Community Conservation Meets Neighboorhood Needs
The Liesfelds share a deep appreciation for environmental stewardship, and as they planned their home, the Liesfelds worked with Capital Region Land Conservancy (CRLC) to set aside a 3 acre area of deciduous woods of their larger property along the North Bank Trail connector to be protected in perpetuity by a conservation easement. The conservation easement prohibits development so that no dwellings can be built and the woodlands will be preserved to protect water quality and native species.
For many Richmond residents, the proximity of the James River Park System is an important factor for choosing a home in the neighborhood. For Chris and Jody Liesfeld, raising their family and building their home amidst the setting of the park was a primary goal. Yet as development pressure increased in the area, long-time residents of Riverview began to worry that the attractive natural character of their neighborhood and its nearby parks may be under threat. The Liesfeld’s journey to protecting these 3 acres included community meetings and civic engagement with the Maymont Civic League and Richmond City Council, both of whom endorsed the conservation plan.
What’s most remarkable about the Liesfeld easement is how responsive it was to the needs expressed by the people in the community. It was an exemplary case study of ‘community conservation’ that uses the strengths of the land trust to meet specific needs expressed by people.
