[Archived] Alexandria to Partner with Local Land Trust to Preserve Open Space

City Press Release


	City of Alexandria, Virginia Office of the City Manager Alexandria City Hall 301 King Street, Suite 3500 Alexandria, Virginia 22314-3211 www.alexandriava.gov Telephone: 703.838.4300 Fax : 703.838.6343

On Oct. 28, the Alexandria City Council unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) to help protect open space in the City. In so doing, Alexandria joined Arlington and Fairfax Counties who have similar private-public partnerships with the local land trust.

This spring, City Council adopted a sweeping Open Space Master Plan that committed the City to try a variety of planning tools to conserve the dwindling amount of green areas in Alexandria. The Open Space Master Plan highlighted the successful work by NVCT in neighboring jurisdictions and endorsed formalizing the relationship with NVCT. Since 1994, NVCT has protected over 1,000 acres of open space in Northern Virginia by either purchasing land or by placing properties with conservation values under conservation easements that are deeds that restrict the development rights on land. Landowners who permanently protect their property may be eligible for significant federal and state income tax benefits as well as a reduction in their real estate property taxes.

Mike Nardolilli, Vice President of NVCT, praised City Council’s actions, saying “Alexandria is to be commended for its foresight in working to protect its open spaces for future generations to enjoy.” Nardolilli added that “NVCT looks forward to working with the City in implementing the goals of the Alexandria Open Space Master Plan.”

For more information about the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust’s easement program, visit www.nvct.org or call Michael Nardolilli at 703.536.4058.

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