When Gov. Tim Kaine took office, he set an ambitious goal -- to see 400,000 acres of land protected during his four-year term, which would roughly double the amount of private conservation land statewide. With strong state support for private land conservation as well as acquisition of new public lands, Gov. Kaine exceeded his goal. Since 2006, over 424,000 acres were protected. More than 96,000 acres were protected in PEC's nine-county region over the last four years.

In addition to the more than 350,000 acres of donated conservation easements, statewide conservation successes during the Kaine administration include the creation of five new state forests, three new state parks, three new wildlife management areas, and thirteen natural area preserves. One of the new state parks is Biscuit Run, a 1,200 acre property south of Charlottesville, which had been slated for 3,100 houses -- the largest residential development ever approved in Albemarle County.

Gov. McDonnell has pledged to maintain this pace of land conservation, protecting another 400,000 acres during his term. PEC applauds the commitment of both administrations to protecting Virginia's landscape, and we continue to partner in the fulfillment of public goals through our on-the-ground outreach and assistance to landowners.