On March 2, the Richmond Times-Dispatch published an OpEd written by CRLC’s Executive Director, Parker Agelasto, in support of fully funding land conservation initiatives in Governor Terry McAuliffe’s biennium budget. Ultimately, the General Assembly adopted a budget that increases funding by $10 million for FY2017 and $10 million for 2018. Of this, $8 million will support the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, $1 million for the Battlefields Preservation Fund and $1 million for Farmland Preservation. CRLC is grateful that our elected leaders value the importance of land conservation for its many benefits which are

mentioned in this partial reprint of the OpEd.

“According to the 2011 Virginia Outdoor Demand Survey, 93 percent of respondents indicated that ‘protecting natural and open space resources’ is important or very important and 73 percent of respondents supported ‘spending public funds to preserve natural areas and open space resources.’ In proposing his 2017-18 budget, Gov. Terry McAuliffe demonstrated his understanding of this demand as well as the importance of land conservation when he proposed $40 million in his budget to the Virginia General Assembly. Of this, $16 million was to support the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, $2 million for the Battlefields Preservation Fund and $2 million for Farmland Preservation.

“However, the Senate has approved a budget that reduces this funding by half, $20 million, while the House has eliminated $500,000 from Farmland

Preservation. It is imperative that the full $40 million in funding be restored in the budget.

“Since 2005, Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) has conserved and protected the natural and historic land and water resources of Virginia’s Capital Region for the benefit of current and future generations. CRLC is the only land trust devoted specifically to conservation within the counties of Charles City, Chesterfield, Goochland, Hanover, Henrico, New Kent and Powhatan, as well as the Town of Ashland and the City of Richmond. CRLC has protected more than 6,850 acres of land, including over 34 miles of stream and river frontage. In addition, CRLC co-holds nine conservation easements. Yet less than 1 percent of the region’s 1.3 million acres is protected under permanent conservation easement.

“CRLC co-holds a conservation easement on 280 acres in the James River Park system. It also holds a conservation easement on 282 acres in the Brown & Williamson Conservation Area and has most recently facilitated, with the Trust for Public Land, the preservation of 108 acres in Chesterfield County that will become the James River Conservation Area. The protection of this future park means that one more mile of the James River riverfront will remain in a natural state while becoming publicly accessible for hiking, bicycling, boating, fishing and historical interpretation.

“However, the acquisition of the James River Conservation Area property would not have been possible without the Virginia Land Conservation

Foundation (VLCF) awarding $300,000 in matching funds to Chesterfield County to purchase the property.

“In 2014, VLCF also awarded $75,000 to the City of Richmond to purchase Vauxhall Island in the James River near the 14th Street Mayo’s Bridge. This strategic acquisition was facilitated by donors who acted quickly for the Enrichmond Foundation to purchase the island at auction. As such, VLCF has helped fulfill a portion of the city’s Riverfront Plan.

“It is imperative that more VLCF funding be available to help localities and private citizens protect land in perpetuity. Permanently protecting land in the James River watershed is undeniably important to our region as it provides water to residents and industry, offers world-class recreation, sustains indigenous habitats and defines our sense of place.

“Conservation easements are broadly supported as bipartisan. This was demonstrated last year when the U.S. Senate voted 65-33 to pass the bill that makes the federal tax incentive for conservation easement donations permanent. This followed the 318-109 vote in the House of Representatives on Dec. 17, 2015. Congress also reauthorized the Land and Water Conservation Fund for three years and increased its funding from $306 million in 2015 to $450 million in 2016.

“The Virginia General Assembly must demonstrate similar support for land conservation by fully funding the $40 million in McAuliffe’s budget.”

PROTECTING THE PLACES & LAND YOU LOVE

SPRING/SUMMER 2016 ISSUE

Photo: Parker C. Agelasto

CRLC WORKS TO SECURE FUNDING FOR LAND CONSERVATION INITIATIVES IN VIRGINIA

$20 Million for Land Conservation

What CRLC Learned at Powhatan “Lunch and Learn”On January 29, CRLC along with representatives

from nine other organizations hosted an event to

present information to help landowners steward and

protect their land, forests and working farms through

voluntary programs such as conservation easements

and cost-share programs.

About 60 people attended the 3-hour session. About

one-third of these responded to the post-event

survey. This feedback was very informative. Of the 23

respondents to complete the survey, 5 were “aware”

of CRLC, 7 were “know the name but nothing more,”

and 10 were “not aware” of CRLC. Of the respondents,

3 cited CRLC as the “most interesting or beneficial,”

ranking it second of the 8 presentations though other

organizations ranked much higher on the awareness

scale. Likewise, when asked about programs that

participants will seek more information, CRLC was

specifically mentioned in two responses. In fact,

18 people attended CRLC’s follow up meeting on

February 16 in Goochland.

I am honored to serve as the

executive director for capital

region land conservancy.

Having just celebrated its

10th anniversary and best Year

fundraising, crlc entered

2016 in a stronger position.

We ushered new protected

lands and reaffirmed Our

partnerships throughout

the region. In fact these

Lasting relationships are

bearring new fruit as we

grow awareness about

Land Conservation and

Water Quality with broader

audiences.

I am excited to lead CRLC

into the coming years and

establish a shared vision for

protecting the Places we Love.

Over the coming months

this will include a strategic

approach to Properties

immediately adjacent to

the James river and other

tributaries of the watershed.

Currently Less than 2% of

the land in our region is

permanently and legally

protected. we can and must

do better. As Your local land

Trust, CRLC is committed to

such stewardship.

parker c. agelasto

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Photo: Parker C. Agelasto

NEW VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS EASEMENT TESTIMONIALSCRLC was honored to premier its video at the RVA Environmental Film Festival on February 5, 2016. This 5-minute promotional spot, produced by GoodDay RVA, provides personal testimony from land owners that have worked with CRLC to protect their property under conservation easements. They include Tad Thompson at Tuckahoe in Goochland County, Reed and Gail Schweickert at Gobbler Knobb in Powhatan County, Nathan Burrell at the James River Park in the City of Richmond,

as well as Virginia Lipford in Henrico County. CRLC is grateful to the support of the Virginia Environmental Endowment and an anonymous donor, as well as The Free Rangers who provided the music.

2015 Annual ReportCRLC is pleased to report that it ended FY2015 with $97,454 in revenue, representing 58% growth

from FY2014, and expenses of $65,092. Beginning total assets were $123,296 at 01/01/2015 and

year-end total assets were $155,314. The 2015 Annual Report as well as prior year reports and IRS Form

990s can be found online at www.capitalregionland.org/about-us/annual-reports

View

Please re-register your Kroger Plus Card in the Kroger Community Rewards program so that your contributions benefit CRLC. This program makes donating as easy as swiping your Kroger Plus card at checkout. Just go to https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNow

FOR MORE INFO: Contact Parker C. Agelasto at (202) 302-0153 or parker@capitalregionland.org.

Join us in our effort to preserve our region’s natural resources and open space for future generations.Capital Region Land Conservancy is a member- and grant-supported nonprofit organization that is dedicated to conserving and protecting the natural and historic land and water resources of Virginia’s Capital Region for the benefit of current and future generations.

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MAIL TO:CRLCP.O. Box 17306Richmond, VA 23226

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KROGER COMMUNITY REWARDS IS EASY

CRLC is pleased to announce that new signs in the James River Park System will advise more than 1.4 million visitors that they are entering property forever protected under a conservation easement.

Since 2008, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Enrichmond Foundation, and CRLC have co-held a conservation easement on more than 280-acres in the City of Richmond. Yet most of the visitors to the park have been unaware of these stipulations. These new signs will better inform the public of this important provision.

CRLC is proud to partner with the City of Richmond to protect this property and continues to enjoy a strong relationship with the Friends of the James River Park to conduct annual monitoring of the 8 easement sites.

CRLC recently partnered with Governor Terry McAuliffe to host families for a reception at the Executive Mansion during which he recognized twelve new Century Farms from the Richmond area including ten from Powhatan County. Also at the event, Gov. McAuliffe signed legislation passed during the 2016 General Assembly creating a Century Forest Program similar to the farm program.

The Virginia Century Farm program recognizes and honors farms that have been in operation for at least 100 consecutive years and the generations of Virginia farm families whose diligent and dedicated efforts have maintained those farms. Prior to the event, the Richmond region included 51 Century Farm designated properties. Efforts leading up to the event increased this number by more than 24%. Five more applicants submitted after.

The event would not have been possible without support and contributions from Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Todd Haymore, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Forestry Association, Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, and Capital Region Land Conservancy.

For more information on Virginia’s Century Farm program, visit vdacs.virginia.gov/conservation-and-environmental-virginia-century-farms.shtml or contact Andy Sorrell, Program Coordinator, at 804-786-1906.

Century Farms Celebrated At Executive Mansion

Save the Date - November 6Tuckahoe Plantation

CRLC will again host guests at historic Tuckahoe Plantation in Goochland County for our signature fundraising event on Sunday, November 6, from 2:00 to 5:00 pm.

Featuring local food and beverage, this family friendly event affords CRLC supporters an opportunity to fellowship with others and learn more about the significant accomplishments CRLC has had throughout the year. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per couple. All proceeds benefit CRLC’s work to educate landowners on the benefits of land conservation and specifically easements.

For more information, please visitwww.capitalregionland.org/news-events

New Conservation Easement signs in James River Park

PresortedFirst Class

U. S. Postage

PAIDRichmond, VAPermit No.430

CRLC IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY:Virginia Land Conservation Foundation

...and individual donors and members like you!

Jane MyersLand Conservation Manager

(804) 745-3110Jane@capitalregionland.org

Parker C. AgelastoExecutive Director

(202) 302-0153Parker@capitalregionland.org

Send us your email to receive communications from us electronically.

To learn more about conservation easements or CRLC, please call:

Post Office Box 17306 Richmond, Virginia 23226

Thank you to our Sponsors!

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Bill Greenleaf, President Virginia Community Capital

Brian Watson, Markel CorporationMary Susan Davies, Attorney

Mark Endries, Luck StoneLeah Henschen, Bank of America

Dan Jones, Gallier Meyer Real EstateAnj McClain, Catapult Inc.

Philip Reed, McLean Faulconer Inc.Aaron Revere, Resource Environmental Solutions

Tad Thompson, Tuckahoe Plantation

EMERITUS BOARD MEMBERS

Bobby Lamb, Attorney in Private PracticeBrooks Smith, Troutman Sanders LLP

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Heather Barrar, Chesterfield CountyWalter Beck, Vulcan Materials Company

T.J. Mascia, Resource Environmental Solutions F. Scott Reed, Prologue Systems

Sarah Richardson, VA Dept. of Conservation and RecreationCarol Wampler, Retired

David Denton Willis, Lumber Liquidators

Sunday, November 6, 2:00 - 5:00 pmCRLC’s Fields, Forests + Streams Event

Historic Tuckahoe Plantation in Goochland County

SAVE THE DATE

Stay engaged and informed:

www.CapitalRegionLand.org

OUR MISSION: To conserve and protect the natural and historic land and water resources of Virginia’s Capital Region for the benefit of current and future generations. CRLC is Central Virginia’s only land trust dedicated solely to serving the City of Richmond and Chesterfield, Henrico, Hanover, Goochland, Powhatan, New Kent, and Charles City counties.