Tom Smith Retirement Gift

Hello, friends and colleagues. We are raising funds to commission an original watercolor by Lara Gastinger for Tom Smith, recognizing his 41-year career in conservation. Tom's career began in the Tennessee office of The Nature Conservancy, playing a key role in the mapping/conserving some of the state's most significant biodiversity areas. Then, after a short stint with Tennessee DOT, Tom went on to become the first Natural Heritage Program Director in Eastern Pennsylvania. From there, Tom went on to become the second Director of Virginia's Natural Heritage Program from 1990 to 2016, and Deputy Director of Operations for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation from 2016 to 2021. In Tom's 30+ years in Virginia, he has overseen the inventory, protection and stewardship of Virginia's natural heritage resources, including a more than tenfold growth in Natural Heritage Program staffing, documenting/mapping over 10,000 rare species and natural community locations and permanent conservation of the best examples of those natural heritage resources on Virginia's now nearly 60,000 acres of state dedicated Natural Area Preserves. His contributions to conservation and the people around him are truly beyond quantifiable.

Having no way to utilize state funds for a gift for Tom, we are hoping to raise funds by donations from you all. ANY amount is greatly appreciated. Feel free to make your donation anonymous if you prefer. Thanks to you all for your consideration and giving, and please share the link to this fundraiser with others.

Jason Bulluck, Director, Virginia Natural Heritage Program