Saving Land in Western Virginia Winter 2011-12

Saving Land IN WESTERN VIRGINIA

Winter 2 0 11

Annual Report Edition Ferrum man manages land for game Local author saves land, writes about conservation

westernvirginialandtrust.org

Land+Link Photography Competition First Place Winner: “Beyond the Fence� by John Singleton of Roanoke.

Ferrum landowner conserves 700 acres, manages it for game Photo by David Perry

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Steve Dillard (right) and WVLT intern Jack Moore on Dillard’s property in 2010.

By George Kegley

Steve Dillard, a North Carolina hunter, heads for his Franklin County woodland in search of deer and turkey at least one day a week and sometimes five days. At 54, he’s retired and spending most of his time taking care of the land and its wildlife.

Dillard frequently drives the 120 miles from his Davidson County home to his 712-acre farm west of Ferrum at the foot of the Blue Ridge where he’s donated a conservation easement to the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF). Dillard first met with the Western Virginia Land Trust’s David Perry in May of 2010, who toured the property with Dillard and helped to educate him on the conservation easement process. Perry then set up a second meeting with him, Dillard and Josh Gibson of VOF, who was chosen as the best easement holder.

If people don’t set aside the remaining big tracts of land, all of it will be fragmented in 10-acre lots, he said.

“We try to take good care of the property,” he added. His easement protects the land, allowing only four home sites on the 712 acres for his daughters, Ashley and Lindsey and his son, Bradley. Their forest farm, “a pretty piece of property,” is on the headwaters of Tharp Creek in a hollow surrounded by steep hills and mountains.

Every spring, Dillard sows wheat, rye, clover, alfalfa and even turnips in wildlife food plots for his deer population. Deer will relish the turnips in cold weather, he said. Dillard mows the clover but only 30 acres is farmland. He’s spread lime and fertilizer, seeded 30 miles of trails and planted apple and pear trees--anything to improve the health of wildlife.

His son-in-law, Robert Smith, and son Bradley often join the hunting trips, while his wife, Karen, and the daughters relax in the Dillard cabin in the woods.

“We don’t see anybody” on the Franklin County hunts, he said.

Dillard’s mechanical contracting business grew fast enough to sell to a larger firm. A condition of the sale was his continuing service for the company for three years. At 46, he moved from the business world to retirement outdoors.

The turkey population on his woodland has tripled in recent years. He likes to look at deer and turkey and he’s spotted three or four bears but he hasn’t killed one yet.

A game plot and scenic view on Steve Dillard’s land.

Photo by David Perry

From the President Land preservation spurs economic development With this year’s Conservation Celebration behind us (another big thank you to George & Louise Kegley and everyone else who worked so hard to make it a huge success!), I’ve been considering ways to increase public awareness of the very significant part played by our land trust in the Sandy Light economic development of our region.

The caliber of schools, local services (transportation, public safety), attractiveness of neighborhoods and surrounding landscape are all key factors in business and employee recruitment and retention. Among our organization’s priorities is the preservation of ridgetops and mountainsides, greenways and trails (including the Appalachian Trail), and Blue Ridge Parkway viewsheds in a region which is blessed with exceptional natural beauty.

3 Dr. Michael Friedlander, executive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute, explained recently in Valley Business Front magazine how the Institute’s employees feel about our area. “People tend to think scientists are like lab rats, sitting in little dark spaces…the building’s picturesque setting beneath Mill Mountain and its natural lighting are a plus.

“It’s great to be able to get light and see inspiring things... the views are inspiring, and scientists are the kind of people that get inspired. At most research centers you’re surrounded by concrete. To be able to go out for 20 minutes, clear your head, and take a walk on the greenway, that’s really something special.”

Our land trust’s promotion of sustainable development, preservation of natural resources, and emphasis on the value of open space and its resulting recreational opportunities are significant components of our region’s economic growth. We need to spread the word!

From the Director Farm tour showcases conservation Just the other day I had the opportunity to go on a farm tour in Botetourt County with the Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation District (S&WCD). We partner with five different districts in our ten counties and I have been on many a farm tour over the years. For those of you who have not taken advantage of these all-day free tours, they usually Roger Holnback start in the morning with refreshments, then you get in a bus or vans to tour two or three farms that have participated in agricultural best management practices. There is always a stop for lunch either as guests of a landowner, or at a local eating establishment. In the summer, stops for homemade ice cream are popular. During the tours one hears about remote watering systems, exclusionary fencing, forestry management techniques and state and federal cost share programs that make farming easier and more profitable.

What struck me about this one tour, despite the cold drizzle, was the number of easement donors attending. Years ago I would make my little talks at the lunch break in the hope that I would inspire a few farmers to look into easements. At this tour with about 35 people attending we had representatives of eleven families that have already donated conservation easements present. This tour’s lunch speaker was Genevieve Goss, the

long-time leader of the Valley Conservation Council’s (VCC) efforts in Botetourt County. VCC has been promoting easements in Botetourt for twenty years and WVLT has been helping there since 2003. With two land trusts working to reach out to Botetourt County landowners, there are now over 40 conservation easements in Botetourt County. After her introduction she asked the easement donors present to introduce themselves and tell their stories about why they did their easements. I wish we had a movie camera as one after the other spoke of preserving the family home place, protecting their farms, protecting water and looking out for future generations.

Easement donors present included George Kegley and Bob Allen from Roanoke, Marlon Old of Craig, David Henderson, David Rader, John and Hallie Seibel, Whitney Feldmann, Diane Preece, Don and Judy Race and Kurt Kunze of Botetourt and Ellen Ford of Bath County.

They didn’t talk about the federal tax deductions or the Virginia income tax credits they received. It wasn’t about the money--it was about following their hearts. These are great people doing their part in helping us all live in a better world. And it was no surprise that these very same families were also looking into the great cost share programs that the S&WCDs offer to help protect our working agricultural lands and waterways. To learn more about these great programs contact your local Soil and Water Conservation District and come along on the next farm tour.

News

4 Western Virginia Land Trust Promoting the conservation of western Virginia’s natural resources – farms, forests, waterways, and rural landscapes.

722 First St., SW, Suite L Roanoke, VA 24016-4120 Phone/fax (540) 985-0000 www.westernvirginialandtrust.org BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Sandy Light, President Stephen M. Claytor, Vice President F. Fulton Galer, Treasurer Whitney H. Feldmann, Secretary Lynn M. Davis Walter M. Dixon, III Lucy R. Ellett Peter M. Fellers William M. Hackworth Robert H. Hunt David A. Hurt George A. Kegley James L. Kermes Kenneth L. Lanford J.W. “Bill” Mason John H. Parrott, Jr. Janet Scheid Daniel C. Summerlin James M. Turner, Jr. Advisory Council Liza T. Field Talfourd H. Kemper Robert B. Lambeth, Jr. Barbara B. Lemon Stephen W. Lemon Jeanne M. Martin John B. Williamson, III Staff Roger B. Holnback Executive Director David C. Perry Assistant Director Cover image: Land+Link Photography Competition First Place Winner: “Beyond the Fence” by John Singleton of Roanoke

Remember WVLT during the holidays!

There are lots of ways to remember the land trust this holiday season: • Make your Amazon.com purchases using the link on the front page of the WVLT website, westernvirginialandtrust.org. WVLT receives a small commission on each purchase at no cost to you.

• Gift memberships: give a year’s membership to the land trust.

We’ll send a special card to the recipient announcing a gift in their honor.

• Kroger cards: A WVLT Kroger gift card makes a great present for starving college students, or to help employees buy their holiday meal fixings. WVLT receives a small commission at no cost to you.

• Gifts of appreciated stock, real estate or used vehicles.

Thank you for remembering your local land trust! For more information, call (540) 985-0000 or e-mail rholnback@ westernvirginialandtrust.org or dperry@westernvirginialandtrust.org.

Second Annual Potluck Dinner is March 11, 2012; features program on Rwandan coffee farming WVLT will hold its second annual potluck dinner on March 11, 2012 from 5-7 pm at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Roanoke on the corner of Grandin Rd. and Brandon Ave. Jonna McGraw will present a wonderful program on coffee farming in Rwanda in the aftermath of the genocide in 1994, based on her recent trip to that tiny African country. Jonna participates in a coffee ministry with Land of a Thousand Hills Coffee Company, whose mission is to pay a fair wage to Rwandan coffee farmers and help them meet their basic needs. She’ll have coffee to sample and also for sale.

WVLT will also raffle off a guided canoe fishing trip with local author and conservationist Bruce Ingram (see Bruce’s story on page 14). Everyone should bring a covered dish and a serving utensil; WVLT will provide beverages, eating utensils, plates, cups and napkins. As a courtesy, please call the land trust at (540) 985-0000 or e-mail dperry@westernvirginialandtrust.org if you plan to attend.

The event is free and open to the public. See you there!

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2010-11 Annual Report Western Virginia Land Trust

From the President and Executive Director This is our first published annual report presented to the public and our wonderful supporters. Each year we internally discuss our financial performance, develop a budget for the next year and make plans for continuing our mission of preserving Western Virginia’s farms, forests, waterways and special places. For 15 years we have paid for an annual external audit to confirm that we are meeting our fiduciary duties. Through our quarterly newsletters and press releases we have kept you informed of our accomplishments, and we have told the stories of many easement donors.

direct fundraising, special events, outreach and education, and stewardship. They man educational booths and have even been known to pour beer at outreach events to promote WVLT to a wider audience. All without compensation-- because they care. They know we make a difference.

Then there are our wonderful members, corporate friends and event sponsors. Simply put they keep us going. We are not supported by huge government grants or billion-dollar foundations.

If you look at our pie charts in the financial report you will see where we get our operating support.

It is from the few hundred individuals and local and regional businesses that come through for us year after year listed in this report. We can’t thank you enough, but we know that our children and their children will have a better Western Virginia to call home because you supported our efforts.

80,000 acres will become 100,000, then 200,000 acres. What a legacy…. and you make it possible!

This year for the first time we are presenting you with an official annual report. We hope to present our accomplishments, challenges and plans in such a way that you can get a feel for what we do, how we do it and where we are headed.

Your land trust has been around for 15 years and we remain a strong organization, with a board and staff ready and able to meet the challenges of the times, while always moving WVLT forward Sandy Light, President as our region’s leader in conservation.

We know we have done a great job of promoting conservation easements to protect private property from inappropriate development. 80,000 acres and counting is an amazing accomplishment Roger Holnback, Executive Director for an organization with only two paid staff. Our board members each give hours each month to direct staff efforts, attend 10 board meetings each year and then meet in committees to Photo: “Catawba Wildflowers” by Michael Kiernan

722 FIRST ST. SW SUITE L • ROANOKE, VA 24016 • (540) 985-0000 • WESTERNVIRGINIALANDTRUST.ORG

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Photo by jonathan Roberts

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Former WVLT President Janet Scheid, Assistant Director David Perry, former Gov. Tim Kaine, and Executive Director Roger Holnback at the 2009 Conservation Celebration.

Janet Scheid leaves legacy of success as WVLT president Janet Scheid of Vinton recently ended a very successful three-year term as president of the Western Virginia Land Trust. A founding member of the land trust Board of Trustees, Janet led WVLT to several high-profile achievements, including national accreditation through the Land Trust Alliance and the establishment of the Western Virginia Land Conservation Fund at the Foundation for Roanoke Valley.

special events during Janet’s presidency, the Race for Open Space and the annual potluck dinner. At the 2009 Conservation Celebration, the land trust honored Governor Tim Kaine with the A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Award.

Janet is the former chief planner for Roanoke County and ended her career as the greenways planner for Roanoke County Recreation, Parks and Tourism. In her retirement, she and husband Bud LaRoche are enjoying working around their home and visiting their son Colby at High Point University. Janet remains a very active member of the Board of Trustees, serving as chair of the stewardship committee and as a member of the events committee.

She was also integral in the donation of conservation easements on Mill Mountain Park and Carvins Cove Natural Reserve by the City of Roanoke, chairing a special WVLT ad-hoc committee for that purpose. WVLT was recognized by Scenic Virginia and the Department of Environmental Quality for these accomplishments. WVLT also added several new conserved properties during Janet’s tenure, Thank you for your leadership, energy and including land on Bent Mountain and along Goose vision, Janet! Western Virginia owes you a debt of Creek in Montvale. The land trust added two new gratitude for your efforts to save our scenery!

ii 722 FIRST ST. SW SUITE L • ROANOKE, VA 24016 • (540) 985-0000 • WESTERNVIRGINIALANDTRUST.ORG

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Hi ghlights 20 10-11 • 2010 Conservation Celebration at Braeloch.

WVLT honored Dr. M. Rupert Cutler with the A. Victor Thomas Environmental Stewardship Award, and easement donors Jim and Esta Wilson of Martinsville with our first Landowner Award.

The event raised nearly $35,000 for WVLT’s conservation efforts.

Trust Alliance in February 2011. Accreditation “recognizes organizations for meeting national standards for excellence, upholding the public trust and ensuring that conservation efforts are permanent.” Only about eight percent of land trusts nationwide are accredited at this time, and WVLT is one of only three land trusts in the Commonwealth to achieve this distinction.

• Western Virginia Land Conservation Fund at the Foundation for Roanoke Valley. We • First annual Potluck Dinner. WVLT held opened this with a transfer of $25,000 from its first annual potluck dinner at the Unitarian our stewardship reserve in February of 2010. In Universalist Church of Roanoke in March of December of 2010 we received generous lead 2011. In addition to the food and fellowship, local gifts from Barbara Lemon, Louise Kegley and the author and conservationist Tim Thornton spoke Read Mountain Alliance totaling over $30,000. about his experiences on the National Committee Along with other gifts designated for this purpose, for the New River’s annual journey down the river. our total in the fund came to $64,242 as of June • Continuing Education program for attorneys 30, 2011. and CPAs. Held in May 2011 at the Roanoke • Higginbotham easement.

In December Higher Education Center and webcast live, 2010, WVLT accepted the donation of its 40th professionals Steve Lemon, Fulton Galer, conservation easement from Mrs. and Mrs. David Sam Long and Robert Lambeth presented Higginbotham, protecting 202 acres of pasture “Conservation Easements: From the Client’s and forest on Bent Mountain in Roanoke County.

Perspective” to educate lawyers and accountants The easement preserves the rural view from about conservation easements and the tax and the Blue Ridge Parkway in southwest Roanoke legal issues associated with them.

County, and brings the total acreage that WVLT • Third annual Race for Open Space 3K Run/ protects to 15,700 acres.

Walk. Held at Green Hill Park in Roanoke County • Land Trust Alliance Accreditation. The in June, this event drew over 100 participants and culmination of a five-year process and hundreds raised nearly $4,700 for WVLT’s conservation of hours of staff and board time, WVLT efforts. Look for a 3k and 5K for 2012. received national accreditation from the Land

Go a ls f or 20 11-12 • Community outreach. Expand community • Special places. Grow relevancy for WVLT in outreach to grow our membership and increase the communities we serve by identifying each our relevance to our citizens’ quality of life. community’s “special places” and make a targeted effort to preserve them.

• Partners. Identify and reach out to potential partner organizations throughout our service • Fundraising.

Develop more effective area. fundraising materials and create more fundraising opportunities for our region’s foundations and • Community advocates. Reach out to easement corporations. donors and like-minded individuals to form small groups in each county to be WVLT community • Stewardship. Continue to grow the Western advocates.

Virginia Land Conservation Fund at the Foundation for Roanoke Valley. iii 722 FIRST ST. SW SUITE L • ROANOKE, VA 24016 • (540) 985-0000 • WESTERNVIRGINIALANDTRUST.ORG

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2010-11 Membership Gifts The following individuals, families, companies, and foundations donated to the Western Virginia Land Trust in fiscal year 2011 – from July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011. Our deepest thanks go to every Land Trust member whose annual memberships make all of our land conservation work possible.

BENEFACTOR - $5,000 or more William M. Claytor Family Memorial Fund in memory of William M. Claytor Cox Communications (cash and inkind) Conservation Celebration sponsor Race for Open Space sponsor Jim Woltz (in-kind) Conservation Celebration sponsor Wordsprint (in-kind) Conservation Celebration sponsor CONSERVATOR - $2,500 to $4,999 Blue Ridge Catering (in-kind) Conservation Celebration sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Frank Ellett Conservation Celebration sponsor Farrell Foundation Conservation Celebration sponsor Gentry Locke Rakes & Moore, LLP Conservation Celebration sponsor Mr. and Mrs. Al Hammond/Braeloch (in-kind) Conservation Celebration sponsor Lanford Brothers Co. Conservation Celebration sponsor Nancy O. Gray and David N. Maxson The Morris Family Foundation Norfolk Southern Foundation Orvis Conservation Celebration sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Peter Via Vistar Eye Center Conservation Celebration sponsor

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SUSTAINER - $1,000 to $2,499 Appalachian Power Co. Conservation Celebration sponsor Ms. Elizabeth Barrett and Katie Roemer Boxley Materials Company Conservation Celebration sponsor Carter Machinery Company, Inc. Conservation Celebration sponsor Cartledge Foundation, Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Steven M. Claytor Corrugated Container Corporation Conservation Celebration sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Spencer Frantz

in honor of Lanier and Thecla Frantz Dr. & Mrs Ronald F. Freshley GE Foundation Mr. Roger B. Holnback in memory of Olive and Peter Holnback; Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. James W. Jennings Jr. Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. George A. Kegley Mrs. Anna L. Lawson in honor of George Kegley Mr. Jon L. Manetta McLaughlin and Moran, Inc New Horizons Foundation The Ohrstrom Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Bittle W. Porterfield III Conservation Celebration sponsor Roanoke County Roanoke Star-Sentinel (in-kind) Conservation Celebration sponsor Race for Open Space sponsor; Land+Link sponsor Rockydale Quarries Corporation Conservation Celebration sponsor Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division Conservation Celebration sponsor Mr. Dan C. Watson in memory of Lona Greer Watson Western Virginia Environmental and Social Trust Foundation STEWARD - $500 to $999 Brown Edwards and Company, LLP Conservation Celebration sponsor Ms. Elizabeth H. Belcher Brugh’s Mill Country Store Conservation Celebration sponsor The Clifton Family Fund at FRV Dixon, Hubard, Feinour, Brown, Inc Conservation Celebration sponsor Mr. & Mrs. William D. Elliot Mrs. Betty H. Field Graham-White Manufacturing Co. Conservation Celebration sponsor Green Up Lawns & Landscapes Conservation Celebration sponsor Dr. & Mrs R. Wayne Gandee Mr. & Mrs. William M. Hackworth Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. Robert H. Hunt

Jordan’s Custom Framing (in-kind) Land+Link sponsor Jim and Pat Kermes Mr. & Mrs. Ed Kohinke Gertrude J. Kurshan Mr. Robert B. Lambeth Jr. Barbara B. and William J. Lemon William Jacob and Barbara Inez Boyle Lemon Fund of the Foundation for Roanoke Valley, Inc. Martin Hopkins & Lemon PC Conservation Celebration sponsor Miller Long & Associates Conservation Celebration sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Richard G. Long Jr. McLeod and Co. Conservation Celebration sponsor Oakey’s Funeral Service & Crematory Conservation Celebration sponsor Mrs. Emma Read Oppenhimer in honor of Frank W. Read Roanoke Natural Foods Co-op Conservation Celebration sponsor; Race for Open Space sponsor Rutherfoord, Inc. Conservation Celebration sponsor Mrs. Carol W. Pruner Robertson Marketing (in-kind) Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. Paul D. Ross Jr. Mr. Edwin H Talley III Mr. & Mrs. Glenn O. Thornhill Jr. Valley Bank N.A. Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Stephen E. Wagner Elbert, Evelyn and Karen Waldron Charitable Foundation Mr. & Mrs. David L. Wallenborn Mrs. Betty Byrne Ware in honor of George and Louise Kegley Woltz and Associates, Inc. Conservation Celebration sponsor Woods Rogers, PLC Conservation Celebration sponsor ASSOCIATE - $250 TO $499 Elizabeth Stinson and Paul L. Angermeier Mrs. Karen L. Barnhart

722 FIRST ST. SW SUITE L • ROANOKE, VA 24016 • (540) 985-0000 • WESTERNVIRGINIALANDTRUST.ORG

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2010-11 Membership Gifts BJN Brewworks, LLC Conservation Celebration sponsor Botetourt County Mr. Guy W. Buford Deke and Jane Coulter Dr. Paul A. Distler Draper Aden Associates, Inc. Race for Open Space sponsor Linda E. Durham Ph.D. Mr. Scott Fauber Mr. & Mrs. Mark E. Feldmann Mr. G. Franklin Flippin Mr. W. Heywood Fralin Mr. & Mrs. James S. Frantz Jr. Mr. F. Fulton Galer Mr. & Mrs. Ray L. Garland Mr. & Mrs. David R. Goode Mr. & Mrs. Scott A. Graeff Mr. & Mrs. David A. Hurt Ms. N. Jane Ingram Ms. Mary L. Kegley Ms. Annette S. Kirby Kroger (in-kind) Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Forrest M. Landon Ms. Margaret E. Layne Mr. & Mrs. W. Tucker Lemon Ms. Sandy Light Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Kirk Ludwig Mr. & Mrs. John W. Mason Mr. J. Mark McClain Meridium Land+Link sponsor Dr. & Mrs John R. Merten Mrs. Elizabeth H. Muse Dr. & Mrs. W. T. Norris Jr. Joel & Bob Richert Roanoke County Dept. of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (in-kind) Race for Open Space sponsor Roanoke Outside Race for Open Space sponsor Janet Scheid and Bud LaRoche Race for Open Space sponsor Mr & Mrs. Michael K. Smeltzer Mr. & Mrs. Donald G. Smith Mr. James M. Turner Race for Open Space sponsor Nan Mahone and Bill Wellborn Jean and Dick Wertz Mr. & Mrs. Frank L. Williams Mr. & Mrs. Clifton A. Woodrum III Race for Open Space sponsor

Race for Open Space sponsor Peter and Sandy Dawyot Mr. Howard Dickerson Dr. Charlotte D. Dietz FRIEND - $100 to 249 Mr. Walter M. Dixon Jr. Appalachian Ironworks Ms. Jo Lynn Draper Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. John and Hoye Duckworth Balance Chiropractic & Wellness Mr. & Mrs. Frank R. Ellett Race for Open Space sponsor Fellers Family Limited Partnership Bedford Historical Society, Inc Mr. & Mrs. James A. Ford J. M. Ambrose-Cosby Mr. & Mrs. D. Norris Ford Mr. Fredrick P. Baker Mr. James H. Ford in memory of Glen Leasure Mr. & Mrs. David L. Foster Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Ballas Mr. & Mrs. Lanier Frantz Mr. & Mrs. D. Stan Barnhill Mr. & Mrs. John C. Fraser Mr. Larry R. Bechtel Mr. & Mrs. John C. Garber Ms. Laura E. Benjamin Mr. Jean A. Smith and Michael A. Berry Dr. & Mrs John M. Gilkey Glenn, Feldmann, Darby & Goodlatte Dr. & Mrs. William M. Blaylock Race for Open Space sponsor Blue Ridge Vinyard Global Metalfinishing Race for Open Space sponsor Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Hugh H. Bond Dr. & Mrs Peter Goodfield Rex and Jennifer Bowman The Honorable & Mrs. Robert W. Race for Open Space sponsor Goodlatte Mr. & Mrs. Frank A. Boxley Sr. Dr. & Mrs William N. Gordge Brambleton Imports Valley Bank N.A. Race for Open Space sponsor Dr. & Mrs J. Bruce Hagadorn Mr. David E. Brammer Ms. Alice T. Hagan Ms. Betty M. Branch Mr. R. Bryant Hare Mr. & Mrs. E. Cabell Brand Fred and Mary Buford Hitz Mr. Stanley G. Breakell Ms. Carol B. Hodges Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence L. Bright Ms. Phyllis Bagley Hoefer Mr. & Mrs. Mervin W. Brower in honor of Peter and Fleta Ring Mr. & Mrs. C. Whitney Brown Jr. Mrs. Anne M. Howard Dr. & Mrs Joseph G. Brown in honor of Lynn and Tim BTR Partnership Mr. David S. Hunt and Ellen Aiken Buckwheat Farm Mr. & Mrs. W. Arnold Hurt Mr. & Mrs. Daniel M. Camden Mr. & Mrs. Reginald K. Hutcherson Ms. Sarah King Capps Cynthia Petzold and Lowell Inhorn Mr. & Mrs. George B. Cartledge Jr. Interactive Achievement Choice Communications Group. Inc. Race for Open Space sponsor Race for Open Space sponsor Mrs. Susie V. Jamison Ms. Beth A. Christopoulos Mr. David A. Jenkins City of Roanoke Mr. & Mrs. James F. Johnson Race for Open Space sponsor David and Karen Jones Mimi Rainero Coles Mr. & Mrs. Warren R. Kark The Honorable and Mrs. Glen E. Dr. Thomas F. Keller Conrad Mr. & Mrs. Richard J. Kelly Copperhead Plumbing and Heating Mr. & Mrs. Talfourd H. Kemper Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Alton L. Knighton Hugh and Reggie Craft Mr. Richard M. Kurshan Mr. T. J. Crawford Mr.and Mrs. Stanard F. Lanford Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey B. Culbertson Mr. & Mrs. James B. Lee Dr. & Mrs. M. Rupert Cutler Dr. & Mrs. Edmund M. Lesko Davenport and Company, LLC Mr. & Mrs. Robert Wells Woody Mr. & Mrs. Edward D. Yost

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722 FIRST ST. SW SUITE L • ROANOKE, VA 24016 • (540) 985-0000 • WESTERNVIRGINIALANDTRUST.ORG

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2010-11 Membership Gifts Mr. & Mrs. Joseph D. Logan III Ms. Anne P. Long Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Lynn Mr. & Mrs. J. Granger Macfarlane Mr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Malishaucki Brooke and Emily Mallory in honor of Fran and Ed Meyers Ms. Betty Marr Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. Martin Ms. Emily Ann Mason Dr. & Mrs Julien H. Meyer Jr. Mr. & Mrs. T. Christopher Moore Dr. & Mrs. Chimer D. Moore Jr. Mr. & Mrs. G. Marshall Mundy Mrs. Betty G. Norris in honor of David and Katrina Hurt Oak Grove Insurance Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. Charles H. Osterhoudt Mr. & Mrs. James G. Overholser in honor of Bill Gordge and Malcolm Black Mr. & Mrs. Rod J. Passmore Access Inc. Race for Open Space sponsor Bob and Kristin Peckman Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Pitner Mr. and Mrs. Frank D. Porter III Precision Fabrics Group Inc. Race for Open Space sponsor Glen and Sharon Proehl Mr. & Mrs. Michael K. Quinn Roanoke Appalachian Trail Club Dr. & Mrs John W Robinson Mr. Walton I. Rutherfoord Mr. & Mrs. David M. Savitz Mr. Tim C. Shank Mr. John R. Simmerman in memory of Thomas M. Jackson and Betty Jackson Ward Victor S. Skaff, Jr., DDS, PC Race for Open Space sponsor Mr. & Mrs. Walter M. Spangler Dr. & Mrs Anthony R. Stavola Mr. & Mrs. Bill Stevens Jr. Ms. Grace M. Terry Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Teter Mr. Paul R. Thomson Jr. Thornfield Farm Ms. Grace Thurlow Mrs. Frances M. Trent in honor of John R. Graham, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. D. Kyle Umberger III Valley Conservation Council Mrs. Betty Van Balen

Mr. & Mrs. Gary R. Duerk Mr. John Eckman and Carol Nash Gloria Elliott & Associates Mr. & Mrs. Pierce Felch III Mr. Robert H. Fetzer Ms. Liza T. Field in grateful memory of Leigh and Frances Hanes Ms. Doris Flandorffer Ms. Sharon H. Foster in memory of Margaret and Arlie A. Corbett and in honor of Arlie and Sam Harper Mr. Christopher L. Fowler Fox Folly Farm Mr. & Mrs. Robert Allen Garland in honor of WVLT Volunteers Mr. & Mrs. Josh C. Gibson Ellen W. Glover Ms. Linda Goodrich Mrs. Nancy H. Greer in honor of Dr. George Anderson SUPPORTER - $50 to $99 Mr. Sanford Gurian Mr. & Mrs. Leonard Adkins Mr. Edward R. Harris Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Charles W. Ayling Dr. Joanna H. Harris Ms. Carrie Tate Aylor Mr. & Mrs. James D. Harshfield Lynn C. and Linda F. Barnes matched by the GE Foundation Virginia W. Blain in honor of Broaddus and Luann Fitzpatrick Mr. Paul A. Haskins Ms. Diane M. Henry-Leggette Mr. & Mrs. W. Chan Bolling Ms. Judith L. Hensley Ms. Nancy A. Bourne Mr. & Mrs. Henry W. Herzog Jr. Mr. David A Bowers Mr. Laurence A. Hess Mr. David W. Bowles Rev. & Mrs. Paul R. Hinlicky Mr. & Mrs. John P. Bradshaw Mr. James E. Howell Mr. Denis J. Brion Mr. & Mrs. Royce Husted Mr. & Mrs. Daniel W. Brown Ivy Branch Farm Paula L. Bumgarner Mr. & Mrs. R. Devereux Jarratt Mr. & Mrs. John H. Campbell Mr. & Mrs. Gary L. Kattenbraker in memory of Ann P. Hahn in honor of Joseph G. Johnson, Jr. Ms. Catherine P. Caspole Mrs. Margaret H. Kelley in memory of Felton Pendleton Mr. & Mrs. Timothy A. Kelly Mr. & Mrs. Stephen B. Cates in honor of Mrs. George Thompson Dr. R Dean Clower Ms. Kathleen C. Koomen Dr. & Mrs Robert T. Copenhaver in honor of Christina Coxe Koomen-Smith Mr. Frederick M. Crofts Sally and Joe Lemmer Mr. & Mrs. James L. Crowgey Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Lorence Ms. Lynn M. Davis Dr. & Mrs James L. Lynde Mr. & Mrs. Calvert G. de Coligny Jr. Mr. Brett F. Magenbauer Ms. Amy K. DeHart Mr. Charles C. Manning Jr. Ms. Pauline B. Dickens Exxonmobil Foundation Rev. & Mrs. Park P. Dickerson Mr. & Mrs. George A. McLean Jr. Mrs. Barbara M. Dickinson Ms. Mary A. McMichael Ms. Ruth Alden Doan Dr. & Mrs Houck M. Medford Mr. & Mrs. David R. Dougherty Mr. & Mrs. Richard M. Miller Dr. & Mrs. F. Joseph Duckwall Mr. David B. Miller Ms. Jeane M. Duddy Dr. & Mrs J. Milton Miller in memory of Kevin Michael Duddy Mr. L. Robert Vaughan matched by the GE Foundation Walkabout Outfitters Race for Open Space sponsor Dr. & Mrs. Edgar N. Weaver Jr. in honor of Deke and Jane Coulter and Mark and Whitney Feldmann Mrs. A. Dane Weddle in memory of late husband Dane Weddle Mr. John P. Whittle Dr. Dale A. Wickstrum Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing Race for Open Space sponsor John and Marilee Williamson Mr. & Mrs. James M. Wilson Mr. R. Lowell Wine Dr. & Mrs Barry Wolfe Dr. & Mrs John R. Wood

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2010-11 Membership Gifts Mr. David M. Naff Dr. Robert L. Nutt Mr. & Mrs. Dan O’Donnell Mr. Gilmer Ogle Dr. & Mrs Robert E. Paine in honor of Cabell Brand Mr. & Mrs. Case Pieterman Dr. & Mrs. Robert E. Pooley Mr. & Mrs. Jerry L. Reed Mr. & Mrs. William F. Reidenbach Mr. & Mrs. James V. Revercomb Dr. & Mrs. William H. Robison Virginia M. Savage Mrs. Mary Lou Shaffer Mr. & Mrs. James H. Shively Mr. Thomas W. Skelly Ms. Joanne G. Smith Ms. Helen Smythers Mr. Ray Spangler Mr. Glenn T. Stafford Elaine Stephenson Interiors, Inc. Mr. McKinney V. Taylor Mr. Donald R. Taylor Mr. & Mrs. William A. Thomasson The Honorable Patricia S. Ticer Mr. Maurice C. Turner matched by Norfolk Southern Ms. Tamara Vance and Andrew Kassoff Mr. & Mrs. Jeffrey Walters Mr. William I. Wasserman Dr. & Mrs Jesse A. Webster Mr. & Mrs. Robert A. Willis Mr. Ryland A. Winston Jr. Ms. Suzanne R Wright Ms. Mary Jane Zody MEMBER - $1 to $49 Mr. Theodore D. Allen Mr. Richard Amstutz Dr. Karen Mays Asbury Mr. Bane Atkinson Jr. Dr. & Mrs Walter S Barton Dr. & Mrs. Vincent T. Basile in honor of Mr. and Mrs. R.D. Jarratt Mr. & Mrs. Richard A. Baynton Ms. Tammy L. Belinsky Ms. Ellen M. Boder Mr. & Mrs. Stephen G. Bodley Mrs. Ruth B. Boitnott Ms. Patricia A. Buck Michael and Monica Burgoon Mr. & Mrs. M. Caldwell Butler Camlach Farm Ms. Nancy K. Carey

Mr. & Mrs. Robert E. Lockhart Mr. George B. Cartledge III Mr. & Mrs. Fielding L. Logan Jr. Doug Chittum Mr. James T. Lucas Jr. Eleanor M. Clark The Luminescence Foundation, Inc. Mrs. Mary S. Copenhaver Ms. Letitia Lunsford Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Copty Ms. Sarah J. Martin Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence M. Covington in memory of Whiskers Ms. Margaret W. Crosson Mr. Robert H. Minor Mr. & Mrs. C. Clarke Cunningham III Mr. William J. Modica Mark and Susan Currie Mr. John B. Moore Thelma Dalmas Ginny and Bob Mullen Mr. & Mrs. Curtis E. Davis Jr. Dr. Daniel Murphy Mr. Walter M. Dixon III in memory of Catherine Ryan Mr. Steve Douty Mr. Braxton Naff Mr. Corey Dunn Mr. & Mrs. Richard E. O’Dell Ms. Rosalie H. Eldridge Environmental Services & Consulting, Ms. Martha Orrick Ms. Emily Painter LLC Ms. Tammy E. Parece Mr. & Mrs. Gregory W. Feldmann Mr. & Mrs. William L. Parker Mr. & Mrs. James L. Floyd Ms. Anne N. Parrott Ms. Carol Fralin Judge and Mrs. Richard C. Pattisall Mr. John D. Frasca Mr. William C. Pavord Ms. Wileina F. Furrow Virginia and Michael Reilly Rev. and Mrs. Tupper Garden Ms. Kristen Reynolds Mr. & Mrs. J. Randolph Garrett Mr. & Mrs. Gene R. Richter Mr. James R. Gray Roanoke Valley Garden Club Green Forest Surveys Mrs. Nancy B. Robertson Mr. Pete Haislip in honor of son Jim Robertson III Ms. Mary Ann Hansen Captain Kit C. Robinson Rev. C. Nelson Harris Mrs. Donna Rogers Mr. Alfred A. Hawley Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Rohrback Mr. & Mrs. David R. Hensley Jr. Southern Environmental Law Center in honor of James and Esta Wilson Mr. & Mrs. J. Scott Spangler Mr. & Mrs. David P. Hill Mr. & Mrs. Wayne G. Strickland Mr. & Mrs. Mark D. Hollberg Mary S Taylor Joanne W. Holley in honor of Jim and Esta Wilson Ms. Jennifer Holman Dr. & Mrs Nelson Teague Mrs. Martha K. Hooker Ms. Paula A. Thompson Mr. & Mrs. William Robert Horton Mr. Harry G. Tornatore Mrs. Mirna R. Hosny Mrs. Betsy P. Vannoy Glenn Skutt and Lesley Howard Mr. & Mrs. William G. Wall II Mr. Bruce E. Ingram Mr. & Mrs. W. Keith Weinwurm Mrs. Geneva K. Jenkins Ms. Virginia K. West Stephen C. and Liza R. Jett Frances H. Williams Mr. & Mrs. McMillan H. Johnson Mr. Mark J. Wilson Mr. & Mrs. Clayton G. Jones Mr. Harry W. Woolridge in memory of Harlie R. McMillian Mr. Richard Jones Contributions to the Western Virginia Mr. Richard F. Kegley Ms. Patricia P. Kelly Land Conservation Fund at the Dr. & Mrs James A. Kelly Foundation for Roanoke Valley: Dr. & Mrs Stephen S. Kennedy Mr. & Mrs. George A. Kegley Mr. & Mrs. Warren F. Kindt Mr. David Higginbotham Mr. & Mrs. David L. Lemon Barbara B. and William J. Lemon Mr. & Mrs. Robert L. LeNoir Jr. Mary Jean and John Levin

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FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Uses

Category Management Fundraising Landowner Education Community Outreach Stewardship Total Expenses

Amount (rounded to nearest dollar) 32,361.00 25,818.00 65,000.00 24,000.00 35,000.00

Percent 18% 14% 36% 13% 19%

182,179.00

Sources

Category Stewardship Kroger Card Newsletter Advertising Race for Open Space Conservation Celebration Contributions Investment Income Seminars Other Total Income

Amount (rounded to nearest dollar) 20,000.00 3,966.00 4,750.00 6,177.00 40,724.00 101,390.00 5,025.00 2,767.00 3,576.00

Percent 11% 2% 3% 3% 22% 54% 3% 1% 2%

188,375.00

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Photos by jonathan Roberts and Alex smythers

C ON S E RVA TION CELEBRAT ION 2011

Thank you to the following individuals and companies who made donations to the Conservation Celebration’s silent auction: Backcountry Ski and Sports Steve Claytor Lynn Davis Euro Fashions & Exclusives Lanier Frantz and Janet Frantz

Fulton Galer Bill Hackworth Hollywood’s Restaurant Roger Holnback The Homestead Anne Howard

David Hurt Bruce Ingram James and Anne Jennings George Kegley Andy Kelderhouse Ken Lanford

Sandy Light Local Roots Cafe Northwest Hardware Padow’s Hams and Deli, Inc. R.M. Johnson & Sons Jewelers

Roanoke Gas Janet Scheid and Bud LaRoche Wildflour Café Wine Gourmet Xcelerated Performance

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Bruce Ingram: writer, teacher, hunter, conservationist

By George Kegley

Bruce Ingram, teacher, deer hunter, outdoors writer and most importantly, a land saver, makes good use of every minute. After teaching English at Lord Botetourt High School, he often tracks deer until dark, goes to bed early and hits his computer very early in the morning to turn out outdoors articles.

That’s “the best time for writing,” he says.

He and his wife, Elaine, have protected almost 400 acres of land, including 120 acres on Rt. 42 in Craig County that is protected by a conservation easement held by the Western Virginia Land Trust and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation. The property reaches to the top of Sinking Creek Mountain and includes “Chimney Rock” and a stunning view of the surrounding valleys. They own another 20 acres along

the road that will be added to this conservation easement, bringing their total to 402 acres of protected forest.

Bruce Ingram has a simple but beneficial formula— he buys land with money earned from writing more than 2,100 outdoors articles for 70 publications, and then he places the land under easement.

Easement donor and author Bruce Ingram.

Ingram manages his timber with the advice of the state departments of Game and Inland Fisheries and Forestry. Small timber is cut for the benefit of wildlife.

Photo by Roger Holnback

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The view of Sinking Creek Valley from atop Bruce Ingram’s Craig County property.

He plants food plots, seeds logging roads and plants fruit trees. Leaving trees of different ages is good for songbirds and wildlife habitat. After infestation by the gypsy moth and pine beetles, cutting damaged trees helps to limit the insects.

When Ingram isn’t deer hunting, he may be scouting sites for spring turkey hunting or planting white pines after his day job at the high school. The Ingrams “try to live off the land,” by gathering about 15 gallons of fruits and berries every year.

The easements will save the land for hunting and fishing “when I’m gone, 100 years from now,” he said. His land conservation commitment is shared

by Elaine, a Clifton Forge native, and their children,

Sara, a third grade teacher in Roanoke, and Mark, a teacher in Alleghany County.

When Ingram looks for mountain land to save, he has two main requirements: that the land has water or is located back-to-back to the national forest or both.

He has riparian easements to ensure water quality.

A freelance writer for 30 years, he grew up in Salem and graduated from Roanoke College. His books have been on the New, James, Rappahannock and Shenandoah rivers and a how-to book on outdoor subjects. The books are available at www. bruceingramoutdoors.com. Bruce and Elaine Ingram also write a weekly blog.

722 First Street, SW, Suite L Roanoke, Virginia 24016-4120 Phone/Fax 540.985.0000

NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Wytheville, VA PERMIT NO. 172

Land+Link Photography Competition Finalists

The winners of the Land+Link Photography Competition were announced in September. The first place photo, “Beyond the Fence” by John Singleton of Roanoke, is featured on the cover of this issue.

First place received a $100 cash prize, while second received $50, third received $25, and the People’s Choice award winner received $100. All winners received one-year memberships to WVLT and the O. Winston Link Museum, in addition to being featured in those organizations’ publications. For a look at all the finalists, visit www.westernvirginialandtrust.org/photo.

Thank you to everyone who entered—our judges were stunned by the 166 entries!

Third place: “Old McDonald Barn” by Mike Diersing of Blacksburg

People’s Choice Award: “Against the Wind” by Gordie Zeigler

Second place: “Early Morning Trail Ride”by Mike Diersing of Blacksburg