The Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF) has awarded $2,266,793 in grants to four projects in Southwest Virginia that protect or restore forest land in areas affected by the development of the Mountain Valley Pipeline. The grants are from VOF’s Forest CORE Fund, which was established in 2018 with funds negotiated by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the pipeline’s developers to mitigate forest fragmentation caused by the project.
Any forest land preserved, established, or enhanced using funding from this grant program must be protected from conversion in perpetuity and managed for the health of the forest ecosystem, which includes restrictions on timber harvesting.
Grant criteria was developed with input from a broad group of stakeholders in the Mountain Valley Pipeline region. Stakeholders include all directly impacted localities, planning districts, soil and water conservation districts, land trusts covering the region, local foresters, as well as the U.S. Forest Service. In addition, input was sought from Virginia’s United Land Trusts, the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, the Nature Conservancy, the Conservation Fund, and the other mitigation partners named in the agreements (U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, and Virginia Endowment for the Environment).
Learn more about the Forest CORE Fund at https://www.vof.org/fcf-mvp/.
Grantee: NDPonics
Project Title: He Kawiyani Mani
Locality: Botetourt and Rockbridge Counties
Acres: 428
Grant Amount: $942,112.50
Description: NDPonics requests a Forest CORE Fund (FCF) grant to protect 428 acres of forest ecosystems through the acquisition of two easements, building the type of forest corridor for which FCF was created. The parcels border the 4,232-acre Short Hills Wildlife Management Area and will protect a forest corridor to Purgatory/Mays Mountain, a 6,486-acre project funded for protection through the FCF in 2025. These parcels are all viewable from the Appalachian Trail, Blue Ridge Parkway, and I-81. Conservation of this land protects endangered bat habitat, a 25-ft waterfall, and significant karst resources.
Grantee: New River Soil & Water Conservation District
Project Title: Wilson Hollow Expansion
Locality: Grayson County
Acres: 94
Grant Amount: $244,400.00
Description: The New River Soil & Water Conservation District’s Wilson Hollow Expansion will permanently protect 94 acres of forest preventing deforestation and supporting ecosystem health through a comprehensive Forest Management Plan. The District will acquire the property and dedicate it as permanent Open Space. Forest composition and structure will be improved via timber stand enhancements, invasive species control, and the reforestation of four acres.
Grantee: The Nature Conservancy
Project Title: Warm Springs Mountain Addition
Locality: Bath County
Acres: 134
Grant Amount: $380,150.00
Description: The Nature Conservancy is pursuing the fee-simple acquisition of an approximately 134-acre forested property located in Bath County. If funded, the property will be placed under VOF easement and become part of Warm Springs Mountain Nature Preserve. Acquiring this property will protect resilient upland forest and riparian areas while working to close a connectivity gap. The Allegheny Highlands region contains intact forested tracts which support a variety of wildlife and this addition will ensure that a variety of habitats remain in a changing climate.
Grantee: Virginia Institute for Invertebrates
Project Title: Spineless Cave Preserve
Locality: Giles County
Acres: 222.21
Grant Amount: $700,131.00
Description: The Virginia Institute for Invertebrates (VII) seeks to acquire a 222.21-acre tract rich in karst features and home to rare plants and unique animals, including a new species of millipede, a new genus of spider, and a rare cave-dwelling spider. The mission of VII is to monitor invertebrate populations throughout Virginia in perpetuity and to research and protect their diverse ways of life. The acquisition of this property will allow the newly-formed institute to begin that mission while permanently protecting this site as a Department of Conservation & Recreation Natural Heritage Program Natural Area Preserve.
