Western Virginia Land Trust

2006 Strategic Plan

The A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Award

What is a Land Trust?

A land trust is a community-based, private, non-profit organization formed to help protect local lands important to the quality of life and environmental health of their regions. A land trust works to encourage balanced community development and to save important local landscapes – the natural and cultural features that define a community’s character and identity.

What is the Western Virginia Land Trust?

The Western Virginia Land Trust was formed in 1996 as western Virginia's regional land trust. WVLT works to preserve our region's unique scenic, historic, agricultural, recreational and natural features. While we served 23 counties (10,000 square miles) for a number of years, we refocused our efforts in 2003 to the ten counties of Bedford, Botetourt, Carroll, Craig, Floyd, Franklin, Henry, Montgomery, Patrick and Roanoke.

By educating landowners, elected officials, businesses and the general public we encourage respect for the environment and arrange voluntary conservation easements that protect land forever. WVLT’s educational activities help landowners make informed decisions about how various land conservation options can affect their estate planning, taxes, and the future of their land.

We are proud to partner with the Virginia Outdoors Foundation in the process of helping landowners place voluntary conservation easements on their land, as well as our neighboring land trusts: The New River Land Trust in Blacksburg, The Valley Conservation Council in Staunton and the newly formed Central Virginia Conservancy in Lynchburg.

Our Mission Statement:

Promoting the conservation of western Virginia's natural resources- - farms, forests, waterways and rural landscapes.

Goals:

To educate landowners and professionals about conservation easements.
To promote, through sound estate planning, the retention of family lands critical to preserving our rural landscapes
To assist local, state and federal partners in the preservation of critical conservation lands
To encourage land use planning which recognizes the importance of preserving our rural landscapes
To encourage land development which minimizes impacts on the environment and creates sustainable communities
To promote best management practices on agriculture and forestry

Priority Places:

Family Farms
Rivers, Streams and Watersheds
Blue Ridge Parkway Viewsheds
Ridgetops and Mountainsides
Greenways and Trails, including the Appalachian Trail

Officers:

James L. Kermes, President; Janet Scheid, Vice President; Gary R. Duerk, Treasurer; Lucy R. Ellett, Secretary

Board of Trustees:

Elizabeth H. Belcher, Richard P. Chaffin, Lynn M. Davis, William M. Hackworth, Robert H. Hunt, Anne M. Jennings, Karen O. Jones, George A. Kegley, Laura B. Logan, Sarah L. Ludwig, David N. Maxson, Lynn H. Meyer, John W. Rader, Sr., James M. Turner, Jr., J. Richard Wells, and C. Cooper Youell, IV

Advisory Council:

Liza T. Field, Talfourd H. Kemper, Robert B. Lambeth, Jr., Barbara B. Lemon, Stephen R. Lemon, Jeanne M. Martin, Howard C. Packett, John B. Williamson, Jr., and Clifton A. Woodrum, III

The A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Award

The A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Award, given annually by the Western Virginia Land Trust, recognizes those who have made significant contributions to the preservation of the natural heritage of western Virginia. The award’s namesake, the late conservationist Vic Thomas, was a Roanoke native and a 30-year member of the House of Delegates. Among his achievements during his tenure in the General Assembly were the passage of a bill enabling the state to purchase the 8,500 acre Big Survey tract in Wythe County (championed by WVLT), as well as successfully spearheading the effort to include a hunting and fishing rights amendment in the state constitution.

The Vic Thomas Award is presented annually at WVLT's fall Conservation Celebration benefit. A special committee of Land Trust board members and volunteers selects the recipient. For more information on the award or to submit a nomination, call the Land Trust at (540) 985-0000 or e-mail rholnback@westernvirginialandtrust.org.

2007 Recipients--Lanier and Thecla Frantz, New Castle, VA

Lanier Frantz is a Craig County outdoorsman and the first landowner to donate a conservation easement in Southwest Virginia. Lanier and Thecla’s 1,162-acre property is also one of the largest pieces of land under easement in Southwest Virginia. The Frantz’s farm was the first west of the Blue Ridge to embrace the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and property owners’ cooperative program designed to manage deer for quality wildlife. In addition to making wildlife habitat improvements, Lanier and Thecla have opened their farm to training sessions on deer management. In 2006, Lanier received a Forestry Award from the Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District for managing his farm for forestry, wildlife and agriculture for more than 45 years. In 1986, he was selected for the Soaring Hall of Fame.

2006 Recipient--Madison E. Marye, Elliston, VA

Former State Senator Madison E. Marye and his wife Charlotte protected their 562-acre family farm on the Elliston Straightaway with a conservation easement in 2004 with assistance from WVLT. “You should put your deed where your mouth is,” said Marye of his conservation easement, which allows construction of a few homes on the property but otherwise permanently prohibits development of the rolling pastures and woodlands. “I hope I’ve set an example.” Marye served 21 years as an Army officer and 29 years in the Virginia General Assembly. While in the General Assembly, Marye was a strong supporter of property rights, and helped to revamp Virginia’s eminent domain laws.