The proposed legislation offers a unique opportunity to safeguard Virginia’s natural resources and enhance the quality of life for all Virginians. With strong support, Virginia can become a leader in outdoor recreation and conservation, fostering healthier, more vibrant communities.
Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act would dedicate $230 million in annual funding toward:
- Protecting vulnerable natural lands and waters, working farms and forests, drinking water resources, and historic and cultural sites.
- Improving public access to the outdoors by fixing existing and building new infrastructure and expanding public lands.
- Investing in a thriving outdoor recreation sector by developing new trails, parks, and other public lands at local and state levels.
“It is past time to make strategic investments that will enable a thriving outdoor recreation economy,” said Delegate Paul Krizek. “I encourage my fellow legislators to support this bill because it will protect our beautiful natural landscapes, grow our outdoor recreation economy, and create access to the outdoors for Virginians and visitors to our great Commonwealth.”
Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act would shift a portion of the revenue from the existing direct real estate transfer tax to fund state and local projects across the Commonwealth. More than a dozen US states, including West Virginia, Maryland and Tennessee, use a similar mechanism to support land conservation.
If passed, funding would be distributed through existing programs including the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, Get Outdoors Fund, Virginia Black, Indigenous and People of Color Historic Preservation Fund, Virginia Battlefield Preservation Fund and Farmland Preservation Fund. Lawmakers in the Virginia House of Delegates’ Appropriations Committee will consider the proposal next week.
“The Our Virginia Outdoors coalition is thrilled to support Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act. Every Virginia city, county, and town is looking to grow outdoor recreation opportunities for their communities,” said Maribel Castañeda, coordinator of the Our Virginia Outdoors coalition. “This landmark bill promises to protect our state’s most vulnerable natural landscapes, improve public access to our outdoor spaces, and invest in a flourishing outdoor recreation sector. We stand with 91% of Virginians who believe public funds should be used to acquire land to prevent the loss of natural areas. This Act will ensure that more people have the opportunity to discover and connect with our parks, trails, rivers, forests, and other public lands. Together, we can pave the way for future generations to create their own stories in Virginia’s great outdoors.”
“Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act is critical legislation that increases investments in nature and the outdoors across the Commonwealth. As development pressures and climate change continue to imperil our land, water and wildlife, we lose the chance to protect more and more special places each day, “said Alan Rowsome, Executive Director of the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust. “Passage of this Act and a meaningful commitment to the successful programs included in it is the best possible way we can ensure that future generations have clean water to drink, clean air to breathe, and amazing outdoor experiences that define who we are as Virginians.”
“Conservation investments preserve the many benefits nature provides, from supporting clean drinking water and habitat for wildlife, to helping communities adapt to a changing climate. Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act would provide dedicated state funding that allows for more ambitious large-scale conservation efforts. This legislation will enable us to protect vital natural resources, conserve biodiversity, and ensure that all Virginians can enjoy the health and recreational benefits of our great outdoors,” said Bettina Ring, State Director of The Nature Conservancy’s Virginia Chapter.
“The Virginia’s Great Outdoor Act marks a significant milestone in funding the preservation and enhancement of our public lands and trails across the Commonwealth. I urge all Virginians to show their support for this vital initiative by contacting their General Assembly members,” said Cat Anthony, Executive Director of the Virginia Trails Alliance. “Your voice is crucial in securing sustained funding for our public lands and trails. Let your representatives know that protecting these resources is essential for our community’s health, recreation, and environmental future. Additionally, get outside and enjoy all that Virginia’s nature has to offer.”
Our Virginia Outdoors Coalition Members include:
Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley, American Battlefield Trust, American Farmland Trust, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Atoka Conservation Exchange, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, BikeWalk RVA, Capital Region Land Conservancy, CASA, Chesapeake Conservancy, Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, East Coast Greenway Alliance, Friends of New River Trail, Friends of the Lower Appomattox River, Friends of the Rappahannock River, Friends of Southwest Virginia, James River Association, Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), National Parks Conservation Association, New River Conservancy, Northern Neck Land Conservancy, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust, Piedmont Environmental Council, Potomac Conservancy, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, REI Coop, Roanoke Outside Foundation, Scenic Virginia, Shenandoah Valley Bicycle Coalition, Shenandoah Valley Conservancy, Southern Environmental Law Center, The Conservation Fund, The Nature Conservancy, The Wilderness Society, Trust for Public Land, Virginia Association for Parks, Virginia Bicycling Federation, Virginia Capital Trail Foundation, Virginia Conservation Network, Virginia’s United Land Trusts, Virginia Horse Council, Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Virginia Recreation and Parks Society, Virginia Trails Alliance, Wild Virginia