The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources Celebrates 100 Years June 17, 2016.
In 1916, the remarkable occurred. A tiny state agency whose responsibilities were not to the people of the Commonwealth—but to its beleaguered fish and wildlife—was born. Though DWR was hardly a top priority of the Virginia Legislature, and its first office was squeezed into a cloakroom in the Virginia Senate, the agency was saddled with an extraordinary mission that encompassed every square mile of Virginia. Today, after nearly 100 years of fish and wildlife restoration and management, it’s time to take a look back to see how well we’ve done.
Telling the Story
DWR has gathered historical materials, film footage, interviews, memorabilia, photos, and articles from its archives, people and places, in order to piece together the very personal story of commitment and partnerships between sportsmen, conservationists, landowners, business and government which produced the astounding success story of fish and wildlife conservation in Virginia.
First Annual Report of the Department of Wildlife Resources of Virginia, Ending June 30, 1917
Virginia Wildlife: DWR 100th Anniversary Special Issue
Whitetail Times: The First 100 Years of Protecting Virginia’s Wildlife
We Need Your Help
You can help us do it. We are looking for your stories, your photos, your memories and connections to DWR and Virginia’s fish and wildlife past and present. We would also appreciate receiving as a gift any back issues of Virginia Wildlife magazine from the 1930s to the 1990s to replenish our archives.
Email us at 100thAnniversary@dwr.gov if you have story to tell, or a connection to make to Virginia’s conservation past. We’re waiting to hear from you.