Virginia Outdoors Foundation

Encouraging the protection of open space in Virginia …

Encouraging the protection of open space in Virginia …

Established in 1966 by the General AssemblyFive offices statewide

RichmondCharlottesvilleRoanokeStauntonAldie (Loudoun County)

Primary protection tool is the Open Space Easement

Lands under VOF protectionEasements

Over 250,000 + acres under VOF easement (36,586 acres last year)

Over 1,400 separate easements

Lands Owned by VOF3,500 acresPrimarily in Bull Run Mountains

Protection ToolsComprehensive PlanZoningDesignation of special Districts (i.e. Historic, Agriculture/Forestal)Statewide and local initiatives

Chesapeake Bay Protection AreaScenic River program

Purchase fee title (State Parks, Natural Areas, etc)Easements

Conservation / Open Space Easement

A perpetual legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently protects land while the landowner continues to own it.

Protected Lands Nationwide6,225,225 acres of land protected 1

+226% from 1.9 million acres in 1990

2,600,000 is protected thru easements 1

+475% from 450,000 acres in 1990

1 2000 data from LTA Census Survey

Land has a “Bundle of Rights”Right to build structuresCommercial or industrial usesSell, trade, or gift to other (all or part)Farm, grow timberExtract water, minerals, gas, oilUse in any means allowable by law

Conservation easement serves to limit or restrict the bundle of rights

Easement TermsTrash, refuse, junkNo billboards or signsDivision of property (number of parcels)

Easement TermsManagement of forest resources

Commercial harvestPreservation of habitat

Buildings and structuresResidentialAgricultural

Building envelopes/citing

Easement Terms

Commercial activity limited to agriculture and silvicultureSurface mining rightsProvision for inspection of property

Protection of sensitive natural features (waterways, coastal habitats, scenic views, ridge tops, rare species)

Hazard MitigationCan protect areas of population concentration through buffering coastal storms, coastal erosion, flooding, storm surge - while providing open space, protecting ecologically sensitive areas

Utilize open space as green infrastructure to protect building infrastructure

Funding Virginia Land Conservation FoundationPreservation Trust FundForest LegacyFarm and Ranch Protection ProgramFEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program ??

www.virginiaoutdoorsfoundation.org

ltrew@vofonline.org

Virginia Outdoors Foundation

Encouraging the protection of open space in Virginia …