Gov. Terry McAuliffe last week launched Virginia Treasures, his administration’s plan “to identify, conserve and protect 1,000 Virginia Treasures by end of term.”

These “treasures” can fall into either of two categories. The first is conservation of agricultural lands, forests that provide water-quality benefits, wetlands, and habitat for rare or threatened plants and animals. The second is “Natural, cultural and recreational treasures” to include “trails, water-access points, parks, scenic byways, rivers and viewsheds, public gardens and wildlife-viewing areas.”

We have plenty of both types in Gloucester and Mathews.

We wonder what the state would deem worthy of listing as treasures.

We also wonder if the program will find financial muscle to deal with one constant, advancing thief of a true commonwealth treasure: erosion of its shoreline.

In every bayfront community, and our land area constitutes a large part of that, the bea...