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Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources
| Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Office Type: | Nonpartisan |
| Office website: | Official Link |
| Compensation: | $204,587 |
| 2026 FY Budget: | $614,905,835 |
| Term limits: | None |
| Structure | |
| Length of term: | Serves at the pleasure of the Governor |
| Authority: | Virginia Code, Title 2.2, Chapter 2, Section 215 |
| Selection Method: | Appointed by Governor |
| Current Officeholder(s) | |
Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources
Travis Voyles | |
| Other Virginia Executive Offices | |
| Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission | |
The Virginia Secretary of Natural Resources is an appointed state executive position in the Virginia state government. The secretary heads the Department of Natural and Historic Resources.
Current officeholder
The current officeholders are:
- Stefanie Taillon
- Travis Voyles (nonpartisan)
Authority
Title 2.2, Chapter 2, Section 215 of the Code of Virginia establishes the position of secretary of natural resources:[1]
| The position of Secretary of Natural Resources (the Secretary) is created. The Secretary shall be responsible to the Governor for the following agencies: Department of Conservation and Recreation, Department of Historic Resources, Marine Resources Commission, Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Virginia Museum of Natural History, and the Department of Environmental Quality. |
Qualifications
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Appointments
Title 2.2, Chapter 4, Section 200 of the Code of Virginia authorizes the governor to appoint the secretary of natural resources, among others. The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Virginia General Assembly and the appointees, with the exception of the secretary of state, "hold office at the pleasure of the Governor."[2]
Vacancies
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Duties
As of January 2021, the department had the following mission statement:[3]
| “ | The Secretary of Natural Resources advises the Governor on natural resources issues and works to advance the Governor's top environmental priorities. The Secretary oversees five agencies that protect and restore the Commonwealth’s natural and historic resources. The Secretary's office and all of the natural resources agencies work together to uphold the provisions of Article XI of the Virginia Constitution:
To the end that the people have clean air, pure water, and the use and enjoyment for recreation of adequate public lands, waters, and other natural resources, it shall be the policy of the Commonwealth to conserve, develop, and utilize its natural resources, its public lands, and its historical sites and buildings. Further, it shall be the Commonwealth's policy to protect its atmosphere, lands, and waters from pollution, impairment, or destruction, for the benefit, enjoyment, and general welfare of the people of the Commonwealth.[4] |
” |
Divisions
As of January 28, 2021, agencies within the department included:[5]
- Conservation and Recreation
- Environmental Quality
- Wildlife Resources
- Historic Resources
- Marine Resources
State budget
- See also: Virginia state budget and finances
The budget for the office of Natural and Historic Resources in Fiscal Year 2026 was $614,905,835.[6]
Compensation
- See also: Compensation of state executive officers
2023
In 2023, the officer's salary was $204,587, according to the Council of State Governments.[7]
2022
In 2022, the officer's salary was $185,567, according to the Council of State Governments.[8]
2021
In 2021, the secretary received a salary of $176,730, according to the Council of State Governments.[9]
2020
In 2020, the secretary received a salary of $176,730 according to the Council of State Governments.[10]
2019
In 2019, the secretary received a salary of $172,000 according to the Council of State Governments.[11]
2018
In 2018, the secretary received a salary of $163,735 according to the Council of State Governments.[12]
2017
In 2017, the secretary received a salary of $158,966 according to the Council of State Governments.[13]
2016
In 2016, the secretary received a salary of $158,966 according to the Council of State Governments.[14]
2015
In 2015, the secretary received a salary of $155,849 according to the Council of State Governments.[15]
2014
In 2014, the secretary received a salary of $152,793 according to the Council of State Governments.[16]
2013
In 2013, the secretary was paid an estimated $152,793. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.[17]
2011
In 2011, the secretary was paid an estimated $152,793, according to the Council of State Governments.[18]
Historical officeholders
Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for chronological lists of historical officeholders; information for the Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources has not yet been added because the information was unavailable on the relevant state official websites, or we are currently in the process of formatting the list for this office. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Virginia Secretary Natural Resources. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Contact info
Mailing address:
Secretary of Natural Resources
P.O. Box 1475
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: (804) 786-0044
See also
| Virginia | State Executive Elections | News and Analysis |
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External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Virginia Legislative Information Services, "Code of Virginia," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Code of Virginia, "Title 2.2, Chapter 4, Section 200: Appointment of governor's secretaries; general powers; severance," accessed February 8, 2012
- ↑ Virginia Department of Natural Resources, "Home," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Virginia Department of Natural Resources, "Agenies," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Commonwealth of Virginia, "Budget Bill - HB30," accessed January 23, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2023 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed January 21, 2025
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Book of the States 2022 Table 4.11: Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," provided to Ballotpedia by CSG personnel
- ↑ Issuu, "The Book of the States 2021," accessed September 28, 2022
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2020," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2019," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2018," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "The Book of the States 2017," accessed January 28, 2021
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2016," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries, 2015," accessed August 27, 2016
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," accessed December 8, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Selected State Administrative Officials: Annual Salaries," January 31, 2014
- ↑ Council of State Governments, "Table 4.11 Selected state administrative officials: Annual salaries by region," accessed February 1, 2012
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