Department of Conservation and Recreation
Conserve. Protect. Enjoy.
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Matt Sabas is a Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist with the DCR Public Communications and Marketing Office. In this role, he works closely with the DCR divisions of Soil & Water Conservation, Dam Safety, Floodplain Management, and the Office Environmental Education to develop, implement, and evaluate regional and statewide marketing and public relations activities.
Matt has eight years’ experience implementing strategic communications campaigns on behalf of clients in the agriculture, chemical, and energy industries. Prior to joining DCR, Matt was the Senior Director of Communications & Public Affairs at the Household & Commercial Products Association (HCPA) and worked for five years as a research director with the White House Writers Group. Earlier in his career, Matt held policy and research positions at think tanks based in Washington, D.C. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government from the College of William & Mary and currently resides in Richmond, VA.
results in following insights.
Virginia’s rivers, streams and the Chesapeake Bay are some of the Commonwealth’s most treasured natural resources. Keeping them clean and healthy is imperative for not only the environment, but Virginia’s economy and farmers. That’s where the Water Quality Improvement Fund comes in. READ MORE
The Virginia Tech Eastern Shore Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC) is committed to supporting commercial vegetable and agronomic crop production by conducting state-of-the art research into cover crops, fertilizers, soil tillage and soil management. READ MORE
When Bruce and Katherine Johnson purchased Dragonfly Farms just west of Louisa, they confronted severely eroded soils and degraded conditions after years of corn and soybean row-cropping, motivating them to stabilize the soil, create a productive farming system, and transform the property into a model for regenerative practices. READ MORE
Vanessa Sandin is a role model for new farmers aiming to minimize their impact on the Chesapeake Bay. READ MORE
Tim Alderson and his family strive to implement conservation practices on their 210-acre cattle farm in Pittsylvania County by improving surrounding water quality, an effort made possible through the Virginia Agricultural Best Management Practices Cost-Share (VACS) Program. READ MORE
Massie and Sons Farm's unique use of agricultural best management practices exemplify stewardship of the York River Basin and earned them a Grand Basin Clean Water Farm award in 2023. READ MORE
If you were a farmer impacted by damage from Hurricane Helene, you may be eligible for financial relief through your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). READ MORE
John Bryant, owner of Old Tavern Farm in New Kent County, Virginia is dedicated to sustainable farming. READ MORE
VFRIS has undergone a refresh for 2025 and now integrates data from dozens of trusted sources, offering a wealth of information that can be layered on top of a location's flood risk. READ MORE
Engineers with DCR's Dam Safety Division work to ensure that the over 2,500 dams in the state are properly and safely designed, built, operated and maintained. Learn more from Andrea Henry, PE, DCR's Region 1 Dam Safety Engineer. READ MORE
