October 28, 2006

 

 

The Virginia Association for Parks

Johnny Finch, President

Nancy Fitzgerald, State Parks Chair

Lynn Davis, National Parks Chair

Ann Lipp, Treasurer

Jo Finch, Secretary

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

First, I am very sorry that my schedule will not allow me to join you today at Claytor Lake State Park. My hopes are that you are having a most productive and enjoyable meeting.  I look forward to enjoying the Park in just a few days when DCR holds its Employee Recognition event for the staff in the western half of the Commonwealth there on November 1st, at which time we will also formally dedicate the new facilities.  Perhaps several of you will be able to join us for that event.

 

I want to add my thanks on behalf of Joe Elton and all the employees of the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation for your many fine works on behalf of Virginia’s parks and her natural and cultural resources. Not only have your tireless efforts led to many tangible results, they have set an example for citizens all across the Commonwealth.

 

Your organization takes on all challenges big and small. As a result of your efforts with former and current administrations, DCR and the Virginia State Parks system has enjoyed recent years of increased state funding support and an increased number of much needed state park staff positions. Your support and efforts have played an important role in us obtaining resources needed to properly manage the lands under our care and to provide a safe and enjoyable experience for our visitors.  

 

While working on these system-wide issues, your members have also been spent countless hours promoting and encouraging volunteer efforts on a park-by-park basis.

 

The work of your association has never been more important than it is today. As you are well aware, Governor Tim Kaine has made land conservation the key environmental issue of his

 

Virginia Association for Parks

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Administration. His ambitious goal calls for the state to protect an additional 400,000 acres by 2010. This equates to doubling the amount of land currently conserved in Virginia annually.

 

Efforts to conserve lands go hand-in-hand with efforts to make public lands, safe, accessible and enjoyable. The Virginia Outdoor Survey recently conducted by DCR and released by Governor Kaine shows that Virginians’ support of land conservation is strongly tied to our ability to manage and provide quality outdoor recreation on the commonwealth’s public properties.

 

Your continued efforts to provide the resources to properly manage Virginia’s state and national parks, and just as importantly, to strengthen the connection between those parks and the people of this great state are critically important to this administration’s ability to meet its conservation goals. The re-benchmarking of our existing 34 state parks remains among my top goals for the Department.  With your help, we have made great strides and we look forward to continuing that success. 

 

Finally, I think it is important to note how fortunate we are in our 70th anniversary year to have Governor Kaine as Virginia’s 70th governor.  He and his family are true park enthusiasts who spend considerable family time in our state parks.  It is no exaggeration to say that he has been to and stayed in more state parks these past 10 months since he got in office than any other governor that I know of.    (I wonder if he is an honorary VAFP member?  Could be a good idea.)

 

Again, thank you for all that you do for the Commonwealth and for DCR. I look forward to continuing our outstanding working relationship well into the future.

 

                                                            Sincerely,

 

       

                                                            Joseph H. Maroon

                                                            Director

 

cc: Joe Elton