Upcoming Events
Conservation Field Day for Farmers and Land Owners
FREE LUNCH!
Poague Run Watershed, Staunton
Sept. 28th 10am – 2pm
Come see: Stream Fencing options, Live Stock Watering Systems, Forestry Practices, Wildlife Practices, Grazing Systems, Stream Bank Stabilization, and learn about Financing Options.
RSVP for meal & directions by Sept. 23rd 245-5750. Farm located off of I-81 & 262 on Bells Lane Staunton, VA
PAST EVENTS
VCC’s Better Development Symposium & Awards, May 25th, Harrisonburg
View materials from the Symposium
Planners, elected officials, architects, developers and concerned citizens from throughout the Valley region gathered for VCC’s Better Development Symposium and Awards ceremony. On the afternoon of May 25th we enjoyed a full program including a tour of downtown. View materials from the Symposium talks.
VCC’s Working Lands Conservation Workshop, May 16, 7pm, Weyers Cave Community Center, 682 Weyers Cave Road. Landowners attended this free event to learn about how conservation easements work and to consider if limiting development on their property makes sense for their land and their situation. Commissioner of Agriculture, Matt Lohr, share dthe state’s perspective on how working farms and forests can help meet the Governor’s 400,000 acre conservation goal.
EARTH WEEK: Designing for a Sustainable Future, a presentation by Michael Singer, April 19, 7pm, Massanutten Regional Library, 174 S. Main St. Harrisonburg.
Michael Singer’s work has been instrumental in transforming public art, architecture, landscape and planning projects into successful models for urban and ecological re-vision and renewal. By “putting the land back into landscape” (New York Times), he has redefined the practice of art and broadened its applicability to the development of public places, buildings, and infrastructure. His works integrate community needs, sustainable building principles, land-use planning, environmental responsibility, and aesthetic design. Singer has received numerous awards, including fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. Over the past year, Singer has been a Visiting Scholar at James Madison University.
- For more information about the speaker, please visit www.michaelsinger.com
- Download a poster and help us publicize this event.
This event is jointly presented by:
Valley Conservation Council and JMU’s Institute for the Stewardship of the Natural World and Institute for Visual Studies.
Land Conservation in the Upper James Watershed, September 30, Virginia Horse Center, Lexington Stakeholders in land conservation enjoyed a summit designed to provide updates on legislation, programs and opportunities for voluntary land conservation in the Upper James River watershed. Sponsored by the Upper James RC&D Council
Planning Ahead for the Next Development Cycle, the 2010 Better Development Sympsium was held on May 25, 2010, Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton. Presentations and materials available here.
Coldwater Summit, The Bottom Line: Economic Benefits from Riparian Restoration. April 16, 2010, Waynesboro Country Club. For the third year VCC joined with Trout Unlimited and the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival for a professional gathering focused on spring-fed and mountain stream conservation and restoration. Details at: coldwater2010.eventbrite.com
Expert Panel on Lancaster’s Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) Program, Friday, Oct. 30, 9 to noon, Shenandoah County Government Center, Woodstock. Guest speakers Jeff Swinehart, Deputy Director of the Lancaster Farmland Trust and Matt Knepper, Director of the Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board provided a nuts and bolts discussion for locality staff, PDR managers, local officials and citizens interested in innovative farmland protection mechanisms. Sponsored by Shenandoah RC&D, VCC and Potomac Conservancy. Download agenda.
Learning from Lancaster: Building a Successful Farmland Conservation Program, Thursday, Oct. 29, 7pm. Virginia Cooperative Extension office, 215 West Main St, Suite C, Stanley, Virginia. Guest speakers Jeff Swinehart, Deputy Director of the Lancaster Farmland Trust and Matt Knepper, Director of the Lancaster County Agricultural Preserve Board shared the story of the most successful farmland preservation program in the country. Sponsored by Shenandoah RC&D, VCC and the Page County Farmers Association. Download flyer.
Making the Best Use of Ag Districts, Land Use Taxation, and Related Options, a VCC workshop, Oct. 7, Harrisonburg. Learn more.
Better Models for Development Awards and Tour, May 21, Winchester. Learn more.
Coldwater Summit, April 17, Waynesboro. This was the second year for the Summit, an event co-sponsored by the Virginia Fly-Fishing Festival, Trout Unlimited and VCC.
Smith Creek Artifact Identification Day, was held on January 31, 2009 at the Tenth Legion/Mountain Valley Ruritan Club. VCC was pleased to join with the Massanutten Chaper of the Archeological Society of Virginia to encourage landowners to bring in their spearpoints, arrowheads and other artifacts to be identified. This was a great opportunity for the whole community to learn more about the history and prehistory of the Smith Creek area of Rockingham and Shenandoah Counties. Download a flyer with details. Read the news coverage from the Daily News-Record: Relishing Relics and Artifacts Tell Stories of Region’s Past.
2nd Annual Virginia Land Conservation Conference, Staunton,June 11-13. VCC hosted leading conservationists from organizations and agencies across the Commonwealth at this informative celebration of Virginia’s United Land Trusts.
VCC’s Better Development Symposium, Awards and Tour, the afternoon of June 11th. Stonewall Jackson Hotel,Staunton. Learn more about the Better Models Awards.
Conservancies and Coldwater: A Strategic Summit April 18th, 9:30 – 3:00 Ramada Inn, Waynesboro. A joint effort with Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Valley Conservation Council, Mid-Atlantic Highlands Action Program, Trout Unlimited, The Trust for Public Land, City of Waynesboro, and the Virginia Fly Fishing Festival. Learn more.
Community, Farm, and Food Systems Conference held March 27 at the Plecker Center, Blue Ridge Community College, Weyers Cave. This conference drew over 200 participants. Contact Virginia Cooperative Extension in Harrisonburg for more details, 540.432.6249 or download a detailed brochure.
Page County Citizen Planning Workshops. March 11, 2008, VCC’s Sara Hollberg joined Dr. Michael Chandler for public presentations on planning tools and Better Models for Development. These two identical sessions were open to the public as part of the educational process for developing the county’s land use map and revising their ordinances.
Rockingham and Augusta Land Protection and Farming Seminars. Lancaster County PA farmers spoke to capacity crowds on March 18th. Co-sponsored by Virginia Cooperative Extension, Shen. Valley SWCD; Farm Bureau and VCC. Two workshops in one day. Morning event “Protecting Farmland, Protecting Water Quality” in Mt.Crawford–detailed flyer ; Evening event “Land Protection and Farming Seminar” in southern Augusta–detailed flyer.
Augusta Candidates Forum, October 18, 2007, 7pm.Weyers Cave Community Center, 682 Weyers Cave Road. Candidates for County Supervisors seats answered questions on growth, agricultural and natural resources.
Water Quality and Development: A Growing Challenge to Localities, September 26, 2007 in Harrisonburg. A workshop to help localities prepare for water quality requirements. Rule changes requiring post-construction management of stormwater means localities will need a new approach to land use regulations and site review. What will each level of locality be required to do when? Featured speakers included Dave Hirshman from the Center for Watershed Protection on site design and Lee Hill with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation on new stormwater regulations.Advanced Tax Seminar April 27, 2007 in Alleghany County. This workshop provided by VCC and the Upper James River Roundtable, was for accountants, attorneys and other professionals who work with clients about conservation easements. CPE and MCLE credits were offered. Read the agenda and see the announcement flyer.
Virginia Association of Resource Conservation and Development Councils Annual Spring Meeting, Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton, Virginia. April 25-27, 2007 Learn more about RC&D Councils. VCC enjoyed providing a tour of conservation and rural development projects with this group.
Virginia United Land Trusts (VaULT), first statewide conference, Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton, Virginia. June 1-2, 2007. VCC was proud to help host this event, providing a tour of conservation properties in the region.
Better Models for Development Awards and Conference; Stonewall Jackson Hotel, Staunton, Virginia. March 22, 2007. Learn more about Better Models.
Forum on Augusta County’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, January 18, 2007, 7pm, Augusta Government Center, Verona
VCC joined with Augusta Farm Bureau, Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District and other members of the Augusta Community Partnership to offer a free workshop for citizens concerned about Augusta County’s land use plan. A series of local speakers and experts guided citizens through the major changes in the plan, highlighting its strengths and pointing out areas of concern. Fauquier farmer Gray Coyner, with the Virginia Farm Bureau board discussed how growth has effected Northern Virginia’s agricultural counties. Citizens were encouraged to attend the official public input sessions on the plan at the end of the month.
Industry, Agricultural and the Valley’s Future: a forum on growth, June 27, 2006, Weyers Cave
Three recent issues–the stalled Augusta County comprehensive plan process, a county study for an industrial megasite that might involve over 1,000 acres and 4,000 employees, and the findings of the Augusta County Agricultural Task Force–prompted VCC to hold a forum to air views and gather information. Over 90 people braved flash floods to attend. Speakers provided background on the industrial recruitment process and the status of agriculture.
Speakers:
Don “Robin” Sullenberger, Executive Director, Shenandoah Valley Partnership
Charles Curry, chair, Augusta County Agricultural Task Force
Delegate Steve Landes, Virginia General Assembly
Delegate Chris Saxman, Virginia General Assembly
Local Roads and Smart Growth, May 31, 2006, New Market, VA
a joint session for local planners and VDOT Staff on the practical challenges of encouraging a more compact development pattern. Click here for proceedings and other useful resources.
Presenters included:
Changing the Development Pattern: Principles of New Urbanism
Sara Hollberg, coauthor of Better Models for Development in the Shenandoah Valley
Whats New: VDOT Subdivision Street Requirements (2005)
Mark Graham, Albemarle County staff engineer and member of VDOTs SSR Revisions Committee
Developers Perspective on Neotraditional Development
Michael Barnes, KG Associates
Integrating Bikes & Pedestrians in Road Design (CTB Policy)
David Patton, VDOT Statewide Bicycle and Pedestrian Coordinator and Implementation Team member for the Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations
Historic Garden Week, Augusta County Tour of Conserved Properties, April 29, 2006
Three of the four homes on this year’s tour in the beautiful Swoope area are permanently protected by conservation easements, ensuring that hundreds of acres will remain open and productive for generations to come. VCC offered presentations and information at each home and assisted the Augusta Garden Club with the tour.
VCC’s Annual Better Models for Development Awards and Tour, March 21, 2006
Celebrated development projects that exemplify the principles for Better Development, this year’s awards ceremony moved to Lexington where we enjoyed a tour of great local award winners focused on low-impact development.
Toms Brook conservation presentation, February 22, 2006
VCC joined the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and the Shenandoah Forum for public presentations on land conservation, planning and community involvment in Shenandoah County. At the Toms Brook Fire Hall on Main Street, February 22, 2006, 7pm.
Rockingham Young Farmers Association, February 16, 2006
VCC presented an indepth workshop session on land protection tools for about 50 Association members and FFA guests at Evers Restaurant in Mount Crawford.
Saving Land with a Better Plan: a workshop for citizens concerned about growth in Augusta County, December 6, 2005
This free workshop was held at the Frontier Culture Museum, Staunton VA, in the Dairy Barn building.
Participants learned about:
• Strategies for saving farmland and rural heritage
• How to make the most of the Comprehensive Plan review process
• How we can grow in, not out
• The benefits of denser development in the right places
Sponsored by Augusta Community Partnership and Valley Conservation Council.
Low-Impact Development for Engineers
November 29, 2005, from 9 to 2, at Bridgewater Retirement Home, Bridgewater VA
Presenter: Richard Street
CEO of Associated Site Design Engineering, Inc., Fredericksburg
Former VDOT District Drainage Engineer, Member of State LID Task Force
* Audience: Public and private sector engineers, planners and site plan reviewers
Learn more about this topic
Sponsored by the Valley Conservation Council and Shenandoah Basin Project
Ongoing Events
Augusta Community Partnership (ACP) meets as needed in the Augusta County Government Center in Verona for education on land use issues in the County. Please call VCC to find out the next scheduled meeting. ACP involves concerned citizens from the county along with representatives of groups including Valley Conservation Council, Headwaters Soil and Water Conservation District and Augusta Farm Bureau among others.
Botetourt Community Partnership meets quarterly or as needed to discuss education and action on land use issues in the county. Contact VCC for details.
Valley Conservation Council Board of Directors meets quarterly. Contact VCC for details.
Valley Conservation Council Annual Membership meeting is usually held in September on the Friday after Labor Day.
