COURTLAND
Nottoway Farms LLC will receive a $250,000 land conservation grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia, via the Department of Forestry, to protect 1.5 miles of frontage along the Nottoway River in Southampton County.
The grant is one of 23 Virginia Land Conservation Foundation grants Gov. Terry McAuliffe announced on Thursday, totaling $6.42 million to support projects that will help shield 7,037 acres of at-risk land from development.
“These grant recipients include a great cross-section of important conservation opportunities, and I am very pleased with the choices made by the VLCF board,” McAuliffe said. “The projects selected protect Virginia’s biodiversity, history and way of life while enhancing public access to our natural resources. We will continue to support innovative land conservation efforts to ensure that Virginia’s green space remains healthy and vibrant for future generations.”
An interagency workgroup reviewed each grant application before passing recommendations to the Foundation’s board.
“The funding will partially purchase a conservation easement to facilitate preservation of an 845-acre tract just south of Cary’s Bridge along the state designated Scenic Nottoway River in Southampton County,” said Southampton County Administrator Mike Johnson. “[Nottoway Farms’] plan for conservation is fully consistent with Southampton County’s Comprehensive Plan which, among other things, encourages the preservation of agricultural and forested lands and protection of natural resources. I’m delighted to see that it’s been funded.”
The easement will protect more than three miles of watercourses with permanent forested buffers, 286 acres of which are predominantly tupelo/cypress wetlands along the Nottoway River. The land to be preserved also includes a 415-acre working pine plantation and 150 acres of prime cultivated farmland.