The Historic Virginia Land Conservancy and the Middle Peninsula Land Trust have announced the merger of their two organizations, according to a press release.
Founded in 1997, MPLT has strived to protect and preserve Virginia’s Middle Peninsula marshes, forests, farmlands, scenic and historic resources in lands that comprise the watersheds of the Rappahannock and York rivers and Mobjack Bay, the release stated. The small board of volunteers has assisted landowners in protecting their properties for future generations, facilitating the protection of 17 parcels totaling 2,011 acres.
“The MPLT board unanimously voted to merge with the Historic Virginia Land Conservancy knowing that the talents of HVLC would ensure that land with conservation easements are properly protected into the future,” said Neal Barber, executive director of MPLT.
HVLC was originally founded in 1990 as the Historic Rivers Land Conservancy. It became the Williamsburg Land Conservancy in 1996 and was later renamed to the Historic Virginia Land Conservancy to reflect its regional growth. It currently protects 44 parcels, totaling 7,988 acres of land in the lower James, York and Rappahannock river watersheds.
“I am pleased for this region as well as the entire conservation community. This merger represents joint efforts by so many of us to ensure protecting property continues for the timeless reasons of legacy, economics and public benefit,” said HVLC executive director Patrice Sadler.
The HVLC-MPLT merger has strong support in the larger Virginia conservation community. “The merger of these two land trusts will strengthen land conservation efforts in the Williamsburg region and especially in the Middle Peninsula,” said Virginia Environmental Endowment executive director Joe Maroon. “VEE is pleased with the outcome and happy to be a partner in the merger effort.”
Going forward, the combined organizations will operate under the name, leadership and staff of the Historic Virginia Land Conservancy. For more information about the HVLC or the benefits of conservation easements, visit www.historicvirginialandconservancy.org.