Country MATTERS Saving the Countryside Is a Group Effort

Kevin Ramundo

Country MATTERS Saving the Countryside Is a Group Effort

By Kevin Ramundo

Regular readers of this space know the focus is often on specific projects threatening our magnificent countryside. This time, I’d like to suggest a comprehensive framework for protecting open space.

In recent months, I’ve spo Kevin Ramundo ken with conservation leaders with local government experience and representatives of non-profit organizations, including Citizens for Fauquier County, Goose Creek Association, Land Trust of Virginia, Piedmont Environmental Council, Virginia Piedmont Heritage Area Association and Save Rural Loudoun.

All do a great job protecting rural lands, and it’s a daunting task. Hardly a week goes by without a new winery, brewery or event center hoping to capitalize on our area’s beauty, or a new subdivision threatening irreplaceable prime agricultural land.

Not all development is bad and most, if not all, conservation advocates would agree. But developers often skirt or ignore the rules to pursue their own self-interests.

They’re highly influential in state and local government; they band together in associations to press their agenda; they give generously to politicians who favor development and, they’re incredibly knowledgeable about land use issues. They also have the funds and teams of employees and consultants to support them.

Given those challenges, how does the preservation/ conservation community succeed?

Elect pro-conservation state and local officials.

We need more county supervisors, town council members, mayors and state leaders who consistently support conservation through laws, comprehensive plans, zoning, policies and programs. They must possess political will because the pro-development constituency is always active and represents a huge source of campaign contributions. Our elected leaders must act with conviction in adopting long-term conservation measures.

Educate the broader population about the benefits

of conservation and preservation. It’s critical to constantly reach out and look for opportunities to “broaden our base.” Traditional communication helps, but actual experiences are more compelling. Two great examples: the Land Trust of Virginia’s bike tour showcasing the countryside, and promoting the amazing views at the PEC’s Piedmont Memorial Overlook adjacent to Sky Meadow State Park. We must constantly message that open space enhances quality of life with recreational opportunities, a stronger agricultural economy and lower local taxes.

Support stricter zoning ordinances, state laws and policies favoring conservation and preservation.

Zoning ordinances ultimately determine what developers can do. Consider cluster zoning in Loudoun County intended to protect open space and agricultural lands. Some believe it’s become the biggest threat to open space conservation in rural western Loudoun because of what the zoning ordinance allows.

Take another look at agri-tourism. It’s a great concept in theory, not reality. We have “farm wineries” serving 1,500 on a weekend, and “farm breweries” that aren’t really farms. Agri-tourism rules and enforcement at the state and local levels must be tightened to avoid jeopardizing the countryside.

Well-funded policies are needed to promote conservation easements, along with purchase/ transfer of development rights programs that provide landowners with financially attractive alternatives to simply selling their land for development.

Get personally involved. The public has a powerful voice. A recent example: persuading Loudoun County to abandon plans for a huge fire station in the historic village of Aldie. I encourage everyone to become involved in conservation matters beyond your immediate location. The more involvement, the stronger our voice.

And so, many thanks to conservation-minded local officials, non-profit organizations, their volunteers and everyone who supports them financially for protecting this area. It’s our collective responsibility to keep it that way now and for future generations.

Kevin Ramundo is a former communications executive serving on the boards of Citizens for Fauquier County and Land Trust of Virginia.