Easement Protects Working Lands
Marc and Eileen Read feel strongly about conserving land, especially when they look across the river from their 89- acre farm and see the small lot subdivision developed in recent years. To ensure that this would never happen to their property, they recently donated a conservation easement to VCC.
The easement is designed to protect not only the long-term viability of the Reads’ equine and farm operation but also protects forest buffers for more than 2,000 feet of shoreline along the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. As recreational users of the river float past the easement, their view will be of a lush riparian buffer area filled with pawpaw and other native plants that help protect water quality. The easement will also provide permanent habitat protection for two native species and a unique natural community which the Virginia Division of Natural Heritage identified as highly worthy of protection. “When we first visited the property last year, Marc and Eileen’s passion for their land was apparent. The more we learned about their property, the more we shared their enthusiasm. VCC is delighted to have worked with the Reads to protect this unique Shenandoah Valley treasure,” said VCC Associate Director Scott Kelly. If you or somebody you know has a special place that you would like to protect for future generations to enjoy, please let us know. As a land trust, one of VCC’s primary objectives is to help you conserve the places you love.
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