Valley Conservation Council has changed its name to Shenandoah Valley Conservancy in an effort to better reflect its evolving identity.
The Staunton-based organization is the only nationally accredited land trust exclusively working to protect the lands and waters of the Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia.
The Shenandoah Valley Conservancy name change reflects a strategic realignment within the organization to provide solid footing for additional support from all who recognize the importance of the Shenandoah Valley.
“The Valley’s conservation landscape has evolved significantly since our founding nearly 35 years ago,” said Peter Hujik, who was named executive director earlier this year. “The Conservancy is also evolving and sharpening our focus on the most vulnerable lands and waters in the region.”
Hujik believes the organization has the momentum to face the challenges throughout the region.
“The threats are real, and the stakes are high, but we are thrilled with the strong momentum conservation work has gained across the region as more begin to recognize the significance of this place we all cherish,” he said.
The Valley’s conservation value is growing in regional, national and even global significance in part due to its location at the intersection of the Appalachian Mountains and Chesapeake Bay watershed, according to the organization.
Recent easement highlights
Shenandoah Valley Conservancy has already secured five easements and permanently protected almost 1,000 acres of additional land and more than two miles of waterways since the start of the year. This brings the total acreage of privately protected lands in the Valley to more than 220,000 acres with approximately 40 additional easements in progress, seven of which the organization hopes to close by the end of the year.
- Devil’s Backbone: The iconic ridge in the Allegheny Highlands in Highland County including several rare habitats that support unique plants and animals, such as timber rattlesnakes and rusty patched bumble bees
- South Fork of the Shenandoah River property: An easement protects nearly 1,000 feet of the river in a landscape where landowners have already protected more than 1,700 acres of private land that serves as a wildlife corridor connecting Shenandoah National Park with Washington National Forest
- Poorhouse Mountain in Rockbridge County: The mountain rises 1,600 feet above the Valley floor and Maury River below and is clearly visible from the City of Lexington, House Mountain and Hogback Mountain contributing to the scenery of Rockbridge County.
More information
Shenandoah Valley Conservancy is a non-profit, nationally accredited land trust dedicated to advancing conservation priorities in the Shenandoah Valley and adjacent Alleghany Highlands by strategically protecting farms, forests and waterways.
The Shenandoah Valley Conservancy’s service region includes 11 counties: Frederick, Warren, Shenandoah, Page, Rockingham, Augusta, Highland, Bath, Rockbridge, Alleghany and Botetourt.
For more information, visit shenandoah.org.
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Crystal Graham
