We were very sad to learn about the recent passing of a longtime environmental supporter and friend of Potomac Conservancy, Caroline Stalnaker.  Caroline owned a 106-acre working farm along Cedar Creek in Strasburg, Virginia.  In 2006, Caroline permanently protected her land through a conservation easement with Potomac Conservancy and Virginia Outdoor Foundation.  We have been extremely fortunate to know Caroline and work with her to preserve her land and legacy forever.

Leanna Diggs recently joined Potomac Conservancy in January 2014 as the Policy and Advocacy Intern. Leanna works with the Policy Manager, Amanda John, to assist in advocating for policy and legislation surrounding water quality and land conservation programs throughout the D.C. Metro Area. As a multifaceted organization, Potomac Conservancy will greatly benefit from Leanna’s research and briefings, and her work will help inform policy strategy and advance conservation in the Potomac Watershed.

Learn more about Leanna's efforts after the jump.

Potomac Conservancy was excited to join 35 volunteers who braved the frigid cold to participate in a day of service improve the health of public lands found in the C&O Canal National Historical Park.  We thank this group of committed river champions for their help in removing over 800 pounds of trash, debris, and invasive English Ivy from the shores of the Potomac.

How is the river doing? Potomac Conservancy seeks to answer this fundamental question in its 2013 State of the Nation's River Report. The report evaluates key indicators including pollution, fish, land use, people and habitat, to give an in-depth look at the river's health. Download your copy of the 2013 Report and find out why the river receives an overall C grade.

In October 2013, Potomac Conservancy’s Land Protection team closed an easement on Half Moon, permanently protecting 288 acres in Frederick County (VA). Boasting pristine forests and working farmland in the Cedar Creek watershed, Half Moon helps preserve local and regional stream health as the waters of Cedar Creek meander into the Shenandoah River and ultimately flow into the Potomac.

Tracy Lind joined Potomac Conservancy in November 2013 as our Stewardship Specialist.  Tracy is charged with conducting annual monitoring visits on the Conservancy's 76 conservation easement properties in Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland. In this way, Tracy ensures landowners are complying with land use restrictions as detailed in their easement agreement.  Working alongside Land Protection Manager, Jed Rau, Tracy’s stewardship expertise helps increase the pace of land protection and ensures the Potomac’s highlands remain verdant and vibrant for generations to come.

In October 2013, the Venskoske family closed an easement on Sunny Acres, a 183-acre easement (primarily agricultural) in the Back Creek watershed that is contiguous with three existing Potomac Conservancy easements. Together, these four properties form a green hub that extends over 600 acres of protected land!

If you own farmland in the Frederick, Shenandoah or Loudoun Counties Virginia or Berkeley or Jefferson Counties, West Virginia but do not live on or operate your land, you may be eligible for a new free conservation service.

Chesapeake Bay Journal helps spread the work about Potomac Conservancy's Non-operator Landowner Advisor program and how it's helping to enhance working lands in Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia.  The picture, featuring the Armstrongs and Advisor Joe Thompson, was taken by Chesapeake Bay Journal photographer Dave Harp.