Dear Friends of CRLC,
Since starting as Executive Director of Capital Region Land Conservancy in August 2025, I have seen first-hand how vital a local community land trust can be. I’ve also seen the organization grow from a passive approach to land conservation to a much more bold and visionary organization.
Over the past 10 years, I have had the privilege to lead the team at CRLC where we started from humble beginnings and now serve as the premier land trust for the City of Richmond and 19 surrounding counties. During this time, we have protected numerous important sites, starting with the $6.7 million purchase of 871 acres at Malvern Hill Farm. We grew and learned from this experience and built relationships across the region. From our milestone effort to preserve the “View that Named Richmond” along Dock Street, or to acquire 40 acres along a half mile stretch of the Appomattox River in Ettrick, or fulling the 40-year vision for Mayo’s Island to become a public park, CRLC has made an indelible mark on the community.
We have recorded easements to preserve water quality, working farms, vital wildlife corridors, historic properties, and scenic viewsheds. A few notable projects just over the past few years include Rockahock in New Kent County with over two miles of shoreline along the Pamunkey River, Secretariat’s pasture in Caroline County where the thoroughbred legend spent his early years, and of course the Varina LandLab Conservation Area, which we know was an important settlement of the Arrohattoc Tribe and now provides the community with a 353-acre public park. Every project has a story behind the land that comes to life as part of our collective memory and makes the Richmond region such a special place. Because of CRLC, these places will be able to continue to tell their story and provide authentic places for future generations to experience and enjoy.
As the year comes to a close, we stop and reflect on the 15 projects that we’ve completed this year. We surpassed 16,000 acres of land that CRLC has helped conserve! Yet our goal to protect 10% of the land in our region means we have a lot more work to do. And, because of CRLC’s past success we are seeing a high demand with over 25 projects in our queue to protect an additional 5,200 acres. What we can accomplish in 2026 depends on the funds we receive now.
Private donations from individuals contribute approximately one-third of CRLC’s annual operating budget. Of that amount, one-third is raised in the month of December during our annual year-end appeal. Donations from individuals, whether $5 or $5,000, is a testament to the important role that CRLC serves and is an endorsement of our work. We know you value our efforts to protect our natural and historic resources and your year-end gift will help us start the new year ready to accomplish our goals.
As the second-fastest growing region in the Commonwealth, our work is more important and urgent than ever. Thank you in advance for making your gift TODAY.
I ask that you please consider giving within your means with an amount that expresses the importance of permanent land conservation to you. Capital Region Land Conservancy would be honored to be among the Top 3 charitable organizations you give to annually.
Many Thanks!
Parker
Parker C. Agelasto, Executive Director
