| Contact Information | Date |
|---|---|
| For Immediate Release Contact: Mike Santucci 434.220.9182 |
November 14, 2011 VDOF 11051 |
VDOF Records Working Forest Easement in Halifax County;
Easement Donation is a Milestone
A sizeable acreage of woodland in Halifax County has become the 50th conservation easement donated to the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). Mac and Brenda McDannald have granted a working forest easement protecting nearly 1,300 acres, combining two tax parcels into a single property whose future development is restricted, thus conserving a large block of forestland in perpetuity. The land, located south of Omega, will be not only protected from development, but it will be maintained with sustainable forest management practices.
The donation represents the second largest of its kind to the VDOF and brings the total land conserved under this program to 15,475 acres.
“Brenda and I chose to donate a conservation easement, as we believe it is our responsibility to conserve what the Lord has entrusted with us,” said McDannald. “This is an excellent way to preserve a large tract of forestland for everyone to enjoy, and the easement makes for a smooth transfer to our heirs.
“For approximately 35 years, we have been serious about planting trees and managing forestland. The local employees of the VDOF have been extremely helpful in every way to assist in our endeavors. This made it an easy choice to assign our easement with the VDOF.”
Mike Santucci, VDOF forest conservation specialist, said, “It has been wonderful working with the McDannalds to protect such a large and intact area of forestland. They are definitely forward-thinking conservationists who are committed to active and sustained forest management. Their commitment is made apparent by the time and attention they have devoted to their property. The fact that they feel strongly about the future of this forestland is evidenced in their decision to convey the easement.”
The easement will help maintain a working forest land base ensuring a continuous supply of forest products, including lumber and pulp, and environmental services, including clean air and water. One of most significant benefits of this particular easement is that a number of streams, which are tributaries of the Hyco River, originate on or flow through the property; the forested nature of the property helps protect the water quality and aquatic habitat in the watershed.
Virginia Del. James Edmunds said, “I am very pleased that the McDannalds have chosen to place this parcel under easement with the VDOF. This parcel, known to us locals as King's Woods, is a very special piece of ground and to know that it will be protected from development forever is of great comfort! It comes as no surprise to me that Mac and Brenda would choose to place an easement on their property, given their long history as great stewards of the land! I am equally pleased that they chose the VDOF to hold their easement. The VDOF has a long history of successfully managing our State's forest resources and the two together will form a great partnership!”
In Virginia, more than 10 million acres of forestland are in the hands of 373,600 private landowners. Santucci said, “Private forest landowners, such as the McDannalds, determine the sustainability of our forests and the benefits they provide. I cannot express enough my appreciation to them for their donation. We are thankful for the opportunity to help them ensure their woodland legacy.”
The VDOF conservation easement program is the only one in the state that focuses primarily on protecting working forests. The VDOF’s goal is to work with private forest landowners to protect large blocks of working forests by keeping them intact and unfragmented. To be considered for a donation, a property must be at least 50 acres in size, 75 percent forested, and the landowner must be willing to have a forest stewardship management plan prepared. Landowners who want to ensure that their land will be forever maintained as forest may consider a VDOF easement.
For additional information on the VDOF conservation easement program, contact Mike Santucci, forest conservation specialist, at 434.220.9182, or visit the VDOF website.
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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.
With nearly 16 million acres of forestland and more than 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.
