Virginia’s Natural Resources
A natural resource is a material found in nature that people
use. Natural resources help us meet our needs. There are two kinds
of natural resources. The first is a nonrenewable resource. A
nonrenewable resource is a material that cannot be replaced after it
is used. The second is a renewable resource. A renewable resource
is a material that, with careful planning, can be replaced or replenished after use.
Fossil fuels are nonrenewable resources. A fossil fuel is a fuel that is formed in the earth
from ancient plant and animal remains. Examples of fossil fuels include coal and oil. In
Virginia, the main fossil fuel that we produce is coal. Coal produces electric power when it is
heated, and people use electric power in their homes and business every day.
Natural and cultivated forests are a widespread resource in Virginia. Forests provide us
with wood resources for building and construction projects as well as paper to write on.
Forests are renewable resource, since paper can be recycled, and new trees can be planted to
be used again.
Arable (farmable) land is another important resource that Virginia has to offer. Arable
land is important, because the land’s rich soil. The soil contains nutrients for crops to grow
stronger and healthier. Farmers want to grow strong, healthy crops, so they can sell them and
make money.
Since Virginia has many beaches, sand is a resource Virginia produces. Sand can be
mixed with cement and mortar to make bricks for building schools and houses. Sand is also
used to melt the ice and snow on roads in the winter. Sand is part of the glass making process
and is used for making sandpaper.
Virginia has many aggregate resources. Aggregates are rocks. One rock important in
Virginia is limestone. Limestone is used to make patios and gravel roads. Limestone is a
popular landscaping rock that people use to decorate their gardens and flowerbeds with.
Limestone is also one of the ingredients in toothpaste! Granite is another aggregate resource
in Virginia. Granite can be used for countertops in people’s kitchens as well as tile, curbing,
and in constructing buildings. Virginia also produces a rock called gravel. Gravel is common
for driveways and for being packed in bags to prevent erosion from happening.
Virginia is home to a lot of different wildlife. Wildlife is a resource that people use for food.
Commonly hunted wildlife in Virginia include: deer, bear, wild turkey, waterfowl, quail, rabbit,
and squirrel. There are special hunting seasons in Virginia for each animal to prevent these
animals from becoming endangered.
Since Virginia borders the Chesapeake Bay and is home to many rivers and lakes, aquatic
organism (animals that live in the water) are another natural resource in Virginia. Fish
common to Virginia’s waters include: bass, perch, trout, and catfish. Crabs and scallops are
also popular seafood found in the Chesapeake Bay that Virginia fishermen catch.
Clean water is an important Virginia natural resource that people desperately need to live
for drinking, washing, and generating electricity. Clean water is found in groundwater,
reservoirs, freshwater lakes, and rivers.
Directions: Choose the best answer based on the reading that you have highlighted key words in.
1. A natural resource is
A. A man-made material used to meet our
needs
B. material that cannot be replaced after it is
used
C. a material found in nature that people use
D. a material that, with careful planning, can
be replaced or replenished after use
2. A renewable resource is
A. A man-made material used to meet our
needs
B. A material that cannot be replaced after it is
used
C. A material found in nature that people use
D. A material that, with careful planning, can
be replaced or replenished after use
3. A nonrenewable resource is
A. A man-made material used to meet our
needs
B. A material that cannot be replaced after it is
used
C. A material found in nature that people use
D. A material that, with careful planning, can
be replaced or replenished after use
4. A fossil fuel is
A. A man-made material used to meet our
needs
B. formed in the earth from ancient plant and
animal remains
C. a material that, with careful planning, can
be replaced or replenished after use
D. a rock form that contains many fossils in
Virginia
5. What is a common fossil fuel found in Virginia
A. granite
B. coal
C. oil
D. limestone
6. What does arable mean?
A. farmable
B. full of air
C. full of sand
D. usable
7. What is an aggregate?
A. forests
B. Natural resources
C. rocks
D. aquatic organisms
8. What is limestone used for?
A. insulation
B. water filtering systems
C. landscaping rock
D. paper products
9. What is granite used for?
A. insulation
B. countertops
C. water filtering systems
D. paper products