Members of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) Board are responsible for establishing and administering the Virginia Land Conservation Fund. Board members define project scoring criteria, approve the grant manual, and award funding to projects each grant round. An interagency workgroup assists the Board by proposing grant criteria, conducting initial project reviews, and recommending grant applications for board approval.
The Board has 20 members, two of which are ex officio voting members: the Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources who serves as the chair, and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. The remaining 18 members are appointed by the House of Delegates, the Senate, and the Governor. Members are appointed from each of Virginia’s 11 congressional districts and one member of a state-recognized or federally recognized Virginia Indian Tribe. Non-legislative citizen board members have a variety of experience and expertise in relevant fields such as natural resource conservation, real estate development, forest management, farming, wildlife management, and outdoor recreation. Citizen members serve four-year terms, while the terms of House and Senate members align with their terms in office. DCR provides staff support to the Board.
Typically, the VLCF Board meets at least twice per year, though there may be additional board meetings or subcommittee meetings. VLCF grant rounds often begin in the spring, with funding generally being awarded in the fall.
The following information is provided for your information and use as a member of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation Board of Trustees.
For more information, you may contact Paul Saunders, 804-840-5904, paul.saunders@dcr.virginia.gov