Conservation Close to Home
The New River Land Trust works to conserve farmland, forests, open spaces, and historic places in the New River region of Southwest Virginia. Since 2002, we have helped protect over 56,000 acres of land in the region and over 26 miles of New River frontage.
We conserve land to protect productive farmland, wildlife habitat, scenic views, climate resilient areas, water quality, and outdoor recreation areas in our region. We use cutting-edge technology to identify land in critical need of conservation.
We work with partners, including local governments, on larger land policy and conservation issues, such as the new Brush Mountain Park.
We help landowners conserve their land with conservation easements, and work with partners and landowners to restore vital habitats such as the North Fork of the Roanoke River Restoration Project.
Our Youth Outreach program and the Nature Play Space in Heritage Park help kids form a meaningful, healthy, and lifelong relationship with nature and the outdoors.
Please become a supporter or subscribe to our e-news for trail updates, events, outreach and conservation news:
Upcoming Events
Banff Mountain Film Festival – Virtual Edition
The New River Land Trust is hosting the 45th Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour – Virtual Edition until October 24, 2021. Choose from 4, ~2 hour programs – Amber, Onyx, Ruby or Sapphire. Watch one, a bundle of two programs, or go for all four with the Epic bundle…. Read more
News
Outdoor Exploration Backpack Demos
In July and August, we’ll be at local libraries and the New River Valley Garden Tour providing demos of our Outdoor Exploration Backpacks, with story time and nature play – including birding and stream exploration. You can check out an Early Birders or Stream Exploration Backpack from libraries across the… Read more
Grant Aims to Achieve ‘A Restored and Functioning River System’ in North Fork
The North Fork of the Roanoke River originates between two mountain ridges just inside Roanoke County before flowing through Montgomery County just east of Blacksburg. The river is home to a variety of rare and native species, including the federally endangered Roanoke logperch. Thanks to a second Community Conservation Grant from… Read more
Rescue Squad Trains on New Trails
No one wants to get injured while out on the trails having fun, but it’s comforting to know that, if needed, the rescuers are prepared. The Blacksburg Volunteer Rescue Squad (BVRS) recently staged a training with a rescue simulation on the new McDonald Hollow Trails on Brush Mountain. In order… Read more
Brush Mountain Trails Open to the Public
The McDonald Hollow Trail Network, part of the new Brush Mountain Park, is now open to the public! We are so grateful to the community, our partners, volunteers, and supporters for making this project possible. Construction of a the final trail planned on the property, the Crosscut trail, is underway…. Read more
Stream Box Delivers Nature Education to Heritage Park
The stream box is hand painted… …on both sides! Abby Lewis, Grace O’Malley and Jared Conner of VT’s Stream Team Youth Outreach Coordinator Melissa Henry worked with the Virginia Tech Stream Team to create an educational outreach Stream Box on Tom’s Creek near the Nature Play Space. Inside there are… Read more