Blue Ridge Land Conservancy

05/22/2026

Whether you’re heading out for a long day on the trail, loading up boats for the river, or just trying to spend more time outside this summer, good gear can make a difference. Instead of putting together a generic buyer’s guide, we asked businesses from across the region to share the products th...

05/20/2026

Here's our 30th anniversary video played at Sunday's Conservation Celebration, highlighting how it all began right up through today!

05/19/2026

What an unforgettable evening at Glenburn Farms celebrating 30 years of conservation! 🌿✨

On Sunday, we gathered with supporters, partners, and friends to celebrate an incredible milestone: 30 years of conservation and 150 protected easements spanning more than 38,000 acres across western Virginia. From great conversations, delicious food and drink, and live music by the Arc Tangent Trio to a stunning sunset over the farm, the evening was a beautiful reflection of the landscapes and community we work together to protect.

We were honored to welcome special guests Senator Bill Frist and Tracy Frist, whose commitment to conservation and stewardship continues to inspire. We also proudly presented our 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award to Dr. M. Rupert Cutler, recognizing his decades of leadership and advocacy for conservation in our region. One of the most special moments of the evening was celebrating Rupert with the dedication of the Dr. M. Rupert Cutler Conservation Library at the Lemon House, complete with a surprise performance by the Virginia Blend Chorus.

Thank you to all of our sponsors who helped make this evening possible including Building Specialists and John T. Morgan Roofing, LAT Dentistry, and Martin, Hopkins & Lemon, PC.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate the past, present, and future of conservation. Because of your support, this work continues for generations to come.

05/19/2026

Last night, Roanoke City Council voted to modify the city's Evans Spring plan. They removed the 581 interchange from the plan, shifted the development focus away from big-box development, and allowed for more conservation of the property.

What does this all mean? It means more possibilities. Remember, Evans Spring is private property, and the landowners there have every right to do what they want with their property, within the limits of city zoning and economic realities.

But the plan now specifically allows for conservation of the Evans Spring parcels, rather than only including a commercial development outcome. And that opens up grant funding sources to the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy and our partners at The Conservation Fund should the landowners agree to sell to us.

Our goal is the Evans Spring neighborhood's goal, which is a nature park: a privately-owned, publicly-accessible park with a Lick Run Greenway extension, walking trails, interpretive signs, elevated boardwalks over the wetlands, opportunities for education, and other amenities. And all while preserving the natural resources at Evans Spring's heart that make it a unique and magical place.

And these wouldn't just be neighborhood amenities. These are the kinds of things that attract new businesses and entrepreneurs to Roanoke, just like Mill Mountain, Carvins Cove, our greenways network and our other outdoor treasures do at present.

This diversity of benefits was in evidence at Monday night's public hearing, when everyone from long-time neighborhood residents to prominent Valley businesspeople spoke in favor of modifications to the plan. There is something for everyone.

We'll continue our conversations with the Evans Spring landowners, respectfully bearing in mind that this is private property. And we ask that you do the same. Hopefully, the outcome will be a positive for conservation and for Roanoke. Stay tuned!

The vote doesn’t make the future of Evans Spring much clearer — the land is privately owned, and none of the landowners have submitted development proposals for it.

05/18/2026

05/18/2026

Thank you to Pet Pals LLC for dog-sitting Bill and Tracy Frist’s pups during our 30th anniversary Conservation Celebration Sunday evening! Bonnie and Finn were excellent customers!

05/16/2026

We’re excited to celebrate with you all this Sunday!

Tracy and I are looking forward to joining the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy this weekend as keynote speakers for its 30th anniversary celebration.

For three decades, BRLC has helped protect the farms, forests, waters, viewsheds, and natural beauty that make this part of Virginia so extraordinary. That work is deeply meaningful to us, especially through Tracy’s work at The Farm at Sinking Creek and our shared love for the Appalachian landscape.

At Sinking Creek, we see every day how land stewardship connects to biodiversity, education, agriculture, conservation, and community. From native habitat restoration and migratory patterns across Appalachia to young people learning directly from the land, we are reminded that conservation is not abstract. It is local. It is lived. And it is generational.

Congratulations to the Blue Ridge Land Conservancy board, staff, volunteers, supporters, and all who have helped carry this work forward for 30 years. Tracy and I look forward to celebrating this milestone with you.

05/12/2026

We are so excited for this year's Conservation Celebration and can't wait to celebrate on Sunday! The event is sold out!

And remember, if you are a supporter, you get advance notice of all of our events, plus invites to special events for those in our Giving Circles. Find out how at our website.

www.brlcva.org

05/11/2026

EVANS SPRING UPDATE: Development isn't just big box stores and chain restaurants. Parks and greenways are development, too, and they contribute to Roanoke's outdoor economy and quality of life.

If you'd like a "conservation development" option for Evans Spring in addition to the commercial plan a prior Roanoke City Council approved, come to the public hearing on Monday, May 18, at 7 pm in City Council chambers on the fourth floor of the Noel C. Taylor building on Church Ave.

Photo from Roanoke Valley Greenways