Who We Are
Valley Conservation Council (VCC) was founded in 1990 as a nonprofit land trust committed to protecting America’s legendary Shenandoah Valley. The Shenandoah Valley is a stretch of land between Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains and the Allegheny mountains that is famous for Shenandoah National Park, the headwaters of the Shenandoah and James Rivers, and its long agricultural tradition. The region has a unique natural and cultural history with internationally renowned mountain views. VCC celebrates what makes the Shenandoah Valley and surrounding Allegheny Highlands special by making sure that everything that makes it so is here for generations to come.
Our service area includes 11 counties in western Virginia: from Frederick County in the north to Botetourt County in the south.
For the majority of our 30+ year history, VCC facilitated conservation easements for other land trusts. In 2019 VCC gained accreditation and now holds conservation easements. Our conservation easement program has protected tens of thousands of acres forever, and protects thousands more each year. We are proud to say that our easements protect everything from century farms to endangered species.
National Accreditation with a Local Focus
As of 2019, VCC has been a nationally accredited land trust through the Land Trust Alliance and the Land Trust Accreditation Commission. Accreditation certifies that our finances, ethics and practices, governance, and stewardship are up to national standards and are among the best land trusts in the country. Our accreditation connects us to resources and connections that we can use to improve our organization and the scope of our work.
“The accreditation seal is a mark of distinction in land conservation. It is awarded to land trusts meeting the highest national standards for excellence and conservation permanence. Each accredited land trust completes a rigorous review process and joins a network of organizations united by strong ethical practices. This trusted network of land trusts has demonstrated fiscal accountability, strong organizational leadership, sound transactions and lasting stewardship of the lands they conserve.”
What is a land trust?
Land Trusts protect and conserve privately owned land through conservation easements or ownership. When a land trust acquires an easement or a piece of property, that land is protected from development and will be used for agriculture, habitat, or ecological restoration. Land Trusts protect key habitat for climate resiliency, including forests, wetlands, and grasslands.