“As the new state director of The Nature Conservancy’s Virginia Chapter, I know I stand on the shoulders of giants. More than 20 years ago, The Nature Conservancy was fortunate to be able to work with leaders like Emmett Hanger to shape the original proposal for the Land Preservation Tax Credit. Thanks to the vision of those leaders, future generations will benefit from the permanent conservation of over 1 million acres across the Commonwealth. And the program is still going strong—many more places and people will benefit from future projects that this incentive will make possible.” – Bettina Ring, Virginia State Director

“The fact that we reached this incredible conservation milestone is a testament to the effectiveness of the Land Preservation Tax Credit, but also to the steadfast commitment of lawmakers like Emmett Hanger who truly value conservation and protecting our commonwealth’s beautiful open spaces. We have more work to do here in Virginia to expand more green spaces in communities that need them and to make sure that nature remains an accessible asset for all who call Virginia home, and we look forward to continuing to work with conservation leaders to protect our environment for the next generation.” – Michael Town, Executive Director

“The Land Preservation Tax Credit continues to be a powerful tool for land conservation, where the financial incentive is often the deciding factor for landowners to permanently protect their land. With voluntary private land conservation being the primary strategy for the Commonwealth to meet its goals, Capital Region Land Conservancy celebrates the milestone of one million acres conserved through tax credits over two decades. CRLC wishes to extend our gratitude to the lawmakers and policymakers for continuity of this nationally acclaimed program.” – Parker Agelasto, Executive Director

“Chesapeake Conservancy’s signature land conservation project in Virginia has been working with the Rappahannock Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other partners to conserve Fones Cliffs. This awe-inspiring, 4-mile formation of diatomaceous earth holds exceptional cultural significance for the Rappahannock Tribe and ecological importance for bald eagles and other migratory birds of conservation concern. In 2022, the Morris family, owners of Northern Neck Lumber, sold 465 riverfront acres at a significant bargain sale to Chesapeake Conservancy, greatly reducing our acquisition costs. This and other major financial backing allowed us to donate the land to the Tribe and donate a perpetual conservation easement to the Service. The incentives provided by Virginia’s Land Preservation Tax Credit helped pave the way for this acquisition and the Tribe’s historic ‘return to the river.'” – Joel Dunn, President & CEO

“Virginia’s Land Preservation Tax Credit has made the Commonwealth a national leader in saving working farms, timberlands, and spaces for hunting, fishing and all types of  outdoor recreation. Virginians from all walks of life and both sides of the aisle have consistently supported the LPTC, and the state’s own studies have shown it’s one of the only tax credits that does what it’s meant to do: save land. Thanks to the Land Preservation Tax Credit, our children and theirs will inherit a cleaner, healthier and more beautiful Virginia than we did—and if that’s not why God put us here, I don’t know what is.” – David Perry, Executive Director

“The Land Preservation Tax Credit is essential to the protection of Virginia’s natural areas. To date, the program has successfully conserved one million acres of land in the Commonwealth. Conserving privately-owned lands ensures our communities and future generations will benefit from healthy forests, thriving wildlife habitat, and safe streams and drinking water sources. The LPTC contributes to this legacy by providing critical financial support to landowners who could not otherwise afford to pursue conservation practices on their properties. Potomac Conservancy has worked with dozens of Virginians who have leveraged this resource to protect the farmlands, forests, and streams they so deeply care about. The LPTC is a powerful testament to Virginia’s commitment to the health of our environment and communities.”

“Here in the Shenandoah Valley, conservation easements are an essential tool for protection of iconic landscapes and our two leading economic sectors: agriculture and tourism. In the face of increasing development pressure, landowners are increasingly interested in easements, and Virginia’s tax credit program helps make it possible for farm families to stay on the land.” – Kate Wofford, Executive Director