erful tool for conservation .”
Launched in 2019 , Loudoun County ’ s Conservation Easement Assistance Program helps landowners with the upfront costs of placing land under conservation easement . A conservation easement is a voluntary , legal agreement between a landowner and a land trust or government agency that permanently limits uses of the land in order to protect its conservation values , such as sensitive environmental , cultural , or historical characteristics . Easements allow landowners to continue to own and use their land , as well as sell it or pass it on to heirs . The limits of the conservation easement “ run with the land ,” meaning that even if the land is inherited or sold , the restrictions stay in place . The program provides up to $ 15,000 — or half the upfront costs of placing land under conservation easement — to land trusts representing qualifying landowners in Loudoun County . The funds are applied to the landowner ’ s easement process .
The Sleeter Lake Project
Friends , collaborating with the Town of Round Hill , the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy , and others , created a land management plan and developed landscaping featuring native trees at Sleeter Lake Park . This has been done as part of advancing Friends mission of preserving , enhancing , and celebrating the Blue Ridge .
Award and Scholarship Programs
Over the years Friends has established the Friend of the Mountain Award and the Jane Pratt and Jed Shilling Blue Ridge Education
Award to recognize outstanding organizations and individuals making significant contributions on behalf of the Blue Ridge Mountains .
The award program focuses on people and organizations that are helping Friends further its mission of preserving , enhancing , and celebrating the unique cultural , environmental , and historical assets of our mountains . In 2020 the Friend of the Mountain Award went to Ms . Lella Smith whose words awakened a profound recognition of the fragility of the Blue Ridge , particularly in the face of the dual threats of population growth and climate change . In 2019 the award went to the “ SWAT Team ” of the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition for their work during the Loudoun County 2040 Comprehensive Planning process . The Friends scholarship program is designed to encourage and assist tomorrow ’ s leaders who will carry on the work of protecting , enhancing , and celebrating the Blue Ridge in the face of as yet unknown challenges . It is awarded annually to high school seniors completing environmental studies / biological sciences programs who demonstrate a clear commitment to environmental stewardship through participation in school projects , internships , and community activities . The recipient receives a $ 1,000 scholarship towards college tuition .
Conclusion
Friends is proud of these successes , while recognizing there is much more to be done , done well , and done quickly . Challenges are increasing not decreasing .
The climate will continue to change going forward , becoming more hostile to the flora and fauna that are currently cleaning our air and water , producing oxygen , and providing beautiful and diverse venues . The pressures for housing and commercial development will continue to grow . Our farmland and our farm culture will continue to be threatened .
And through these challenges Friends will persevere and do everything possible to preserve , enhance and celebrate the Blue Ridge Mountains . Furthermore , Friends will succeed in its mission because we are not alone .
Every success Friends has is based upon our collective efforts with other like-minded organizations and people . The brief list of accomplishments highlighted were all accomplished working and cooperating with a diverse community of organizations , groups , and individuals that recognize and value the Blue Ridge Mountains , just as we do . Each may have a slightly different focus , mission , emphasis , or operating style , yet we each can and do come together to share information and a common vision of the importance of what we have .
Lawrence Malone is the Executive Director of Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains . Following a career in finance and city planning , he and wife Toni moved to Purcellville in large part for a view of the Blue Ridge Mountains . After many happy days backpacking along the Appalachian Trail in the Blue Ridge , and as far north as the famous Mahoosuc Notch in western Maine , they decided there was no better place to settle than at the base of the Blue Ridge .
24 wander I spring • summer 2022