Thanks to this easement, the City of Richmond is one acre closer to their comprehensive plan goal of protecting an additional 100-acres within the city.
Credit: Capital Region Land Conservancy.
The Bucklew property fosters a forested freshwater wetland, that includes remnant vegetated populations of Lizard’s tail (Saururus cernuus), Royal Fern (Osmunda spectabilis), Virginia Chain Fern (Anchistea virginica), Sensitive Fern (Onoclea sensibilis), and Netted Chain Fern (Lorinseria areolate). Credit: Ashley Moulton, Capital Region Land Conservancy.
Easement Boosts Flood Resilience on Richmond’s Rattlesnake Creek
On December 20, 2021, Capital Region Land Conservancy recorded a conservation easement on 1.33 acres owned by resident Victor Bucklew. The undeveloped property along East Weyburn Road and Rattlesnake Creek in South Richmond will remain forested so that it continues to act as a natural area for habitat and filtration of stormwater as recommended by the Virginia Coastal Resilience Master Plan.
The easement requires a 100-foot riparian buffer along Rattlesnake Creek, a tributary to the James River. Such green infrastructure will help to improve water quality in the local watershed and contribute to the overall health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Heavily wooded freshwater wetland provides climate-resilient habitat for species such as owls, herons, migratory birds, deer, foxes, and wetland plants and ferns.
Stewardship requirements outlined in the easement and other agreements will help maintain native plants for local wildlife habitat and begin to restore areas where invasive species have established. Credit: Victor Bucklew, landowner.
Land Conservation Funders
Donation by landowner