The Changing Landscapes Initiative is a Smithsonian-led program bridging the gap between scientists and communities. CLI scientists work alongside community members to evaluate the impacts of land use change on wildlife, ecosystem services and community health. Its mission is to combine research with community wisdom to help secure a vibrant and healthy future for people and wildlife.Healthy functioning ecosystems are essential to human life. They provide fresh water, food, a stable climate, resilience to flood and disease, and beautiful landscapes to explore. CLI scientists investigate how changes in land use could impact ecosystems and the services they provide to humanity, both now and in the future.

Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL), a program of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, cultivates collaborations between Smithsonian scientists, landowners and managers, citizen scientists and regional partners to study and promote the conservation of native biodiversity and sustainable land use through research, education and community engagement.

To build a powerful, diverse, and highly-coordinated conservation movement focused on protecting our Commonwealth’s natural resources.

To protect and preserve the native plants of Virginia and their habitats, in order to sustain for generations to come the integrity of the Commonwealth’s rich natural heritage of ecosystems and biodiversity for purposes of enjoyment, enlightenment, sustainable use, and our own very survival.

To preserve the hallowed ground of the Valley’s Civil War battlefields, to share its Civil War story with the nation, and to encourage tourism and travel to the Valley’s Civil War sites.

To protect watersheds by promoting awareness, alliance, and action through creative technology and communication.

To educate and advocate for the preservation of the extraordinary historic landscape and culture of the Mosby Heritage Area for future generations.

To preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

To inspire, motivate and engage people to protect, preserve and restore wildlife habitat.