Haym, the official spokescat of Sustainability Matters, posing with soon-to-be removed Japanese stiltgrass.

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDHARRISONBURG, VA

PERMIT NO. 75

Partnering for SuccessWhen Valley Conservation

Council was founded in 1990, its members

envisioned a region where natural resources, cultural heritage, and agricultural vitality would be supported by land use that sustains these resources and a rural way of life. Since then, VCC has helped facilitate the protection of tens of thousands of acres and countless miles of rivers and streams, while also engaging in outreach to ensure that development is planned carefully and in such a way as to benefit our communities. To achieve these goals, VCC has often partnered with local conservation organizations. In 2018, several of these groups came together to create a new regional nonprofit, Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley.

Formed through the merger of four long-standing local organizations, the Alliance combined the resources and expertise of these nonprofits to create a larger organization dedicated

to the vision of rural landscapes, clean waterways, and thriving communities throughout the Shenandoah Valley. With a shared vision for the future of the Shenandoah Valley, VCC and the Alliance bring different—and complementary—sets of conservation tools and approaches.

Tapping into the potential of strong partnerships to achieve shared goals in land conservation and clean water, VCC joined several fellow conservation partners in the Shenandoah Valley Conservation Collaborative in 2017-2018. Convened by the Alliance and its predecessors, the Collaborative brings together like-minded organizations to strategically accelerate the rate of land conservation in our region. To date, our Collaborative has developed, reviewed, and refined a regional conservation strategy that aims to provide additional protections to our waterways while simultaneously helping agricultural producers to

implement these protections in an economically sustainable way. The Alliance provides the organizational support for these efforts, while VCC and fellow land trusts provide the “boots on the ground” to work with landowners and place permanent protections on priority lands.

The Alliance has also worked to develop funding proposals that combine the goals of nonprofit, local, state, and federal partners and attract some of the resources so critically needed to achieve our shared vision. This new collaboration builds on a long history of successful conservation partnerships in the Shenandoah Valley, and VCC believes that strategic partnerships, such as the Shenandoah Valley Conservation Collaborative, are key to securing a future of working farm and forest land, clean streams and rivers, protected cultural landscapes, and strong communities.

Board of Directors2019Steve ClintonCHAIRMAN

Anna LawsonVICE CHAIRMAN

David FullerTREASURER

Mark BattinAbbie CutterEric FitzgeraldChuck HornFulton Sensabaugh

VCC StaffScott KellyACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Emily BenderOUTREACH & STEWARDSHIP COORDINATOR

Genevieve GossUPPER JAMES PROGRAM MANAGER

2 0 1 8 A N N U A L R E P O R T | C H A I R M A N ’ S L E T T E R

More than three centuries ago, Virginia’s Colonial Lieutenant Governor, Alexander Spotswood,

led an expedition into the Valley of Virginia for the purpose of “expediting settlement.” The 50-person party ascended the Blue Ridge at Swift Run Gap. Arriving at the summit, they were awestruck by the view that unfolded before them – “a magnificent scene rising and falling in undulating and picturesque lines...interrupted only by the majestic walls of the Massanuttens and Alleghanies.”

The history of the expedition records that “few words were spoken by anyone, as … the great beauty of the land gave rise to profound emotions which found no utterance.”

Surveying the panorama fifteen hundred feet below his vantage point, Spotswood gathered his composure and turned and said, “They call me a visionary, but what imagination ever conjured up a vision like that?”

Three centuries later, the Valley’s profound beauty remains, except today it is interrupted by not only the Massanuttens and Alleghenies, but by urban districts and suburban sprawl.

Three centuries later, we can still be struck silent by the majesty of the mountains and the serenity of the Valley, but the vantage points that offer that experience are becoming increasingly scarce.

Three centuries later, there is no need to “expedite settlement,” for the Valley of Virginia is being developed at a continuously accelerating pace.

Drawing from Spotswood, the need today is for visionaries with imagination. Visionaries who can help preserve open space, protect rivers and streams, and promote traditional agriculture, while still supporting responsible development.

The year 2018 marked the twenty-ninth year that Valley Conservation Council has responded to that need, with a Mission and Vision that embrace the three imperatives of open space, clean water, and

family agriculture, coupled with an understanding of the need for economic growth.

VCC’s accomplishments during 2018 demonstrate its crucial role as a guardian of the beauty that Spotswood found so astounding. Those accomplishments include:

• Preserved nearly 1,100 acres through new easements on five properties in three counties;

• Competed successfully for a much sought-after grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to protect water quality through riparian buffers and best management practices;

• Through outreach, collaboration, and cooperation, extended its leadership reach amongst other like-minded organizations throughout Virginia;

• Raised public awareness of its mission through participation in community events such as Kites ‘n’ Critters, Earth Day, Red Wing Roots, and the like

Perhaps the most noteworthy event of 2018 was Mr. John Sweet’s generous donation to VCC of his Family Farm in Highland County. The transfer in fee simple title of this beautiful 400-acre property marks a turning point for VCC’s operations, and an unparalleled opportunity for its future. It is a landmark event in VCC’s venerable history.

VCC has traditionally had a bias toward being in the outdoors; that is, conducting field work and working directly with landowners. But we recognize the need for effective administration and compliance with professional standards of practice. Thus, during 2018 we submitted our application for land trust accreditation by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission of the Land Trust Alliance. As this Annual Report goes to press, we have been notified that we did indeed receive accreditation with the Commission, and we are now an accredited Land Trust! This is a wonderful commentary on VCC’s standing among its peers,

and a real tribute to the professionalism of its staff, past and present. We are now well into our 2019 Plan Year. We entered the year with “Growth” in mind — Growth in:

• The number of easements that we hold (the number at the end of 2018 was 51);

• The size of our board;• The number of counties in which we

are active;• The public visibility of our operations; and• Our philanthropic standing

As you will hear at our Annual Meeting on October 13, progress toward each of these goals has been gratifying.

At the opening of this report, we left Lieutenant Governor Spotswood in a jaw-drop moment in 1716 overlooking the Great Valley. He and his fellow riders descended into the Valley, spent a few days partying and toasting the King, the Royal Family, friends and relatives, and “anyone else they could think of…” (They had with them “all the liquor that they could carry…”), and returned to Williamsburg with enthusiastic reports of the natural splendor they had viewed from Swift Run Gap.

You can still go there. It’s where U.S. 33 breaks through the Blue Ridge escarpment. And you will still see essentially the same view that Spotswood saw, albeit “interrupted,” as noted earlier. But the invariant orientation of the mountains and the verdant stretch of the Valley still dominate the view and delight the psyche. It is VCC’s earnest hope and immutable goal to ensure that this be the case for generations to come.

Stephen ClintonDaleville, Virginia21 July 2019

A N N U A L R E P O R T

The war against invasives isn’t an easy one to win, but Sari Carp, a former business school professor who now spends

much of her time managing the new nonprofit Sustainability Matters, has embraced the effort wholeheartedly. She bought her Shenandoah County property, upon which VCC holds a riparian conservation easement, in 2015, with a vision toward restoring the property to native habitat. Since then, she has been tirelessly working to eradicate invasive vines, shrubs, and grasses, planting native species in their place.

While some of her native plantings have succumbed to deer browse, others, including river birch (Betula nigra) and eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis), have thrived, helping to stabilize stream banks and shade out non-native

competition. Her efforts to eradicate Japanese

stiltgrass (Microstegium viminium) have been

aided by a proliferation of jewelweed (Impatiens

capensis), a native to North America. “The

jewelweed seems to outcompete the stiltgrass, so

I’m hopeful,” notes Carp.

While the war isn’t over, evidence of small

victories can be found throughout the easement.

A canopy once choked by invasive vines is now

more open, allowing sunshine to filter through

to a vibrant bed of Virginia bluebells each spring.

Native trees and shrubs that would barely qualify

as twigs when they were planted just a few years

ago are now chest-high and growing taller by the

day. Carp’s vision of an invasive-free property is

closer to reality than ever before.

Looking out over the Shenandoah Valley, working farms stretch as far as the eye can see, essential to growing the food

we eat and supporting the rural landscape

we love. Since its establishment in 1990,

VCC has been instrumental in working with

Valley farmers to ensure that this landscape

is preserved for future generations, but in

many cases, these farmers have been unable

to afford placing permanent protections on

the lands they love. This financial burden has

been a significant obstacle to ensuring long-

term conservation.

With this in mind, VCC in 2018 completed

work on an innovative program, funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), that provided Valley farmers with financial support to offset the costs of permanently protecting their land and the waters that run through it. Partnering with farmers to conserve over six miles of waterways in Augusta and Rockingham County, the program was a resounding success. At the close of the year, VCC received word from NFWF that we have been awarded a $200,000 Small Watershed Grant that builds upon the success of the earlier grant. It’s the largest NFWF grant awarded to VCC and will broaden its scope to include a larger area and the development

of Nutrient Management Plans and Resource Management Plans.

Members of VCC’s staff have already begun meeting with landowners who might benefit from this opportunity, and we hope to protect at least an additional thousand acres of land and ten miles of rivers and streams through the program. We’re currently seeking farm applications to help us meet this goal, so if you or someone you know would like to participate, be sure to call our office for more details. Protecting the Valley’s farms is critical to its vitality, and we’re excited to continue this important work!

Native Habitat Restoration Continues on VCC Easement

Meet the New Board Members

Chuck Horn has been in the farming business for 30 years raising turkeys, broilers and dairy heifers. Along with his wife and two children, he owns

and operates Delta Spring Farm. He’s an active contributor to the community, having served on the Farm Credit of the Virginias Board of Directors, the Virginia Poultry Federation Board, the FSA County Committee and the Augusta Petroleum Cooperative Board. He sees land protection as an integral piece to the future of productive agriculture.

A retired banker from Hampton Roads, David Fuller and his wife Cindy relocated to the Valley in 2007. A graduate of Hamden-Sydney College, David has

been involved in charitable and non-profit organizations for his entire career. He is the founding chairman of Friends of the Middle River and has been a VCC member for several years. He and Cindy care deeply about land and river conservation and their property in Verona is under riparian easement with VCC.

Grant Supports Water Quality Protections

Haym, the official spokescat of Sustainability Matters, posing with soon-to-be removed Japanese stiltgrass.

17 BARRISTERS ROW n STAUNTON, VA 24401-4225

540.886.3541

info@valleyconservation.org

valleyconservation.org

A N N U A L R E P O R T

Expenses$247,179

86 %

Programs

10 %

Administrative

4 %

Fundraising

44 %

Donations

42 %

Grants

18 %

Special Events

-4 %

Investments

Income$249,628

Copies of our financial statements and IRS forms 990 are available upon request.

Financial OverviewYEAR ENDED 12-31-2018 (UNAUDITED)

FEE SIMPLE PROPERTY DONORJohn Sweet

EASEMENT DONORSAnonymous – VCC HeldBear Garden – VOF HeldFort Lewis Farms, LP –

VCC HeldBart and Christine Johnson –

VOF HeldMarc and Eileen Read –

VCC HeldMartin and Kathleen

Simmons – VCC HeldDaniel Truxell – VCC Held

VALLEY GUARDIAN $5,000 AND ABOVEAnonymousFred and Christine AndreaeBowman and Abbie CutterFort Lewis Farm, LPLaurie Landeau FoundationGeorge and Manci OhrstromShenandoah Medical ImagingMartin and Kathleen

SimmonsNaomi SmithButch Snow and

Melody TennantJohn Sweet

VALLEY STEWARD $1,000 TO $4,999Karin BanksHick Cleve and Rae HickmanStephen and Kathleen ClintonPeter and Faye CooperPhil and Bec DeemerLarry DuncanJames and Yvonne FloryKent and Ellen FordDavid and Cindy FullerGE FoundationJo GriswoldLisa HamiltonRandy and Rossie HutchesonScott KellyRoger KirbyTom and Anna LawsonMartin and Linda Lightsey

Bill and Lisa MooreSusan Wilson and

Bernard OdaszTom and Sally ParsonsAllen and Erica PerrelRenaissance Stone MasonryLaura RevitzRoanoke CementJim and Celia RuttBob and Liz SchreiberJeff Shingleton and

Chris LegoDaniel TruxellThe Westchester FoundationThe William F. and Karin M.

Banks Foundation

VALLEY SETTLER $500 TO $999Robert Bass and Moira

RaffertyJoan and David BerensonBlack Bear ProductionsBotkinRose PLCPeter DalkeLee Elliott and Bill JonesW. T. Francisco, Jr.Rod and Victoria GranberryThomas LockhartPres and Jane ManningJoe and Liz McCueAmory and Ann MellenLucile MillerMillerCoorsLewis and Gayle MoorePhil and Cheri MoranDorothy Duval NelsonMike Pelton and Tamra WillisRussell ShayC.J. Steuart and

Marie ThomasWick and Betty VellinesGreg and Valerie Weaver

VALLEY PIONEER $100 TO $499AnonymousRob Alexander and

Chip BrownHoward ArmfieldBob and Kathy ArrowsmithSuzanne AuckermanAugusta Bird Club

Augusta Garden ClubBrian and Jennifer BallStevens and BarchasMark and Sugie BattinNorman and Sara BellDon and Juliana BennerLouis BlairThe Blue Ridge Garden ClubMark BotkinSusan R. BowenKen and Diana BrasfieldLee and Linda BrauerStanley BrightDick and Mindy BrooksRobbie BrownLissy BryanReese Bull and

Pamela PatrickEddie Bumbaugh and

Jane CoxSherry and Forbes ButtrickJimmy and Debbie CallisonJane and Davis CangalosiTed and Katie CatheyMatt and Linda CauleyBarry and Isabelle ChewningDorothy and Bob ChildersRick ChittumKim and Shay ClantonDonald and Candida ClarkPhil ClaytonRobert and Dorothy ConnellyConservation PartnersPhilip Coulling and

Sandra HaysletteRandy and Mary CovingtonBo CutterDoug and Martha DegenDevils Backbone Brewing

CompanyDonald and Diana HopkinsBruce and Olimpia DorriesDutch Hollow Cattle Co.Ernie EcholsBob EgglestonEugenia Anderson-Ellis and

Howard EllisJohn and Kathryn FairfieldRick and Cheryl FauerbachGregory Faust and

Paulyn HeinmillerPhyllis and Fred FevrierFirst Bank

Robert FloryBill and Gloria FlournoyCarolyn FordDiane FosnochtFosnocht Family FundArt and Kathy FovargueChristian FoxBill and Kathy FrazierFriendly City Food Co-OpSally FultonMegan GallagherDaniel M. and Virginia B.

GanoKevin and Lisa GiovanettiGlenmore FoundationJohn and Genevieve GossLes and Joni GradyJohn Gunner and Leslie AyersDavid and Susan GuyreHarriet HangerElliott and Terrell HarriganBill and Kathleen HeatwoleKaren HembreeMargaret HendersonHarry and Laura HoganMark and Sara HollbergMartha T. IrvinScott Jost and Kathy HolmPaul Kazarov and Barbara

WhippleKen Keller and Susan

Blair GreenKenneth KellyJim and Trish LaGruaJames D. Lawrence, Jr. and

Sue SimmondsJ.A. and Ann LaymanFrank and Beth LengelBill and Lynn LimpertCarolyn and Larry LongHarry and Beth LumadueNick and Linda MacNeilThe Honorable and Mrs.

Everett MartinJerry and Lu McCarthyNancy McDanielElizabeth McInnisEdward T. McMahonBrenda and Robert MeadG. Otis Mead IIIJohn and Maggie MillerHugh MillerJohn and Kathryn Mirabella

Jerome and Susan MoniotJonathan Monroe and Andrea

PesceMatthew MorganSusie MosesGrigg and Cindy MullenJoe Murray and Anne BryanMyers and Woods Appraisal

Group Inc.Network for GoodPaul and Marlene OttoBill and Kathy PainterBarton PakullJohn Pancake and Ann OlsonDonna PangburnJim and Carol PhemisterEd PickettTim and Lynn PistellSteve and Julie PlumbleyGreg and Becky PorterDavid and Karen PughGerald and Nancy PyleDon and Judi RaceEnos RichardsonDianne SanfordAl and Phyllis SaufleyBill SaxmanPeyton SchreiberRik and Ruth SchwendemanAlan and Katha SeacordHarry ShannonSarah SherwoodRoller and Jerry Lynn

ShipplettNatasha and Jason SkeltonJamie and Alison SmallCol. Hugh B. Sproul, IIIAnn Pontius and Mike StahlCraig and Belinda StevensNancy StevensonJane and William TalbottLeo and Judy TammiGerald and Jo TennantJohn and Linda ThorntonWayt and Mary TimberlakeBill TrenaryJudith R. TrumboBill Veno and Aubyn BarstromDan WachspressHarry and Sis WarnerHugh and Connie WestfallPamela WiegandtBruce and Jane Wiggins

We extend our sincere gratitude to the individuals, corporations, foundations, and government agencies listed below for their generous support in 2018.

A N N U A L R E P O R T

John and Marilee Williamson

Bill and Lang WilsonRobert and Helen WiseRich and Beth Young

VALLEY EXPLORER UP TO $99AnonymousA. K. Smiley Public LibraryIlse AckermanPeter and Betsy Agelasto, IIISharon AngleDave and Patty ArnoldBob and Amanda AveryLee Ann BeamBill BlakeyPaul Borzelleca and Maria

HobsonNancy BourneWilliam BowmanPete and Nell BoyleBill and Emily BranscomeBarbara BrothersNan BrownMark and Dottie BrunsJudy BurtnerBrownie and Dana Porter

CarsonMarsden and Bobbie

ChampaignPat ChurchmanSarah ClaytonRalph and Judy CohenMary Hill ColeBrandon Collins and Judy

MosedaleJoan ComanorJim and Lucinda CookeGeorge A. Coyner, IICandace CrosbyHarry and Beverley CrosbyPeggy CrossonPeggy C. DavisLouis Dolive and Ruth

ArnoldMimi ElrodWalter & Marynell EylesDon and Mary FaulknerDenis FinneganRaymond and Barbara

FirehockWalter FloraMary McGuire GilliamThomas GilmoreWarren D. GolightlyBud and Pattie GoodDonald HasfurtherRoger HolnbackStephen and Sara Howlett

Curtis and Carolyn Humphris, Jr.

Charles and Mary HuppuchPhil Hyre and Daphne RazJerry and Glenda JacksonJan and Leonard JarrardRoger and Sylvia JeansGeorge and Louise KegleyMaureen K. KellyDiane KentBecky KohlerKrogerBrynn KusicLands Trails and Parks

ConsultingJohn and Bizzy LaneEric and Susan LaserRobert LeMondLinda R. LivickSandy LongRod and Karen LorenceJoy Loving and Lloyd PollittMichael Anne LynnMs. Saundra Vigilante

MartisMargie Maust and

Sandy BahrAnn D. McMillanLaura McMillanGee and Mary Ellen McVeyJanice McWilliamsDave and Debbie MetzTara MillerBetty MitchellJim and Bess MurrayRoss and Muffie NewellDennis and Bonnie NielsonBob and Mary Beirne NuttJoseph and Marcia

ObenshainDavid and Kathryn OlsonDon, Amy and Acadia OwenBonnie J. PainterMatthew and Mary Raine

PaxtonWayne and Ramona PenceDave and Sandra PetersDavid and Jordan PhemisterBarbara and Jeffrey PhillipsBob PingryBill and Betsy PollardBob and Barbara PriddyHoward and June RatcliffeBetty RedmondFaye RichardsonRodger and Susan RinehartPeggy and Bill RobersonRockbridge Area

Conservation CouncilRichard W. RollerBob and Missy Ruth

Darlene SchneckPeter Sellar and Laurie

GundersenEric and Elise SheffieldR. Tucker ShieldsDavid and Barbara ShueHenry SimpsonDustin Skelton and Chelsea

TurnerJack and Susan SmithTom and Joyce SmithJeffrey SnowRandy and Nancy SorrellsSusan StickerWalker and Sandra StuartRoss and Jane TestermanColin ThomasKathy Belcher and Joe

Thompson, Jr.Babette Thorpe and John

RiceDerek A. and Pauline H.

TidmanDoris TrueNancy IrvineSusan VaughanJeff and Sally WaldonWilliam WatsonBen and Carol WeddleJohn and Georgia WheelerWin WinfreeChris Wise and Laura NealeKate and Jeb WoffordBill and Kim Woodwell

IN KINDAndrew and Melissa BenderSandy GreeneMorgan-Miles Picture

Frames

We couldn’t have succeeded without these volunteers who gave so generously of their time in 2018:Mark BattinSugie BattinEmily BenderJeremy BenderAndrew BollingerMark BotkinOlivia CarsonSteve ClintonFaye CooperPeter CooperAbbie CutterBowman CutterJacob DavidsonJacqueline DiFulvioLee Elliot

Eric Fitzgerald

Carolyn Ford

Megan Ford

John Goss

Donna Henderson

Mary Hodges

Ryan Hodges

Sara Hollberg

Charlie Huppuch

Elizabeth Jaufmann

Bill Jones

Kurt Kunze

Anna Lawson

Joe McCue

Brenda Mead

Alex Moore

Chris Moore

Cheri Moran

Phil Moran

Hunter Moss

Sally Parsons

Tom Parsons

Dave Pugh

Judi Race

Grace Rice

Bob Schreiber

Liz Schreiber

Butch Snow

John Sweet

Melody Tennant

Rosemary Thomas

Jim Tompkins

Pat Tompkins

Betty Vellines

Wick Vellines

These partner organizations collaborated with us to further conservation in the Valley:Alliance for the

Shenandoah Valley

Augusta Bird Club

Botetourt Community

Partnership

Bridgewater College,

Department of Biology

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Down River Canoe

Company

Friends of the Middle River

Friends of the North Fork of

the Shenandoah River

Gloria’s Pupuseria

Headwaters Soil and Water

Conservation District

Land Trust Alliance

Lewis Creek Watershed

Advisory Committee

Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District

Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District

Natural Bridge Soil and Water Conservation District

Piedmont Environmental Council

Potomac ConservancyPure Water ForumRockbridge Area

Conservation CouncilSave Lucy the BatShenandoah County

Easement AuthorityShenandoah National

Park Trust Shenandoah Valley

Battlefield FoundationShenandoah Valley NetworkSustainability Matters Trout UnlimitedUpper James RC&DVirginia Department of

Conservation and Recreation

Virginia Department of Forestry

Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries

Virginia Master Naturalists Headwaters Chapter

Virginia Outdoors Foundation

Virginia United Land Trusts

Grant funding for our Programs in 2018 was generously provided by the following:Agua FundAlliance for the Shenandoah

ValleyCommunity Foundation of

the Central Blue RidgeLand Trust AllianceNational Fish and Wildlife

FoundationNatural Bridge Soil and

Water Conservation District

Shenandoah Valley KiwanisShenandoah Valley Pure

Water ForumVirginia Environmental

EndowmentVirginia Land Conservation

Foundation

A N N U A L R E P O R T

VCC BY THE NUMBERSIn 2018, your support

enabled us to:

Accept over 1,000 acres of new conservation easements

Protect over 4 miles of streams and rivers through riparian buffers

Host or participate in more than 40 events throughout our region

Meet with over 50 landowners to discuss conservation on their properties

Attend over 20 trainings to maintain staff expertise

Annual Meeting & Conservation Celebration

October 13, 2019 • 4-7pmVerona, VA • Details coming soon

Save the Date!

This newly named blue crayfish (Cambarus fetzneri) was recently discovered on a VCC-protected property!