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About Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy

Our Mission

Chartered in 1998, the Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy is a private, non-profit land trust working primarily in Madison and Greene counties in central Virginia. Our mission is to conserve, through voluntary land protection, the agricultural, scenic, natural, historic and recreational resources that define the rural character of our communities.

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BRFC is a local land trust in the Blue Ridge Mountain Foothills of Virginia's Greene and Madison Counties. We are dedicated to the conservation of farms and forests, scenic beauty, and natural and historic resources in our area.

OUR MISSION & HISTORY

The Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy (BRFC) was formed in 1999 by a group of local citizens in Madison and Greene concerned about the threat of residential development, particularly in Greene, to rural areas. In the decade from 1990 to 2000 Greene was one of the fastest growing counties in the state with a decade rise in population of 48%. The pressure of this rapid growth resulted in farmland and forests being sold for residential development. In 1999, only 374 acres in Greene and 1,181 acres in Madison were protected with conservation easements. The BRFC was formed as an all-volunteer group that would work with other conservation groups to reach out to local landowners and citizens of Greene and Madison to explain the conservation and financial benefits of putting their land in a conservation easement.


Twenty-five years later, the efforts of BRFC in partnership with the Piedmont Environment Council (PEC), the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF and others have dramatically contributed to preserving the rural and agricultural heritage of our two counties. At the end of 2023, Greene had 10,787 acres and Madison had
16,491 acres under easement. Year-to-date in 2024, 183 acres have been conserved in Greene and 592 in Madison. There are 429 acres in Greene and 45 acres in Madison in the pipeline.


Our work is not done. The threat of residential development to the rural area of our two counties persists and is increasing. We need to continue our mission and find ways to further promote the conservation and protection of our rural landscapes for future generations. We ask for your support. If not a BRFC member, please consider joining. If you are a member, kindly renew your
membership. We also ask that you consider making a donation to support our efforts. You may join, renew your membership or donate.

Conservation Maps

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Greene County

Madison County

OUR PROGRAMS & PROJECTS

Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy's programs and projects are focused on conserving the natural beauty and resources of the Blue Ridge Mountain Foothills. Our initiatives include protecting and restoring scenic beauty and natural and historic resources in the Blue Ridge Mountain Foothills of Virginia's Greene and Madison Counties.

Community Conservation

At Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy, we believe that conservation is a community effort. We work closely with local residents, landowners, and businesses to promote conservation and sustainability in our region. We offer educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and conservation easements to help protect our natural resources for future generations.

Environmental Education

Environmental education is a crucial component of our mission at BRFC. We offer a range of educational programs and resources for students, teachers, and community members to learn about conservation and sustainability. Our programs include field trips, workshops, and online resources.

Forest Restoration

Forests are critical to the health of our planet, and BRFC is committed to their restoration and conservation. We work to restore degraded forests, protect old-growth forests, and promote sustainable forestry practices. Our efforts include reforestation, invasive species removal, and public education.

Protect Wildlife and their Habitat

Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy is committed to protecting our natural scenic beauty and farmlands. Our efforts include habitat restoration, scientific research, and public education and outreach.

Historic Resources

Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy recognizes the importance of protecting our historic resources.

Environmental Policy

Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy works to promote sound environmental policies at the local, level. We advocate for conservation and sustainability in land use planning, natural resource management, and environmental regulation. Our efforts include policy research, advocacy, and public education.

OUR CONSERVATION EFFORTS

Our Members

Board of Directors

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Trish Crowe

President

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Joshua Kreider

Greene County

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Alton Keel

Vice-President

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Bill Guerry

Madison County

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Jaime Morris

Treasurer

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Carl Schmitt

President Emeritus

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Sherry Buttrick

Virginia Outdoors Foundation

OUR TEAM

Advisory Board

Frank Baisiolli, 500 Year Forest Foundation

Peter Hujik, Piedmont Environmental Council

Brad Jarvis, Virginia Cooperative Extension

Kristin Jones, Virginia Outdoors Foundation

Rex Linville, Piedmont Environmental Council

Carole Nash

Jackie Pamenter, Special Events  

Peter Rice, Shenandoah National Park Trust

Robin Rider

Mike Santucci, VA Department of Forestry

Robbi Savage, Rivanna Conservation Society
 

Partner Links

Patricia Temples, Photographer:  The Voices of the Land

Firnew Farm Artist's Circle

Larry Behunek, Photographer

Our Partners

Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy partners with a variety of organizations and individuals to achieve our conservation goals. We are proud to work with local farmers, businesses, and government agencies to protect the natural resources and wildlife habitats in our region. Together, we can make a difference for the future of our community and the planet.

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https://patriciatemplesphotography.com/​

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https://firnewfarmartistscircle.wordpress.com/

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https://www.behunekfineart.net/

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Contact Us

We welcome the support of residents, businesses, community organizations, and visitors to our counties. And we seek innovative partnerships to accomplish our mission of saving and protecting land in the Blue Ridge region.

You can make a difference! Your support of the Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy will help conserve the scenic beauty, farmlands, historic resources, and rural character of Virginia's Blue Ridge Mountains.

 

Please contact us if you need more information about your options for protecting your land.

Get in touch

PHONE

540-718-0370

EMAIL

ADDRESS

Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy
P.O. Box 116
Hood, Virginia  22723-0116

© 2024 Blue Ridge Foothills Conservancy

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