RCCA Programs and Events
RCCA offers a variety of educational materials and programs which promote the benefits of conservation easements and land conservation including:- Virginia Tax Credit Seminars: To help educate the community about the Virginia Land Preservation Tax Credit, RCCA convenes a panel of experts once or twice a year to explain the process of buying and selling Virginia tax credits and to connect potential buyers and sellers.
Bryant Lee talks about the importance of estate planning at the Estate Planning for Farmers Workshop. Photo by Richard Lykes.
- Virginia Tax Credit Buyer and Seller List: To help connect potential tax credit buyers and sellers, RCCA maintains a list of people interested in buying or selling Virginia tax credits.
- Informational Gatherings for Prospective Easement Donors: In the spring and fall, RCCA invites prospective easement donors to an informal gathering to discuss conservation easements. Meetings help them make an informed decision about long-term options for their land.
- Assist Landowners through the Easement Process: The easement process can be long and complicated. RCCA works with individual landowners to help them consider the benefits of conservation easements and guides them through the necessary steps.
Hal Hunter receives RCCA's Distinguished Service Award at the 2009 Annual Meeting. Photo by Nathan Jenkins.
- Welcome Wagon: RCCA contacts new landowners to acquaint them with the benefits of conservation easements and the importance of land conservation.
- The Rappahannock Evening View: The Rappahannock Evening View is an annual event to raise funds for the County’s Farmland Preservation Program and other easement programs while also recognizing recent easement donors. Held in May on a local property that has been placed in conservation easement - this year at Meadow Grove Farm - the Rappahannock Evening View features silent and live auctions and a delicious, gourmet dinner. To date, RCCA has raised $100,000 for the Farmland Preservation Program.
- Educational Workshops about Land Conservation: RCCA offers educational forums on land conservation through our Annual Meetings and other periodic events such as an Estate Planning for Farmers Workshop.
The 2007 Rappahannock Evening View was held at the historic Montpelier estate and raised $20,000 for the Farmland Preservation Program. Photo by Richard Lykes.
- Public Outreach and Education: Our public outreach efforts include distribution of our tri-annual newsletter, numerous land conservation brochures, and the Rappahannock Guide to Conservation Easements, an easy-to-use tool kit to answer questions regarding easements and navigate the landowner through the easement process.
