Restore the Wild

Virginia’s wildlife depend on healthy native habitats to thrive—maintaining these habitats amidst a variety of pressures and challenges requires restoration projects. Here's how you can help.

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Conserve. Connect. Protect.

DWR has been a steward of the outdoors since 1916, leading in wildlife conservation and inspiring people to value the outdoors and their role in nature.

How Do We Fund What We Do?

You might be surprised to know that Virginia DWR is primarily funded from sources other than Virginia general tax dollars.

A lot of our funding to help conserve wildlife and habitat comes from public spending on things like fishing and hunting licenses, tags, or stamps, boat registrations, and via a federal excise tax on firearms and ammunition.

Those sources of financial support have helped us protect hundreds of species and their habitat for over 100 years, but there’s always more we can do for Virginia’s wildlife. That’s where you come in. You too can become a steward of the outdoors by supporting our work or working with us — whether you hunt, fish, and boat or simply enjoy the outdoors.

How You Can Help
The Outdoors Are Better Together

Contribute to a Cause

Your contributions can help us restore wildlife habitat when you become a Restore the Wild member or connect youth to the outdoors through the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program!

Volunteer & Mentorship

Whether you volunteer with us, take the time to mentor a new hunter, or refer a friend to go hunting or fishing, you can make a difference!

Virginia Wildlife Magazine

In the March–April 2023 issue…

Get to know the unassuming, but essential, species of mud, or gizzard, shad, learn about how removing dams benefits Virginia's aquatic wildlife, revisit some classic lures, and get insight into how weather might affect your day of boating. Also, some great spots for fishing in urban Northern Virginia and a look at how The Clifton Institute is practicing and educating about conservation.

Shop DWR

Your purchases support the Virginia Wildlife Grant Program, connecting kids to the outdoors.