{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-json\/10.1-211.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-text\/10.1-211.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-xml\/10.1-211.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2026\/code-html\/10.1-211.html"}],"law_id":345860,"edition_id":2,"section_id":345860,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-211","catch_line":"Additional duties of the Department","history":"1989, c. 553; 2020, c. 958.","full_text":"In addition to other duties conferred by law, the Department shall, subject to the provisions of this article:\n\n1\n\nPreserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the Commonwealth.\n\n2\n\nMaintain a Natural Heritage Program to select and nominate areas containing natural heritage resources for registration, acquisition, and dedication of natural areas and natural area preserves.\n\n3\n\nDevelop and implement a Natural Heritage Plan that shall govern the Natural Heritage Program in the creation of a system of registered and dedicated natural area preserves.\n\n4\n\nPublish and disseminate information pertaining to natural areas and natural area preserves.\n\n5\n\nGrant permits to qualified persons for the conduct of scientific research and investigations within natural area preserves.\n\n6\n\nProvide recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and to the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services on species for listing under the Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Act, prior to the adoption of regulations therefor.\n\n7\n\nProvide recommendations to the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources and to the Board of Wildlife Resources on species for listing under the Virginia Endangered Species Act, prior to the adoption of regulations therefor.\n\n8\n\nCooperate with other local, state and federal agencies in developing management plans for real property under their stewardship that will identify, maintain and preserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the Commonwealth.\n\n9\n\nProvide for management, development and utilization of any lands purchased, leased or otherwise acquired and enforce the provisions of this article governing natural area preserves, the stewardship thereof, the prevention of trespassing thereon, or other actions deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.\n\n","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":1289551,"text":"In addition to other duties conferred by law, the Department shall, subject to the provisions of this article:","type":"section","prefixes":[""],"prefix":"","entire_prefix":"","prefix_anchor":"","level":1,"next_prefix":"1"},"1":{"id":1289552,"text":"Preserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["1"],"prefix":"1","entire_prefix":"1","prefix_anchor":"1","level":1,"prior_prefix":"","next_prefix":"2"},"2":{"id":1289553,"text":"Maintain a Natural Heritage Program to select and nominate areas containing natural heritage resources for registration, acquisition, and dedication of natural areas and natural area preserves.","type":"section","prefixes":["2"],"prefix":"2","entire_prefix":"2","prefix_anchor":"2","level":1,"prior_prefix":"1","next_prefix":"3"},"3":{"id":1289554,"text":"Develop and implement a Natural Heritage Plan that shall govern the Natural Heritage Program in the creation of a system of registered and dedicated natural area preserves.","type":"section","prefixes":["3"],"prefix":"3","entire_prefix":"3","prefix_anchor":"3","level":1,"prior_prefix":"2","next_prefix":"4"},"4":{"id":1289555,"text":"Publish and disseminate information pertaining to natural areas and natural area preserves.","type":"section","prefixes":["4"],"prefix":"4","entire_prefix":"4","prefix_anchor":"4","level":1,"prior_prefix":"3","next_prefix":"5"},"5":{"id":1289556,"text":"Grant permits to qualified persons for the conduct of scientific research and investigations within natural area preserves.","type":"section","prefixes":["5"],"prefix":"5","entire_prefix":"5","prefix_anchor":"5","level":1,"prior_prefix":"4","next_prefix":"6"},"6":{"id":1289557,"text":"Provide recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and to the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services on species for listing under the Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Act, prior to the adoption of regulations therefor.","type":"section","prefixes":["6"],"prefix":"6","entire_prefix":"6","prefix_anchor":"6","level":1,"prior_prefix":"5","next_prefix":"7"},"7":{"id":1289558,"text":"Provide recommendations to the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife Resources and to the Board of Wildlife Resources on species for listing under the Virginia Endangered Species Act, prior to the adoption of regulations therefor.","type":"section","prefixes":["7"],"prefix":"7","entire_prefix":"7","prefix_anchor":"7","level":1,"prior_prefix":"6","next_prefix":"8"},"8":{"id":1289559,"text":"Cooperate with other local, state and federal agencies in developing management plans for real property under their stewardship that will identify, maintain and preserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the Commonwealth.","type":"section","prefixes":["8"],"prefix":"8","entire_prefix":"8","prefix_anchor":"8","level":1,"prior_prefix":"7","next_prefix":"9"},"9":{"id":1289560,"text":"Provide for management, development and utilization of any lands purchased, leased or otherwise acquired and enforce the provisions of this article governing natural area preserves, the stewardship thereof, the prevention of trespassing thereon, or other actions deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this article.","type":"section","prefixes":["9"],"prefix":"9","entire_prefix":"9","prefix_anchor":"9","level":1,"prior_prefix":"8"}},"ancestry":[{"id":49662,"edition_id":2,"name":"Virginia Natural Area Preserves Act","identifier":"3","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":4,"parent_id":49657,"metadata":{"child_laws":9,"child_structures":0},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:13:09","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:46","permalink":{"id":1370695,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49662,"identifier":"3","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3","url":"\/10.1\/I\/2\/3\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49657,"edition_id":2,"name":"Parks and Recreation","identifier":"2","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":2,"parent_id":49585,"metadata":{"child_laws":28,"child_structures":5},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:13:04","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:45","permalink":{"id":1370615,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49657,"identifier":"2","token":"10.1\/I\/2","url":"\/10.1\/I\/2\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49585,"edition_id":2,"name":"Activities Administered by the Department of Conservation and Recreation","identifier":"I","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":49584,"metadata":{"child_laws":357,"child_structures":44},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:11:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:44","permalink":{"id":1370317,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49585,"identifier":"I","token":"10.1\/I","url":"\/10.1\/I\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":49584,"edition_id":2,"name":"Conservation","identifier":"10.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":38,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{"child_laws":886,"child_structures":125},"date_created":"2026-08-02 02:11:52","date_modified":"2026-08-02 12:28:44","permalink":{"id":1370315,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":49584,"identifier":"10.1","token":"10.1","url":"\/10.1\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":345853,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-209","catch_line":"Definitions","url":"\/10.1-209\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-209","metadata":false},{"id":345854,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-210","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Department","url":"\/10.1-210\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-210","metadata":false},{"id":345860,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-211","catch_line":"Additional duties of the Department","url":"\/10.1-211\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-211","metadata":false},{"id":345867,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-212","catch_line":"Virginia Natural Heritage Program","url":"\/10.1-212\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-212","metadata":false},{"id":345881,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-213","catch_line":"Dedication of natural area preserves","url":"\/10.1-213\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-213","metadata":false},{"id":345889,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-214","catch_line":"Virginia natural area preserves system established","url":"\/10.1-214\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-214","metadata":false},{"id":345890,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-215","catch_line":"Natural Area Preservation Fund established","url":"\/10.1-215\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-215","metadata":false},{"id":345891,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-216","catch_line":"Natural area registry","url":"\/10.1-216\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-216","metadata":false},{"id":345893,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-217","catch_line":"Gifts, devises and bequests","url":"\/10.1-217\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-217","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":345854,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-210","catch_line":"Additional powers of the Department","url":"\/10.1-210\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-210","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":345867,"structure_id":49662,"section_number":"10.1-212","catch_line":"Virginia Natural Heritage Program","url":"\/10.1-212\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-212","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/10.1-211\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 1989. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 553 of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year. Unfortunately, the 1989 \u201cActs\u201d aren\u2019t available online. It has been modified 1 time. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. That modification is as follows: in 2020, chapter 958<\/a>.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":1370705,"object_type":"law","relational_id":345860,"identifier":"10.1-211","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-211","url":"\/10.1-211\/","edition_id":2,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/10.1-211\/","token":"10.1\/I\/2\/3\/10.1-211","dublin_core":{"Title":"Additional duties of the Department","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 10.1-211","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

In addition to other duties conferred by law<\/span>, the Department<\/span> shall, subject to the provisions of this article:<\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

1.<\/span> Preserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

2.<\/span> Maintain a Natural Heritage Program<\/span> to select and nominate areas containing natural heritage resources<\/span> for registration, acquisition, and dedication<\/span> of natural areas<\/span> and natural area preserves<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

3.<\/span> Develop and implement a Natural Heritage Plan that shall govern the Natural Heritage Program<\/span> in the creation of a system<\/span> of registered and dedicated natural area preserves<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

4.<\/span> Publish and disseminate information pertaining to natural areas<\/span> and natural area preserves<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

5.<\/span> Grant permits to qualified persons for the conduct of scientific research and investigations within natural area preserves<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

6.<\/span> Provide recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department<\/span> of Agriculture and Consumer Services and to the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services on species for listing under the Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Act, prior to the adoption of regulations therefor. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

7.<\/span> Provide recommendations to the Executive Director<\/span> of the Department<\/span> of Wildlife Resources and to the Board of Wildlife Resources on species for listing under the Virginia Endangered Species Act, prior to the adoption of regulations therefor. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

8.<\/span> Cooperate with other local, state and federal agencies in developing management plans for real property under their stewardship that will identify, maintain and preserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the Commonwealth. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

9.<\/span> Provide for management, development and utilization of any lands purchased, leased or otherwise acquired and enforce the provisions of this article governing natural area preserves<\/span>, the stewardship thereof, the prevention of trespassing thereon, or other actions deemed necessary to carry out the provisions of this article. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nADDITIONAL DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT (\u00a7 10.1-211)\n\nIn addition to other duties conferred by law, the Department shall, subject to\nthe provisions of this article:\n\n1. Preserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the Commonwealth.\n\n2. Maintain a Natural Heritage Program to select and nominate areas containing\nnatural heritage resources for registration, acquisition, and dedication of\nnatural areas and natural area preserves.\n\n3. Develop and implement a Natural Heritage Plan that shall govern the Natural\nHeritage Program in the creation of a system of registered and dedicated natural\narea preserves.\n\n4. Publish and disseminate information pertaining to natural areas and natural\narea preserves.\n\n5. Grant permits to qualified persons for the conduct of scientific research and\ninvestigations within natural area preserves.\n\n6. Provide recommendations to the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture\nand Consumer Services and to the Board of Agriculture and Consumer Services on\nspecies for listing under the Virginia Endangered Plant and Insect Act, prior to\nthe adoption of regulations therefor.\n\n7. Provide recommendations to the Executive Director of the Department of\nWildlife Resources and to the Board of Wildlife Resources on species for listing\nunder the Virginia Endangered Species Act, prior to the adoption of regulations\ntherefor.\n\n8. Cooperate with other local, state and federal agencies in developing\nmanagement plans for real property under their stewardship that will identify,\nmaintain and preserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the\nCommonwealth.\n\n9. Provide for management, development and utilization of any lands purchased,\nleased or otherwise acquired and enforce the provisions of this article\ngoverning natural area preserves, the stewardship thereof, the prevention of\ntrespassing thereon, or other actions deemed necessary to carry out the\nprovisions of this article.\n\nHISTORY: 1989, c. 553; 2020, c. 958.","edition":{"id":2,"name":"2026","slug":"2026","date_created":"2026-07-16 18:40:23","date_modified":"2026-08-02 15:14:36","current":1,"order_by":2,"last_import":"2026-08-02 12:37:30"}}