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The Valley Conservation Council recently announced the results of its land protection efforts in 2022. In partnership with local landowners, VCC secured 16 conservation easements, thus permanently protecting 1,909 acres of farm and forestland and nearly 10 miles of waterways across seven counties.
Three of the easements were in Rockbridge County, which equates to 446 acres of land protected in the county.
These include 87 acres actively used for forestry (owner planted several thousand trees to reforest); 317 acres of mixed farm (livestock grazing) and forestland; and 42 acres, all forested, preserved for wildlife habitat with a few hundred feet of stream frontage.
As a nonprofit accredited land trust, VCC holds easements donated by local landowners, ensuring that the land is maintained and protected in perpetuity according to the terms of the easement. Terms typically guard against future subdivision and development while the landowner retains full ownership, management, use, and enjoyment of their property with the comfort of knowing his or her land will remain protected for generations to come, explained Adam Schellhammer, executive director.
“I am thrilled by what we were able to accomplish for land protection in the Shenandoah Valley last year,” he said. “Each acre put under easement is an acre where we can now protect critical habitat, invaluable agricultural lands, and unparalleled scenic beauty. And in protecting the land, we’re able to help ensure responsible land management and promote best practices, which in turn preserves and supports the Valley’s vibrant agricultural communities and contributes to regionally significant resiliency efforts.”
Schellhammer, who joined VCC at the start of 2022, predicts a banner year for land conservation in the Valley in 2023. Local Soil and Water Conservation Districts and other organizations, he said, will have unprecedented grant funding and other resources available for landowners to lessen the financial burden of protecting land through easements and to support on-farm landscape restoration and implementation of best practices. VCC can help landowners navigate these available resources in addition to continuing its efforts to advocate for and facilitate conservation easements.
VCC publishes a Landowners’ Guide to help explain the process of donating a conservation easement. Reach out to info@valleyconservation. org to request a copy.
