Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust (VES Land Trust) is seeking its second accreditation renewal and is one of more than 400 land trusts that demonstrate their commitment to professional excellence through accreditation. Accreditation shows VES Land Trust’s dedication to sound financial practices, ethical conduct, responsible governance, and lasting stewardship. As an accredited land trust, VES Land Trust meets national quality standards and best practices for protecting important natural places and working lands on the Eastern Shore.

A Conservation Vision

In response to an increase in development pressure and growing concern over balancing growth and preservation, a group of Eastern Shore landowners formed the Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust. Harry Holcomb, who led the group under the direction of Megan Gallagher, saw an opportunity to preserve the Eastern Shore way of life through permanent land preservation. Suzanne Wescoat, Jeff Walker, Lucius Kellam, and George Savage joined Holcomb to protect the Eastern Shore’s prime farm and forestland, scenic creeks and bays, critical wildlife habitat, and historic resources. “Harry had the idea and plans to assist landowners in protecting their property for future generations by starting a local land trust. Thanks to his efforts and leadership, The Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust was formed in 2003,” recalled Walker, a founding and current VES Land Trust Board member.

That same year, Tim and Susan Brown donated the first conservation easement to VES Land Trust, the 633-acre Hills Farm near Greenbush, Virginia. “Hills Farm has been a farm for over 300 years. Out of respect for the land, the farm needs to stay a farm. The Virginia Eastern Shore Land Trust helped accomplish my goals by keeping my land in agriculture forever,” said Tim Brown, VES Land Trust Board member. By conserving Hills Farm, the Browns also preserved extensive marsh front on the Chesapeake Bay and protected habitat for waterfowl and migrating birds. “Birds and wildlife are running out of places to live and this land will now always be a sanctuary,” elaborated Brown.

Protecting the Eastern Shore forever

Conservation easements allow landowners to restrict development of their property and protect natural and historic resources. For example, an easement may limit the number of residences and prevent the property from being divided into smaller lots. Hills Farm will never be developed into condos or split into five acre lots each with a house. Simultaneously, the easement protects the working and natural lands. Hills Farm will remain productive farm and forestland and a refuge for wildlife forever even when the property transfers to the next generation.

It takes generations of stewards, from the first people to care for the land to those that follow, to protect the farms, forests, wetlands, and waters of the Eastern Shore. “I feel more like a steward, someone who is caring for and taking responsibility for the house and property until the next generation,” explained Robin Rinaca. Rinaca donated an easement on Bowman’s Folly, 601 acres near Accomac, Virginia, in 2007. By that year, with the generosity and passion of many Eastern Shore landowners, VES Land Trust protected more than 8,000 acres in Accomack and Northampton counties. “Bowman’s Folly is a special property from an environmental and historic perspective. From the beginning, I knew we needed to do something to protect it. It was originally around double its current size, possibly around 1,200 acres. We really wanted to protect what we could of that legacy,” Rinaca added.

Accreditation is a promise

With donors like the Browns and Ms. Rinaca, VES Land Trust protects 14,000 acres on the Eastern Shore and holds 77 donated conservation easements including Hills Farm and Bowman’s Folly. Accreditation is an additional promise that these special places will remain protected and the legacy of past stewards will live on. “Being accredited illustrates to our Eastern Shore community that we work at the highest level of professional competency and integrity in our field. It is a promise that VES Land Trust strictly implements the industry’s best practices for new conservation easements as well as stewarding those already in place,” said Karen Terwilliger, VES Land Trust Board President.