Gov. Tim Kaine, D-Va., issued the following press release:

Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced 16 grants totaling $4.3 million awarded by the Virginia Land Conservation Foundation, a state land conservation board. The grants will help add 8,390 acres toward Gov. Kaine's goal of preserving 400,000 acres by 2010.

"Conserving our significant natural and historic lands and open spaces remains a key priority for this administration. It is one supported overwhelmingly by the people of Virginia," Governor Kaine said. "These grants are being distributed across the state as an important part of our "Renew Virginia" initiative to protect our environment."

Twenty-two applications were received, with grant requests totaling more than $5.4 million. Of the 16 recommended projects, 12 will provide public access and use; 10 projects are fully accessible to the public and two offer limited access.

VLCF grants are used by private land trusts, local governments and state agencies to protect and acquire special lands in the following categories: open spaces and parks, historic areas, farm and forestry, and natural areas. Because the grants require a minimum of a 50 percent match, approved projects represent at least $35 million in public and private money going to land conservation across the state.

The VLCF board is composed of 19 members appointed by the Governor, the Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections, and the Speaker of the House of Delegates. The board includes the Secretary of Natural Resources, who serves as chairman, and the Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation staffs the foundation.

The following list provides the project name, requesting organization and VLCF funding for the 16 approved grants:

Farmlands and Forest Preservation Category

Richardson Purchase of Development Rights (Northampton County):

The 268-acre conservation easement in Northampton County will be the first purchased under the county's new Purchase of Development Rights (PDR) program. The property, farmed by the Richardson family since 1945, contains 104 acres of prime farmland soils, as well as 82 acres of forested migratory bird habitat and another 82 acres of marsh and wetland habitat. Grant Amount: $250,000.

Feedstone Hunt Club (Virginia Department of Forestry)

Purchase of a conservation easement on 1,072 acres of forestland in western Rockingham County owned by the Feedstone Hunt Club represents a significant inholding within the George Washington National Forest. Its protection will provide an unbroken expanse of managed forestland. This easement also will protect drinking water for the City of Harrisonburg and Rockingham County. Grant Amount: $275,615.

Clarke County Dairy Farm (Clarke County Conservation Easement Authority)

Purchase of a conservation easement on a 216-acre working dairy farm in Clarke County. The farm includes 2,800 feet of frontage on Opequon Creek, an impaired waterway, and a 1910 farm house determined by the Clarke County Historic Preservation Commission to be eligible for the National Register. Grant Amount: $146,000.

Big Woods (Department of Game and Inland Fisheries)

Will acquire 610 acres of the Big Woods tract in Sussex County, where DGIF intends to establish a new wildlife management area. DGIF has secured $550,000 in matching funds for this parcel as habitat for the federally endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. Acquisition of the property will provide for sustainable wildlife and forest management and public access. Grant Amount: $550,000.

Frank C. Ott Farm (Fauquier County Purchase of Development Rights Program)

Purchase of a conservation easement on approximately 280 acres of farmland in Fauquier County, creating a contiguous block of nearly 900 acres of preserved farmland. This fourth generation working farm grows hay, soybeans, and corn with conservation practices including cover crops, minimum tillage and a nutrient management plan. The family also plans to fence livestock from streams and provide alternative watering facilities. Grant Amount: $198,400.

Historic Area Preservation Category

Adam Thoroughgood House (The City of Virginia Beach)

Reimbursement for the 2007 purchase of 2.5-acres next to the Adam Thoroughgood House property, a National Historic Landmark as one of the earliest documented structures in the nation. Currently undeveloped, the Virginia Beach property holds potential for significant archaeological resources and would be available for light passive recreational use. Grant Amount: $425,000.

Pamplin Pipe Factory (The Archaeological Conservancy)

Purchase of the 2.96 acre Pamplin Pipe Factory property in Appomattox County. The factory is listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and National Register of Historic Places for the archaeological remains of two centuries of clay pipe manufacturing. The property will be placed under a historic preservation easement with the Department of Historic Resources. Ownership would be transferred to the Appomattox Historical Society and opened as a museum. Grant Amount: $61,000.

B. Williams and Co. Store (Mathews County Land Conservancy)

For acquisition of the B. Williams and Co. Store property adjacent to the four-acre Williams Wharf in Mathews. The property is eligible for listing in the Virginia Landmarks Register. The Mathews County Land Conservancy will combine the two properties for use as a museum. Grant Amount: $345,000.

Cool Spring Farm (Clarke County Easement Authority)

An easement purchase on 204-acre Cool Spring Farm in the Shenandoah Valley National Historic and Cool Spring Civil War Battlefield Historic Districts listed in the Virginia Landmarks Register and the National Register of Historic Places. Owned by the Community of Cistercians, the property includes a historic farm house. The monks have worked with the Natural Resource Conservation Service to develop a nutrient management plan and use conservation best management practices. Grant Amount: $123,625

Natural Area Protection Category

Crow's Nest Phase II (Northern Virginia Conservation Trust)

For acquisition of 1,100 acres as an addition to the 1,770 acre Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve. The site supports five significant natural communities, including a globally rare Coastal Plain Dry Calcareous Forest and Tidal Hardwood Swamp. Grant Amount: $800,000.

Unthanks Cave Natural Area Preserve Addition (The Nature Conservancy)

The Nature Conservancy will acquire a 140-acre addition to the Unthanks Cave NAP to be transferred to DCR at a later date. The site supports three globally rare cave communities and three globally rare cave invertebrates, a sinking stream that feeds directly into the cave, and is part of one of Virginia's most significant cave systems. Grant Amount: $150,500.

Dragon Run - CBT Tract (The Nature Conservancy)

The Nature Conservancy will purchase a 210-acre conservation easement from the Conservation Fund after CF purchases fee simple interest from the landowners by April 2009. This globally significant site supports three significant natural communities including a globally rare tidal bald cypress forest/woodland and three rare species. Grant Amount: $200,000.

Open Spaces and Parks Category

White's Ford Regional Park (Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority)

To acquire 275 acres on the Potomac River in Loudoun County for development as a public park. The property contains a Civil War era historic house and complex. The riverfront and a tributary on the property are surrounded by wooded buffers. The park will provide a boat launch and related concessions, equestrian and nature trails, picnic shelters, camping, historic interpretation of the area, visitor center and other park amenities. Grant Amount: $150,000.

Appomattox River Park (Chesterfield County)

Acquisition of 80 acres along the Appomattox River for development as a linear county park. The property is adjacent to the county's Appomattox River canoe launch and is part of the Lower Appomattox corridor which extends west from Petersburg six miles to the Brasfield Dam in Matoaca. The park will allow increased access to the river for fishing, development of trails and other recreation opportunities. Grant Amount: $280,000.

Short Hills (Wildlife Foundation of Virginia)

Acquisition of 3,682 acres in Rockbridge and Botetourt Counties for development as a Wildlife Management Area. Cedar Creek, a state impaired water, which can support both freshwater fishing and bank swimming is on the property as is Broad Creek, a tributary of the Maury River. The property will be open to the public for recreation. A 56-lot subdivision is currently planned for the property and will be developed if not protected. Grant Amount: $239,500.

Nelson Tract (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)

Acquisition of 177 acres to expand a narrow corridor between Route 610 and Walker Mountain within the George Jefferson National Forest in Smyth and Bland Counties for the Appalachian Trail. The property is a mix of pasture and forests. A 100 foot-wide AT easement is located on a portion of the property. This acquisition will help ensure the scenic value of the AT. Grant Amount: $150,000.

Renew Virginia is Governor Kaine's year-long initiative to promote renewable energy, green jobs, and environmental protection. For more information on Renew Virginia, please visit www.governor.virginia.gov.

Note: The dollar figures given reflect only the state grant amount and not the total cost of the project. Contact Gary Waugh at (804) 786-5045 for more details on projects' funding and accessibility to the public.

Contact: Gordon Hickey, 804/225-4260, 804/291-8977; Gary Waugh, 804/786-5045, 804/840-3927.

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