Land Conservation and Preservation

  Preserving the natural character of the Nelson County landscape is vitally important. Protecting land as open space and supporting forested and agricultural lands supports both landowners and our vibrant tourist and recreational economy. 

For over 40 years, I have monitored timber sales and petitioned the United States Forest Service and the George Washington National Forest to administer forest plans that protect old growth forests, critical watersheds supporting native brook trout and to keep forests intact and standing in Nelson County, Virginia and Nation-wide. As a member of Nelson County’s Agricultural and Forestal District Advisory Committee, I have assisted communities in Glass Hollow and Montebello in protecting their lands from unrestricted development. I have actively supported the Wintergreen Nature Foundation in their educational, research and conservation efforts to preserve the natural beauty of Virginia’s Central Blue Ridge Mountains. I am certified as a Virginia Master Naturalist.

Nellysford can support some future limited, small-scale, mixed-use development. But I am neither promoting nor advocating for it.  I am working with the Planning Commission and my fellow Supervisors to amend the county’s zoning ordinances to direct all significant new development away from the 151 corridor to the 29 corridor where real opportunities exist for expanding infrastructure, economic development and single and multi-family housing.