Creative Solutions to Enable Development While Complying With Wetland Regulations
Our Purpose:
Established in August 1994, Conservation, Inc. stands as a not-for-profit, tax-exempt land trust dedicated to a multifaceted mission aimed at preserving, protecting, and thoughtfully utilizing natural resources. Our commitment extends to fostering public benefit, promoting environmental education, and ensuring the responsible use of open-space land for the well-being of current and future generations.
To advocate for the preservation, protection, and balanced use of natural resources through the acquisition and holding of conservation easements and other real property interests.
To enhance community use, appreciation, and understanding of the natural environment through the protection and preservation of valuable open-space land for the enjoyment, education, and benefit of present and future generations.
To retain or protect the natural or open space values of real property, ensuring availability for agricultural, forestural, recreational, or open-space use, protecting natural resources, and maintaining or enhancing air and water quality in the vicinity.
To encourage innovative methods of land conservation that promote environmentally sound land use.
To utilize all properties held or controlled for the benefit of the general public, supporting charitable, educational, recreational, conservation, scientific, and historical purposes.
To cooperate with and assist local, state, and federal governmental agencies, as well as other nonprofit organizations, in the preservation and conservation of open-space resources.
Conservation, Inc. proudly adheres to the Standards and Practices established by the Land Trust Alliance, embodying a commitment to excellence in land conservation. Join us in our journey to safeguard the natural beauty of our environment and ensure a sustainable future for all.
Our Banks:
The Lower James River Wetland Mitigation Bank operates two wetland mitigation bank sites servicing Southeastern Virginia from New Kent County, the lower peninsula, and all of Hampton Roads. The mitigation sites are known as the Beamon Farm Site and the Greenway Farm Site. Additional mitigation areas are available to meet specialized permit needs.
The Beamon Farm Wetland Mitigation Bank Site (MBS) in Suffolk, Virginia provided wetland mitigation in portions of the following cities and counties in Virginia: Suffolk, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News, Poquoson, York County, James City County, New Kent County, Williamsburg, Charles City County, Hopewell, Prince George County, Surry County, and Isle of Wight County. The Beamon Farm MBS includes restored forested wetlands, forest buffers, and preserved habitats. The bank met or exceeded performance standards and rapidly sold all credits.
The Greenway Farm Wetland Mitigation Bank Site (MBS) in Suffolk, Virginia provides wetland mitigation in portions of the following cities in Virginia: Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. The Greenway Farm MBS includes approximately 76 acres of prior converted (PC) cropland and 16 acres of existing preserved wetlands. The bank met or exceeded all performance standards and has expanded to supply a steady demand for credits.
The Horse Pasture Mitigation Area is a “horse pasture” mitigation which includes a complex of Grafton pond areas in York County, encompassing 16 acres of specialized habitat, both preserved and restored wetlands plus buffer areas. The site includes the world’s largest population of Harper’s fimbristylus along with other threatened and endangered species. All mitigation credits at the site have been sold, and all mitigation performance requirements have been approved by the regulatory agencies.
The West Road Conservation Area is approximately 500 acres of land on West Road in Chesapeake, VA. It was placed into perpetual conservation to protect important habitats existing at the site, in accordance with land conservation rules for the state of Virginia. The work enabled tax credits and other benefits which were satisfactory to the owners.
SEA has implemented numerous examples of other mitigation and conservation sites within southeast VA, including Millstone, Woodards Mill, Hampton VA sites, Dismal Swamp sites, George Washington Island, Virginia Beach horse farm, Eastern Shore site, Crystal Lake site, and more.
