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Welcome to Coastal Virginia Conservancy, the region’s only local land trust dedicated to conserving land and mitigating impacts in the Elizabeth River watershed. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the Conservancy has continued to make great strides in protecting this unique community asset. The Elizabeth River watershed is not only a gorgeous and vital coastal river, but also an economic asset that serves as part of the transportation network for the largest port on the East Coast. As a result, the Conservancy is committed to finding innovative solutions that balance community health, environmental quality, and economic development. Join us in our mission to protect this community treasure and help the Elizabeth River continue to thrive for generations to come.

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Here are some of our recent highlights!

Conservation

Locust Lane

Portsmouth — A 5-acre parcel, in ownership by the same family for a century, was placed in conservation and will be forever protected. This was the first ever conservation easement in the City of Portsmouth and this model may be used throughout the Elizabeth River Watershed for similar small urban residential parcels.

Ferry Point Park

Virginia Beach — The Conservancy purchased 9 acres of wetland and forest, conserved the acreage, and transferred the land to the city to become the City’s newest park. The only public kayak launch area on the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River is planned.

Dismal Swamp

Suffolk/Chesapeake — The Conversancy secured outside funding, purchased, and transferred 500 acres to the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

Southport/Newton Neck

Chesapeake — The Conservancy secured more than one million dollars in state funding to purchase 90 acres in Chesapeake and entered an agreement with the city to conserve the land and transfer ownership to the city for a new regional park. It is anticipated that this deal will be complete by year’s end.

Mitigation

Paradise Creek

Portsmouth — The Conservancy began a full-scale restoration of the bottom of Elizabeth River utilizing new technology that absorbs pollutants.

Innovation

Residential Pilot Programs

Norfolk and Chesapeake — The Conservancy continues work in partnership with area cities on a model that conserves open space and wetlands when homes become uninhabitable due to flooding. Two pending conservation easements may utilize this model.

Strategic Plan

The Conservancy begins a strategic planning process this month that will map the future for the organization looking critically at the ability to expand to other areas, the continued use of mitigation funds, and organizational solutions.

Leadership

The Conservancy recruited and hired its first Executive Director earlier this year. Liz Friel met the the Conservancy’s unique needs with her diverse background in urban planning, environmental planning, and conservation.

Would you consider again supporting the Coastal Virginia Conservancy?

Your donation is leveraged against grant funds and mitigation monies, to create maximum impact in conserving and restoring the Elizabeth River.