A California travel writer made a list of what he considered the top 5 prettiest states in America.   Guess what?  We made the list!

“What stunning scenery, backwoods horse country, dense woods and green, green green pasture land as far as the eye can see.”

It may be our State Parks.  As you may know, Keep Virginia Beautiful  just launched a project with Dominion Virginia Power and Virginia Green to place recycling bins in all 35 of our Parks.  Our parks are, after all, how many visitors see our State for the first time.  Today we thought that we’d take a look at some.

Perhaps we should start at the ocean and work our way west.

False Cape State Park near Virginia Beach is one of the Atlantic coast’s last undeveloped shores.  You can’t drive there but you can ride the Terra-Gator.  False Cape got an early reputation as a ship graveyard because early sailors thought it was Cape Henry and tried to come into port.  It’s a great place to camp and is filled with wildlife.

About 2 hours west of Richmond is Holliday Lake. Its just minutes from the famous Appomattox Court House where Lee surrendered to Grant.  Back in those days it was cleared for farmland.  Fish Pond Creek was dammed up in the 30’s to create the lake.  Today it boasts trails, camping, an awesome swimming area, and some great trout fishing.

In the mood for a National Historic Landmark?  Head to Staunton River. Bordered by the Dan and Staunton rivers it has the largest lake in Virginia.  A great spot for camping and hiking it also boasts some modern amenities like an Olympic sized pool but stays true to its roots as a 30’s era CCC project.  Staunton River State Park is still recovering from some nasty damage due to April’s tornadoes but is worthy of a visit.

If you need a break from the water go west to Grayson Highlands.  Established as a State Park in 1965 it is a great way to beat the heat, as it stays pretty cool at elevations as high as 5,089 feet.  Many of the areas in and around the park were named for early settlers of the area who lived in small homesteads and made, grew or gathered what they needed from the lands around them.  You can still see remnants of some of these old homesteads.  While not a boater’s paradise you can still put your feet in the water at spots like Wilburn Branch or the beautiful Cabin Creek.

Swim, canoe, hike, bike or fish.  Virginia State Parks have been offering us great things to do and views of the prettiest of Virginia.  Pay them a visit soon!  And while you’re there, use one of our recycling bins and help to Keep Virginia Beautiful!

Our Commonwealth stretches from the salty spray of the Atlantic Ocean to the cooling breezes of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Almost 500 miles from East to West of remarkably diverse habitat that features marshes, fields, rivers, mountains, and forests. We have uplands, lowlands, wetlands, and farmlands.  From almost 6,000 feet at Mount Rogers to sea level at Kiptopeke, Virginia has something for everyone.

And do you want to know the best part?  You own it.

Sure, you think.  Tell that to the neighbor who keeps grousing about your dog.  Tell that to the farmer who won’t let you have at his apple tree.  Tell it to the guy who just towed your improperly parked car.

You’re missing the bigger picture with that sort of attitude.  Every time that you step outside, or wipe the Virginia pollen from your windshield, or look into the sky to determine the weather, you’re experiencing the joy of ownership.

In some cases, you kind of DO own Virginia.  When Governor George Peery dedicated Hungry Mother State Park to initiate our statewide system of parks, he said,

“State parks are for all the people, and not only will they afford recreation for our own people but will bring tourists from other states … I believe these parks will contribute greatly to the national good as we go forward to the splendid destiny that awaits in the future.”

When President Franklin Roosevelt dedicated Shenandoah National Park, he said,

“In bygone years we have seen the terrible tragedy of the age-the tragedy of waste.”

Those words are still appropriate today.  He went on to say of the people destined to visit,

“Once more they will lay hold of the perspective that comes to men and women who every morning and every night can lift up their eyes to Mother Nature.”

We’re kind of fond of F.D.R. for that.

If Virginia were a car, you would change the oil, rotate the tires, and give it the occasional bath.  If our state were a home, you’d give it a fresh coat of paint, fix some leaky faucets, and plant some flowers around the mailbox.  If the Commonwealth were a dog, you would be inclined to feed it, rub it behind the ears, and take it for a walk.

And it isn’t just the cool things like our National and State Parks.  It might be that grassy median strip.  It might be the stream behind your neighborhood.  It might be the sidewalk in front of your office.  It might be your own front yard.

As we inch closer to Earth Day, the Great American Cleanup, and our second 30 in Thirty program, we ask of you:  what are you going to do to maintain your ownership?

My human generally doesn’t like for me to use her computer.  She gets irritated when my claws click on the keyboard.  She just got an iPad and she’s taking a nap so here I go.

Human says I’m a “Green” dog but I think I’m more of a liver color.  I do know that she likes taking me outside and I’m fine with that.  We live in Virginia and there’s a ton of cool places for her to take me to smell some beautiful Virginia scenery.  Let’s face it:  Dogs like parks.

Pretty much all of the Virginia State Parks are open for me.  There are some trails and beaches that she has to call ahead and check out beforehand, but we usually jump in the car and go.  The same is true of Shenandoah and some of the National Parks.  Some rules before we go, though.

If I go to a park with Human I have to behave and stay on my leash.  I’m lucky because Human likes to hike so I get to smell some pretty cool Virginia.  I have to mind my tongue, I get in trouble if I get frisky with strangers, and Human has to bring the Dispoz-A-Scoops.  They’re a scoop and a bag in one, and 99% biodegradable.  Like my poo!  I also have to curb the desire to chase some of the tasty little creatures that we encounter along the way.  The rangers get pretty miffed if I chow down on an endangered species.

Human and I prepare for these journeys too!  Sometimes we go to a State Forest.  Some of these places allow hunting.  If they have guns there I don’t want to go.  I look silly in an orange vest.  We also look at the terrain.  I’m pretty agile but I’m not into a whole lot of rock climbing.

Human and I started training when I was a puppy.  Every once in a while we see a real tourist like a bulldog or a chihuahua.  Some dogs are made for the great outdoors, some aren’t.  What can I say?  I’m used to it because Human and I stay pretty active but some of my friends are too out of shape for some of my favorite trails.

Human also tries to keep me out of unfamiliar water.  She lost me in the James River one day near Richmond.  I was fine the whole time but watching me run the rapids kind of freaked her out.  Human also says that all water is not good to drink.  I don’t believe her but until I can read the reports I’ll take her word for it.  If she won’t drink it she won’t let me either.  She has a neat stainless water bottle that she carries for me and I’ll share for as long as she lets me.

Now I can run all day but Human likes to rest from time to time.  It works out pretty good, though.  One time she was resting and I was having some quality S & S (smell and see) time, and as she rubbed me she found a tick.  I hadn’t noticed but now she gets pretty serious about bugs and parasites.  We were in the mountains another day and I stepped on a rock.  Messed my pad up pretty good.  Couldn’t chase Cat for a week.  What a bummer THAT was!

Human keeps me responsible inside the house too!

Do you feed your dog in one of those fancy plastic bowls? Are you too lazy to give your dog fresh water and have one of those “auto-bowls”?  Lets face facts:  I’m a dog.  I like to chew.  Even after a satisfying meal there’s still some tasty on the bowl, so I’m going to lick and chew until it doesn’t taste good anymore.  A plastic feed dish is going to get funky pretty fast for a dog like me so do like my Human did and get me a stainless bowl.  When it starts getting funky I nose it over to the sink and Human throws it in the dishwasher.  She even has a ceramic bowl for that furry waste that she calls “Cat”.  My dish is bigger.

My collar is pretty fancy and it’s made by this company called Earthdog.  It’s made of hemp.  Rumor has it that some of the early important humans in Virginia like Jefferson and Washington grew hemp.  Human got me a pretty cool leash from Earthdog too.

She found me this really cool toy to keep me from chewing up her hiking boots.  It’s by West Paw and its made of this crazy stuff called Zogoflex.  It has no nasty chemicals, no BPA, and best of all:  when I really mess it up human can send it back to them, they’ll recycle it and send me a new one!  Human puts a little treat in it, gives it a toss, and away I go!

Sometimes I get a little smelly (you know, like a cat) and Human likes to give me a wash.  Not my favorite thing in the world, because being a dog I enjoy a little rustic essence, but it is what it is.  When the occasion does arise she uses this stuff from Australia called Herb Doctor.  Human knows that when she gives me a rinse it goes right into the creeks and rivers that I like to splash in so the ingredients are important to me.  This stuff is organic, has no genetically modified stuff, and no chemical smells or funky artificial colors.  I like to be a natural dog.   Aloe Vera and Lemon Myrtle is so much nicer than cetyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone.

Now for the obvious.  I poo.  I poo a lot.  Human did two really smart things, though.  Human has been really good about using a canvas bag when she goes shopping.  If she finds herself without a bag she always asks for paper, which is not always the best vehicle for gathering and disposing of my by-product.  The first thing that Human did was to help me dig a big hole in the back yard.  I dig faster, but she put the hole to good use.  She got this thing from the Department of Agriculture and built us a composter especially for me!  There are certain things that she cannot use my stuff for, like things that she or I eat, but it keeps the yard cleaner and even I don’t like smelling it that much.  She adds stuff like sawdust to it, keeps it moving, and ultimately it can be used in her flowers.  Better that than ending up in groundwater or in my favorite creek.

Gotta go now.  Human is starting to make noises.  I heard her on the phone earlier talking about another hike.  She’ll probably take me.  Maybe I can find something to roll in and she’ll quit calling me a “green” dog!  But I guess her being color-blind is a small price to pay for all of the Beautiful Virginia she lets me smell!

I’m Maya Bee.  Look for me on the Facebook. 

all photography by Jennifer Mayhew

Now that the weather is warm and the kids are out of school, it’s time for summer travel!  Consider making your next family vacation a green one.  We’ve got 5 tips for you to be environmentally friendly when you this summer – Travel Green.

1.  Before going on vacation, you can save money and paper by researching trips online or at the library rather than purchasing a guide book.  Visit our partners at Virginia Green for ideas on green tourism in Virginia.  When surfing the internet remember to only print important information needed while traveling, such as hotel confirmations or tickets.  Consider looking into modes of public transportation offered in the city you plan to visit.  Bus systems, subways, bike paths, or trolley cars are all more sustainable ways to get around than by car.  Not to mention you don’t have to deal with high gas prices or parking!

2.  While you’re searching the internet for vacation ideas, research eco-tourism.  This type of tourism focuses on local cultures and promotes environmental awareness.  Eco-tourism draws attention to environmentally sensitive areas around the world and pumps money into the economy of localities visited.  Some ideas for eco-tourism include visiting sea turtle preserves in Mexico, taking a tour of the Amazon in South America or visiting wildlife preserves in South Africa.

3.  If you don’t have a lot of money to spend on an international vacation, look no further than your closest state park.  Virginia is home to 48 state parks, so you should be able to find one to fit your interests.  Hiking, biking, swimming, canoeing and camping are all fun, cheap outdoor activities.  Most state parks offer canoe rentals at affordable prices.  You can also try purchasing used gear to save money and reduce waste.  Find your local sports consignment store to purchase gently used equipment or sell the old gear you no longer use.  After any trip, make sure you leave no trace.  Anything you brought to the park should be properly disposed of either as recycling or trash.  By spending time outdoors and admiring Virginia’s natural beauty, it is easy to instill an appreciation for nature and promote environmentalism to your entire family.  In honor of their 75^th anniversary this year, Virginia State Parks are offering three free days for you and your family.  Make sure you visit the park of your choice on June 21^st, September 24^th or November 11^th -13^th to visit the park for FREE!

4.  Whether you are traveling by airplane or camping an hour outside of town, make sure you take green measures before leaving home.  Unplug appliances to reduce the amount of standby power used.  Close the shades to keep the house cool and adjust the thermostat to a few degrees warmer since no one will be home.  Set your lights to timers to reduce wasting energy and make it look like someone is home!  If you are going on a long trip, stop your newspaper delivery.  This will save you money and reduce wasted paper.

5.  Above all, the most important things to remember about summer travel are to go green and have fun!

On June 15^th, 1936 Virginia became the first state in the nation to launch a park system with 6 parks opened on that day. Part of the initial goal was to put a state park within an hour of all Virginians. The 6 original parks were Douthat, First Landing, Fairy Stone, Staunton River, Hungry Mother and Westmoreland. 75 years later Virginia has over 35 State Parks from shore to the mountains and they offer a great deal for all Virginians.

The Chippokes Farm and Forestry Museum in Surry offers a glimpse of rural life from the 1850’s.

The Civilian Conservation Corps Museum at Pocahontas State Park in Chesterfield tells the story of the 500,000 people put to work by President Roosevelt during the Great Depression.

Fairy Stone State Park in Stuart is named for the rare cross-shaped crystals that are found in its creeks and streams.

Sky Meadows in Delaplane is part of a tract of land that belonged to Lord Fairfax (yes, THAT Lord Fairfax) in the 1700’s and opens a corridor to the Appalachian Trail.  It was originally named “Skye Farm” after an island in Scotland.

Today the Parks offer over 500 miles of trails, 260 cabins, 11 beaches and 20 visitor centers.  From seaside to lake to pool you can swim.  You can hike and stroll from sea level to the 5,000 feet of Grayson Highlands.

Virginia’s State Parks offer a ton of events and activities for all ages and all types.   From nature to history to conservation to just plain hanging around there is something for everyone to do!

Come for the day or stay in one of the cabins or plan to camp.  Oh, by the way:  you can bring the dog.

Virginia’s State Parks show some of the most beautiful our state has to offer.  Take some time to visit, show them some love, and help us to keep them beautiful.

Staunton River State Park has been awarded a $1,000 grant in the Cigarette Litter Prevention Category.  The Park was severely damaged on April 16th by an F2 tornado and is rebuilding many of their facilities.  The grant money will help in moving the park along.

Virginia’s State Parks as a whole have one big common problem; cigarette litter.  Staunton River State Park is no exception.  Their camping and picnic areas are often heavily littered with cigarette butts.  Using this grant, Staunton River SP will address their litter problem in 2 key areas; first, they will initiate an adult educational campaign to focus on the benefits of a clean environment, and secondly, they will install additional cigarette butt receptacles in high traffic areas to help decrease the litter problem.  Staunton River State Park wants to become the leader in a clean, healthy, and beautiful Virginia park system and the first step is starting a comprehensive cigarette litter prevention campaign.  For more information about Staunton River State Park or their project, please contact Joshua Ellington at 434-572-3694.

The KVB grant program focuses greater resources and attention on individual localities throughout the Commonwealth and how they are addressing the issues of litter prevention, recycling, waste reduction, beautification and education.

KVB provided the opportunity for government, non-profit and/or service organizations in Virginia to apply for one of (30) $1,000 grants in three different categories: 10 grants for plastic bag reduction and recycling, 10 grants for cigarette litter prevention, and 10 grants for community greening and beautification.  These grants are made possible by KVB’s partners, Walmart and Waste Management.

The mission at Keep Virginia Beautiful is to engage and unite Virginians to improve our natural and scenic environment.  Our goals include becoming the leading statewide voice, providing a framework for improved communication and collaboration, cultivating and supporting sustainable programs, and engaging citizens by linking them to volunteer opportunities and information through these 5 impact areas:  Litter Prevention, Waste Reduction, Recycling,Beautification, and Environmental Education.