The Rappahannock River in Caroline County
Written by Jamal Childs
The Virginia Land Conservation Foundation (VLCF) is celebrating a significant milestone—25 years of conserving Virginia’s diverse landscapes. Over the past quarter-century, the foundation has awarded grants for 356 conservation projects throughout the state to protect over 156,000 acres, contributing to the preservation of Virginia’s natural beauty and heritage.
Established in 1999 by the General Assembly and the governor, the VLCF was created to support the protection of Virginia’s wildlife and natural resources. The foundation’s grant program funds projects in five key categories: farmland preservation, forestland preservation, historic area preservation, natural area preservation, and open spaces and parks. In recognition of its 25th anniversary, the VLCF is highlighting 25 projects—five from each category—that exemplify the successful land preservation efforts achieved by state, local, tribal and nonprofit partners.
Story map legend of farmlands, forestlands, historic areas, natural areas and open spaces and park preservation.
(Farmland: Red, Forestland: Green, Historical area: Orange, Natural area: Yellow and Open spaces and Parks: Blue.)
Celebrating 25 Years of Success
To mark its 25th anniversary, the VLCF is showcasing 25 standout projects that reflect the diverse and impactful conservation work supported by the foundation. These projects highlight the collaborative efforts of various partners working together to preserve Virginia’s farmland, forests, historic areas, natural landscapes and open spaces.
Among the highlighted projects are initiatives that have protected vital farmland from development, safeguarded forests for future generations, preserved areas of historical and cultural significance, conserved natural habitats for wildlife and created open spaces and parks for public enjoyment. Each project represents a unique contribution to the conservation of Virginia’s rich environmental and cultural heritage.
Mattaponi River, in King William County VA
Funding Conservation Across Virginia
The VLCF provides grants to support the purchase of permanent conservation easements, open spaces and parklands, lands of historical or cultural significance, farmlands, forests and natural areas. Eligible recipients of these grants include state agencies, local governments, public bodies and registered tax-exempt nonprofit organizations. These grants are typically awarded to cover up to 50% of total project costs, although state agencies may receive up to 100% funding.
The foundation manages the Virginia Land Conservation Fund, which is financed through the state’s annual budget. The foundation and grants are directed by a board chaired by the secretary of Natural and Historic Resources. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) offers staff and administrative support, ensuring the smooth operation of the grant program. An interagency task force is responsible for reviewing and recommending grant applications to the VLCF, ensuring that awards are granted based on specific criteria defined in each conservation category.
The Rappahannock River in Caroline County
A Legacy of Conservation
The VLCF’s efforts over the past 25 years have made a lasting impact on Virginia’s landscapes, ensuring that future generations can enjoy the state’s natural beauty and historical sites. The foundation’s grant program has enabled the preservation of thousands of acres of land, contributing to the state’s environmental sustainability and quality of life.
For those interested in exploring the foundation’s work in more detail, the VLCF has created a story map that provides an interactive overview of the 25 highlighted projects. This story map offers a visual and informative journey through Virginia’s conservation successes, showcasing the significant achievements of the VLCF and its partners.
As the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary, it continues to look forward to a future of ongoing conservation efforts. With the support of dedicated partners and the continued commitment to preserving the Commonwealth’s natural and cultural resources, the VLCF remains a cornerstone of land conservation in Virginia.
Applications for the FY25 VLCF grant round are now accepted until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 28, 2024. A total of $13,549,172 is available for grant funding. Visit Virginia DCR’s Grant Management Portal to apply for the program. More information is on Virginia DCR’s VLCF page. If you have any questions, please contact Suzan Bulbulkaya at [email protected].
Image credit:
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Lightning Update is a regular communication of the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership. Any opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect positions of the Partnership or member organizations.
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Support for the Chesapeake Conservation Partnership is provided by:
National Park Service Chesapeake
EPA Chesapeake Bay Program
USDA Forest Service
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation & Natural Resources
Maryland Department of Natural Resources
Virginia Outdoors Foundation
US Fish & Wildlife Service
Chesapeake Conservancy
The Chesapeake Conservation Partnership is co-convened by:
