Annual Report 2009

Letter from the President

Three years ago, at the urging of Lella Smith, whose family has maintained a homestead in the Blue Ridge Mountains over several generations, a small group of residents from Western Loudoun County and a kindred spirit from Fauquier County came together to form what would become Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  What moved Lella and those she recruited for those initial meetings were two things:

§         the recognition that, although there are many preservation groups in the region, none was dedicated to preserving the Blue Ridge Mountains, a defining feature of the regional landscape and a invaluable ecological, historical, recreational, and cultural resource;

§         deep concern that the mountains were threatened with over-development and environmental deterioration as a result.

What you will see in this report represents a continuation of the early efforts of our group, under the leadership of our first President, Fred Hetzel, to set in motion the kind of partnerships and activities that support our mission of preserving, enhancing, and celebrating the Blue Ridge.

During the past year we have expanded the reach of our working partnerships with a variety of organizations who share our concerns.  These include: National Wildlife Foundation, Piedmont Environmental Council, Potomac Appalachian Trial Club, Land Trust of Virginia, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Virginia Native Plant Society.

Friends is deeply committed to conserving the environment of the Blue Ridge – to protect our water supplies, provide habitat for wildlife, and support recreational enjoyment for families both today and for future generations. We are deeply appreciative of our partners in the preservation community and we thank our members for their encouragement, support, and participation.  We anticipate an exciting year ahead as we embark on our most ambitious effort to date: a multi-year initiative to create a Conservation Corridor on the Blue Ridge.   

Please join us in the important work of ensuring that the Blue Ridge can stand secure as a national treasure for the ages.

Sincerely,

Alfred P. Van Huyck