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Strategic Plan
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INTRODUCTION
The Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains was formed as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2007 in response to the recognized threat to the mountains from development, and environmental deterioration. There was no organization directly concerned with the Blue Ridge Mountains.
During our three years of operation we have had many successful programs and launched a variety of projects. The membership has built to approximately 75 members and dues payments and voluntary contributions have provided a sufficient financial base for our present operations.
The Board has met regularly. Two standing committees have been established (Land Use and Celebrations). A web-site has been initiated. And the organization has participated in various local festivals as well as the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition (an informal groups of 19 non-profit organizations). Board members have spoken on issues before the Board of Supervisors and letters have been submitted to County on various subjects of interest to our group. As a result the FBRM is now well recognized in the community.
It has been concluded by the Board of Directors that to move forward and expand our impact a Five Year Strategic Plan is required.
MISSION STATEMENT
To preserve, enhance, and celebrate the Blue Ridge Mountains as a valuable resource and treasured space for present and future generations.
OUR VISION STATEMENT
The Blue Ridge Mountains stand secure as a national treasure for all time... ancient and sacred space that is maintained as a model of natural and cultural preservation – a free and accessible destination for recreation, discovery, and renewal that inspires others to join and sustain our effort.
SUMMARY OF OUR ACTIVITIES TO DATE
Preserve
Supported Conservation Easements on the mountains
Monitored development proposals on the mountains and oppose or support as appropriate.
Worked with persons in other counties to increase awareness of the importance of the mountains and encourage their participation in their preservation.
Established an annual “Friend of the Mountains” award.
Enhance
Supported the establishment of Historic Districts on the mountains
Provided support for the enhancement of the NVRPA's Blue Ridge Regional Park.
Celebrate
Held membership events such as picnics, cafe discussions, and story telling.
Held annual celebrations with music, art exhibits, and speakers.
FIVE YEAR OBJECTIVES
Develop a Conservation Corridor Concept as an umbrella for all future project activities.
Provide a range of membership activities in order to implement our mission and vision and to engage the energies of our members in our work.
Build a strong membership base to provide support for programs and volunteers to assist in implementation including identifying partners in other counties.
Seek a strong financial base to support expanded program and project activities.
THE CONSERVATION CORRIDOR CONCEPT
An initiative to create a Conservation Corridor along the length of the Blue Ridge from Route 66 in Virginia to the Potomac River is envisaged, as an uninterrupted area of forest and other habitats high in biodiversity that link protected areas, allowing animals to travel safely across the region, increase the health of ecosystems, harmonize land management and governance regimes, build capacity for sustainable management, help secure funding, and connect people and land in ways that reduce environmental encroachment while increasing “green” jobs, reducing pollution in downstream water supplies, and promoting best practices in management of mountainside lands.
The Conservation Corridor will be achieved through a wide variety of diverse approaches including: conservation easements, legislative and regulatory measures, education of property owners and land managers, introduction of fees for environmental services, creation of conservation incentives, establishment of parks or protected areas, and similar measures.
Many groups and individuals will need to work together to implement the Conservation Corridor. Contacts have already been initiated with a number of relevant groups which have agreed to cooperate including: National Wildlife Federation, Piedmont Environmental Council, Chesapeake Bay Coalition, Appalachian Trail Club, Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, The Virginia Outdoors Foundation, Virginia Conservation Network, Virginia Land Trust, and individuals from the National Park Service. Each of these organizations has particular strengths and experience to bear.
Please click here to see updated details on our Conservation Corridor work: A Bold InitiativeThe FBRM will seek to serve other organizations by convening and coordinating the group, supporting fund raising efforts for work to be done by others. It is not intended to hire staff directly, however, an intern will be recruited annually to assist.
When the baseline survey has been completed the FBRM will work with partners to articulate the rationale for conservation and the priority actions needed. It then will convene a Workshop to bring together the group of organizations, individuals, and members of the public, with legislative notables invited to achieve the following:
Introduce the Conservation Corridor Concept
v Establish a working framework for future action.
v Agree upon a work plan for the following five years and decide on initial task assignment.
v Prepare a budget and fund raising strategy.
The FBRM will contribute the following tasks during the development period:
v Establish working groups in Fauquier, Clarke, and Jefferson (WV) counties.
v Assemble all mountainside regulations from the counties and support adoption of appropriate zoning, mountain subdivision, facilities standards by all counties.
v Continue our efforts to obtain conservation easements on the mountains.
v Identify all large public and private landowners and invite them to
join the group.
v Prepare a list of all contacted groups, contact persons with email
addresses and phone numbers to facilitate communications.
PROVIDE A RANGE OF MEMBERSHIP ACTIVITIES TO IMPLEMENT OUR MISSION AND VISION
The FBRM will each year hold at least three events open to the membership without cost: a family picnic for members with a connection to the mountains, an annual meeting, and one other event as opportunity presents itself.
The FBRM will invite all members to attend Board meetings and contribute their ideas.
The FBRM will continue the activities of the Land Use and Celebration committees and encourage members to participate.
The FBRM will continue its program of support for the NVRPA's Blue Ridge Regional Park and invite members to participate in such activities as removing invasive species, conducting inventories of trees, plants, and birds in the park and make the results available in the park.
The FBRM will continue to monitor proposed development projects on the mountains and present our positions to the Board of Supervisors through letters, meetings with individual Supervisors, and public presentations. Members will be informed of pending actions and encouraged to participate in the actions proposed.
BUILD A STRONG MEMBERSHIP BASE
The FBRM will establish a target of maintaining a membership base of 150 members. A membership growth plan will be prepared. All FBRM Board members will participate by letter writing and emailing to perspective members from among their friends. Each Board member will commit to obtaining 10 new members.
The FBRM will establish an appropriate membership category for organizational membership with appropriate fees, and benefits.
The FBRM will continue to participate in festivals and community events to inform the public of our activities and to seek new members.
A standing committee of the Board will be established to guide the membership drive.
BUILD A STRONG FINANCIAL BASE
The FBRM will prepare an annual budget that utilizes membership fees to cover operating expenses.
The FBRM will seek grant funding for individual projects. A list of potential organizations which awards grants in area of interest to the FBRM has been assembled.
In the Fall of 2010 the FBRM will seek a grant to identify all of the historic structures on the mountains which might be combined into a Rural Historic District and contribute to the Corridor Concept. The grant application will be submitted to the Loudoun Preservation Society.
A Finance Committee will be formed, chaired by the Treasurer.
MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Each year the FBRM will prepare a annual plan with specific goals and at the end of each year it will be evaluated to compare accomplishments against the goals.
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