2022 County Conservation Easement Authority Award

In conjunction with Shenandoah University, the American Battlefield Trust was honored with the Wingate Mackay-Smith Clarke County Land Conservation Award in recognition of a partnership that transformed a former golf course into a battlefield park.  The site of one of Jubal Early’s raids, this 195-acre property was previously home to the Virginia National Golf Club. The Trust was able to secure the land using member donations and matching grants from the National Park Service and Virginia state government, before turning ownership over to Shenandoah University. Since then, a battlefield park, outdoor classrooms, wildlife observation stations, and hiking trails have been established. With the help of the Trust, Clarke County Conservation Easement Authority, Virginia Outdoors Foundation, and other organizations, 25 percent of Clarke County has been protected by preservation or conservation easement.