fall 2018 ISSUE

Protecting the Places & Land You love

Photo: Parker Agelasto

CRLC Completes $6.6 Million Purchase of Malvern Hill with only $900,000 Left to Fund Celebrating Easements at Malvern Hill Capital Region Land Conservancy closed on its acquisition pledges toward Malvern Hill and immediately of Malvern Hill Farm had remnants of a hunt club that of Malvern Hill Farm on February 1, 2018. Thanks to its pay down the loan with The Conservation Fund. have been removed in preparing the site for a future many supporters and committed funders, CRLC was The loan balance is now less than $900,000. canoe/kayak boat launch for public access to the James able to bring more than $4.5 million in cash to the Fulfilling an earlier $1.5 million grant from Henrico River. Students from the MathScience Innovation Center closing table and a bridge loan of $2 million from The County, CRLC conveyed roughly 439 acres to Henrico participated in a summertime clean-up of the property. Conservation Fund. Shortly thereafter, CRLC received County, 421.370 acres of which are now protected As of September 2018, CRLC retains ownership of a gift of 15 acres from The Civil War Preservation Trust by a DHR conservation easement with the remaining roughly 54 acres in Charles City County and more bringing its total ownership to more than 886 acres. 11.9 acres protected by an easement held by VOF. than 380 acres in Henrico County with the intent Governor Ralph Northam honored this historic property This property will become a future park for passive to transfer the latter property to the National Park and CRLC’s work to protect it in perpetuity on May recreational activities once Henrico County develops Service for inclusion in the Richmond National 15 when he signed conservation easements with the plans and appropriates funding to implement. Battlefield Park once funding is appropriated by the Department of Historic Resources (DHR). Other CRLC also completed the conveyance of 12.2 U.S. Congress to the Land and Water Conservation Fund. dignitaries at the event included, Secretary of Natural acres along Turkey Island Creek protected by CRLC looks forward to continuing its leadership Resources, Matt Strickler, Secretary of Agriculture role in preserving places such as Malvern Hill with a conservation easement held by the Virginia Outdoors and Forestry, Bettina Ring, Director of Conservation contributions from our members and donors. and Recreation, Clyde Cristman, Director of Historic Foundation to the James River Association. This area Resources, Julie Langan, and Vice Chairman of the Henrico County Board of Supervisors, Tyrone Nelson. On June 15, CRLC recorded the first of several conservation easements to permanently protect Malvern Hill. The easement recorded with DHR protected 421.370 acres in Henrico County., including the donated land from the Civil War Trust, A second easement with DHR was recorded on June 26 to protect 51.888 acres in Charles City County. On July 10, CRLC recorded a conservation easement with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) on 24.1 acres in Henrico County along Turkey Island Creek. The DHR and VOF conservation easements helped CRLC meet its grant requirements for the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation and Open Space Land Preservation Trust Fund. CRLC was therefore able to draw down more than $1.1 million of outstanding Photo: Parker Agelasto Photo: Parker Agelasto

Message from OUR Executive Director NATIONAL ACCREDITATION WITHIN REACH In adopting its strategic plan a few years ago, Capital to how CRLC complies with national quality I continue to hear around Region Land Conservancy committed to becoming standards. These standards address the ethical and town how people are becoming accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission technical operation of a land trust. For the full list increasingly aware of the by 2018. The accreditation program recognizes of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation. important role that CRLC organizations that meet national quality standards for org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices. plays in fulfilling regional protecting important natural places and working lands To learn more about the accreditation program and to comprehensive plans. Whether forever. After staff and Board members spent hundreds submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation. of hours completing a comprehensive review of policies its the Virginia Outdoors org, or email your comment to info@ and audit of organizational records, CRLC submitted its Plan, the Capital Region landtrustaccreditation.org. Comments may also be faxed pre-application on June 21. Having a successful initial or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Collaborative Regional Rivers review, CRLC was invited to submit a final application Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) Plan, or any one of the local which it did on September 13. A public comment 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. comprehensive plans, CRLC is period is now open with a deadline of October 28. Comments on CRLC’s application will helping to achieve the goals set The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an be most useful by October 28, 2018. by our community. We are the independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts CRLC anticipates completing the accreditation process “boots on the ground” getting an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and later this year and becoming only the ninth land the job done. programs. Applying for accreditation marks a significant milestone for CRLC, a measure of the expanding scale trust in Virginia to become nationally accredited. In the past twelve months, CRLC of its achievements and scope of its impact. Applying has established and protected for accreditation signals land trust maturity while the more than 1,200 acres of FUTURE process itself spurs further organizational growth. Accreditation benefits a land trust in many ways as public lands where people can it serves as the “seal of approval” to landowners, freely enjoy the outdoors. With conservation partners, the public, and funders. 1.5 Million annual visitors to The Commission invites public input and accepts the James River Park System, signed, written comments about CRLC and other and many of our state and pending applications. Comments must relate national parks turning away visitors due to overcapacity, 2017 Annual REport organizations like CRLC and CRLC is pleased to report that it ended FY2017 with $358,293 in revenue, representing more than a 100% growth private landowners are stepping from FY2016, and expenses of $144,709. Much of the increased revenue and expenses were attributable to CRLC’s acquisition of Malvern Hill Farm and easement activity. Beginning total assets were $228,971 at 1/1/2017 and up to ensure that the quality of year-end total assets were $454,060. The 2017 Annual Report as well as prior years and IRS Form 990s can be found life we seek is met. online at www.capitalregionland.org/about-us/annual-reports. I urge you to increase your donation to CRLC so we may have greater capacity to protect our natural and historic land and water resources in the Richmond region.

- Parker C. Agelasto JRPS easement Conditions Documented What do you want your On May 29, 2009, CRLC was honored to record its better enforce protection of the conservation values. second conservation easement by partnering with the It will be used to conduct the annual monitoring of local land trust to offer you? City of Richmond, Enrichmond Foundation (formerly the park and to inform the co-holder’s review and CRLC has worked diligently to not just protect our the Richmond Recreation and Parks Foundation), approval of future projects. Completing the report region’s land and water resources but to secure and the Virginia Department of Conservation and now was essential as more than 1.7 million people public access to the outdoors. What better way Recreation by protecting roughly 280 acres in visit the park every year. Such demand and intense use to share the results with our supporters than to the James River Park System. This legally binding of the park can come with its challenges. The Current organize opportunities for your to enjoy it with us. agreement was initiated by City Council Resolution Conditions Report will therefore help to identify First we would like to hear from you. What No. 2000-R77-83 patroned by Mayor , Vice- changes to the landscape and where violations may opportunities would you like CRLC to provide? Mayor Rudy McCollum, Joseph Brooks, John Conrad, have occurred. It will also help guide future expansion Guided hikes and other outings? Clean ups? Nature Randolph Johnson, Delores McQuinn, and Reva of the conservation easement while the City considers journaling classes? Presenting environmental films? Trammell. adding additional acreage (including Williams Island, Please let us know. Coopers Island, Bohannon Island, Vauxhall Island, and More than nine years later with help from our CRLC is also dedicated to fostering a strong land Goat Island) under its protections. many supporters, CRLC has completed the Current ethic in our community, and we increasingly Conditions Report for the James River Park System recognize that conserving forests and farms and conservation easement. This 214 page record contains protecting our streams and rivers from pollution documentation of the protected riparian areas and does not alone instill that same impulse in others. existing impervious surfaces including hundreds of We want to connect our region’s residents to photographs mapped using GPS photo points. The the natural world through enriching outdoor Current Conditions Report summarizes each segment experiences. Our motto is “Protecting the land and of the conservation easement and the applicable places you love.” The next generation will not love conservation values, special conditions, notes for these places if they do not first come to know them. stewardship for Belle Isle, Great Shiplock, Huguenot How can you help? A great place to start is by Flatwater, North Bank / Texas Beach, Pumphouse, volunteering with CRLC so we can have greater Reedy Creek, Manchester Climbing Wall, Pony Pasture, visibility at community events, sharing ideas for how and Wetlands. we can better serve our communities, and joining The Current Conditions Report will allow the co-holders our programs. For more information please contact of the James River Park conservation easement to Laura Greenleaf at [email protected].

Your IRA SAVINgS CAN Support CRLC TAX-FREE! Get your tickets now! Fields, Forests + Streams Please re-register your Kroger Plus Card in the Kroger Community Rewards program so that your contributions benefit CRLC. ThisAre youprogram over 70makes 1/2 yearsdonating old andas easy have as an swiping IRA (Individual your Kroger Retirement Plus card Sunday, November 4th at checkout. Just go to https://www.kroger.com/account/enrollCommunityRewardsNowAccount)? If yes, you can make a tax-free withdrawl to a qualified Our 3rd Annual Fields, Forests + Streams will charitable organization such as Capital Region Land Conservancy. FOR more info: Contact Parker C. Agelasto at (202) 302-0153 or parker@capitalregionland. be held on Sunday, November 4, from 2:00 Contact your account provider and ask about QCDs and making a gift org. until 5:00 pm at historic Tuckahoe Plantation to CRLC. It can help you meet your required minimum distribution. overlooking the James River in Goochland County. This annual event is fun for the whole family and is our opportunity to celebrate CRLC’s accomplishments and our wonderful Support CRLC! Join us in our effort to preserve our region’s natural resources partners. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon of great and open space for future generations. music by Susan Greenbaum, delicious local Member – $35.00 Capital Region Land Conservancy is a member- and grant-supported Sustaining – $75.00 food from Ellwood Thompson’s Local Market, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to conserving and protecting the beer and wine, a silent auction, and more. Leader – $125.00 natural and historic land and water resources of Virginia’s Capital Region for Sponsor – $250.00 the benefit of current and future generations. Tickets are $40 per person or $75 per Partner – $500.00 Patron – $1,000.00 couple. All proceeds benefit CRLC’s work to Other ______NAME expand land conservation in the Richmond region. Look for your invitation in the Checks payable to: ADDRESS Capital Region mail. To order tickets online, please visit Land Conservancy www.capitalregionland.org/news-events. CITY STATE ZIP Mail to: CRLC P.O. Box 17306 EMAIL ADDRESS (to receive our newsletter) Richmond, VA 23226 Capital Region Land Conservancy is a non-profit, tax-exempt charitable organization Donate online: under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax-deductible as www.capitalregionland.org allowable by law.

Clip this out and send your contribution to Capital Region Land Conservancy Presorted First Class U. S. Postage Post Office Box 17306 Richmond, Virginia 23226 PAID Richmond, VA Board of Directors Permit No.430 President - Brian Watson, Dodson Property Management Mary Susan Davies, Attorney Mark Endries, Luck Stone Wortie Ferrell, Davenport Leah Henschen, SunTrust Anj McClain, Higher Achievement Philip Reed, McLean Faulconer Inc. Aaron Revere, Resource Environmental Solutions Tad Thompson, Tuckahoe Plantation Carol Wampler, Retired

Emeritus Board Members Bill Greenleaf, Virginia Community Capital Dan Jones, Gallier Meyer Real Estate Bobby Lamb, Attorney in Private Practice Brooks Smith, Troutman Sanders LLP

Advisory Council Heather Barrar, Chesterfield County Verner Daniel, Retired Patrick J. Fanning, Troutman Sanders LLP Matt Gottwald, Beechwood Farm Kerry Hutcherson, Rudy, Coyner & Associates T.J. Mascia, Resource Environmental Solutions Sarah Richardson, VA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation

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] Laura Greenleaf Land Stewardship & Outreach Coordinator (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 UPCOMING EVENTS October 22 - Join CRLC for dinner at The Daily Kitchen Send us your email to receive & Bar (2934 W. Cary Street) in Carytown where a portion communications from us electronically. of the proceeds will be donated to support our work. Printed on Recycled Paper