Winter 2021

Land Savers WINTER 2021-2022 | Vol. 24, Issue 2

L.J. Toler ensures “no gas stations” on Pittsylvania County farm “Campaign for the Conservancy” will provide home for land conservation Conservation Celebration honors Mill Mountain Garden Club from on high

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We protect the lands and waters you love, forever.

FROM THE DIRECTOR

BOARD OF TRUSTEES Ann Bondurant Trinkle, President Robert C. Mountcastle, President-Elect Ruth T. Dickerson, Treasurer Fiona M. Tower, Secretary A. Sidney Barritt III, MD Dominic M. Basile Maureen McNamara Best Helen A. Burnett William Hunley Sonja A. Ingram Lowell F. Inhorn, MD David C. Jones, DDS Wendy W. Kendrick Susan E. McSwain

ADVISORY COUNCIL Helen A. Burnett Broaddus Fitzpatrick William Hunley Lowell F. Inhorn, MD Janet Scheid

STAFF David C. Perry, Executive Director Emily R.H. Bender, Assistant Director Tina L. Badger, Project Manager Kate K. Glass, Stewardship Manager Meredith Keppel, Land Conservation Specialist James C. “Chris” Holdren, Southern VA Program Manager Jennifer Wills, Central Virginia Program Manager

The Lemon House 1305 Maple Avenue SW Roanoke, VA 24016 540-985-0000 blueridgelandconservancy.org

Dave Perry

At times I find myself quietly singing the chorus to that Queen song, “I’m Going Slightly Mad,” like some kind of mantra. It was that kind of summer and fall. My wife broke her ankle while we were on vacation at the beach in Delaware in June. That began an odyssey featuring a seven-and-a-half hour car ride home with a woman in the back seat whose broken foot was resting on the center console in the front seat; surgery and steel hardware; weeks and weeks of bed rest; casts, boots, crutches and walkers; and PT. The lesson learned is that mom, who works both in the home and out of it, really carries a load, and it took all the Perry Boys could muster to pick up the slack.

Then our longtime assistant director, Meagan Cupka, left us in September. A lot of experience and know-how walked out the front door of 1305 Maple Ave. And a friend. Shortly afterwards, our Central Virginia program manager, Alicia Jenkins, was forced to resign in order to focus on her number one priority, graduate school. We even got rear-ended in the company Prius on 81 in heavy traffic in Botetourt County in October. Oh, and that pesky COVID-19 pandemic not only lingered, but got worse. (At this point I’m asking, “Why does God hate me?”)

Despite all that, we still managed to move into a new office in July, hold an in-person Conservation Celebration atop Mill Mountain in October, and make great progress on wrapping up lots of conservation projects by the end of the year. We hosted school groups and monitored previously conserved properties. We completed our application for reaccreditation with the Land Trust Alliance. And we took a huge chunk out of our newlyannounced capital campaign, Campaign for the Conservancy (see page 8).

To quote another musical legend, George Harrison, “all things must pass.” I think the difficult months are behind us, and things are looking up again.

Our intern, Meredith Keppel, received a battlefield promotion to program assistant and did yeoman’s work in moving our many conservation easements along. Meredith really saved our collective bacon with her smarts and can-do attitude. Chris Holden with our Southern Virginia office, Stewardship Manager Kate Glass, Project Manager Tina Badger, and our board and volunteers all chipped in and did extra duty.

In November, Jennifer Wills joined us as our new Central Virginia program manager. You can read all about Jennifer and her thoughts on her new duties on page 4.

I’m also very pleased to announce, as perhaps my last piece of evidence that things are returning to normal, that Emily Bender has joined us this month as our new assistant director. A Roanoke native, Emily comes to us from Valley Conservation Council in Staunton. She brings a lot of real-world experience saving land, and we’re all excited to have her on board.

I’ve always said I’ve been blessed to have a job where I never had to work a single day.

The latter half of this year, it felt like work. But thanks to the people in and around this organization, we’ve made it through to the other side, and maybe a little better for it. I’m excited about the future of this outfit. I hope you are too.

David Perry Executive Director

TABLE OF CONTENTS

BRLC STAFF UPDATE

FALL 2021

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lue Ridge Land Conservancy is continuing to persevere through staff changes and is looking forward to onboarding our new Assistant Director, Emily Bender, in the coming weeks. Also recently added to staff, Meredith Keppel comes from George Mason University where she is in her final semester of an environmental science and sustainability studies degree. She has been doing much of the work to help incoming properties get the proper documentation to become an official conservation easement.

Meredith Keppel

During the past few months, the staff in the Lemon House have been hard at work forever protecting land in the Blue Ridge area. We are inching ever closer to our goal of 100 easements and will more than likely cross the threshold before the year is out! One of our most recent easements is a beautiful piece of land off I-81 in Roanoke County and, with its recordation, we have forever protected a piece of the public’s view of the Blue Ridge Mountains from the interstate.

As always, a HUGE thank you to our donors and volunteers who have helped to make the Lemon House home for us. We are so excited to see our mission find its home in Old Southwest!

E Emily Bender

mily Bender is excited to be joining the BRLC team as the Assistant Director in December 2021. Her career in land conservation started in January 2018 when she joined Valley Conservation Council as an intern. She joined the VCC team full time in May of 2018, most recently working as the Director of Land Protection. Emily looks forward to continuing to grow and expand on her experiences in this new role, and to get to know the landowners in Southwest Virginia.

Growing up in Roanoke and spending summers attending and eventually working at Camp Bethel (Fincastle, VA) shaped her love of the outdoors and determined her educational path. She also enjoyed exploring and learning about the landscapes of Australia during a semester abroad, in Richmond, NSW. She graduated from Bridgewater College in 2018 with a degree in Environmental Science.

In her free time Emily can be found taking care of and adding to her large house plant collection. She also enjoys participating in game nights with her close friends and husband, Jeremy. Emily and Jeremy currently live in Staunton with their two pet rabbits. They are planning to relocate to Roanoke in the near future and are looking forward to exploring the Roanoke Valley together.

Madelyn Stone, BRLC Summer Intern

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From the Director BRLC Updates

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Reports From the Field

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Forever a Family Farm

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Campaign for the Conservancy

10 Conservation Celebration Recap ABOUT THE COVER

Cover photo: A spring fed pond on the Toler property is forever protected.

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD A Note from

CENTRAL VIRGINIA LAND CONSERVANCY

By Jennifer Wills, Program Manager

Hello Land Savers community! I am the new program manager for CVaLC. I have lived in Lynchburg for seven and a half years, having relocated here to be near my family and to enjoy the outdoor access that we have here. I have a home office and will travel to properties in the region as well as visit our headquarters in Roanoke and our satellite office in Martinsville on occasion.

Being brand new, I’ve jumped in headfirst (that is the best way to do it!). To give you a flavor of what that is like, it involves learning new programs and databases like the Landscape software where we create maps, add photos, and develop the necessary documents for the easement. It involves getting out of the house and visiting landowners. I have visited two beautiful properties in the area so far: one to develop the Baseline Documentation Report, an essential part of the easement process. The BDR, as we call it, contains the Jennifer Wills information for the easement: the easement itself, photos of the property, a variety of maps, and land use history, among other things.

Another was an initial visit where we visited the property and talked to the owner about his interests in granting an easement. We have developed an initial site visit checklist to help those visits go smoothly and collect information we will need to evaluate the property in light of our mission, goals, resources, and of course, the conservation values of the property. I’m learning about the structure of the organization, its leadership and the recent growth that has occurred. One key part of the leadership of the organization is the CVaLC advisory committee, and we will be meeting soon to discuss plans for 2022. Some of those plans will include fundraising (for CVaLC to continue its important work) and creating awareness around conservation easements in central Virginia.

We hope you join us on this journey as we raise the awareness of CVaLC’s work in central Virginia! Please reach out if you’d like to volunteer or have questions about what we do. I can be reached at jwills@cvalc.org or (434) 942-4320.

Happy holidays!

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A Note from

SOUTHWEST VIRGINIA LAND CONSERVANCY

By Chris Holdren, Program Manager

Chris Holdren

As we near the end of the year the SVALC would like to wish everyone a safe and Happy Holiday season. We have been focusing on completing all our easements that we currently have in the works and with that being said by press time should have another beautiful farm located in Charlotte County, VA preserved for future generations. We would also like to announce that we have set a date for our first landowner meeting for the winter. It will be held at the Old Dominion Agricultural Complex in Chatham, Virginia from 6:00 to 7:30 on December 16th 2021. Although this meeting is located in Pittsylvania County any landowner that is interested in learning more about conservation easements are welcome to attend. Other meetings will be scheduled throughout the SVALC region so please keep spreading the word about our conservation efforts throughout the Southern VA region.

Please contact Chris Holdren, Program Manager with the Southern Virginia Land Conservancy at choldren@svalc.org or 276-224-6489 for any information on placing your property under a Conservation Easement

You can help save land by making a gift to support your local land conservancy by December 3 1 !

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by Madelyn Stone n Pittsylvania County, there are 75 acres of untouched farmland.

These 75 acres belong to L.J. Toler. This farm has been in her family for generations since the 1800s and will continue to stay in good hands, thanks to a conservation easement on the property which L.J. donated to the Southern Virginia Land Conservancy in 2020.

L.J. is unsure how her family acquired the farm in Pittsylvania County, but it has been a large part of her life since childhood.

She grew up in the nearby small town of Chatham and visited the farm frequently to see her grandparents. She recalls having very fond memories of spending time on the farm doing numerous different activities from picking strawberries to looking at the farm peacocks.

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The main crop of the farm was tobacco, which spanned many acres. L.J.’s grandfather also had large plots of strawberries and vegetables which L.J. recalls to have always had a good harvest.

As far as livestock, chicken and peacocks were of the plenty as well as two mules by the names of “Pat” and “Lightning.” At one point, L.J had her very own donkey by the name of “Suzie.”

Her grandfather used the mules to help harvest tobacco. After he and the farm hands picked the tobacco they would place the leaves in the sled carried by the mules. L.J. can recall how her grandpa would pick her up and let her ride the donkeys as they pulled along the tobacco sled.

L.J. Toler

“The view will never be bothered by a gas station” —L.J. Toler

Jessie Haile Self, L.J’s grandfather, and his collie Major

Growing up L.J. spent a great deal of time outdoors with her grandparents at the farm. As she grew up and went to college she began to learn more about conservation and the environment. She attended University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she wrote an environmental column for the Daily Tar Heel. Writing the column and taking environmental courses helped her grow as an environmentalist.

L.J. took ownership of the land in 2015 after a long family history. As an only child, she co-owned the property with her cousin and at the time the total property was 150 acres. Her cousin needed financial assistance and decided she wanted to sell the farm. L.J. wanted to keep the farm in the family and decided the best way was to split it. Now, half of the property remains in L.J.’s name.

er), Peter From L-R: Jesse Haile Self (L.J.’s grandfath in the farm the and Carnie Etta Self (founders of Jesse’s and Self, sie” 1800s), Jesse’s sister Cassanara “Cas the on n take was o brother Thomas William Self. Phot d. estea hom porch of the old

The farm features a wide open field, a pond, and heaps of blooming iris, all of which L.J. hold dear to her heart. The family history, her love for the farm, and her environmental interests are why she decided on a conservation easement. L.J. said “I chose a conservation easement because I wanted my farm to always be a farm and to never be developed” saying that it was important for her for it to remain “unencumbered as a farm.” She believes that the farm adds value to Pittsylvania County by “preserving the view from US 29…the view will never be bothered by a gas station and will be open land forever.”

After consideration, L.J has decided to pass her land over to a farmer who has been taking care of the property for her. He plans to grow hay and grain for his cattle company.

Jesse and Eloise Self raised tobacco, vegetables, chickens, and strawberries on the farm

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WE HAVE SOME EXCITING NEWS!

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The Lemon House at 1305 Maple Avenue

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and conservation in Virginia’s Blue Ridge now has a permanent home and we’re inviting you to be a part of it.

In March of this year, the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy purchased an historic home in the Old Southwest district of Roanoke, and converted it to office use. At the same time, we kicked off the silent phase of a $250,000 capital campaign, The Campaign for the Conservancy, to pay for our new home and provide for renovations and a building fund. Thanks to the generosity of long-time friends of the Conservancy, we are pleased to announce that we’re more than 95 percent towards our goal!

The Lemon Family, whose late matriarch Barbara was our first board president, has secured the naming rights to the new office, which will now be known as The Lemon House in honor of Barbara’s many contributions to saving land in the greater Roanoke region.

Dr. Lowell Inhorn and Cynthia Petzold, who donated a residential building lot in Roanoke, which we subsequently sold, have claimed the naming rights to our community room, which will be available for use by the public for meetings and presentations of all kinds.

Longtime friends, the Kegley Family, are sponsoring a wonderful pollinator garden in the front of The Lemon House, which receives full morning sun. Around back, supporters Bill and Ann Hackworth are sponsoring a shade garden, which will

Proposed pollinator garden for The Lemon House

also benefit wildlife of all kinds. Bobby and Emily Mountcastle are sponsoring the patio on the rear of the building, which will provide a space for outdoor meetings, gatherings and other activities, all surrounded by the shade garden.

With so many friends helping us meet our goal, what can you do? Plenty! We need your support to take us across the finish line, helping us retire the debt on the property and make needed renovations and improvements. ​ e are very happy to announce that supporters W of the Conservancy can help us meet our goal by making a tax-deductible gift to The Campaign for the Conservancy in any amount by going to the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy’s website, brlcva. org. Just click on the “donate now” button right on the front page. You can also send a check in the envelope enclosed with this newsletter- just be sure to note that it is for The Campaign for the Conservancy. Everyone who donates $1,000 or more can place an engraved paver (or more than one!) in the new brick walkway we will be laying out front!

We encourage you to make your gift to The Campaign for the Conservancy by Dec. 31. T he sooner we can meet our goal, the sooner we can turn all of our attention back to saving the lands and waters you love—forever! Go to our website to learn more about tax benefits and how to donate to The Campaign for the Conservancy! https://www.blueridgelandconservancy.org/capital-campaign.html

Executive Director David Perry talks to the audience about purchasing an engraved paver at this year’s Conservation Celebration.

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2021Conservation

CELEBRATION& AUCTION

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so much to ... celebrate!

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ow, what a year it has been! 25th Anniversary, Capital Campaign, staff changes, new Celebration location, and the continuing of a pandemic. In the midst of it all we brought back the Celebration in person and all of our attendees had a wonderful time atop Mill Mountain for our annual Conservation Celebration and Auction. What a beautiful site to celebrate and

honor the Mill Mountain Garden Club as our Vic Thomas awardee. Haze and Dacey entertained the crowd while they enjoyed a meal by Tracy Hamilton Catering and our program emceed by the one and only John Carlin. Thank you to all who attended, all of our sponsors, and all the businesses who donated to our silent and live auction. We could not do it without you!

The Lemon House 1305 Maple Avenue SW Roanoke, Virginia 24016 Phone/Fax 540-985-0000

Member of:

blueridgelandconservancy.org Our organization is accredited by the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, a mark of distinction in land conservation. We are also a proud member of the Land Trust Alliance and the Virginia Conservation Network.

Have a vehicle you no longer need, but don’t want to go through the hassle of selling?

Consider donating your well-loved vehicle to your local land conservancy!

We’ll re-sell it for you, and you can count it as a tax-deductible gift. It’s a win-win for all involved.

Your local land conservancy is partnering with CARS to handle automobile donations.

Go to https://www.careasy.org/nonprofit/blue-ridge-land-conservancy to donate your car!