Conservation of Malvern Hill Farm earns award from Northam

Efforts to preserve Malvern Hill Farm, an 871-acre tract with a rich history, earned recognition from Virginia Governor Ralph Northam March 28.

The Capital Region Land Conservancy, which worked to preserve the site, received one of four Governor's Environmental Excellence Award "gold medals." Northam announced the award recipients during the annual Environment Virginia Symposium at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington.

The Environmental Excellence Awards recognize innovative projects with significant environmental contributions in four categories: sustainability program, environmental project, land conservation, and implementation of the Virginia Outdoors Plan. The awards are sponsored by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation.

“These award winners come from all regions of the Commonwealth, represent a variety of organizations including local government, healthcare, and industry, and share a strong dedication to improving our environment for the benefit of all Virginians,” said Northam. “I applaud this year’s winners for their leadership and innovation, and look forward to their partnership as we work together to address our most urgent environmental challenges, protect Virginia’s valuable natural resources, and enhance the quality of life in our Commonwealth.”

Ten winners were recognized and an additional two honorable mention certificates were awarded. Award winners were chosen based on criteria including environmental benefit, stakeholder involvement, public outreach, transferability, and innovativeness.

In August 2016, Malvern Hill, which is listed on the Virginia Landmarks Registry and the National Register of Historic Places, was listed for sale for a 515-home residential development project. While many conservation groups had an interest in Malvern Hill, the Capital Region Land Conservancy stepped into a leadership role and ratified a purchase agreement for $6.6 million.

As the local land trust for the Richmond region, CRLC coordinated with many partners to finalize a complex arrangement to finance acquisition of the property, secure protections through conservation easements and transfer portions of the land to long-term holders who will manage and make it available for future public access. Preserving Malvern Hill Farm allows the land to continue to be actively farmed and provides the opportunity for cultural tourism and outdoor recreation.