On Friday, December 6th, NVCT and many dedicated community members gathered at the Crest of Alexandria for a conservation celebration! Thanks to a collaboration between Crest of Alexandria residents and local developer Elm Street Development, NVCT is forever preserving a segment of Piney Run in the Kingstowne area of Fairfax County that traverses through a busy residential community. This nearly 20-acre property is comprised of wetlands, meadows, and forestland. Almost a mile of trail loops through the property, and HOA-managed recreational opportunities are spread throughout. The conservation agreement ensures the balance between recreation, nature, and development. This easement has been decades in the making and signifies commitment and partnership between all members involved.
“It’s music to our ears that you can meld conservation and development in a way that is sustainable. This easement is a great example of that. The Partnerships that we pulled together and that everyone involved worked on are how this work gets done,” said NVCT Executive Director Alan Rowsome.
We don’t often believe that development can work in parallel with conservation, and there is plenty of evidence in our largely overdeveloped region to back that up. However, this new conservation agreement exemplifies how development can sustainably exist alongside environmental preservation when community leaders come together. Fairfax County mandates land proffers for developers to offset land degradation for development. Elm Street Communities were the perfect partners for this project and were happy to contribute to land protection! “An easement is a piece of paper that transfers a bundle of rights from one group of people to another, but in this case, it’s much more than that. It is all of us coming together to preserve very precious assets: the land, the waterways, and the animals that inhabit them,” said Elm Street Communities developer Jack Perkins. Others who joined in the celebratory event included Crest of Alexandria Home Owners Association President Lucinda Audey and Fairfax County Board Supervisor Rodney Lusk.
“This project is an excellent example of collaboration between property developers, homeowners' associations, and local conservation organizations to preserve the natural beauty of Fairfax County. It presents a unique opportunity to connect privately owned trails with land in the Fairfax County Park Authority system. I believe strongly in the benefits of outdoor recreation opportunities, which contribute to healthier, more resilient communities." said Springfield District Supervisor Rodney Lusk.
Much like the balance between development and preservation, this property also balances recreation and nature. Throughout the trail, there is workout equipment, a pickleball court, and a gazebo for neighbors to enjoy while basking in the wonders of wildlife. The easement guarantees that recreational activities continue without impeding the area's environmental health. Access to green spaces like this is vital in connecting everyday people with nature so that they can truly understand its intrinsic value and beauty. It can be easy to overlook the value of small properties in suburban areas, but every piece of land is connected and has a vital role in the big picture. This land is part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The stream that runs through the property comes from Dogue Creek, directly connected to the Potomac River.
“This newly-conserved space will prove to be – and is already – a tremendous asset to our community,” said Lucinda Audey, President of the Crest of Alexandria Homeowner’s Association. “We appreciate Elm Street's vision to set aside a natural public open space here and look forward to working with NVCT to protect it in perpetuity.”
Residents have already recognized the importance of this parcel of land and have been stewarding it long before the easement was placed. “Weed Warriors” have worked to remove invasive plants from the area, and many were present at the celebration. Other work that has been accomplished on the plot includes the restoration of a meadow and other forested areas. We wrapped up the festivities by placing the NVCT sign at the property trailhead and taking a celebratory walk of the property. A downy woodpecker and eastern bluebird made guest appearances, to everyone’s delight.
We are grateful for the opportunity to work with Fairfax County once again to protect land in Northern Virginia. Piney Run is our 61st preserved property in Fairfax, which adds to the nearly 1000 acres of conserved land across the county that NVCT stewards! Community members showing up energized and excited at the event on a cold morning was the cherry on top, and we look forward to future partnerships with developers and local community leaders to create balanced communities that include significant protected land for all to enjoy!
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