Conserve land for the future

Having lived in Lynchburg for more than 50 years, I’ve been a witness to many of the changes that have taken place. A lot of those changes have been ones that make our area both a better place to live and certainly a more convenient one. However, not all of the alterations have been for the good and some have certainly not benefited those creatures that share this space with us.

The development of what was once agricultural land has created a habitat that is vastly different. I can think of at least half a dozen housing developments in adjacent counties that were once working farms. Of course, this urbanization and fragmentation is not unique to our region; it is taking place all across Virginia. The latest statistics from the Virginia Farm Bureau indicate that each year 104,000 acres across the state are converted to non-agricultural use

If you have property that you would like to preserve, there is a way to ensure that this will happen, both now and well into the future. By putting your land under a conservation easement, you may retain ownership of your land, receive tax benefits and have the right to pass the property on to your heirs, while knowing that the habitat will remain more or less unchanged. If you live in the city of Lynchburg or the counties of Amherst, Appomattox, Bedford, Campbell or Nelson, the Central Virginia Land Conservancy can help you with this decision.

In our five-county area there are now 153 conservation easements that place more than 37,000 acres of forests and farmland under protection. There are many reasons for considering a conservation easement including the desire to protect the viability of farming, the hope of leaving a legacy for the future or the idea of offering protection for wildlife.

Even if you do not have property suitable for an easement, you can help with these efforts by supporting the upcoming Central Virginia Land Conservancy Land Jam fund raising event to be held on Sept. 18 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Lazy Days Winery on U.S. 29 in Amherst, just south of Virginia 151.

You can expect a variety of music and lots of good food. Tickets are $20 in advance or $25 at the door (children 12 and under are free) and are available locally at Givens Bookstore, Mangia, Amherst Recreation & Parks Department, and Lazy Days Winery or can be purchased online at http://cvalc.org/Landjam2011.php.

Proceeds from the event will be used to create educational materials and offer informational programs to landowners in our area. I can’t think of a better way to have a nice meal and enjoy an evening of music while supporting an organization that works toward insuring that our children will enjoy the same natural beauty that all of us love in Central Virginia. For more information, visit the Central Virginia Land Conservancy at www.cvalc.org/index.php.

News and notes

The swallow-tailed kites that were originally reported near Gladys on Aug. 13 continue to remain in the area and have now been joined by three Mississippi kites. As of Aug. 26, more than 75 people (including one birder from Ohio) have made the trip to this field in Campbell County to see these beautiful birds. It is almost unbelievable that the birds have lingered so long.