Programs and results
What we aim to solve
The destruction and pollution of the wild places and wild waters of Virginia.
Our programs
What are the organization's current programs, how do they measure success, and who do the programs serve?
Providing meaningful outdoor experiences
Wild Virginia organizes and leads interpretive hikes. We believe that the places you experience are the places you come to love and care about. We inspire citizens to action through our Wild Virginia Film Festivals each year.
Protecting Virginia's Water Quality
Protect Virginia’s water quality and ensure the that the laws that exist to protect it are properly applied. We also host trainings so you can learn to help monitor water quality. As part of this program, we fight fracking and other types of oil and gas infrastructure, like the Mountain Valley and Atlantic Coast Pipelines. We also take citizens, media, students and elected representatives on tours to see first-hand the impacts of this destructive industry.
Improving Habitat Connectivity in Virginia
Wild Virginia is the driving force behind the multidisciplinary, multi-agency group called the Virginia Safe Wildlife Corridors Collaborative (VSWCC). This group works together to reduce habitat fragmentation issues caused by Virginia roads and improve habitat connectivity. Learn more about our efforts here.
In 2020, Wild Virginia helped to pass legislation to identify and protect wildlife corridors in Virginia helping both people and wildlife move more safely in Virginia.
Where we work
External reviews

Videos
Our Sustainable Development Goals
Learn more about Sustainable Development Goals.
Goals & Strategy
Learn about the organization's key goals, strategies, capabilities, and progress.
Charting impact
Four powerful questions that require reflection about what really matters - results.
What is the organization aiming to accomplish?
Wild Virginia works to preserve and support the complexity, diversity and stability of natural ecosystems by enhancing connectivity, water quality and climate in the forests, mountains, and waters of Virginia through education and advocacy.
What are the organization's key strategies for making this happen?
Energy Extraction and Infrastructure – We continue to fight fracking and other types of oil and gas drilling in Virginia's national forests. We take citizens, media, students and elected representatives on tours to see first-hand the impacts of this destructive industry. As part of this campaign, we are committed to stopping the Atlantic Coast Pipeline and Mountain Valley Pipelines.
Virginia Water Protection – Wild Virginia hosts Water Quality Monitoring trainings with Trout Unlimited to teach volunteers how to monitor water quality and protect our public lands from fracking and fracking infrastructure.
Outings and Education – Wild Virginia organizes and leads interpretive hikes. We believe that the places you experience are the places you come to love and care about. Our Wild and Scenic Film Festivals inspire citizens to action through our Film Festivals in Charlottesville and Staunton each year.
Forest Service Project Monitoring – Wild Virginia monitors all timber sales and other proposed projects in the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.
Habitat Connectivity – We have partnered with the Wildlands Network to protect and connect habitat for wildlife in Virginia.
What are the organization's capabilities for doing this?
Wild Virginia has emerged as a leader in Virginia. We empower citizens to get involved in protecting wild places in Virginia.
What have they accomplished so far and what's next?
Wild Virginia is a grassroots non-profit organization dedicated to conserving wild forest ecosystems in Virginia's national
forests. Founded in 1995, Wild Virginia informs the public about issues, threats, and opportunities for these forests through
outreach and education. Using our membership voice and mobilizing public action, we advocate for the protection of the many
natural attributes of the forests, including supplying drinking water, providing habitat for rare species, and supporting
biodiversity. A key focus for Wild Virginia is the creation and preservation of unique and irreplaceable sites in the forest,
including areas designated by the US Forest Service (USFS) as Roadless, Wilderness, and Special Biological Areas.
Wild Virginia participates in the management process of the George Washington National Forest (GWNF) and the Jefferson
National Forest (JNF). Our staff and volunteers monitor all projects and work to minimize the damage caused to forests,
water, and wildlife by the USFS activities such as timber sales, road building, and energy development. We do this through a
variety of tactics and strategies including formally commenting on proposed projects, meeting with Forest Service staff,
encouraging and educating the public, studying threatened areas, appealing damaging projects and in some cases, litigating to
protect critical habitat.
We bring the public to the forests through outings, special events, public presentations, action alerts, social media, and
participation in the forest planning process. Our primary focus has been education, outreach, and organizing to exert
pressure on the USFS for conservation-based, ecologically appropriate management of the GWNF and JNF. We are committed to challenging hydrofracking and oil and gas leasing projects in the forest. We believe that resource extraction and energy
development should be de-emphasized as management objectives in favor of strategies to restore the ecological health of the
forest and watersheds, maintain viable populations of native wildlife populations, minimize threats to biodiversity, and
provide enhanced recreational opportunities. This year, we expanded our mission to include efforts to protect and connect
all wild lands and waters in Virginia. Wild Virginia's outreach and education program is very successful and we have over
450 members, 300 volunteers, and 56 organizational partners who contribute to and coordinate with our efforts.
Financials
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Operations
The people, governance practices, and partners that make the organization tick.
Connect with nonprofit leaders
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- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
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Connect with nonprofit leaders
SubscribeBuild relationships with key people who manage and lead nonprofit organizations with GuideStar Pro. Try a low commitment monthly plan today.
- Analyze a variety of pre-calculated financial metrics
- Access beautifully interactive analysis and comparison tools
- Compare nonprofit financials to similar organizations
Want to see how you can enhance your nonprofit research and unlock more insights? Learn More about GuideStar Pro.
Wild Virginia Incorporated
Board of directorsas of 4/13/2022
Ryan Wagener
Bette Dzamba
Elizabeth Williams
Leigh Kirchner
Ryan Wagener
Kate Mallek
Grace Tuttle
Allison McClure
Board leadership practices
GuideStar worked with BoardSource, the national leader in nonprofit board leadership and governance, to create this section.
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Board orientation and education
Does the board conduct a formal orientation for new board members and require all board members to sign a written agreement regarding their roles, responsibilities, and expectations? Yes -
CEO oversight
Has the board conducted a formal, written assessment of the chief executive within the past year ? Yes -
Ethics and transparency
Have the board and senior staff reviewed the conflict-of-interest policy and completed and signed disclosure statements in the past year? Yes -
Board composition
Does the board ensure an inclusive board member recruitment process that results in diversity of thought and leadership? Yes -
Board performance
Has the board conducted a formal, written self-assessment of its performance within the past three years? Yes
Organizational demographics
Who works and leads organizations that serve our diverse communities? GuideStar partnered on this section with CHANGE Philanthropy and Equity in the Center.
Leadership
The organization's leader identifies as:
Race & ethnicity
No data
Gender identity
No data
No data
Sexual orientation
No data
Disability
No data
Equity strategies
Last updated: 04/13/2022GuideStar partnered with Equity in the Center - an organization that works to shift mindsets, practices, and systems to increase racial equity - to create this section. Learn more
- We ask team members to identify racial disparities in their programs and / or portfolios.
- We have long-term strategic plans and measurable goals for creating a culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.
- We seek individuals from various race backgrounds for board and executive director/CEO positions within our organization.
- We help senior leadership understand how to be inclusive leaders with learning approaches that emphasize reflection, iteration, and adaptability.
- We engage everyone, from the board to staff levels of the organization, in race equity work and ensure that individuals understand their roles in creating culture such that one’s race identity has no influence on how they fare within the organization.