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from cabins to playgrounds, protects Virginia’s scenic resources and coordinates statewide trail efforts. To celebrate 50 years of dedicated service to the commonwealth, PRRwill be celebrating regionally at planning meetings and preparing for the openings of additional parks that might occur during the McAuliffe administration. Natural Heritage Celebrates 30 years In 1986, Virginia Natural Heritage was established within the state Department of Conservation and, then, Historic Resources. Three years later, the Virginia Natural Area Preserve Act charged the Natural Heritage Program with “maintaining a statewide database for conservation planning and project review, land protection for the conservation of biodiversity, and the protection and ecological management of natural heritage resources (the habitats or rare, threatened, and endangered species, significant natural communities, and other natural features).” In 30 years, biologists of the Natural Heritage Program (NHP) have discovered 36 species new to science and 313 species not formerly known to exist in Virginia. NHP has also discovered 3,894 state and global rare plants, 3,361 animal species and 1,586 rare natural community types. In 1990, the Virginia Natural Area Preserve System was established to protect some of the most significant natural areas in the commonwealth. The first preserve was protected in 1990, this system is managed by the NHP Stewardship staff and includes 62 natural areas totaling more than 55,600 acres, all of which are protected and managed for the natural communities and rare animals and plants found there. Natural Area Preserves are publicly accessible either openly, or via contact with Natural Area Stewards. In 1994, and again in 2006, the Virginia Natural Heritage Program was recognized by NatureServe as the most outstanding natural heritage program in the Western Hemisphere. This year, Virginia Natural Heritage celebrates its 30th anniversary and will continue to bring awareness to the program via

hen it comes to events no one throws a party like David Napier.

Known throughout Central Virginia for his wonderful food and hospitality, David is delighted to have opened his catering facility in the heart of Shockoe Bottom. No event is too small or large. Delicious Box Lunches delivered. O ne of Richmond’s most elegant dining rooms is now exclusively available for your private parties and special events. Our award winning chefs produce an array of dishes from steaks and seafood to vegetarian and international masterpieces that will satisfy the most discriminating palate. The Old City Bar is the perfect place to celebrate.

See Celebration , continued on page 20

Parking available adjacent to building Phone 804-644-1702 FAX: 804-644-1703 E-Mail: thecitybar1548@gmail.com Web Site: www.whitehousecateringva.com

V irginia C apitol C onnections , W inter 2016

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