The Conservancy currently holds conservation easements on 28 properties totaling 3,300 acres of land in five jurisdictions (New Kent, York, Williamsburg, James City, Suffolk). The total dollar value of those properties is……Priceless!! The Conservancy measures its success by the total number of acres protected. That’s why we work with local government and organizations, such as the Trust for Public Land, Virginia Outdoors Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, and other local land trusts to protect land.
At the end of 2009, the Conservancy placed a permanent conservation easement over the Cornell Property, owned by George and Phyllis Cornell, and located in Suffolk, VA. The property contains approximately 127.63 acres in a City that has rapidly developed and continues to rapidly develop. The property is comprised of: marsh timberland, significant wetlands, non-tidal wetland habitat, springs and streams that provide habitat for a multitude of wildlife species, and a working nursery stock tree farm.The property borders the Nansemond River near its confluence with the Lower James River and Bennett Creek on its eastern boundary. The portion of the Nansemond River on which the property lies is located just north of the Nansemond National Wildlife Refuge. Protection of the Cornell Property will help to protect the water quality of Bennett Creek, the Nansemond River, the James River (including that portion nominated for designation as a Virginia Scenic River pursuant to the Virginia Outdoors Plan) and the Chesapeake Bay. Bennetts Pasture Road (State Route 627) runs through the Property and preservation of the natural and open space character of the Property will protect a scenic and rural view for the driving public.
