Thank you Jeffrey K. Walker and Timothy T. Brown
VES Land Trust’s two longest serving board members, Jeff Walker and Timmy Brown, retired in 2021. Jeff and Timmy were supportive from the beginning: “When VES Land Trust was just getting started, I was truly blessed to work with founding board member Jeff and first easement donor Timmy,” commented Megan Gallagher, an expert in land conservation who helped setup VES Land Trust.
Jeff Walker joined Harry Holcomb, Suzanne Wescoat, Steve Parker with The Nature Conservancy, Ed Tankard, Lucius Kellam, George Savage, and Denard Spady with Citizens for a Better Eastern Shore in starting VES Land Trust. Jeff remembers the first planning meetings led by Harry Holcomb. “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 Jeff.
Jeff Walker is an Eastern Shore native from Nassawadox, Va. He served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy, retiring with the rank of Commander. Jeff also flew for the Virginia Marine Resources Commission and was a captain with Continental Airlines. He is active in the community and has served on many boards and commissions including Northampton County Board of Supervisors, Accomack-Northampton Planning District Commission, Public Service Authority, Accomack-Northampton Transportation District Commission, Northampton County Affordable Housing Committee, Virginia Outdoors Foundation, and Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel Commission.
As a VES Land Trust board member, Jeff served as President and represented Northampton County. Jeff brought a wealth of local knowledge and insight to the Board. Former Executive Director Peter Henderson called Jeff a go getter, “Jeff took on just about any task and was never shy about sharing the mission,” Pete recalled. Megan added, “Jeff kept a running list in his head of conservation easement prospects and was not a bit shy about reaching out.” Jeff and his wife, Lee, didn’t just ask others to donate. They also donated a conservation easement on their farm. Jeff reflected, “It gives me great peace of mind to look out over the farm and know that it’ll be there forever as open space.”
Timmy and Jeff always willing to lend a helping hand. Oyster Roast, September 25, 2021. Photo by Susan Harris
After Timmy retired as President of Old Dominion Peanut Corp., a confectionary manufacturer, he relocated with his family to their farm on Hunting Creek. Since then, Timmy has dedicated his efforts to restoring habitat for wildlife and waterfowl. Timmy and his wife, Susie, have the unique distinction of being the first to donate a conservation easement to VES Land Trust. In 2003, the Browns donated an easement on their 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 Timmy.
By conserving Hills Farm, the Browns also preserved extensive marsh front on the Chesapeake Bay and protected habitat for waterfowl and migrating birds. “Timmy brought in Ducks Unlimited to co-hold his easement. He took great care to ensure we protected not just the constructed wetlands for his beloved ducks, but all the conservation values at Hill's Farm including the beautiful historic structures, creek frontage, and even the eagle’s nests!” recalled Megan.
Timmy is an active community member and has served on many boards and committees. He served as a Board member of the Eastern Shore of Virginia Community Foundation. He is active with Ducks Unlimited and is a past Board member of the Barrier Islands Center. Timmy served as President and Treasurer of VES Land Trust and chair of the Oyster Roast Dinner committee. Pete commented, “Timmy was the eye of all things money. He kept the organization in a check and taught us discipline. Without him, our financial position would not be what it is today.”
President Karen Terwilliger commended Jeff and Timmy for their service: “VES Land Trust would not be the strong organization it is today, protecting 14,069 acres, without these two generous, conservation and community minded individuals.” Please join us in thanking them for their dedication to conservation on the Shore.