Western Virginia Land Trust

Conservation Celebration 2007
Sept. 23, 2007 / Rader Farm in Troutville

All are invited to come celebrate open space, clean air and fresh water at our annual Conservation Celebration on Sept. 23, 2007 from 4-7 pm at the Rader Farm on Rt. 11 in Troutville. This will be a wonderful event that will help recognize and celebrate conservation of our valuable land.

The Raders placed a conservation easement on the 222-acre farm in 2005, and also placed an easement on their nearby family homeplace in 2006.

The festivities will include live bluegrass music from The Craig County Boys, a barbecue dinner by Blue Ridge Catering, the presentation of the second annual A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Award, a live auction of an original landscape painting by local artist Ann Glover, and a book signing by local outdoors author and conservation easement donor Bruce Ingram. Story Photo

Lanier and Thecla Frantz of New Castle will receive this year's Vic Thomas Award. Lanier is a Craig County outdoorsman, and he and Thecla were the first landowners 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.

We are pleased to announce that Conservation Partners, LLC, is underwriting this year’s event. Conservation Partners consults with landowners and their professional advisors throughout the complex process of donating conservation easements and preparing and registering high-quality land preservation tax credits. Conservation Partners was formed to help Virginians realize the benefits of land conservation, and provides comprehensive support services to conservation easement donors, conservation professionals, and purchasers of high-quality land preservation tax credits.

Last year’s Conservation Celebration in Montgomery County brought more than 125 people together. Former State Senator Madison Marye received the first annual Vic Thomas award in recognition of his and wife Charlotte’s conservation easement on their farm on the Elliston Straightaway, and Senator Marye’s work to uphold private property rights in the General Assembly.

Tickets for this year’s Land Trust fundraiser are just $35 per person if purchased by Sept. 14, 2007, or $40 at the gate. Children under 12 are free. Current Land Trust members will receive a special invitation in the mail. Non-members can send a check for $35 per person to Western Virginia Land Trust, 722 First St. SW, Suite L, Roanoke, VA 24016, attn: Celebration. Tickets will be held at the gate for everyone whose payment is received in the Land Trust office by Sept. 14. After that date, tickets will be $40 and may be purchased at the door only.

This promises to be a wonderfully exciting event and we hope to see everyone there!