Virginia’s mix of coast, piedmont and mountains supports farms, forests, fisheries and mineral sites that shape local economies and daily life. From small family orchards to public hunting lands, the state’s natural base influences food, jobs and conservation efforts across regions.
There are 23 Natural Resources in Virginia, ranging from Apples to Wild turkey. Each entry lists Category,Primary locations in VA,Typical measure (unit) so you can quickly see what the resource is, where it’s found and how it’s counted; you’ll find below.
How were the items chosen and what makes this list useful?
The list focuses on resources with clear economic, ecological or cultural importance in the state, selected using production data, habitat presence and common reporting metrics so it’s practical for comparison and planning.
How can I use the Category,Primary locations in VA,Typical measure (unit) layout?
Use the columns to filter or map resources by type and place, compare measures (tons, acres, individuals) across regions, and prioritize research, policy or land-management actions based on where and how each resource is measured.
Natural Resources in Virginia
| Name | Category | Primary locations in VA | Typical measure (unit) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest cover | Forestry | Statewide; especially Allegheny/Blue Ridge, Piedmont, Coastal Plain | Area (acres): 15,000,000 acres |
| Hardwood timber | Forestry | Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont, Shenandoah Valley | Annual value (USD): $600,000,000 |
| Pine pulpwood | Forestry | Coastal Plain, Tidewater, Piedmont | Annual value (USD): $400,000,000 |
| Coal (bituminous) | Mineral | Southwest Virginia (Wise, Buchanan, Dickenson counties) | Annual production (tons): 1,000,000 tons |
| Limestone | Mineral | Shenandoah Valley, Valley and Ridge (Augusta, Rockingham) | Annual production (tons): 5,000,000 tons |
| Sand and gravel | Mineral | Piedmont and Coastal Plain; river terraces statewide | Annual production (tons): 10,000,000 tons |
| Crushed stone / granite | Mineral | Piedmont and Blue Ridge foothills | Annual production (tons): 2,000,000 tons |
| Kaolin and brick clays | Mineral | Southeastern Virginia, Richmond region and Coastal Plain | Annual production (tons): 500,000 tons |
| Natural gas (conventional & coalbed methane) | Energy | Southwest Virginia, Appalachian Basin pockets | Annual production (million cubic feet): 50,000,000 Mcf |
| Atlantic menhaden | Fishery | Offshore Atlantic and Chesapeake Bay entrance | Annual harvest (tons): 100,000 tons |
| Chesapeake Bay oysters | Fishery | Chesapeake Bay and tributaries (Rappahannock, York, James) | Annual harvest (bushels): 200,000 bushels |
| Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) | Fishery | Chesapeake Bay and tidal rivers | Annual harvest (pounds): 7,000,000 lbs |
| Striped bass (rockfish) | Fishery | Chesapeake Bay, tidal rivers, Atlantic coast | Annual commercial catch (pounds): 100,000 lbs |
| Poultry (broiler chickens) | Agriculture | Southside, Shenandoah Valley, Eastern Shore | Annual value (USD): $1,500,000,000 |
| Cattle and calves | Agriculture | Southwest, Shenandoah Valley, Piedmont | Annual value (USD): $700,000,000 |
| Corn (grain) | Agriculture | Shenandoah Valley, Southside, Piedmont | Annual production (bushels): 50,000,000 bushels |
| Soybeans | Agriculture | Southside, Shenandoah Valley, Piedmont | Annual production (bushels): 40,000,000 bushels |
| Apples | Agriculture | Shenandoah Valley, Blue Ridge foothills | Annual production (tons): 50,000 tons |
| Peanuts | Agriculture | Southeastern Virginia, Suffolk and Hampton Roads region | Annual production (tons): 100,000 tons |
| Groundwater (Coastal Plain aquifers) | Water | Coastal Plain (Potomac, York, James aquifer systems) | Withdrawals (million gallons/day): 200 MGD |
| Prime agricultural soils | Soil | Shenandoah Valley, Coastal Plain, Southside | Area (acres): 3,000,000 acres |
| White-tailed deer | Wildlife | Statewide forests and farmlands | Annual recreational harvest (deer/year): 70,000 deer |
| Wild turkey | Wildlife | Forests statewide; strong populations in Piedmont and mountains | Annual recreational harvest (birds/year): 30,000 birds |
Images and Descriptions
Forest cover
Virginia’s forests supply timber, wildlife habitat, recreation, and carbon storage. Predominantly privately owned hardwood and pine stands support local economies; conservation focuses on sustainable harvest, fragmentation prevention, and habitat corridors.
Hardwood timber
Mixed oaks, maples and hickories provide sawlogs, flooring, and veneer. Hardwood markets sustain rural mills; sustainable forestry and market pressures shape harvest levels. Notable for diverse Appalachian hardwood species prized nationally.
Pine pulpwood
Loblolly and shortleaf pine support pulp, paper and pellet industries. Fast-growing plantations are economically important but raise conservation questions about biodiversity and wetland drainage in some areas.
Coal (bituminous)
Historically central to southwest Virginia’s economy, bituminous coal still occurs but production has declined. Mining jobs and reclamation projects remain focal issues; many former mine lands are being restored for wildlife and recreation.
Limestone
Used for cement, aggregate, and agricultural lime, limestone quarried in the Valley fuels construction and farming. Karst terrain in limestone areas hosts caves and sensitive groundwater requiring careful management.
Sand and gravel
Essential construction aggregate for roads, concrete, and fill. Widely quarried near population centers; operations face siting, dust, and water-quality concerns as urban demand grows.
Crushed stone / granite
Bedrock quarries produce crushed stone for road base and building products. Quarrying supports local economies but requires reclamation planning and visual/surface-water protections.
Kaolin and brick clays
Fine clays used for ceramics, bricks, and specialty industrial products. Clay deposits supported historic brickmaking in Richmond; mines are monitored for land reclamation and groundwater impacts.
Natural gas (conventional & coalbed methane)
Small but locally important gas from conventional wells and coalbed methane has supplied heating and industry. Virginia’s moratorium on high-volume fracking limits large-scale development; production is relatively modest.
Atlantic menhaden
Menhaden are a key commercial baitfish and ecosystem forage species; fisheries are managed regionally because menhaden influence both commercial fisheries and bay health.
Chesapeake Bay oysters
Oysters provide food, jobs, and water filtration. Populations were historically depleted; restoration, aquaculture and reef rebuilding are major conservation efforts to revive ecosystem services.
Blue crab (Callinectes sapidus)
Iconic Chesapeake fishery prized for commercial and recreational value. Management addresses overfishing, habitat loss and water-quality impacts; crab populations fluctuate with environmental conditions.
Striped bass (rockfish)
Both a prized recreational and commercial species, striped bass are managed closely for stock rebuilding and fishing regulations; migratory patterns tie VA fisheries to Mid-Atlantic management.
Poultry (broiler chickens)
Virginia is a major broiler producer; poultry supports processing, feed and transport industries. Production raises issues of nutrient management, biosecurity and rural employment while contributing substantially to state farm income.
Cattle and calves
Beef and dairy cattle use pasture and hayland across the state. Grazing supports rural economies; conservation programs often tie livestock practices to stream protection and nutrient management.
Corn (grain)
Field corn is grown for livestock feed and industrial uses. Corn’s prominence supports Virginia’s poultry and cattle sectors; soil conservation and nutrient management are key sustainability topics.
Soybeans
Soybeans provide oil, meal and animal feed; they are central to crop rotations. Markets and conservation programs influence planting patterns and soil health practices.
Apples
Virginia apples supply fresh markets, cideries and processing. The Shenandoah Valley is the state’s apple center; growers manage pests, variety selection and orchard conservation practices.
Peanuts
Peanut farming thrives on sandy Coastal Plain soils, supplying domestic and export markets and food processing. Crop rotation and irrigation shape sustainability and yield.
Groundwater (Coastal Plain aquifers)
Shallow and confined aquifers supply cities, agriculture and industry. Key concerns include overwithdrawal, saltwater intrusion, and sustainable withdrawal rates; monitoring supports long-term water security.
Prime agricultural soils
High-quality loams and alluvial soils support row crops and specialty agriculture. Conservation programs focus on erosion control, nutrient management and protecting farmland from development.
White-tailed deer
Deer are a major game species supporting hunting, ecotourism and rural economies. Populations are actively managed for disease, crop damage and ecosystem balance; harvests vary annually.
Wild turkey
Turkeys recovered from near-extirpation via translocations and habitat work and now support a robust hunting tradition. Ongoing habitat management maintains viable populations.
