Q3 2013 Newsletter

Grant in Action: VLCF Grant Enables The Nature Conservancy to Further Conservation Efforts in South Quay Natural Area

In 2011, Governor Bob McDonnell announced the recipients of the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) grants, which totaled $2.4 million. The grants added 2,234 acres toward Gov. McDonnell’s goal of preserving 400,000 acres of land by 2014. One of these grants was issued to The Nature Conservancy (TNC), a member organization of VIRGINIAforever.

The $262,500 VLCF grant, along with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, enabled TNC to acquire 443 acres of land, known as Byrd’s Point, on July 11, 2013. Located alongside the Blackwater and Nottoway Rivers near the North Carolina/Virginia borderline (see map here), the tract of land supports several rare species and significant natural communities.

The land has four miles of river frontage on the Blackwater and Nottoway Rivers and 420 acres of mature floodplain forest. The floodplain provides important habitat for migratory fish, including river herring, and migratory birds. Byrd’s Point also is known for its many snakes, including the cottonmouth, and numerous water species. Animals residing in the area include black bears, quail, wild turkeys and fox.  TNC’s acquisition of the property ensures the permanent protection of this land and its important wildlife benefits.

Byrd’s Point is downriver from a popular boat launch on the Nottoway River managed by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. According to Brian van Eerden, a TNC program director, the acquisition preserves a valuable piece of property for individuals using the area for boating, fishing and other recreational activities.

Byrd’s Point has historical ties to the North Carolina/Virginia boundary line. In the 1700s, writer and politician Col. William Byrd II led survey ventures that ultimately staked the borders of Virginia and North Carolina.

Byrd’s Point will become part of the South Quay Natural Area Preserve, which was established by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation in December 2012.  The preserve consists of 3,143 acres of bottomland forests and sandy uplands along the Blackwater River plus includes Virginia’s last remaining natural stand of longleaf pine. Seeds collected from the forest present a unique opportunity for longleaf pine restoration efforts in the Commonwealth, a primary focus for DCR.

With other investments in the South Quay Natural Area Preserve, TNC has helped conserve approximately 20,000 acres of land around Byrd’s Point. VIRGINIAforever applauds the efforts of TNC and will continue to advocate for state funding to be allocated to the VLCF during the upcoming General Assembly.

Looking Ahead to the 2014 General Assembly

With the start of the 2014 Virginia General Assembly session only a few months away, we look ahead to some big changes coming – not just in the Governor’s Mansion, but also at the House and Senate.

At the conclusion of the 2013 session, several key members announced their retirements, including Appropriations Chairman and longest-serving member of the House of Delegates Lacey Putney; Finance Chair Bob Purkey; and Chairman of House Education Bob Tata. Losing three chairmen in one year is rare, but what makes this situation extremely rare is on primary day, June 11, two more committee chairs lost reelection bids – Beverly Sherwood, Chairwoman of House Agriculture and Joe May, Chairman of House Transportation. With all 100 House seats up for grabs, we likely have not seen the last of the changes.

Even in a non-election year, changes are also coming to the Senate chamber. With the retirement of Senator Harry Blevins and the statewide races that include three members of the Virginia Senate, Mark Obenshain and Mark Herring both running for Attorney General, and Ralph Northam running for Lieutenant Governor, the fragile 20-20 Senate split could change dramatically with the tie-breaking vote belonging to the Lieutenant Governor and parties jockeying to fill any vacant seats.

Regardless of the outcomes in November, we look forward to a successful and productive 2014 General Assembly session. In the coming months, we will be assessing Governor McDonnell’s final budget on key issues concerning natural resources.

VIRGINIAforever Awards and Recognitions

• VIRGINIAforever Board Member Dennis Treacy Receives Prestigious Award. The Institute for Environmental Negotiation (IEN) presented the Gerald P. McCarthy Award for Leadership in Environmental Conflict Resolution to Dennis Treacy, VIRGINIAforever board member and chief sustainability officer of Smithfield Foods. The institute presents the annual McCarthy Award to an individual, organization, local government, agency, educational institution or community member who demonstrates leadership in the effort to preserve and protect the Commonwealth’s environment; supports collaborative problem solving through actions, contributions or educational programs; and who is a role model to others for the resolution of environmental issues. IEN noted, “Treacy exemplifies these characteristics in his behind the scenes work to protect the environment through collaborative approaches.” The award was presented at the Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute graduation dinner on June 6 in Charlottesville.

• VIRGINIAforever Represented at Two High Profile Events. The good work of VIRGINIAforever has been recognized by leaders across the Commonwealth. VIRGINIAforever was invited to attend the Governor’s Environmental Leaders Reception at the Governor’s Mansion in July.  VIRGINIAforever chairman Bob Dunn, and VIRGINIAforever staff Mark Hubbard and Davis Rennolds, were among business and nonprofit leaders that enjoyed an evening with Governor McDonnell, Secretary of Natural Resources Doug Domenech, and other representatives from state agencies. View photos from the event here.  Bob also attended the Governor’s Nonprofit Leaders Reception, held at the Governor’s Mansion in June.

• VIRGINIAforever Inaugural Progress Report Receives Praise. The VIRGINIAforever Inaugural Progress Report received top honors at the 66th Annual Virginia Public Relations Society of America Awards ceremony. The report received the Award of Excellence in the publication category, which was presented at a dinner at the Jefferson Hotel on May 15 in Richmond. McGuireWoods Consulting, which submitted the award on VIRGINIAforever’s behalf, led the development, creative concept, and graphic design of the report. VIRGINIAforever chairman Bob Dunn attended the presentation along with VIRGINIAforever staff Ginny Boland and Mark Hubbard of McGuireWoods Consulting. For a copy of the report, click here.

VIRGINIAforever Development Campaign Aims to Increase Membership

VIRGINIAforever is making a strong push to increase our membership. We are in the process of identifying and inviting members from the Commonwealth’s corporate, environmental, agriculture and outdoor enthusiast communities to join VIRGINIAforever and become members of our general board.

Membership in VIRGINIAforever provides valuable exposure and opportunities for businesses and organizations, secures invitations to participate in VIRGINIAforever’s signature annual event and budget briefing meeting, and allows for networking with decision makers in the business and environmental communities. Most importantly, membership in VIRGINIAforeverenables the business and nonprofit community to speak with one voice in front of key decision makers at the General Assembly and advocate for land and water funding. With an increased membership, it is our hope that VIRGINIAforever will make an even greater impact on protecting and preserving our natural resources. Stay tuned for a list of new VIRGINIAforever members.

Gubernatorial Candidates to be Featured at VIRGINIAforever Signature Event on September 21

This year’s VIRGINIAforever signature event, the Bridge Builder Celebration, will feature Virginia’s two gubernatorial candidates, Ken Cuccinelli and Terry McAuliffe, as honored guests, providing insight into their environmental platforms. VIRGINIAforever will also honor Gerald P. McCarthy’s many years of service to the Virginia Environmental Endowment with the presentation of our Bridge Builder Award.

The event will be held September 21 at the Downtown Richmond Marriott. Each year, the event draws several hundred community, business and environmental leaders. VIRGINIAforever members and guests sponsor the event at various levels, and sponsorship opportunities are still available for this year’s event.

For more information, click here.

Member Spotlight: The Potomac Conservancy

The Potomac Conservancy, a new member of VIRGINIAforever, is an environmental non-profit dedicated to safeguarding the Potomac River and its tributaries, including the Shenandoah River. Often called “the Nation’s River,” the Potomac flows through Washington, D.C. and continues south to meet the Chesapeake Bay. The Potomac Conservancy’s primary focus is restoring water quality by advocating for sound policy on the local, state and federal level. The organization also supports land protection and restoration: Land protection conserves lands important to water quality with permanent conservation easements, thereby protecting water resources, forestland, wildlife habitat, and prime farm soils; and land restoration focuses on ecological improvements to land, including planting trees and shrubs, removing dams, and constructing rain gardens.

Hedrick Belin, president of the Potomac Conservancy, leads the organization’s initiatives to promote river-friendly land use and to expand the base of volunteers actively engaged in the stewardship of local green spaces. According to Belin, “Our conservation and policy successes have come through partnering with other non-profit and private sector organizations.  VIRGINIAforever shares this approach and shares our goal of increasing funding for important conservation programs throughout the Commonwealth.  We look forward to collaborating with and learning from the other member organizations as we fight for sufficient investments in Virginia’s natural resource heritage.”

The Potomac Conservancy’s programs aim to protect the water quality, scenic landscapes, and recreational opportunities along the Potomac River and its tributaries. Programs include working with landowners and local governments to protect and restore streamside areas through better stewardship, regulation, and outright purchase; advocating for long-term funding for water quality improvements, including land conservation; working to expand and improve the infrastructure necessary for better river access including boat ramps and access points, hiking, biking, equestrian trails, and campsites; serving as a clearinghouse to inform people about opportunities for high-quality outings and low-impact practices; and community outreach to enable the public to build deeper and longer-lasting relationships with the river.

To learn more about the Potomac Conservancy or to take action, visit http://www.potomac.org.

To nominate a member to be featured in our next e-newsletter, please email info@virginiaforever.org.