BRLC April Newsletter

LAND SAVERS APRIL 2026 VOL. 30 ISSUE 2

www.brlcva.org

www.cvalc.org

www.svalc.org

By CHRIS HOLDREN A Special Place on Clays Mill Road

D aniel and Cecilia Owen have always believed the soft, rolling hills, oak-lined woodlands, and meandering streams on their 263-acre farm along Clays Mill Road in Halifax County, Virginia, were a special place. Their farm in Halifax County had been in his family for generations. It was more than a farm to Daniel—it was a quiet piece of living history.

development. They saw heritage, something entrusted not only to them but to future generations. Daniel stated, that he “wanted to take care of the land like his father and grandfather and be a good steward just like the family members before him.” That sense of stewardship led them to team up with

Conservation Partners, along with us here at the Southern Virginia Land Conservancy. When I asked Daniel why a conservation easement was so important to him, his reply was simple: “I never saw this land as something to sell off; it was something I wanted to protect for my family, and the easement

I never saw this land as something to sell off; it was something I wanted to protect for my family...”

He knows the property the way some people know a lifelong friend. He knows where the deer slipped through the understory at dusk, where the spring peepers sang the loudest after a warm rain, or where the morning fog

—DANIEL OWEN

settles thickest over the low pastures. The land had shaped him just as the Owen family had shaped it, season by season, year after year. But Halifax County is changing. New developments creep closer. Land values are rising. The Owens never wavered. They didn’t see 263 acres of potential

was the best way to ensure it would be protected.” Together, we worked through the details of a conservation easement that would protect the property permanently. No matter what pressures come from outside, the land would remain farmland, forests, and habitat—just as it had for generations.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

We protect the lands and waters you love, forever. BOARD OF TRUSTEES Janet Scheid President David Hurt President Elect J. Ross Wimmer, CPA Treasurer

An easy way to do more to save land Inflation is a bugger. Did you know that the $100 donation you made before the pandemic is only worth $78 today? Yep. And a $500 donation made in 2019 is only worth about $390 now.

In fact, you’d need to donate more than $125 in 2026 to equal a $100 gift made just seven years ago. Those $100 donations we send year after year to support our favorite causes erode quickly. And it’s no different at your local land conservancy. As we announced in Land Savers last fall, a volunteer or staff member will be calling on you, asking you to increase your gift in support of saving land this spring. And hey, we get it—inflation works both ways. Your life is more expensive today, too. But here’s the easy way to save more land: Don’t do it all at once. Become a monthly donor. It’s so simple. Rather than writing a $100 check once a year, donate $12 a month. You can give $144 a year that way, and maybe you won’t miss that $12. How do you make this happen? Easy! When someone calls from the land conservancy and asks you to increase your gift, say yes. They’ll arrange for someone on staff to contact you and work out the details. Secondly, you can call Tina Badger on our staff at (540) 985-0000 ext. 3, or e-mail her at tbadger@brlcva.org. She’ll walk you through a monthly donation (from your checking account or by credit card; cancel when you like). Or, become a monthly donor online . Go online to brlcva.org if you’re in the Roanoke region, cvalc.org if you’re in the Lynchburg region, or svalc.org if you’re in the Danville or Martinsville region. Click on “support us” in the menu, and then click on “monthly giving.” THANK YOU. And if you’ve already increased your gift, THANK YOU twice. Give yourself a pat on the back for saving more of the land you love…forever.

Michael Clark William Dowd

Cynthia A. Gray William J. Hunley Mary L. Kegley Kimberly Lankford J. Breck Light Frank Maguire Alan R. McPherson Hunter W. Naff STAFF David C. Perry

Executive Director Emily R.H. Bender Assistant Director Tina L. Badger Project Manager Kacie Amstutz Stewardship Manager Chris Holdren SVALC Program Manager Charles C. Lacy. Jr. CVALC Program Manager The Lemon House 1305 Maple Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016 540-985-0000

Land Savers United, doing business in your community as the Blue Ridge, Central or Southern Virginia Land Conservancy, is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a mark of distinction in land conservation.

MEMBER OF:

David Perry Executive Director

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

By EMILY BENDER

W hile I cover the Blue Ridge region, I’m also assistant director, and I’m putting on that hat now. As a small team covering a large (16-county!) service region, it’s rare that we are all in the same room. What’s even more rare is us all being together and no one wearing bug-spray, hiking boots or a ball cap. We had a wonderful evening last month celebrating the hard work being done by the Central Virginia Land Conservancy. It was a great excuse to all get together and enjoy an evening highlighting the recent projects that have been done. I am very proud of the work being done by this team, and know that if you have a conservation project these are the folks who will get it done. If you have a question or conservation project in the Central Virginia Region call Charles Lacy at (434) 942-4320, in Southern Virginia call Chris Holdren at (276) 224-6489 and in Blue Ridge call me at (540) 759-8469. We hope to hear from you soon!

L to R: Tina, Chris, David, Emily, Charles, Kacie at the CVALC Cornerstone Celebration

By chris holdren

H appy April! The Southern Virginia Land Conservancy is proud to announce the completion of our largest conservation easement to date. This 716-acre tract is in both Patrick and Franklin Counties. Completion of this easement was a concerted effort and collaboration between multiple organizations that has truly shown what conservation-minded landowners and organizations can accomplish when it truly matters. SVALC would also like to extend an invitation to join us on May 14th at Averett University, Blount Chapel, as we host the “Wild & Scenic Film Festival” at 6 pm.

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REPORTS FROM THE FIELD (cont’d)

By charles c. lacy, jr.

T he Cornerstone Celebration held on March 21st at the University of Lynchburg was a large success. Passionate supporters came from all over the region to celebrate the growth of the organization over the past year. The evening kicked off with live music from the Porch Dogs, social hour, then guests enjoyed an inspiring program featuring remarks from staff and board members, Charles Lacy, David Perry, and Janet Scheid. Conservation easement donor, Garet Bosiger, spoke about his experiences in conservation. The capstone of the evening was the presentation of the Cornerstone Award and special interview with Doug Coleman, recognizing his outstanding contributions to conservation in Nelson County. The night continued on with dinner, drinks, an exciting live auction, raffle drawing, and more time to celebrate conservation impacts made this year. THANK YOU to everyone who attended, supported, and made this event such a success, especially our generous sponsors including Myers and Woods Appraisal Group, University of Lynchburg, and Claytor Nature Center. Here’s to protecting the lands we love now and for generations to come!

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THANK YOU 2026 CVALC CORNERSTONE CELEBRATION SPONSORS

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Special Thanks:

Parkway Building and Renovation 6

WE HOPE YOU ’ LL JOIN US TO CELEBRATE 30 YEARS OF LAND CONSERVATION WITH THE BLUE RIDGE LAND CONSERVANCY!

OUR SPEAKERS The Honorable and Mrs. William H. Frist, MD Senator Bill Frist, MD serves as Global Board Chair of The Nature Conservancy, the world’s largest conservation organization. He was the US Senate Majority Leader from 1995-2007. Tracy Frist owns and operates The Farm at Sinking Creek in Craig County. She is an educator, businesswoman, conservationist, and storyteller. May 17, 2026 at Braeloch, Vinton VA Cocktail Hour 4-5PM Event 5-8PM

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Dr. M. Rupert Cutler

Dr. Rupert Cutler, the first executive director of Blue Ridge Land Conservancy from 1997- 1999, will receive a lifetime achievement award. Dr. Cutler has also served as a member of the board of trustees of the Virginia Outdoors Foundation, the board of the Western Virginia Water Authority, and the Roanoke City Council.

Buy your ticket online at brlcva.org/celebration or by calling Tina Badger at 540-985-0000 x 3

Ecuador Ecuador 2027 2027 Ecuador 2027

The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy is sponsoring an amazing trip to Ecuador from August 8-22, 2027! Experience “The Land of Four Worlds” as you explore the country that loves life from the Andes to the Amazon rainforest. Take in beautiful landscapes, add new lifetime birds to your Merlin list, enjoy new dining experiences, learn about the culture of Ecuador, and so much more! Thanks to Dr. Renee Godard of Hollins University and Alex Bentley of eco tour agency Waska Amazonia for leading our trip! The Blue Ridge Land Conservancy is sponsoring an amazing trip to Ecuador from August 8-22, 2027! Experience “The Land of Four Worlds” as you explore the country that loves life from the Andes to the Amazon rainforest. Take in beautiful landscapes, add new lifetime birds to your Merlin list, enjoy new dining experiences, learn about the culture of Ecuador, and so much more! Thanks to Dr. Renee Godard of Hollins University and Alex Bentley of eco tour agency Waska Amazonia for leading our trip!

For a trip report from Dr. Godard’s 2026 Hollins trip visit: visit:

Registration is open. Secure your spot here: Registration is open. Secure your spot here: