Virginia Land Conservation Foundation

Grant Program

1:00 PM Overview of VLCF Grant Application Requirements                         Suzan Bulbulkaya, Land Conservation Manager, Department of Conservation & Recreation 

3:00 to 3:30 PMQuestions from the audience

1:20 PM Open Space and Parks Category Sarah Richardson, DCR

1:45 PM Historic Resources CategoryElizabeth Tune, Department of Historic Resources

2:15 PM Farmlands and Forestry CategoryAndy Sorrell, Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer ServicesMike Santucci, Department of Forestry

2:45 PM Natural Heritage CategoryRob Evans, Division of Natural Heritage, DCR

Workshop AgendaJune 29, 2017

About VLCF Created in 1992, first funded in 2000 19‐member Board representing VA’s 11 Congressional 

Districts Sec. of Natural Resources, Sec. of Agriculture & Forestry, 

and 17 citizen members – Director of DCR serves as Executive Secretary

Interagency taskforce develops scoring criteria and advises board on project priorities

Eleven grant rounds in its history $46.7 million awarded by VLCF, protecting 59,499 acres

Wednesday, May 24, 2017 VLCF Board meeting – approved grant round.  

Thursday, June 29, 2017, 1:00 ‐ 3:30 p.m.

Workshop for grant applicants. 

Thursday, August 10, 2017 Deadline for application submittal – three copies plus electronic submission required.

August, 2017 Interagency taskforce meetings.

Early September, 2017  SNR review of top‐scoring projects.

September 19, 2017 VLCF Board meeting. Approval of grant awards.

By December 1, 2017 Grant agreements signed. Projects have two years to close.

VLCF Funding and Scoring Categories Funds are divided among the four primary categories: 

(1) Farmlands and Forest Preservation ($900,000); (2) Historic Area Preservation ($900,000); (3) Natural Area Protection ($900,000); and (4) Open Spaces and Parks ($916,194). 

At least 1/3 of the funds must be used for easements held by a public body.

At least 1/2 of the funding must be used for projects with public access.

Geographic distribution for a fair allocation throughout the state. Up to 50% of a project’s cost may be funded with a VLCF grant.

VLCF Grant Manual

6

Program Eligibility ‐ on page ii Who may apply: state agencies, localities, public bodies, and 

registered (tax‐exempt) nonprofit organizations that are “holders”. 

Minimum application = $10,000 total cost; $5,000 grant amount.

Nonprofits must show that they meet “holder” requirements of Va. Code.

Letter from landowner is required. 

Program Eligibility ‐ continued

Applicant should show necessary capacity to manage the project. 

Project must be for a specific site.

Project must be able to be completed in TWO YEARS.

Property or easements used as match must have been acquired within TWO YEARS before the start of this grant round (May 24, 2017).

Program Eligibility ‐ continued

Appraisals must have been done within six months before donation/acquisition.

Projects undertaken by private holders must have a conservation easement that is held or co‐held by a PUBLIC BODY, i.e., a state or federal agency, local government, or SWCD.

Explain conditions to be included in the easement –provide term sheet or draft deed if possible. 

Program Eligibility – continued

Evidence of clear title is needed, and all projects require title insurance. 

A survey to ALTA/ACSM standards is required for all projects.

Phase I Environmental Assessment is required on all acquisition projects (not for easement projects). 

Ineligible Projects ‐ page xiii

VLCF funds may not be expended to acquire land through eminent domain.

Property that is already protected. – May be used as match if purchased in the past two years.

Indirect costs (staff, overhead)

Costs for construction, maintenance, and operation. – May not be used as match, either. 

Proposals that are not site specific.

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Match Contributions ‐ on page iii

Due diligence costs – appraisals, legal fees, title reports, surveys, recordation fees, etc.

“Pass‐through” dollars from other governmental agencies (but not VDACS funds for PDR programs). 

Bargain sales, i.e., donation of some of the acquisition or easement cost.

Match should be committed at time of application, and must be received by the time of settlement.

A form letter (page 6 of the application) must be used if match is not definite at the time of application.  

Match Contributions ‐ continued

Grant Application Scoring Grant applications are scored by an interagency taskforce:• Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services• Dept. of Forestry• Dept. of Historic Resources• Dept. of Conservation and Recreation

Natural HeritagePlanning & Recreation Resources

• Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries• Virginia Outdoors Foundation

Grant Application Scoring, con’t.

Criteria are based on the five primary categories, with 80 points in each category. Chose a secondary category the project supports and be sure to answer all questions and provide all information. (May be critical to receive funding if none is available in the primary category.)

Additional criteria are applied to every project, up to 40 points.

Additional Scoring Criteria – Appendix 6 (Page 17)

1. VOP Identified NeedDegree to which a parcel satisfies resource conservation needs as identified in the Virginia Outdoors Plan (VOP) or in a local comprehensive plan.Maximum 3 points. Meets a resource conservation need identified in the VOP and in a 

local comprehensive plan = 3 points Meets a resource conservation need identified in the VOP or in a 

local comprehensive plan = 2 points Not identified in VOP or in a local comprehensive plan = 0 points

VOP is online at www.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational_planning/vop.shtml

2. Scoring Criteria for Water Quality Benefit

Extent to which the project will protect water quality through the use of minimum 35’‐wide permanent vegetated riparian buffers on all perennial streams, as shown by blue lines on USGS 7.5’ topographic maps. If applicable, vegetated buffers on intermittent streams can add points. Maximum 15 points. Up to 1000’ of water‐body frontage length (e.g., stream, shoreline, or wetland) = 3 points 1 point for every additional 1000’ of perennial streams or other water body, up to 7 points 1 point for every additional 1000’ of intermittent streams, up to 5 points

3. Scoring Criteria for Value Added

Degree to which the project has significant value in other categories.Maximum 11 points.

Farmland = 2 points Forestal land = 2 points Historic resources = 2 points Natural heritage resources = 2 points Recreation/parks = 2 points Wildlife = 3 points

4. Scoring Criteria for Public AccessDegree to which the project has public or visual access.Maximum 8 points

Full Public Access = 8 points Limited Public Access = 4 points Visual Access = 2 points No Access = 0 points

5. Scoring Criteria for Ratio of Match to Total Project Cost Maximum 3 points

80% or more of total project cost = 3 60% or more of total project cost = 2 50% of total project cost = 0

Grant Application Scoring  – EXAMPLE

Primary Category

Statutory Category Scoring

VOP or Local 

Identified Need

Water Quality Benefit

Value Added

Public Access

Ratio of Match to Project Cost 

Total

Max. 80 points

Max. 3 points

Max. 15 points

Max. 11 points.

Max. 8 points

Max. 3 points

Max. 120 points

Open Spaces and Parks

Natural Heritage Resources

Historic Area Preservation 75

2(In local 

comp plan)

4  (buffered streams)

5 (forest +wildlife habitat)

4 (limited public access)

0 90

Farmland and Forest Preservation

Application Information

Three paper copies and an electronic version on USB drive or CD received by 4 p.m. on August 10, 2017.

DCR, Attention: VLCF Grant Program 600 East Main Street, 24th FloorRichmond, Virginia 23219

One electronic file – please don’t split the application into multiple files. 

If it’s in PDF format, ensure that the file is searchable.

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Application Information Staples, binder clips, or soft‐cover folders for paper 

copies. No hard binders and no hole‐punched pages please!

All pages must be 8.5” by 11”

Photographs and maps are encouraged (actually, they’re essential). 

All reproduced images must be clear and understandable.

APPLICATION WEAKNESSES

Match not clearly identified or non‐existing.

No clear indication that project can be completed within two years.

No clear demonstration that property is of real significance at the regional, state, or federal level.

APPLICATION WEAKNESSES No indication that the property owner is willing to 

conserve their property.

No clear demonstration of the actual degree of threat to the property.

Providing an entire plan or study rather than just the excerpt from the plan that supports the application.

Not explicitly addressing all items and all scoring criteria in the application form.

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VLCF Manual and other information can be found at:

www.dcr.virginia.gov/ virginia_land_conservation_foundation/

Questions? Emailsuzan.bulbulkaya@dcr.virginia.gov

or call (804) 371‐5218

Parks and Open Space Category

Virginia Outdoors SurveyWhat are the most needed outdoor recreation

opportunities in Virginia? 2006 2011

• Trails for hiking, walking, bicycling 49% 68%• Public access to state waters 50% 59%• Access to Parks & Natural Areas 42% 55%

Applications for public recreational and/or open space projects will be evaluated

based on the following criteria…(see page 12 in the VLCF Grant Manual)

Parks and Open Space Category

Acquires land or a conservation easement that provides increased public access to state waters offering recreational potential

Acquires lands or easements adjacent to existing parks, protected conservation areas, or other recreational resources that expand and protect public conservation or recreational interests

Protects scenic viewsheds or land important to the protection of designated scenic resources:

• Federally designated Wild and Scenic Rivers

• American Heritage Rivers in or adjacent to Virginia

• Virginia’s Scenic Rivers• Scenic Roads and Byways• Recreational trails, including

greenways or blueways

Supports local and/or regional comprehensive plans• for parks, open space, and

recreational facilities, and/or• contributes to protection of a

state, regionally, or locally identified conservation corridor

Addresses a need identified in the Virginia Outdoors Plan

(In both cases name and page number of plan must be cited)

Availability of land for public use, including, but not limited to hunting, fishing, or wildlife watching

Conserves land in a densely populated or rapidly developing area: • Locality with population of

90,000 or more, or• Locality designated by the

Commonwealth as an incorporated City, regardless of size

• Rapidly developing is: property identified as Class V in the ConservationVision Development Vulnerability Model

Site is threatened by development:

• Property is documented to be on the market currently or recently

• Is in an estate that is currently being settled, or

• Is adjacent to similar property which is on the market or sold in the past year

Online resources

Virginia Outdoors Planwww.dcr.virginia.gov/recreational_planning/vop.shtml

Virginia Conservation Visionwww.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/vaconvision

Parks and Open Space Questions • Danette Poole, DCR Director of

Planning and Recreation Resources, (804) 786-1119

• Synthia Waymack, Grants Administrator, Division of Planning and Recreation Resources, (804) 786-4379

Virginia Land Conservation Foundation

FY 18 Grant Round

Historic Area Preservation Category

Virginia Department of Historic Resources

Historic Area Preservation

Scoring Criteria

Criterion #1-Historic Significance

Establishes the type of historic or cultural resource to be protected:

• Civil War Battlefield, Architecturally Significant Building or Structure,

Agricultural Complex, Archaeological Site, Historic Landscape, Revolutionary

War or War of 1812 site, etc.

Will the project protect or preserve a resource that:

• Is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Register (VLR); or

• Is a Civil War, American Revolutionary War, or War of 1812 battlefield or site;

or

• Is formally determined eligible for listing on the VLR within the previous 5

calendar years.

Criterion #1-Historic Significance: Resource or Property is Individually Listed on the VLR

(25 points)

Criterion #1-Historic Significance: Resource or Property is a Contributing Resource to

an Historic District Listed on the VLR; or (25 points)

Criterion #1-Historic Significance: Resource or Property is a Civil War, Revolutionary

War, or War of 1812 Battlefield or Site (25 points)

Evaluation of Battlefields: If not listed on the VLR, battlefield or site must be identified with a priority rating in one of the following reports administered by the National Park Service’s American Battlefield Protection Program:

Report on the Nation’s Civil War Battlefields Preservation Priority Ratings:

Priority I: battlefields with a critical need for action Priority II: battlefields with potential for comprehensive preservation Priority III: battlefields needing additional protection Priority IV: fragmented battlefields

• Report on the Nation’s Civil War Battlefields(1993, as amended)

• Report to Congress on the Historic Preservation ofRevolutionary War and War of 1812 Sites in theUnited States (2007, as amended)

Criterion #1-Historic Significance: Resource or property was formally determined eligible for listing on VLR within

the previous 5 calendar years and remains eligible in the opinion of DHR (10 points)

• Eligibility determination madethrough DHR’s process forevaluation and listing on theVLR

• Official listing on the VLR willbe required for propertiesawarded funding under thissection

Criterion #1-Historic Significance:

Other (Possible 5 points each, more than one may apply):

• Resource is not listed on the VLR or does not meet battlefield criteria

previously outlined

Note: Official listing on the VLR may be required for proposals for a property or resource that:

(A). Is formally determined eligible for listing on the VLR within previous 5 calendar years; or

(B). Contributes to the integrity, enhances the setting, or provides buffer for historic property

• Resource has a high degree of historic integrity

• Resource designated a National Historic Landmark

Criterion #2-Threat: • Property is currently on the market for sale OR is

in imminent danger of demolition (15 points)

• Property is listed with a Threat Value of 7 or 8 onConservationVision Composite Model (10 points)

• Other identifiable threat or compelling need forpreservation (5 points)

Historic Area Preservation

Scoring Criteria

Criterion #3-Capacity: Demonstrated Financial and Organizational Capacity to Manage

Property & Appropriately Steward Historic Resources

• Property managed according to Historic StructuresReport or Battlefield Management Plan (15 points)

• Property managed according to general resourcemanagement plan (10 points)

• Applicant plans to develop management plan (5 points)

Related reports and plans for property should be submitted withapplication

Scope of work must be consistent with Secretary of the Interior’sStandards for Treatment of Historic Properties

Criterion #4: Will the project complement or enhance other

cultural or historic resources or preservation activities; OR

Does the project represent a unique cultural resource

opportunity in the geographic area? (1 to 5 points)

Criterion #5: Will protection or preservation of the resource also further education, research, tourism, or community development? (1 to 5 points)

Criterion #6: Did the applicant meet with Easement Program staff to discuss project and coordinate a staff site visit to the property? (2 to 3 points)

Benefits and Public Support:

Additional Requirements for the Historic Area Preservation Category

Submit high quality photographs or digital images suitable for reproduction including:

• Exterior of the primary historic building/structureand any secondary buildings/structures,architecturally significant interior spaces andfeatures, and the setting and viewshed of theprimary resource

• For archaeological sites, a general view or site planand images documenting the condition of the site

• For battlefields, the overall site, its setting andviewshed, and all historic and non-historicstructures, roads, and other features within thebattlefield or site

For Projects Awarded Grant Funds in the Historic Area Preservation Category:

• Property owner shall offer to convey to the VirginiaBoard of Historic Resources (VBHR) a perpetualpreservation easement on the property to beacquired with grant funds

• VBHR decides whether to accept the easement offerbased on established criteria and policies governingEasement Program

• Property must meet Easement Program eligibilityrequirements or DHR may recommend analternative easement holder

• Listing on the Virginia Landmarks Register may berequired

• Properties shall be open for public access aminimum of 2 days per calendar year

Contact Information:

Wendy Musumeci Easement Program Coordinator Wendy.musumeci@dhr.virginia.gov 804-482-6096

Elizabeth Tune Director, Division of Preservation Incentives Elizabeth.tune@dhr.virginia.gov 804-482-6093

Virginia Department of Historic Resources 2801 Kensington Avenue Richmond, VA 23221 www.dhr.virginia.gov

Farmlands and Forest Preservation Category

• Single funding category (unless $10 million or more available)

• Separate funding criteria have been developed for agricultural and forestal lands

• Applicant should use the set of criteria that is most appropriate for their projects

• Applications will be evaluated according to the following farm & forest criteria

Farmlands Category

VLCF Grants WorkshopCharlottesville, VA

June 29, 2017

VLCF Grants WorkshopCharlottesville, VA

June 29, 2017

Farm Statutory Criteria (80 pts.) ½ of points (40/80) awarded for farming supportive soils and size of parcel

– Soils should support ag. uses: more points for prime, unique and statewide important (20)

– Parcel size should also be conducive to ag use: more points for parcels = or > than avg. ag. parcel size in locality (20)

https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/

Latest US Census of Agriculture (2012)https://www.agcensus.usda.gov/Publications/2012/

Average Size of Farm 

Farm Criteria Run‐down con’tRemaining points (40) for the following:• History of Ag and current Ag use of property (8):

– Virginia Century Farm?– Currently in agriculture use? Ability to be used for ag production? 

• Proximity to other conserved lands (10):– More pts for adjacency to other conserved lands 

Virginia Century Farm Database

http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/conservation-and-environmental-virginia-century-farms.shtml

Virginia Conserved Lands Database

https://vanhde.org/content/map

Farm Criteria Run‐down con’t

• Vulnerability ranking – Va. Conservation Development Vulnerability Model– More development pressure  = higher points

https://vanhde.org/content/map

Farm Criteria Run‐down con’tImplementing Farm BMPs (6)? 

Farm Criteria Run‐down con’tSupport for local farmland protection policies (4): 

– Ag. zoning, agricultural and forestal districts, use value taxation, etc.

Zoning Map: Agricultural Zoning

Future Land Use Map: Rural Preservation

Farm Criteria Run‐down con’tEnv. benefits of keeping the land in ag. uses (4)?

Additional Scoring Criteria (40 pts.)• Shout‐out in Va. Outdoors Plan / Local Comprehensive 

Plan  (up to 3 pts.)?

• Water Quality Benefit  (up to 15 pts)?– Length streams with permanent buffers along water bodies

• Value add from other categories (up to 11 pts.)?– Historic resource, significant forested area, natural heritage site, 

wildlife habitat etc.

Additional Scoring Criteria (con’t)• Public Access (up to 8 pts.)?

– Full public access like a public park or just visual access?

• Match to Total Project Cost Ratio ( up to 3 pts.)– The more funding match from other sources, the more

points – i.e. federal, private funding

Example Farm Property• Smith Family Farm passed down 

5 generations – 154 years –VA Century Farm designation

• Active & diversified farm raising cattle and growing crops

• 200‐acre property: 150 ac. in pasture / crops; 50 acres forested

• Ag. zoning, use‐value taxation and in rural preservation area of local comp. plan 

Example Farm Property• On scenic public road ‐Next door 

to farm in conservation easement; 2 mi. from state park; 

• Moderate Development Vulnerability (class IV)

• 50 ft.+ veg. buffers along streams on farm – total 6,200 ft. frontage on streams

• Soils: 60% prime; 20% unique; 10% important

• Nutrient Management Plan

Total easement purchase price: $500,000 VLCF request: $80,000

Example Farm Property con’tCategory I: Land Evaluation1. Soils: 60% prime; 20% unique; 10% 

important1. .60 + .20 + .10 = .90 x 25 = 22.5 points

2. Parcel Size: 200 acres; average farm size: 175 acres1. <25% larger but >or = avg. farm size: 10 pts.

Example Farm Property con’tCategory II: Land UseA. Currently farmed? Century Farm?

1. Active cattle and crop farm; Century Farm   = 8 points

B. Proximity to other preserved lands?1. Immediately adj. farm in conservation 

easement; 2 miles from state park = 7 pts.

Example Farm Property con’tCategory II: Land Use con’tC. Vulnerability  to development?

1. class IV moderately vulnerable = 6 points

D. Farm Management Plan with BMPs?1. Has Nutrient Management Plan for farm=  5 of 6 

points

Example Farm Property con’tCategory II: Land Use con’tE. Supported by local farm preservation policies?

1. Ag. zoning and in use value taxation – 3 / 4 pts

F. Degree preserving land in ag. secures env. benefits?1. Proposed cons. easement: 50 ft. buffer on both 

sides of streams on property 3 of 4 pts

Additional Criteria 1. VOP / Comp Plan Identified Need?

1. Not in VOP; but in local Comp. Plan: 2 pts

2. Water Quality Benefit1. 6,200 ft. frontage on two constant flowing streams = 

1,000 ft. = 3 pts 5,200/1000 = 5.2 Total water quality pts: 3 + 5 = 8 pts

Example Farm Property con’t

Additional Criteria con’t3. Value Added?

1. Historic & Forest land: 200 yr. old farmhouse, historic family cemetery & 50 acres in managed silvaculture operation w/ forest management plan: total 4 points 

4. Public Access?1. Farm on highly visible public road with scenic byway 

designation: visual access= 2 pts.5. Match to Total Project Cost Ratio:

1. Asking for 80K from VLCF: 420K/500K 84% = 3 pts

Example Farm Property con’t

Example Results:

Farmlands Category

Statutory Criteria Points Possible PointsSoil Productivity? 22.5 25

Parcel Size? 10 15

Farmed? Century Farm? 8 8

Adjacency to Other Protected Lands? 10 10

Vulnerability rank? 6 8

BMPs? 5 6

Supported by local farmland protection policies? 3 4

Extent ag. preservation secures env. benefits? 3 4

Subtotal 67.5 80

Additional Criteria Points Possible Points

VOP Identified Need? 2 3

Water Quality Benefit? 8 15

ValueAdded? (forestal & historic) 4 11

Public Access? (visual) 2 8

Match to Total Project Cost Ratio (84%) 3 3

Subtotal 19 40

TOTAL 86.5 120

Highly Competitive Applicants Have…• Large amount of farming supportive soils;• Are large enough to support ag. production;• Have a history of ag use and are currently in ag production;• Are adjacent to other conserved lands;• Have development pressure b/c of prox. to urbanization;• Are supported by local farm preservation policies;• Ag use has a positive environmental benefit;• Value Added uses: like historical / forestry/natural heritage; and• Higher match radio

Field

template

Questions?

Andy SorrellCoordinator, Office of Farmland PreservationVa. Dept. of Agriculture & Consumer Services

(804) 786‐1906Andrew.Sorrell@vdacs.virginia.gov

Virginia Land Conservation FoundationGrants Workshop

Charlottesville, VAJune 29, 2017

1. Property acreage

2. Percent forested

3. Percent of forest that is high forest conservation value (FCV)

4. Length of watercourses

5. Adjacency to conserved lands

6. Management

7. Forest land base preservation

500-acre property

450 acres forest

400 acres high FCV

6250’ of watercourses

Adjacent to Wildlife Management Area and within 2 miles of another eased property

Forest Stewardship Management Plan and demonstrated implementation

Applicant willing to permanently protect 375 acres of forestland base

Is the property large enough to protect forestal functions and values?

Maximum possible score: 10

½-point for every 50 acres

Example property score◦ (500÷50) X .5 = 5 points

Percent of property that is in a forested condition

Maximum possible score: 20

% forested X 20

Example property score◦ (450÷500) X 20 = 18 points

Percent of forestland rated high FCV

Maximum possible score: 15

% of high FCV forest X 15

Example property score◦ (400÷450) X 15 = 13.4 points

Intermittent & perennial streams, rivers, public impoundments, wetlands, tidal shorelines

Standard: USGS quad sheets

Maximum possible score: 15

½-point for every 500 feet

Example property score◦ (6250÷500) X .5 = 6.25 points

Contiguous, unbroken large areas of rural land better protect natural functions and values.

Maximum possible score: 5◦ Reverse scale of 1 point for every mile of

proximity to conserved lands

Example property score◦ 5 points

Informed and intentional multiple resource management on the property

Maximum possible score: 5◦ Current plan and being implemented: 5 points◦ Plan exists, but no implementation: 3 points◦ No plan: 0 points

Example property score◦ 5 points

Protect the working forest land base, and the associated functions and values

Maximum possible score: 10

% of forestland base to be protected X 10

Example property score◦ (375÷450) X 10 = 8.3 points

Criteria Points Possible Points

Property acreage 5 10

Percent forested 18 20

High FCV 13.4 15

Length of watercourses 6.25 15

Adjacency 5 5

Management 5 5

Forest land base preservation 8.3 10

TOTALS 60.95 80

Mike SantucciForestland Conservation Program Manager

(434) 220-9182Mike.Santucci@dof.virginia.gov

Website: http://www.dof.virginia.gov

Virginia Land Conservation Foundation

Critical support for statewide conservation goals including, “Preserve the natural diversity of biological resources of the Commonwealth” § 10.1-211

Natural Area Category: VLCF

Eligibility: • projects that make a significant

contribution to the protection of habitats for rare, threatened, or endangered plant or animal species or state-significant natural communities or natural areas of Virginia.

Natural Area Preserves• Any area with “natural character”

(defined largely by the presence of significant natural heritage resources)

• Must be “dedicated” pursuant to §10.1-213 (the Commonwealth has been transferred an estate, interest, or right).

• “Once dedicated, a natural area preserve shall be managed in a manner consistent with continued preservation of the natural heritage resources it supports” (§ 10.1-214)

Our Natural Heritage

Science-based, systematic approaches to identify & protect biological diversity >40 years of methodological

development 30 years of data collection on plants,

animals, vegetation, caves & karst

VA Natural Heritage Program:

Natural Heritage Information

Elements Tracked:Natural communities: 528Plant species: 709Animal species: 796

Element ranks:Global: 1–5State: 1–5

Mapped locations: 9,235

Each location is ranked A, B, C, D, E, F, H, X

Conservation sites: 2,069Boundaries delineated Composite biodiversity ranks assigned

Build & manage conservation information and tools to inform land conservation and land use decisions

VA Natural Heritage Program:

VA Conservation Lands Database

Agricultural

Also available: Forest economics, Recreation, Watershed Integrity, Development Vulnerability

Cultural AssetsNatural Landscapes

ConservationVision:Suite of broadly applicable tools and models

NHDE – lands onNatural Heritage Data Explorer

What are Natural Area Preserves?

Southern Appalachian Shrub Bald @ The Channels State Natural Area Preserve

Washington/Russell Co.

Shenandoah Valley Prairie Fen @ Cowbane Prairie State Natural Area Preserve

Augusta Co.

• Statewide system of lands designed to protect & conserve natural heritage resources• Authorized by Natural Area Preserve Act (1989)• lands enrolled voluntarily in partnership with landowners, • Sites administered by DCR, managed by DNH,• Statutory protection against condemnation

Currently 63 Natural Area Preserves;Each site managed by DNH & partners in

accordance with approved guidelines

8% developed

29% agriculture

63% unconverted landscape

Where are VA’s unprotected “Natural Areas” ?

Natural Heritage Resource Locations:

> 9,235 documented records of rare species, natural communities, significant caves, >2,000 sites of

conservation significance

Protecting the best Natural Areas:Ranking Factors

• Biodiversity Rank • Size & Natural Condition• Proximity• Management• Representation• No. & Quality of Eos• Staff Visit

1. Biodiversity RankGlobal and state rarity of the natural heritage resources present, the number of natural heritage resources present, and their condition. Maximum score: 15

B1=15B2=10B3 or B4 =5B5=0

None present = 0

2. Size & Natural Condition

Adequacy to protect and allow for management of natural heritage resource targets?

Maximum score: 15 adequate to fully protect & manage targets = 15 likely to protect and manage targets = 10• unlikely to allow protection & management of the conservation targets = 0-5

3. Proximity Is the tract (s) adjacent to or in close physical or functional proximity (e.g. upstream or upslope) to other conservation lands and would it expand the protection of natural heritage resources?

Maximum score: 15 Adjacent to existing conservation land = 15 Possesses physical or functional proximity to existing conservation land = 10 No physical or functional proximityto existing conservation land =0

4. Management

Are applicants capable of implementing necessary management to protect the site from short-term and long-term stresses.

Maximum score: 10 Applicant has proven experience with natural community/rare species management = 10 Applicant has land management experience = 5 Applicant has no proven management experience = 0

5. Community Representation

To what extent does the site support exemplary natural communities that are not well protected in Virginia? Maximum score: 10 Supports communities not found on other protected lands = 10 Supports communities found on limited number (1–10) of protected lands = 5 Supports communities well represented(10+) on other protected lands = 0

6. Number & Quality of Element Occurrences

How many element occurrences are known for the tract(s) and what is the quality of those occurrences? Assign the value below for each occurrence based on it’s EO-rank. Sum these values.

Maximum score: 10A-rank=4 D-rank=1 B-rank=3 E(extant)-rank=2C-rank=2

7. DCR Site visit

DCR Natural Heritage Program Staff met with the landowner (or prospective landowner if ownership will change) to discuss implications of natural area preserve dedication; and staff visited enough of the property to adequately evaluate its suitability as a natural area preserve.

Maximum score: 5Landowner meeting = 2Site visit = 3

Funded tracts must be “dedicated”• Per 10.1-1022.1 D. “All property for which a

matching grant is made pursuant to this section shall be dedicated as a natural area preserve…”

• Deed of dedication; Formal instrument, potentially fairly restrictive, designed to assure conservation of heritage resources present.

• Signed by landowner/DCR Director.

Questions?

Contact us if you have questions:

(804) 371-6205 (o)(919) 748-0225 (c)Rob.Evans@dcr.virginia.gov

(804) 371-6205Irvine.Wilson@dcr.virginia.govQuestions?