by Adeline Muras, VWRRC Undergraduate Intern Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when negative impacts to the environment or human health occur because of cyanobacteria producing toxins. Cyanobacteria (also known as “blue-green algae”) are a type of photosynthetic bacteria that, like algae, derive their energy from photosynthesis. Some cyanobacteria have been…
By Kora Bednar, Intern at the Virginia Water Resources Research Center Growing up in southwest Virginia, I was surrounded by mountains, creeks, forests, and rivers. But before college, I never viewed water as a resource. It was simply just…water. You drank it, swam in it, used it to wash your…
By Lauren Handley, Intern at the Virginia Water Resources Research Center How often do you think about where your household water comes from, where it goes, or how much of it you use daily? How about whether this water could be recycled to decrease our environmental impacts? Well, did you…
“Trees and Water,” a publication from the Virginia Cooperative Extension, has been updated. “Trees and Water” provides a basic introduction to Virginia’s trees and a foundation for assessing the connections between trees and water. In addition, the influence of trees on water quality, aquatic habitat, water quality, and the interactions among…
The Virginia Water Resources Research Center annually compiles an inventory of water-related legislation in the Virginia General Assembly. We update the inventory during the session, then publish a final version after the end of the reconvened (“veto”) session (held in 2023 on April 12). View the 2023 inventory. The inventory lists…
By Luna Fulguiero Fuchs As an Intern for the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, I wanted to learn about and share information for volunteer opportunities for watershed conservation with the New River Conservancy. I interviewed John Copeland, a Land and Water Quality Manager at the New River Conservancy, where he manages conservation easements…
By Hallie Tucker As an intern for the Virginia Water Resources Research Center, I am conducting interviews and creating art about social and environmental justice leaders to discuss their roles in the fight for environmental justice. This field, along with the conversations surrounding environmental justice, is becoming increasingly important; and…
The Virginia Water Resources Research Center annually compiles an inventory of water-related legislation in the Virginia General Assembly. We update the inventory during the session one or more times, then publish a final version after the end of the reconvened (“veto”) session. View the 2022 inventory. The inventory lists 156 measures…
How Much Water are We Actually Using? By Mark Wheeler What is a Water Footprint & Why is it Important? A water footprint measures how much water is consumed directly and how much is used when producing goods and services – from the water we use in our homes for drinking,…
The Virginia Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has published the 2020 Virginia Water Resources Progress Report! Read the complete report and find out more HERE From NRCS: “This report documents the efforts that have been made by the NRCS in the protection of water resources in Virginia. The work described in this report began…
