Virginia accepts largest private land donation for permanent conservation

Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, [email protected], 804-786-5053.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 14, 2022
Contact: Emi Endo, Senior Public Relations and Marketing Specialist, 804-786-8442, [email protected]

Virginia accepts largest private land donation for permanent conservation
Site to remain closed during planning process for public access opportunities

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RICHMOND - The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has finalized the acceptance of a gift of nearly 7,400 acres of land in Halifax County, the single largest private land donation for permanent conservation to DCR in Virginia history.

Governor Ralph Northam announced in April that the property, known as Falkland Farms, would be owned by DCR as the first-ever joint project of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program and Virginia State Parks, to be managed for biodiversity conservation and, ultimately, for public outdoor recreation. First conserved by an open-space easement by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation in 2013, nearly 40 miles of streams and 1,000 acres of wetlands, including mature forested wetlands, will be further conserved under DCR ownership.

"With the permanent conservation of Falkland Farms, a vast area of 40,000 acres of state and federally owned natural lands is now protected in this region," said Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources Ann Jennings. "This is a major investment in large-landscape conservation, climate resiliency, clean water, biodiversity protection and future public outdoor recreation."

The official transfer, which closed on Jan. 14, marks an important last step in the process of transforming the privately-held 11 square miles into a state property.

DCR plans to offer public access that complements outdoor recreation activities at Staunton River State Park and expands biodiversity restoration at Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve, both adjacent to the site. As DCR works to identify the resources necessary to plan, develop and provide public access, the public will be invited to participate in creating long-term plans for recreational use. During this planning and transition period, it will remain closed to ensure public safety.

"This special place, located just west of Staunton River State Park and just south of Difficult Creek Natural Area Preserve, represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fulfill not just one, but multiple missions for our agency and the Commonwealth," said Clyde E. Cristman, director of DCR. "We look forward to ultimately offering a unique visitor experience here that complements conservation values throughout all these public lands."

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