FALL/WINTER 2016 ISSUE

PROTECTING THE PLACES & LAND YOU LOVE

Photo: Parker C. Agelasto

CRLC RAISING $6.6 MILLION TO PROTECT HISTORICALLY SIGNIFICANT PROPERTY IN HENRICO COUNTY Malvern Hill Farm Under Contract To further its mission to protect the natural and According to the Virginia Department of River, the Captain John Smith National Historic Trail historic land and water resources of Virginia’s Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Malvern and the Presquile National Wildlife Refuge. Likewise, Capital Region for the benefit of current and future Hill Farm ranks as “very high” in its vulnerability nearly 2 miles of the Virginia Capital Trail along generations, the Capital Region Land Conservancy model. In 1993, the Civil War Sites Advisory scenic Route 5 passes by and/or traverses Malvern (CRLC) has entered into a contract to purchase Commission listed Malvern Hill in the Top 10 of Hill Farm. Malvern Hill Farm for the appraised value of Virginia’s battlefields that are highly threatened. The Capital Region Land Conservancy has secured $6,562,000. The property consists of 875 +/- acres Despite its proximity to downtown Richmond and more than $2 million in funding towards this in Henrico County and Charles City County and development pressures in the Varina district of important acquisition. This includes $687,500 from is owned by descendants of William Heighler Henrico County, the property has remained mostly the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF), Ferguson Sr. (1885-1984) who originally purchased unaltered in appearance since 1862. $400,000 from the Virginia Battlefields Preservation Malvern Hill Farm in 1939. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s soil maps Fund (VBPF), $500,000 as a two-to-one challenge The Virginia Landmarks Register and the National show Malvern Hill Farm contains nearly 400 acres grant from The Mary Morton Parsons Foundation, Register of Historic Places first listed Malvern Hill of prime farmland and more than 150 acres of and $500,000 as a two-to-one challenge grant from in 1969, recognizing its role in Virginia and United “farmland of statewide significance.” Coupled the Cabell Foundation. CRLC is actively applying States history dating to the late 17th Century. with the “very high” ranking on Virginia’s Forest for other grants and seeking private donations to Thomas Cocke (1639-1697) built the first Anglo- Economics Model as well as DCR’s evaluation support this important acquisition. American residence there about 1690 and the of Ecological Cores and habitats of endangered “The tremendous national, state, and local support architecturally significant ruins are well preserved species, the property is a priority for land for this purchase validates Malvern Hill’s worth, not today. The Marquis de Lafayette (1757-1834) conservation. as real estate, but as a treasured place in our history encamped on the property in the summer of 1781 The (NPS) has long sought and in our present day lives”, said CRLC founder and and the Virginia Militia also made camp there during portions of Malvern Hill Farm for inclusion in the Board president Bill Greenleaf. the War of 1812. Richmond National Battlefield Park. The United Brian Watson, CRLC’s Vice President, said “we are But the name “Malvern Hill” is more strongly States Congress has approved roughly 443 acres in excited to continue to lead conservation efforts associated with a climactic moment in the American its legislatively authorized boundary for the park. in our area and be able to protect this historically Civil War when the entire property lay behind the “Acquisition and preservation of this farm would significant property for generations to come.” front infantry line of the Union army during the be a critical step forward in ensuring the long term Battle of Malvern Hill on July 1, 1862. This deadly integrity of such an historic place,” noted David To support the acquisition of Malvern Hill Farm clash of armies ended with 5,650 Confederate and Ruth, Superintendent of the Richmond National and contribute toward the challenge grants, checks 2,100 Union casualties, bringing the Seven Days Battlefield Park. DCR specifically names Malvern Hill should be made payable to the Capital Region Battle and the Peninsula Campaign to a close and in its Virginia Outdoors Plan for provision of public Land Conservancy and mailed to P.O. Box 17306, prompting President Abraham Lincoln to draft the access with walking and biking trails and a Turkey Richmond VA 23226. Emancipation Proclamation. Island Creek canoe/kayak launch to reach the James Photo: Parker C. Agelasto

MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR CRLC Records two Conservation Easements For the past 25 years, private property owners “The corridor along the James River is a special place reflecting back on the past Mark and Donna Romer and Dorothy Cleal had and it feels good to preserve a piece of it. I would like year, I note CRLC’s maturity. an agreement that they would not develop their to thank the CRLC for helping us sort through the For the first time ever, CRLC adjoining properties without consulting each other. details of how to do this,” said Mark Romer. recorded conservation Late last month, they took the ultimate act to easements that it will solely Dorothy Cleal further shared “we were able to work formalize this agreement in perpetuity by recording hold in perpetuity. CRLC also as a team to not only donate the conservation conservation easements on their parcels at 5513 and negotiated A significant easements but to make sure our neighbors and 5517 Riverside Drive respectively. contract to purchase nearly visitors would always be able to enjoy this very 900-acres for preservation. Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) facilitated special view of the James River,” said Dorothy Cleal. the review and recordation of these two More than any previous year, “Their love and appreciation of this iconic view of conservation easements covering 1.4 acres for the We supported private property the City of Richmond which is shared by all who purpose of protecting the watershed and scenic owners in their efforts to travel Riverside Drive is what drove the process views of the James River from the scenic byway place voluntary conservation making it very easy for all of us,” said Jane Myers, Riverside Drive and the view of the surrounding easements on their land. This Land Conservation Manager of CRLC. is all evidence that CRLC is landscape from the Captain John Smith Chesapeake serving our mission by being National Historic Trail. In addition, these properties proactive and engaged within adjoin the James River Park System and portions of the community. the park that the City of Richmond protected by a conservation easement in 2009. They thus provide our supporters, new and old, a further buffer for the natural resources and are enthusiastically behind recreational uses protected there. these efforts. Individual donors, corporate partners, FIELDS, FORESTS + STREAMS RAISES $10,000 and grantmakers have all A beautiful day greeted guests at Tuckahoe to the children attendees as CRLC seeks to preserve substantially increased their Plantation on November 6 for CRLC’s Fields, land for them and for other future generations. funding for CRLC in 2016. Forests + Streams. They were treated with catering In total, CRLC raised more than $10,000 from the event by Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market, treats from including silent auction. All proceeds benefit CRLC’s As we look into 2017 with The Fresh Market, as well as wine donated from work to educate landowners on the benefits of land the critical need to protect Free Run Wine Merchants and beer from New conservation and specifically easements. more farms, forests, wildlife Belgium Brewing Company. habitats, and historict Thank you to all who attended including properties, i personally wish representatives from our generous sponsors - to thank you for making the Canal Capital Management, East West Foundation, Ellwood Thompson’s, Luck Stone, Trane, Troutman difference. we each have our Sanders, Vulcan Materials. role to play no matter how In addition to the food and fellowship, this family large or small. crlc’s success friendly event featured educational activities would not be without you. provided by Maymont as well as music from The parker c. agelasto Company Store Band. Special recognition was given Virginia Environmental Endowment Awards Farm Transition Workshop $15,000 Grant for James River Capital Region Land Conservancy has been awarded $15,000 in support of its “Protecting our Beloved James River” project through a competitive grant from the Virginia Environmental Endowment. The grant will provide support for measurable and innovative initiatives focused on improving local rivers and water quality, land conservation and sustainable land use practices, and environmental literacy and public awareness. CRLC was one of 13 organizations to receive funding through the Endowment’s most recent grant cycle. The Virginia Cooperative Extension is hosting a Funding for “Protecting our Beloved James River” allows Capital Region Land Conservancy to provide stakeholder farm transition workshop on January 27, 2017 in education by working with local government and private property owners on a vision map. The grant also the Dominion Classroom at the Meadow Event supports the facilitation of the process to place voluntary conservation easements on parcels immediately Park (13191 Dawn Blvd, Doswell, VA 23047). adjacent to the James River. Of the 1,484 parcels in the project area, only 34 parcels covering 5,922 acres are The objective of the workshop is to help farm currently protected in perpetuity. owners and their families plan for the successful “VEE is pleased to partner with the Capital Region Land Conservancy in its efforts to protect the James River, one transfer of their farms to the next generation or of Virginia’s most treasured natural assets,” said Joseph Maroon, Executive Director of the Virginia Environmental their business partners. The program will run Endowment. “CRLC’s focus on generating more voluntary conservation easements will help protect water quality, from 1:00 pm to 7:30 pm and will include dinner. recreation opportunities, and the river’s landscape and vistas for countless generations to come.” The guest speaker will be Andrew Branan from In 2012, Richmond was named “Best River Town in America” and the Capital Region Collaborative identified the the Branan Law Firm. CRLC’s Land Conservation James River as one of seven priority areas that will enhance the quality of life for everyone in the region. Envision Manager, Jane Myers, will also be on the agenda the James has identified land conservation as one of the most important initiatives to protect this regional asset. to discuss conservation easements. Adding additional acreage under conservation easement will also help to ensure that our region satisfies the Families with questions about taxes, legal Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) requirements under the U.S. Clean Water Act. arrangements, or family issues related to transfer “The James River is such a defining feature of RVA and is a vital asset to our region that we must ensure its long- of their land or farms are encouraged to attend term benefit for future generations,” said CRLC’s Executive Director Parker Agelasto. the workshop. “For 10 years, CRLC has been working to protect lands in the Richmond area with great success at improving For more information and to register for this event, public access to the river including the James River Park System in the City of Richmond, Brown & Williamson please call the Hanover Virginia Cooperative Extension Conservation Area and James River Conservation Area in Chesterfield County,” said CRLC President Bill Greenleaf. Office at 804-752-4310 or email Laura Maxey-Nay at “We are honored to have the opportunity to continue our partnership with the Virginia Environmental [email protected]. The registration fee is $10 and Endowment and expand this effort.” includes a brisket and chicken dinner.

CONSIDERED DONATING STOCK TO CRLC? Save the Dates February 16 and February 21 Gifting appreciated stock to CRLC is one of the most effective means of tax savings available. Not only will you have the satisfaction of knowing your money is supporting CRLC’s great conservation work, you’ll avoid paying capital gains taxes on the stock sale and will be eligible to receive an income tax charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock at the time of the gift. For details on how to support local land conservation by gifting appreciated stock, contact Parker Agelasto or have your broker do so at 202-302-0153 or [email protected].

SUPPORT CRLC! Join us in our effort to preserve our region’s natural resources and open space for future generations. Member – $35.00 Capital Region Land Conservancy is a member- and grant-supported Sustaining – $75.00 nonprofit organization that is dedicated to conserving and protecting the As part of its “Protecting our Beloved James Leader – $125.00 natural and historic land and water resources of Virginia’s Capital Region for River” project, CRLC will conduct two Sponsor – $250.00 the benefit of current and future generations. education sessions for property owners Partner – $500.00 Patron – $1,000.00 with lands adjacent to the James River. NAME Other ______On Thursday, February 16, CRLC will be

CHECKS PAYABLE TO: ADDRESS hosted by Andrea and Rob Erda at Westover Capital Region Plantation (7000 Westover Road Charles City, Land Conservancy CITY STATE ZIP VA 23030). Another program will be held on MAIL TO: CRLC Tuesday, February 21, at Bon Air Public Library P.O. Box 17306 EMAIL ADDRESS (to receive our newsletter) (9103 Rattlesnake Rd, North Chesterfield, Richmond, VA 23226 Capital Region Land Conservancy is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization VA 23235). Both programs begin at 6:00 pm. DONATE ONLINE: under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as www.capitalregionland.org allowable by law. For more information or to RSVP, please contact CRLC Land Conservation Manager, Jane Myers, at Clip this out and send your contribution to Capital Region Land Conservancy (804) 745-3110 or [email protected] Presorted First Class U. S. Postage Post Office Box 17306 Richmond, Virginia 23226 PAID BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richmond, VA Permit No.430 Bill Greenleaf, President Virginia Community Capital Brian Watson, Markel Corporation Mary Susan Davies, Attorney Mark Endries, Luck Stone Leah Henschen, SunTrust Anj 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 Practice Dan Jones, Gallier Meyer Real Estate Brooks Smith, Troutman Sanders LLP

ADVISORY COUNCIL Heather Barrar, Chesterfield County Walter Beck, Vulcan Materials Company Matt Gottwald, Beechwood Farm Kerry Hutcherson, Rudy, Coyner & Associates T.J. Mascia, Resource Environmental Solutions Sarah Richardson, VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation Carol Wampler, Retired

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.

Thank you to our Sponsors! To learn more about conservation easements or CRLC, please call: Jane Myers Land Conservation Manager (804) 745-3110 [email protected]

Parker C. Agelasto Executive Director (202) 302-0153 [email protected] Stay engaged and informed: CRLC IS ALSO SUPPORTED BY: Virginia Land Conservation Foundation ...and individual donors and members like you! www.CapitalRegionLand.org SAVE THE DATE

Friday, February 24, 10:00 am Send us your email to receive Guided Hike at Brown & Williamson Conservation Area communications from us electronically. with Mark Battista, Chesterfield County Naturalist PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER