Virginia Association For Parks Virginia Association For Parks

2025 VAFP Annual Conference

VAFP will host our annual conference from May 1-4, 2025 at Occoneechee State Park.  Registration is now LIVE! Click here to register, or email vafparks@gmail.com with any questions. We look forward to seeing you at Occoneechee in May!

2025 Advocacy Efforts

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On January 22, advocates from across Virginia gathered for Parks Advocacy Day, a powerful opportunity to speak up for the parks, trails, and green spaces that strengthen our communities. Held at the Virginia General Assembly in Richmond, the event brought together park supporters, policy-makers, and organizations dedicated to ensuring continued investment in outdoor spaces.

The day focused on key issues that impact parks and public spaces, including conservation, maintenance, and creation of parks. Advocates met with legislators to share personal stories, discuss the impact of parks on public health and local economies, and urge for policy changes that will protect and enhance our natural spaces.

advocates at lobby dayThe enthusiasm and dedication of everyone involved underscored the importance of advocacy in shaping the future of our parks.

As we look ahead, it’s clear that our collective voices make a difference. Thank you to everyone who participated—your support helps ensure that parks remain a priority for geadvocates at lobby daynerations to come!

We encourage all our members to reach out to their local representatives to request their support for Virginia's parks.  If you're not sure who your representatives are, you can search the Virginia General Assembly Who's My Legislator page.  When reaching out, it's helpful to identify yourself as a constituent, VAFP member, and park volunteer.

Parks by Podcast!

Virginia Outdoor Adventures podcast series has several episodes featuring Virginia's parks.  Check them out!

 

Past News of VAFP in Action 

February 1, 2021 Legislative Update
Legislative priorities for 2021 General Assembly Session announced 02/01/2021 06:16:29 PM

#ThankARanger
Help us recognize the exceptional dedication of our Virginia State Park Rangers this year as they went above and beyond to keep our parks open as a respite for all of us during these uncertain times. 11/18/2020 09:08:43 PM

Thanks to Senator Warner
The Virginia Association for Parks is grateful for Senator Warner and the bipartisan coalition in Congress that worked on the Great American Outdoors Act, recently signed into law. 09/09/2020 11:21:47 PM

TAKE ACTION NOW!
Contact the budget conferees to ask for full funding of the amounts for Virginia State Parks in the Governor's budget. 02/28/2020 09:36:05 PM

VaLORS Call to Action 2020
There is still time to save VaLORS for this session. 02/21/2020 11:42:12 AM

2019 Fall Conference Details
Details for the 2019 Fall Conference at Westmoreland State Park 08/17/2019 11:12:42 AM

Contact House Appopriations Members Now on VaLORS
Contact House Appropriations Committee Members now and ask that they support adding Department of Conservation and Recreation Conservation Officers into VaLORS. 01/28/2019 05:20:39 PM

2019 General Assembly Call to Action
A letter from the President 01/23/2019 09:21:15 PM

Delegate Terry Kilgore Named Legislator of the Year
The Virginia Association For Parks named Delegate Terry Kilgore Legislator of the Year at their annual conference on Sept. 28. 10/01/2018 11:46:32 PM

Virginia should support its award-winning state parks
Former State Parks Director Joe Elton calls for legislative support of Virginia State Parks through proposed budget amendments. 02/11/2018 12:39:47 PM

VAFP Supports Dedicated Funding for Youth Conservation Corps
The General Assembly will consider a budget amendment offered by Senator Hanger to provide dedicated funding that will expand the Youth Conservation Corps. 01/25/2018 12:14:58 PM

2018 General Assembly Advocacy for Virginia State Parks
The VAFP provides background documents to assist with advocating for critical needs to support Virginia State Parks. 01/24/2018 04:03:50 PM

Join business leaders and environmentalists in Richmond
Join us at the 2017 Energy and Sustainability Conference 05/18/2017 08:37:52 PM

VAFP Announces Advocacy Guidance for 2017 General Assembly
VAFP President Greg Eanes announces advocacy guidance for supporters of Virginia State Parks. 01/22/2017 07:59:29 PM

VAFP Partners with Marstel-Day
The Virginia Association for Parks and Marstel-Day are partnering to explore ways to increase access to nature and continue to provide a park experience that is meaningful. 12/22/2016 04:09:40 PM

Delegate Mark Dudenhefer Named Legislator of the Year
The Virginia Association for Parks presented Delegate Mark Dudenhefer with their 2016 Legislator of the Year Award at the Widewater State Park groundbreaking on Dec. 16. 12/22/2016 04:01:10 PM

VAFP Support Noted by Civil War Trust
VAFP's support to make Brandy Station and Cedar Mountain battlefields a Virginia State Park was noted in an article in Hallowed Ground, the magazine for the Civil War Trust. 12/18/2016 06:08:15 PM

VAFP Supports Civil War-Centered State Park in Culpeper County
At VAFP's Fall Conference - held at Bear Creek Lake State Park in Cumberland, Va. - the organization on October 1 unanimously passed a resolution in support of transforming the storied Civil War battlefields at Brandy Station and Cedar Mountain into Virginia's next state park. 10/06/2016 05:31:43 PM

Welcome Natural Bridge State Park
Governor Terry McAuliffe dedicated Natural Bridge as the 37th Virginia State Park on Sept. 24, 2016. It also became the 25th Affiliated Unit of the National Park Service. 09/24/2016 06:05:52 PM

2015 General Assembly Results
06/02/2016 07:18:00 PM

Donate in December - Help Establish the Natural Bridge State Park
Be a part of Thomas Jefferson's vision for Natural Bridge, which he considered "the most sublime of nature's works." 05/26/2016 01:02:00 AM

Your voice for Virginia's parks.