VOF Owned Lands - Past & Present March 26, 2015

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1 VOF Owned Lands - Past & Present March 26, 2015 Historically Owned Lands Leesylvania State Park 1979 Prince William County 508 acres Bargain sale The land was valued at $4M. VOF purchased the land with a $2M Deed of Trust. This allowed DCR time to acquire $2M of federal money. VOF transferred the property to DCR and was released from the Deed of Trust. DCR opened Leesylvania State Park in 1992 Aldie Mill 1981 Loudoun County Mill and three associated structures The mill served as the Northern Virginia office of the VOF until After more than twenty years of restoration, VOF transferred the mill to the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority in The NVRPA operates the mill as a historical site and venue for private functions Orange County 966 acres VOF marketed and sold this property with easements. The proceeds were distributed between VOF and charities named by the donor. Windholme Farm 1 of 6

2 Dragon Run Middlesex County 205 acres Purchased with funds raised by a community coalition. VOF took title to four tracts of land along the river. In 1991, the Friends of Dragon Run was established as a non-profit organization and assumed ownership of the properties. Now owned by Friends of Dragon Run, the property is open to the public. Sky Meadows State Park 1987 Fauquier County 460 acres Purchased with cash gift Paul Mellon gave VOF $2.2M to acquire the Maxwelton property. This property is across Route 17 from the original portion of Sky Meadows State Park and is a prominent part of the park s viewshed. VOF transferred the property to DCR. DCR maintains bridle trails on this portion of the park. Southwest Virginia Museum State Park 1988 Wise County Residence in Big Stone Gap Purchased with funds from DCR VOF purchased the house across the street from the Southwest Virginia Museum. DCR had been given $50,000 to purchase the house, but could not move quickly enough to close on the property. DCR gave the funds to VOF to complete the purchase. When this museum was opened in the 1940s, it was an adjunct to another state park. Under DCR requirements, all state parks must have a ranger s house. With the purchase of this residence, DCR was able to establish the museum as 2 of 6

3 Crawfords State Forest 1989 New Kent County 258 acres At the time of the gift this property was valued at $515,000. In 1992, DOF made a proposal to add the Crawford tract to its existing New Kent Forestry Center. VOF transferred the property to DOF in Lancaster County 733 acres Option to purchase VOF acquired an option on the Belle Isle tract for $200,000. The tract was owned by a developer who had planned a subdivision, but was in dire financial straits. VOF had a two hour window to negotiate the option and one week to close the deal. VOF transferred the option to DCR and was reimbursed the $200,000. Belle Isle State Park Ely Farm 1996 Wise County 70 acres This property had been in the Ely family for four generations. The family gave the property to VOF with the expectation that VOF would placed an easement on it and sell it. VOF sold the property in 2005 for 25, of 6

4 Short Hills Colony Tract 2009 Rockbridge & Botetourt Counties 4,232 Acres VOF purchases (North 2,116 acres) with state bond money WFV purchases (South 2,116 acres) with Conservation Fund loan July 2010 transferred to Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) 10 mile long ridgeline with black bear, turkey, grouse, raptors & rattlesnakes 2002 Pulaski County 20 Acres Donated by 3 sisters 2013 Sold with a retained easement Acquired by Galbraith family member that owns adjacent Red Horse Tavern 4 of 6

5 Currently Owned Lands Kohl s Island 1977 Northumberland County 35 acres VOF received the property from the estate of Vera Kohls. In addition to providing habitat for the Northeastern tiger Beetle, Kohl s Island ( also known as Smith Point) contains a coastal sand dune system. There are only a few of these systems left on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay Blue Ball Mountain 1982 Clarke County 109 acres Catherine Conover gave the property to VOF with restrictions on selling or subdividing the property. House Mountain 1989 Rockbridge County 920 acres VOF total acquisition cost of $375,000 and was partially reimbursed just under $150,000 The property has been managed with input from an advisory committee that includes RACC, VMI, & Washington & Lee 5 of 6

6 Bull Run Mountain Natural Area Preserve Backdrop to Nation s Capital Began by private citizens in 1965 VOF took ownership in 1979 Straddles the boundaries of Fauquier, Prince William and Loudoun Counties 13,000 acres within the conservation zone 2300 acres owned by VOF, 4500 additional acres are under conservation easement The result of 50+ transactions Gifts Donated funds Partial interest Bargain sales Land swaps Buy & sell with easements 2002 NAP designation 6 of 6