naturalresources.virginia.govSecretary of Natural Resources - Secretary of Natural Resources

Toggle navigation Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler About Initiatives Chesapeake Bay Clam & Oyster Aquaculture Environmental Justice Resilience Agencies News Photo Gallery Media Speeches Contact Us Search Secretary of Natural Resources Secretary of Natural Resources SECRETARY OF NATURAL RESOURCES Secretary of Natural Resources Secretary of Natural Resources SECRETARY OF NATURAL RESOURCES Previous Next Secretary of Natural Resources What We Do The Secretary of Natural Resources advises the Governor on natural resources issues and works to advance the Governor's top environmental priorities. The Secretary oversees five agencies that protect and restore the Commonwealth’s natural and historic resources. The Secretary's office and all of the natural resources agencies work together to uphold the provisions of Article XI of the Virginia Constitution: To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop, and utilize its natural resources, its public lands, and its historical sites and buildings. Further, it shall be the Commonwealth's policy to protect its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth. Secretary Strickler Releases Report on Revitalizing Environmental Protection in Virginia August 19, 2019 — Secretary of Natural Resources Matthew J. Strickler today released the final report to Governor Ralph S. Northam on recommended actions for enhancing protection of air, water, and public health in Virginia, as required under Executive Order Number Six . Governor Northam signed Executive Order Six in April 2018, which directed the Department of Environmental Quality to update outdated regulations, strengthen enforcement of Virginia’s environmental standards, identify the causes of permitting delays, and improve transparency. Read the Executive Order 6 Report Read Press Release Recent News Newsroom /newsroom/all-releases/2020/january/headline-851335-en.html Norfolk January 28, 2020 Governor Northam Applauds Deal to Jumpstart Offshore Wind Industry Governor Ralph Northam today announced an agreement for Ørsted to lease a portion of the Portsmouth Marine Terminal for offshore wind staging materials and equipment. The agreement was ratified this morning by a unanimous vote of the Virginia Port Authority Board of Commissioners. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2020/january/headline-850681-en.html Richmond January 9, 2020 Governor Northam Outlines Historic Justice and Equity Agenda As the 2020 General Assembly session gets underway, Governor Ralph Northam today announced budget and legislative priorities for his historic justice and equity agenda. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2020/january/headline-850663-en.html Richmond January 8, 2020 Governor Northam Delivers State of the Commonwealth Address Tonight, Governor Ralph Northam will deliver the annual State of the Commonwealth address. He will highlight the accomplishments from his second year in office and share his vision to continue building a stronger, fairer, and more equitable Virginia. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2020/january/headline-850609-en.html Richmond January 7, 2020 Governor and Legislative Leaders Launch Session United, Advance Common-Sense ‘Virginia 2020 Plan’ Governor Ralph S. Northam and legislative leaders today announced they will advance an 11-point ‘Virginia 2020 Plan’ of common-sense measures when the General Assembly convenes tomorrow. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/december/headline-850160-en.html Richmond December 20, 2019 Governor Northam Announces New Director of Virginia State Parks Governor Ralph Northam today announced Melissa Baker as Virginia State Parks Director, the first woman to hold the position in the park system’s 83-year history. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/december/headline-849987-en.html Richmond December 17, 2019 Governor Ralph Northam Presents Historic 2020–2022 Budget Governor Ralph Northam today presented his budget for Fiscal Years 2020–2022 to the Joint Money Committees of the General Assembly. His proposed budget is the most progressive in Virginia’s history, and makes significant investments in key priorities while maintaining strict fiscal responsibility. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/december/headline-849847-en.html Virginia Beach December 11, 2019 Governor Northam to Protect Virginia’s Environment, Fight Climate Change, and Grow the Clean Energy Economy Governor Ralph Northam said his budget will include $733 million in new funding for the environment and clean energy—including a half-billion-dollar capital investment. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/november/headline-849579-en.html Richmond November 26, 2019 Governor Northam Announces Land Conservation Grants to Protect 17,000 Acres Governor Ralph Northam today announced $5.89 million in Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) grants, which will fund a total of 19 conservation projects and protect more than 17,000 acres of land across the Commonwealth. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/november/headline-849374-en.html Richmond November 15, 2019 Governor Northam Announces Country’s Strongest Flood Protections for State-Owned Property Virginia is taking new steps to address climate change, launching the country’s strongest flood protections for state-owned property, under Executive Order Forty-Five that Governor Ralph Northam signed yesterday. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/november/headline-848984-en.html Richmond November 1, 2019 Governor Northam Announces 315-Acre Expansion of Virginia’s Natural Area Preserves Governor Ralph Northam today announced that during the month of October, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) added 242 acres to the Natural Area Preserve System, and conserved 63 acres of land through two open-space easements with the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club (PATC). These additions span four natural area preserves across the state that protect significant natural communities, supply vital habitat, protect rare species, improve water quality, and provide viewshed and development buffers. The land parcels were identified through ConserveVirginia, the data-driven land conservation strategy launched by Governor Northam in April. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/october/headline-848468-en.html Arlington October 18, 2019 Governor Northam Announces Largest State Renewable Energy Contract in the Nation Governor Ralph Northam today announced a landmark agreement representing the largest contract that any state has negotiated to buy renewable energy to power state government. This historic state contract will ensure that by 2022, 30 percent of the electricity consumed by state agencies and institutions in Virginia comes from renewable sources, meeting an ambitious goal the Governor set forth last month in Executive Order Forty-Three. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/october/headline-848006-en.html Richmond October 11, 2019 Governor Northam Issues Statewide Drought Watch Advisory Governor Ralph Northam today announced a statewide drought watch advisory for the Commonwealth of Virginia. A drought watch is intended to increase awareness of current conditions that are likely to precede a significant drought event. Localities, water suppliers, self-supplied water users, and all citizens are encouraged begin preparations for a potential drought. Full article /newsroom/all-releases/2019/october/headline-847853-en.html Elkton October 7, 2019 Governor Northam Dedicates New State Forest in Rockingham County Governor Ralph Northam today dedicated First Mountain State Forest in Rockingham County, the Commonwealth’s newest state forest, and joined the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) to co...