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 provide 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 World Tour 2023
The Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour is back in person for 2023! The World Tour, featuring the most breathtaking and moving outdoor films from the 9-day Banff Mountain Film Festival, is only in Blacksburg for one evening. Date: Friday March 3 Location: Moss Arts Center in Blacksburg, VA Time:… Read more
News
Banff Mountain Film Festival Virtual Edition 2022
Update: We plan to host the live event in March 2023. In the meantime, you can still enjoy all the great Banff films this year.The New River Land Trust is again hosting the Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour – Virtual Edition. Two programs – Sage and Pine – are… Read more
Fall 2021 Newsletter
In this issue: • Brush Mountain Park Update • Stream Restoration Update • Youth Outreach News Read the Fall 2021 Newsletter Read more
Grant to Help Purchase Property 3
More Acres + More Trails! This week, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation awarded a $210,000 grant to the Town of Blacksburg Government. The funds will help NRLT purchase and protect 208 acres of richly biodiverse forest habitat that will be added to the Brush Mountain Park system. With this… Read more
NRLT Transfers Ownership of McDonald Hollow Property
The New River Land Trust is excited to transfer ownership of the first Brush Mountain Park property to the Town of Blacksburg. This addition to the Town’s park system was made possible with funding from the Virginia Outdoors Foundation’s Forest CORE Fund and generous community support which enabled installation of… Read more
New Trail Open in McDonald Hollow
The Blunderbuss extension trail is now open! New signs will go up later this fall and the updated map is below (trail #6). The Blunderbuss extension is .7 miles of rocks, berms, jumps, and drops – a true black diamond trail. Build your endurance and skills while having a blast…. Read more