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Scenic Virginia Honors Carvins Cove Easement

Scenic Virginia gave its annual watershed protection award to the City of Roanoke, the Western Virginia Land Trust, and the Virginia Outdoors Foundation today for their joint effort in protecting Carvins Cove Natural Reserve.

Scenic Virginia Trustee Lucille Miller presented the partnership with the organization's "Scenic Water Corridor Preservation Award" for the group's record-setting conservation easement in Carvins Cove, which permanently protects 6,185 acres of land from development, as well as 14 miles of scenic views from the Appalachian Trail. The easement, recorded in April, protects the largest tract of land ever placed under easement in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

"Scenic Virginia's recognition of the City of Roanoke for its far-sighted decision to permanently protect its drinking water supply reinforces the city's image as a community dedicated to protecting its natural environment and becoming one of the best places in the United States to live and work," said Virginia Outdoors Foundation Trustee and Roanoke conservationist Dr. M. Rupert Cutler.

While a private landowner could have received millions of dollars in tax benefits for protecting a property of this size, "The City of Roanoke didn't place this easement on the Cove for any financial gain," said Western Virginia Land Trust Executive Director Roger Holnback during the award presentation. "They did it because it was the right thing to do for future citizens of the City of Roanoke. We hope the City will protect the remainder of the Cove's 12,000-plus acres in the near future with a second conservation easement."

Scenic Virginia chose the Carvins Cove partnership from among a group of more than 150 nominees from across the state. The award was presented at Scenic Virginia's 2008 Scenic Awards luncheon, held at the Kent-Valentine House in downtown Richmond.

Carvins Cove Natural Reserve is the second-largest city park in America, while Carvins Cove reservoir is a major source of drinking water for the Roanoke Valley. With dozens of miles of trails, the cove is a favorite destination for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians.