Welcoming Our Latest 500-Year Forest, Edgeworth

Volume 21 n Number 1 n Fall 2018

Your donation helps protect and sustain forests that store one ton of carbon per acre annually. Welcoming our latest 500-Year Forest, Edgeworth

EFFERSON called it Eden. JThat Founding Father was referring to a swath of his native Virginia that includes what is now the Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District, Jefferson’s Monticello, Madison’s Montpelier and the newest 500-Year Forest. Edgeworth Farm, one of the largest in Albemarle County, is a busy cattle, sheep and hay operation. Its open fields are the site of world-renowned sheep dog trials. Owner Florence Wilson shares Jefferson’s passion for this land, declaring her 1,190-acre parcel “one of the greatest loves of my life.” That is why, in 2018, she put 484 forested acres under conservation to become, in time, old growth. The entire property was already under open-space easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, protecting the critical slope and visual impact of Peters Mountain on its northwest border. That easement also advanced national conservation goals for the many streams that originate on the property and drain into the Happy Creek watershed and flow ultimately into the Chesapeake Bay. The OFV easement also bolstered preservation efforts that placed the Southwest Mountains Rural Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. The Edgeworth property fronts on a designated Virginia Scenic Byway and both the open fields at the front of the property and the wooded mountain land at the back of the property provide scenic enjoyment to the traveling public. But none of those protections stopped timber harvesting. So, Ches Goodall, consulting forester and 500YFF director, visited Edgeworth. His assessment for the board included an all-important soils analysis of the site. Four miles southwest of Gordonsville, VA, on the east slopes of the Southwest Mountains, Edgeworth has geological and soil attributes of both the Blue Ridge Mountains and Piedmont Plateau, Ches noted. (Continues on page 2)

Busofsky, Warren start three-year foundation board terms the 500-year forest non-profits. He will serve a He has been recognized by Foundation is extremely three-year term as a director Virginia Business magazine as pleased to announce the and treasurer for the 500YFF. a “Super CPA” and trains and addition of two new board Born and raised in mentors others. He was known members in 2018: Richard Philadelphia, Rich graduated as an avid fan of Philadelphia M. Busofsky, a Charlottesville with a BS in accounting from sports, even before the 2018 CPA, and Karin P. Warren, a the Philadelphia College of Super Bowl gave him a high- Lynchburg college professor. Textiles and Science before profile reason to be. Rich Rich is a tax partner at heading west to attend is on the board of Building Hantzmon Wiebel LLP in Golden Gate University in San Goodness Foundation, which Charlottesville and was Francisco where he earned connects volunteers from instrumental in establishing an MS in Taxation. He spent the design and construction the ongoing relationship his first eight years as a CPA industries with vulnerable between the foundation and in Southern California. Rich communities locally and his firm, which provides pro joined Hantzmon Wiebel in around the world. bono services to scores of area 1988. (Continues on page 2)

Website: www.500yearforest.org | Email: [email protected] | Phone: (434) 953-3325 Edgeworth (from page 1) Greenstone forms the backbone of hardwood forest would slowly give way to the Southwest Mountains. That igneous an old growth climax forest dominated by material weathers over time to produce long-lived chestnut oak on dry, westfacing extremely fertile top soils--the redlands, sideslopes, mixed oaks and hickory on which are the most productive upland soils mesic ridge sites and poplar in the moist in the entire Piedmont Plateau. The result: stream valleys and fertile sideslopes.” With high-grade Appalachian hardwoods that that promise, the board approved another thrive on this soil type and often exhibit 500-Year Forest. exceptional growth rates. Florence’s family has owned Edgeworth Ches listed the major species as growth at Edgeworth. Despite those since 1930 and she is quite proud of that including yellow poplar, chestnut oak, disturbances, the invasive species problem history. But her stewardship is forward- northern red oak, white oak, hickory, is not severe. looking and her determination isn’t limited black oak, white pine, Virginia pine to Edgeworth. “Maybe by conserving and shortleaf pine. Ches also found that "Left undisturbed and allowed to the land,” she says, “we can preserve the farming, timber harvesting and fire had develop without subsequent interference,” planet.” together eliminated any vestige of original Ches concluded, “this transitional mixed New Directors (from page 1) Good easements make good neighbors Rich's love of music gets him on a Decades of uncertainty disappeared earlier this year when a wooded subdivision near a plane often for concerts and benefit 500-Year Forest “re-gifted” an easement covering 182 acres. performances. A recent embrace of That parcel, which lies along the northwest slope of Long Arm Mountain between the hiking has him eager to visit 500-Year Miran Forest community near Batesville, VA and the Helms Phillips 500-Year Forest, is now Forests. under a conservation easement held by the Land Trust of Virginia. Miran Forest homeowners fought for years to guarantee that protections (including a Karin Warren is the Herzog Family no-cut provision) were honored but an earlier easement recipient didn’t comply. The 500- Chair of Environmental Studies & Year Forest Foundation actively encourages easements on land contiguous to its forests to Science at Randolph College. She extend old growth potential. holds a B.S. in Meteorology from Cornell University, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Energy and Resources from Editor’s note: Founder Ted Harris shares occasional musings about a forest’s life. For this the University of California at Berkeley, newsletter, he considers the leaf and gives us an excuse to share a favorite photo. where she held a Department of Energy Global Change Fellowship. At Randolph The Leaf, A Molecular Manufacturing Marvelby Ted Harris College, she developed the BA and What could the leaf tell us, if we could unlock secrets about its unbelievable BS degree programs, and has chaired molecular abilities? Be it a blade, a needle, a bract or a the Environmental Studies & Science frond, the leaf is another construction miracle in the planet’s department since 2002. development. Her areas of interest include energy Bent on survival, leaves are central to plant warning and sustainable development, climate and defense systems. In Africa, Acacia tree leaves send and global change, community an ethylene odor to fend off leaf-munching giraffes. The resilience, Environmental Studies & aroma wafts to other trees nearby that respond by producing Science pedagogy, and quantitative ethylene, too, to keep safe. environmental methods. Karin puts A similar scenario sets up when caterpillars attack the her teaching philosophy this way: “To willow. The tree produces a poison that debilitates the understand the environment, you have caterpillar. A Washington state study found the smell is to get out in it, literally and figuratively. detected by willow trees as far as a mile away, giving them Environmental studies students all get time to prepare for the caterpillar onslaught. wet and dirty at some point (or at several points) in their academic experience Saliva detection prompts defense responses that run the gamut from releasing here -- through stream monitoring, or a pheromone offensive to the attacker to producing one that attracts the attacker’s geology field trips, or on a geocaching predator. Certain plants being foraged by caterpillars emit a pheromone that attracts treasure hunt.” a parasitic wasp who turns the tables and eats the caterpillar. In addition to the global environment, Of course, leaves aren’t all mayhem. The tiny tea leaf is an amazing chemical factory. Karin says her passions in life include Because of its commercial importance, it has long been scrutinized and analyzed by hiking, gardening, low-stress cooking, plant scientists. It is a molecular manufacturing marvel, having learned how to produce reading anything she can get her hands over one thousand chemical compounds. Hence, the complexities in the cup. on, and practicing t'ai chi chuan and yoga.

2 Thank you to our Donors What we do is only possible with the support of the people you see on this list. The following gifts were received through November 30, 2018. Soil Saver gifts start at $600, Stream Steward at $300, Flora Fancier at $150, Fauna Fan at $60 and Tree Tender at $30.

SOIL SAVER FAUNA FAN SOIL SAVER FAUNA FAN HenrySOIL SAVER Hild SharonFAUNA & FAN Sandy Ainslie A "next generation" grant Henry Hild KaySharon Bethea & Sandy Ainslie A "next generation" grant Henry Hild KaySharon Bethea & Sandy Ainslie TheA "next500-Year Forestgeneration" Foundation is honored grant to have received an STREAM STEWARD KaySteve Bethea Brooks & Maxine Kenny The 500-Year Forest Foundation is honored to have received an STREAM STEWARD Steve Brooks & Maxine Kenny Theunrestricted 500-Year grant Forest from Foundation Edwards Motheris honored Earth to Foundationhave received of anSeattle. FrankSTREAM & Eleanor STEWARD Biasiolli LincolnSteve Brooks Brower & Maxine & Linda Kenny Fink unrestricted grant from Edwards Mother Earth Foundation of Seattle. Frank & Eleanor Biasiolli Lincoln Brower & Linda Fink unrestrictedInformation accompanyinggrant from Edwards the $500 Mother check Earth said Foundation the grant was of Seattle. FrankRob Bass & Eleanor & Moira Biasiolli Rafferty JessLincoln Crumbley Brower & Linda Fink Information accompanying the $500 check said the grant was Rob Bass & Moira Rafferty Jess Crumbley Informationrecommended accompanying through a program the $500 developed check said to theinvolve grant the was next JeffRob Bass& Mary & Moira Smith Rafferty JudithJess Crumbley & Forrest Gager recommended through a program developed to involve the next Jeff & Mary Smith Judith & Forrest Gager recommended through a program developed to involve the next JeffDale && TedMary Harris Smith Judith & Forrest Gager recommendedgeneration of Edwards through family a program philanthropy. developed to involve the next JeffDale && TedMary Harris Smith JudithRowland & Forrest& Lorri Gager Girling, generation of Edwards family philanthropy. H.Dale Gordon & Ted LeggettHarris & Madeline Rowland & Lorri Girling, generation of Edwards family philanthropy. H.Dale Gordon & Ted LeggettHarris & Madeline Rowlandin honor & of Lorri Dale Girling, and Ted H.E. Gordon Miller Leggett & Madeline Harrisin honor of Dale and Ted H.E. Gordon Miller Leggett & Madeline Harrisin honor of Dale and Ted Michael Pelton & Tamra Willis KentE. Miller& Kay Van Allen GaleHarris Glenn Michael Pelton & Tamra Willis TREE TENDER KentE. Miller& Kay Van Allen GaleHarris Glenn CarolynMichael PeltonRoss & Tamra Willis TREE TENDER CranstonKent & Kay & VanMarilyn Allen Williams, Gale Glenn Carolyn Ross TREEDuncan TENDER Augustine CranstonKent & Kay & VanMarilyn Allen Williams, ChesGale Glenn& Nancy Goodall CarolynFrank & RossDudley Sargent, in TREEDuncan TENDER Augustine Cranstonin honor & of Marilyn cousins Williams,Dale and Ches & Nancy Goodall Frank & Dudley Sargent, in JeanneDuncan & Augustine Larry Bond Cranstonin honor & of Marilyn cousins Williams,Dale and TimothyChes & Nancy E. Harris Goodall Frankhonor & ofDudley Ted and Sargent, Dale Harris in JeanneDuncan & Augustine Larry Bond Tedin honor Harris of cousins Dale and Timothy E. Harris honor of Ted and Dale Harris ValerieJeanne &Delker Larry Bond Tedin honor Harris of cousins Dale and TimothyMarsha Heatwole E. Harris Ellahonor Shore, of Tedin honor and Dale of friends Harris ValerieJeanne &Delker Larry Bond Ted Harris Marsha Heatwole Ella Shore, in honor of friends ValerieElena Ellis, Delker in memory of friend Ted Harris TheodoraMarsha Heatwole S. Kramer EllaDale Shore, and inTed honor Harris of friends ValerieElena Ellis, Delker in memory of friend FLORA FANCIER Theodora S. Kramer Dale and Ted Harris ElenaJames Ellis, J. Auld, in memory Jr. of friend FLORA FANCIER TheodoraRick Helms S. & KramerCarolyn Phillips MarjorieDale and Siegel Ted &Harris Allen Hard, ElenaJames Ellis, J. Auld, in memory Jr. of friend MaryFLORA Morris FANCIER Booth, in honor Rick Helms & Carolyn Phillips Marjorie Siegel & Allen Hard, BillJames & Carol J. Auld, Griffith, Jr. in honor MaryFLORA Morris FANCIER Booth, in honor JoelRick & Helms Kim Hennessey& Carolyn Phillips Marjoriein honor Siegel of friends & Allen Rick Hard, BillJames & Carol J. Auld, Griffith, Jr. in honor Maryof friends Morris Dale Booth, and in Ted honor CarrollJoel & Kim Lisle Hennessey Helmsin honor and of Carolynfriends Rick Phillips Billof & Ted Carol and Griffith, Dale Harris in honor SOIL SAVER MaryFAUNAof friends Morris FAN Dale Booth, and in Ted honor CarrollJoel & Kim Lisle Hennessey Helmsin honor and of Carolynfriends Rick Phillips Billof & Ted Carol and Griffith, Dale Harris in honor Harrisof friends Dale and Ted CarrollDean & Lisle Nancy McCumber, in PeterHelms & Jessica and Carolyn Ward, Phillipsin honor Bobof JenningsTed and Dale Harris Henry Hild SharonHarris & Sandy Ainslie Dean & Nancy McCumber, in Peter & Jessica Ward, in honor Bob Jennings EdgarHarris H. Lawton, in memory ADean honor"next & Nancyof Dale generation" McCumber, and Ted Harris in grantPeterof Dale & Jessica & Ted Ward, Harris in honor BobShirley Jennings Lynde, in memory of KayEdgar Bethea H. Lawton, in memory honor of Dale and Ted Harris of Dale & Ted Harris Shirley Lynde, in memory of Edgarof college H. Lawton, roommate in memory T. Henry TheJimhonor 500-Year McLaughlin of Dale Forest and Foundation Ted Harris is honoredBettyof Dale Ware, to have & inTed received honor Harris of an Dale & Shirleyhusband Lynde, Dr. inJames memory L. Lynde of STREAM STEWARD Steveof college Brooks roommate & Maxine T. Kenny Henry Jim McLaughlin Betty Ware, in honor of Dale & husband Dr. James L. Lynde Wilson,of college Jr. roommate T. Henry unrestrictedJimPaula McLaughlin Mehring grant from Edwards MotherBettyTed Earth Ware,Harris Foundation in honor of of Seattle. Dale & Larryhusband & Ellen Dr. Martin James L. Lynde Frank & Eleanor Biasiolli LincolnWilson, Brower Jr. & Linda Fink Paula Mehring Ted Harris Larry & Ellen Martin MaryWilson, Ann Jr. Ruegg, in honor of PaulaRobert Mehring Meister StanTed & Harris Kris Warner HullihenLarry & Ellen W. Moore Martin Rob Bass & Moira Rafferty JessMary Crumbley Ann Ruegg, in honor of InformationRobert Meister accompanying the $500 checkStan & said Kris the Warner grant was Hullihen W. Moore Maryfriends Ann Dale Ruegg, and in Ted honor Harris of JimRobert Murray, Meister in memory of wife BetsyStan & Westing Kris Warner & Dan Podell, in HullihenSarah & Bob W. Moore Reid, in honor of Jeff & Mary Smith Judithfriends & Forrest Dale and Gager Ted Harris recommendedJim Murray, in through memory a programof wife developedBetsy Westing to involve & Dan the nextPodell, in Sarah & Bob Reid, in honor of Billfriends Wasserman Dale and Ted Harris JimElizabeth Murray, in memory of wife Betsymemory Westing of Murph & Dan Westing Podell, in Sarahcousin & BobTed HarrisReid, in honor of Dale & Ted Harris RowlandBill Wasserman & Lorri Girling, generationElizabeth of Edwards family philanthropy.memory of Murph Westing cousin Ted Harris Bill Wasserman JakeElizabeth Paulson anmemoryd in honor of Murph of his Westing Tonycousin Rini Ted Harris H. Gordon Leggett & Madeline in honor of Dale and Ted Jake Paulson and in honor of his Tony Rini Jake Paulson anfriendsd in honorTed & of Dale his Harris TonyTod F. Rini Roach, in honor of son E. Miller Harris Michael Pelton & Tamra Willis friends Ted & Dale Harris Tod F. Roach, in honor of son friends Ted & Dale Harris TodLiam F. Roach, D. Roach in honor of son Kent & Kay Van Allen Gale Glenn Carolyn Ross TREE TENDER Liam D. Roach MaryLiam Ann D. RoachRoot Cranston & Marilyn Williams, Ches & Nancy Goodall Frank & Dudley Sargent, in Duncan Augustine Mary Ann Root AnnabelleMary Ann TropfRoot in honor of cousins Dale and Timothy E. Harris honor of Ted and Dale Harris Jeanne & Larry Bond Annabelle Tropf Annabelle Tropf Ted Harris Marsha Heatwole Ella Shore, in honor of friends Valerie Delker Theodora S. Kramer Dale and Ted Harris Elena Ellis, in memory of friend FLORA FANCIER Rick Helms & Carolyn Phillips Marjorie Siegel & Allen Hard, James J. Auld, Jr. Mary Morris Booth, in honor Joel & Kim Hennessey in honor of friends Rick Bill & Carol Griffith, in honor OFFICERS & DIRECTORS of friends Dale and Ted Carroll Lisle Helms and Carolyn Phillips of Ted and Dale Harris Harris Dean & Nancy McCumber, in Peter & Jessica Ward, in honor Bob Jennings David O. Ledbetter, J.D.* Kim Biasiolli Thomas L. O'Halloran, Ph.D. Edgar H. Lawton, in memory honor of Dale and Ted Harris of Dale & Ted Harris Shirley Lynde, in memory of Chairman & President Forest Conservation Specialist Assistant Professor, Clemson University of college roommate T. Henry Jim McLaughlin Betty Ware, in honor of Dale & husband Dr. James L. Lynde Senior Counsel, Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP Virginia Department of Forestry Clemson, SC Wilson, Jr. Paula Mehring Ted Harris Larry & Ellen Martin Richmond, VA Charlottesville, VA Mary Ann Ruegg, in honor of Robert Meister Stan & Kris Warner Hullihen W. Moore Jeffrey L. Smith friends Dale and Ted Harris Jim Murray, in memory of wife Betsy Westing & Dan Podell, in Sarah & Bob Reid, in honor of Richard M. Busofsky, CPA McChesney Goodall, III Executive Director, Rush Homes Bill Wasserman Elizabeth memory of Murph Westing cousin Ted Harris Treasurer Consulting Forester Lynchburg, VA Jake Paulson and in honor of his Tony Rini Partner, Hantzmon Wiebel, LLP Richmond, VA friends Ted & Dale Harris Tod F. Roach, in honor of son Charlottesville, VA Karin P. Warren, Ph.D. Liam D. Roach Hullihen Williams Moore* Herzog Family Chair, Environmental Studies Mary Ann Root Francis C. Biasiolli, Ph.D.* Landscape Photographer Randolph College, Annabelle Tropf 500-Year Forest owner Richmond, VA Lynchburg, VA Charlottesville, VA *Executive Committee Member

3 NON-PROFIT ORG The 500-Year Forest Non-ProfitU.S. organization POSTAGE Foundation, a non- U.S. PostagePAID PAICHARLOTTESVILLE,d VA profit organization, PERMIT #186 P.POo. BoxBox 12721272 Permit No. 161 works in partnership charlottesville,Charlottesville, VAVA 2290222902 lynchburg, VA 24506 Insidewith private This forest Issue Newowners directors to produce Augment ADDRESSADDRESS SERVICESERVICE REQUESTEDREQUESTED “workingfuture old-growthBoard”...... 1 Inventories and Invasives .....1 forests. At the Sunshine Forest, It’s a Family Affair ...... 2 MeetYou our can Scientific help. Advisory Board ...... 2 PicnicFor more at Pine information knob ...... 3 or donorsto contribute, and Grants volunteer ...... 3 director’sor recommend letter ...... 4 officersa forest, and go directorsto ...... 4 www.500yearforest.org, email 500yearforests@ gmail.com or call 434-953-3325.

OffICERS AnD DIRECTORS Director s Let†er Ted Harris My' work leading an affordable housing non-profit President and Founder This is the last of my newsletter missives to you. i’m and my time with The 500-Year Forest Foundation have both stepping down from the board October 1. strengthened lessons I started learning in childhood: that DavidInside O. Ledbetter, This Issue J.D. The transition we told you about last fall is nearly complete at community is everything and, in its largest sense, all life is a chairmanWelcoming and Edgeworth Secretary �� 1 The 500-Year Forest Foundation. We’ve added capable leadership, community. Two new directors �� 1 several new directors, more scientific advisors, volunteers and af- Lincoln P. Brower, Ph.D. Hunting, fishing and exploring with my dog Dutch, I grew up SweetEdgeworth, Briar collegecontinued �� 2 a filiations.half century This ago is surroundeda great satisfaction by farms to andme. forests in Southwest New directors, continued �� 2 Virginia.i could Towering not be more stands proud of ofoak the and bright hickory future imprinted ahead for onthe McChesney Goodall, III Good neighbors �� 2 myFoundation. mind as places i will continueof adventure, my commitment discovery, refuge as a volunteer, and healing. con- consulting Forester sultant and fierce supporter and know that i’m in fine company The Leaf �� 2 Later I’d come to know the importance of forests--especially oldwith growth--as friends like carbon you doing sinks the and same. biodiversity preserves, HaroldThank Kolb,you, Donors Jr., Ph.D. �� 3 ted Harris guaranteeingWith my wife a higher Dale, iquality now get of to life concentrate for all of us.more on another 500-year Forest owner Jeff Smith "Next Generation" Grant �� 3 legacy: Unfortunately, our children I’d alsoand grandchildren,see an accelerated near lossand offar—who forests areand SteveOfficers nash and Directors �� 3 a andproliferation have been ofthemselves “no trespassing” 500-Year signs. Forest That Foundation loss and benefac those - UniversityDirector’s ofLetter richmond �� 4 barrierstors. it is hurt for themus all, and but for negative all the world’senvironmental children andfactors grandchil hit - hardestdren that at thewe’ve lowest worked end to of keep the forests income standing. spectrum. The goal is Carolyn L. Phillips findingif you’ll common notice, thisground is no to longer bridge the and president’s overcome letter, our but differences is from 500-year Forest owner aboutme as environmental a director. it will and continue economic to be issues. written Given by board the membersproven renewable benefits, it certainly helps to look at old growth in turn, giving a voice to the many people dedicating their time, Kay Van Allen forests as literal common ground and to realize that we are all energy, insight and finances to conserving forests. So, in a way, this Author one community. isn’t a “last” letter at all. it’s a first.