Virginia is the place where the British first established their colony in mainland America, hence the nickname, Old Dominion. This historic place has earned another two nicknames for itself. It is known as Mother of Presidents, an appropriate name for a state that has been home to eight American Presidents, and again it is also revered as the Mother of States for the fact that eight American states were carved out of this great land.  To this day, Virginia’s beating heart is symbolized by its historic roots, and its culture is preserved by its inhabitants. The state is literally drenched in history with centuries-old landmarks and hotels. Here is a list of the must-see historical landmarks and hotels in the state of Virginia.

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1) The Commonwealth Hotel, Richmond, Virginia

With a history that ranges over the past century, the Commonwealth has everything up its sleeve to imbibe you with Virginia’s rich cultural and traditional heritage. It all started in 1842 when a young immigrant from Germany Louis Rueger, established a saloon and café on Broad Street.   The establishment had to witness its share of tribulation during the civil war, and it was seized and turned into the Commodore of the Confederate Navy’s headquarters. Next, it fell prey to the great fire of 1865 and was burnt down to the ground. Even all these misfortunes failed to deter Louis Rueger, and he and three generations of his family after him made sure that the establishment grabbed headlines due to its spacious rooms, modern amenities, and luxury that were quite ahead of its time.

Today, the Commonwealth is operated by the SMI Hotel group. The old Virginia flair and tradition runs through the veins of the Commonwealth. From tattooed doors, hand-stitched linens, unique amenities, and a wide variety of rooms and suites to select from; the Commonwealth’s heart beats in tandem with that of good old Virginia.

 2) The Martha Washington Hotel & Spa, Abingdon, Virginia

It all started in 1832 when a Virginia General decided to build a spacious private residence for his family. But eventually there was a change of purpose, and the building was used as a finishing school for young ladies. Again, during the American Civil War, this building was used as a hospital to treat the soldiers fighting in and around Abingdon. Stories of soldiers and nurses falling in love with each other rippled across the bricks and mortar of this ancient building, and many such stories live among the people of Virginia up to this day. Once the civil war was over, the building had its purpose changed once again, and it assumed the form of a women’s college.

Today, this ancient and magnificent building operates as a spacious and luxurious hotel. Many people from across the U.S and other parts the world visits this hotel and books their stay not just because of its elegance and luxury, but also as an act of paying homage to a building that stood as a witness to much of Virginia’s past.

 3) The Arlington National Cemetery

With the first two in this list describing historic hotels in Virginia, it’s time that we go ahead and have a look at one of the most famous landmarks in the entire place. Situated across the Potomac River, and covering an area of 624 acres, the Arlington National Cemetery stands as the final resting place of the heroes and brave hearts of the US Civil War. The cemetery also contains sections and memorials for Spanish American War Nurses, as well as for Jewish, Roman Catholic, and Protestant Military Chaplains.

The Arlington Memorial Amphitheater consists of the famed Tomb of the Unknowns, and ceremonies are held throughout the year on this hallowed ground. Attended by over 50, 000 people from across the country, the Arlington National Cemetery hold ceremonies such as the Veteran’s Day and the Memorial Day. The famed ground also celebrates Easter Day ceremony each year.

 4) George Washington’s Mount Vernon

Any list on Virginia would be incomplete without mentioning the name that carved the whole country with a sense of resoluteness that is seldom found in humans. Yes, the man is none other than the Great George Washington himself.

Mount Vernon is the historic home of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America. A visit to this historic legacy will enable you to enjoy a guided tour of the Mansion, the final resting place of George Washington and his wife Martha Washington, also known as the Washington Tomb, the Donald W. Reynolds Museum and Educational Center, the Slave Memorial and Burial Ground, and the George Washington’s Whiskey Distillery and Gristmill.

It is said that Mount Vernon never opted for government funding to preserve itself.  Mount Vernon is the most valued and revered legacy of Virginia, and the whole place is funded and supported by visitors and donors from across the globe.

Why Virginia?

From the Declaration of Independence to the concepts and philosophies that lead to the formation of the ideals for both the Republics and the Democrats, the role of Virginia and its people stand unsurpassed in the history of the United States. The whole state is a living legacy of the great fathers of this formidable country. Together with its awe-inspiring sights, and natural beauty, Virginia is also home to some of the most unique flora and fauna found in the US. A visit to Virginia enables us to imbibe ourselves with the fervor of our historic roots, and many times even have a sense of touch-and-feel with a piece of ‘living history’.

The good news is that a lot of people care about Virginia’s environment. There are several excellent environmental safety organizations in Virginia that have done and are doing influential work in preserving the state’s habitats, species and communities.

Some of these organizations work by educating people about environmental issues and global warming. Other grass-roots agencies actively work with conservation projects and wildlife conservationists. Some are run by the government, while others are initiatives of universities and communities.

Here is a list of the top environmental safety organizations in the state. We hope the good work they have done will inspire others to do the same.

Environment Safety Organizations

Virginia Tech’s Environmental Health and Safety (EHS)

Virginia Tech’s Environmental Health and Safety department tries to educate the university community about environmental safety and health issues. The department’s aim is to implement a culture of responsibility in the running of the university and its day-to-day operations.

EHS also tries to bring its ethos to various university departments, so that hazards are recognized and controlled quickly. It also supports safe and healthy living in the workplace and classroom, by providing education, feedback and training.

These could include programs on biosafety, prevention of pollution, environmental compliance, surplus chemicals, lead hazard control, radiation safety, farm safety, waste management and other environmentally-relevant issues.

The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)

The state government’s Department of Environmental Quality has a mission to protect and improve the state’s environment and promote the public’s health and well-being. To that end, it runs a host of programs related to various aspects of the environment.

These include programs of air quality, monitoring, assessment and forecasting, air checks for vehicles, coastal zone management, enforcement of laws and regulations, environmental impact reviews, land protection, waste regulation, pollution reporting, renewable energy programs, stormwater management, Chesapeake bay water quality restoration and others.

The department works with the community and other state, cross-border and federal agencies like the EPA to develop and implement better plans and programs for better environmental standards. At present, the department is mainly focusing on the sustainable management of the coastal plain aquifers, policies for greenhouse gases and better water monitoring.

National Waste & Recycling Association, Virginia Chapter

The Virginia Waste Industries Association (VWIA) maintains links with Virginia companies that practice safe waste disposal and recycling. The body promotes responsible waste management by educating businesses and the public to become leaders in recycling. Many of the VWIA’s members support charitable environmental safety and health organizations to improve quality of life for citizens.

Wild Virginia

Wild Virginia is a non-profit that educates and advocates for the preservation of the state’s forests. The group organizes events, hikes and outings for raising awareness. It also organizes film festivals. Currently Wild Virginia is running campaigns against natural gas pipelines being built in the forests of Virginia and West Virginia. It also runs a Forest Defense Task Force that encourages participation to protect the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests.

Virginia Wilderness Committee (VWC)

The Virginia Wilderness Committee is a non-profit group of citizens that works with federal agencies to pass laws under the 1964 Wilderness Act in the Shenandoah National Park, George Washington and Jefferson National Forests and other wild areas on public land. VWC is currently running campaigns to include more wilderness areas into the national parks.

Virginia Conservation Network (VCN)

The Virginia Conservation Network (VCN) is a network of over 120 conservation groups across the Commonwealth of Virginia. The group is the Virginia affiliate of the NWF (National Wildlife Federation). It has worked on issues ranging from renewable energy to stream restoration. As a NWF affiliate, it is dedicated to increasing Virginia’s wildlife and fish populations and help them adapt to changing climates.

Old Dominion Land Conservancy

The Old Dominion Land Conservancy is dedicated to preserving Virginia’s natural resources and land for its historic, scenic, natural, agricultural and recreational value. It also educates the public on the need for conservation.

Land Trust of Virginia

The Land Trust of Virginia has a mission to help landowners protect open spaces, natural resources, cultural heritage, farms and water resources through the use of conservation easements. The group holds 149 easements totaling nearly 15,000 acres of land across Virginia counties.

Virginia Water Environment Association

The Virginia Water Environment Association is a non-profit that works to educate its members and develop policies on effective wastewater management and improving water quality. The association organizes training and education programs for the general public and the technical community.

Other noteworthy mentions include:

University of Virginia’s Environmental Health & Safety Department

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Office of Environment Health & Safety

Virginia Department of Health

According to the EPA and the research done by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS), the state’s wetlands are particularly vulnerable to climate change. The state is home to around one million acres of wetlands. Most of Virginia’s wetlands are in the form of swamps (forested wetlands). A quarter of the state’s wetlands are tidal – areas where the sea meets the land, and the land is flooded from time to time by sea-water. The rest is non-tidal. Over half the non-tidal wetlands are located in the state’s Urban Crescent: this is the area between Norfolk and Washington D.C., crisscrossed by the many river systems.

There are several environmental issues that are facing these wetlands and the wildlife that inhabit them.

Potential Impact of Climate Change on Life in Coastal Virginia

One of the most glaring effects of climate change – the rise of sea level – could lead to flooding of low-lying coastal towns and marshes along the state’s Atlantic coast. Sea level at Newport News is already rising by 12 inches each year. The tidal marshes along the coasts – especially in the estuarine waters around Chesapeake Bay – are home to many birds and fish that depend on the marsh for shelter and food. These could be affected by rising sea levels.

Bluefish, striped bass, summer flounder, sea trout and other fish depend on the marshes for food and shelter. Rockfish, several species of crabs and other species feed on bugs and marine organisms that further feed in the marshes. Diamondback terrapin nest on the beaches.

Birds like the bald eagle, great blue heron, snowy egret and the American black duck live in the marshes. Several shore birds like plovers and sandpipers forage here for food. Migratory geese and ducks also come here in the winter. The salt marshes along Chesapeake Bay and the highly vulnerable North Landing River and Back Bay may not be able to capture floating sediments and build land at a rate fast enough to counter rising sea levels.

Environmental Issues Facing Non-Tidal Wetlands

Other activities like draining, land clearing, excavating, water withdrawal and ditching without regulation can impose undue pressure on surface water and groundwater. Then there is the fact that a warmer climate could increase runoff and rainfall, leading to more erosion and contamination from mining, urban and agricultural areas. The Shenandoah river is polluted and so is the James river; these rivers are already facing issues with dumping of toxic chemicals.

Of course, human life in coastal Virginia would also be affected by the rise in sea levels. Effects will include the negative impact on fisheries and livelihood, saltwater contamination of drinking water, less clearance under bridges, damage of low-lying roads, and greater vulnerability to storms and flooding of low-lying habitations like Hampton Roads.

All of these are reason enough for the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, VIMS and other organizations to sit up and take notice of Virginia’s wetlands and its vulnerabilities.