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Throwback Thursday - A Force for Conservation

Ira Gabrielson.

Just as Teddy Roosevelt invented National Parks 113 years ago, Ira Gabrielson invented regional parks in Virginia 60 years ago. Ira was the founding Chairman of NOVA Parks (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority), and a towering figure in the field of conservation.

  • Founding Director of US Fish and Wildlife Service
  • President of the World Wildlife Fund
  • Founding Commissioner of the Virginia Outdoor Study
  • Inductee into the National Hall of Conservation
  • Author of numerous books on wildlife

Dr. Gabrielson, who was from Fairfax County, worked with other community leaders like Walter Mess from Falls Church and Mary Cook Hackman from Arlington to get authorization from the Virginia General Assembly to form the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority in 1959. Gabrielson served as the founding Chairman of the Regional Park Authority from 1959 – 1975. During his tenure, this new regional agency acquired 7,400 acres of the most environmentally sensitive lands in Northern Virginia.

The impact of Ira Gabrielson lives on at NOVA Parks today. Land conservation is still a central focus, and nearly 2,000 acres of new parkland have been added by NOVA Parks in the last 10 years.

 

 

land acquisition

Summer Camps Filling Fast - Register Today

Due to high demand, spots fill fast! To save time during registration, create a user account and complete the camper information prep questions in advance. Visit the 'Registration' tab on each camp's webpage for details.

Climb UPton is NOW OPEN DAILY!

Climb UPton—the largest ropes course in the Mid-Atlantic— is NOW OPEN Daily! Climb UPton offers 90 different elements and three levels of difficulty.

Purchase Now and Save!

One year of fun starts at just $80 per individual! Receive admission to all 5 waterparks; discounts on concessions and retail; early entry; and special savings on attractions and events. The following NOVA Parks waterparks are open daily: Great Waves Waterpark; Pirate's Cove Waterpark; Atlantis Waterpark; The following are open weekends: Ocean Dunes Waterpark; Volcano Island Waterpark;