Enfolded in this bountiful outdoors are opportunities for the enjoyment of a multitude of recreational pursuits. Open space, natural resources, scenic beauty, and opportunities for recreation are important to Virginians in many ways. Each of these elements has a vital influence on the quality of life and the types of communities within which Virginians live. Open space contributes to a community's sense of place, has environmental benefits, allows people to appreciate nature, and provides a myriad of other benefits. Through recreation, people can meet many of their physical, mental and emotional needs.
Recreation also offers an opportunity for people to interact.
It is in part because of the Commonwealth's great outdoors and recreational resources that Virginia is such a special place to live, work, recreate and visit. Virginians value highly their outdoor environment and its quality. They, along with visitors to the Commonwealth, cherish the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors by visiting parks and historic sites, traveling over scenic byways, fishing in beautiful rivers and lakes, learning about the environment through education and interpretation, and enjoying the beaches and mountains. It isn't surprising that the state's outdoor and recreational opportunities are attributes that help entice business and industry to locate in the Commonwealth. Maintaining quality outdoor resources is important to existing and future generations.