Outdoor Heritage Conservation Fund
New Funding Tool for Land Conservation Projects
The OHCF was developed to provide funding and support for the conservation of West Virginia’s special places, such as critical wildlife habitat, scenic places for family hiking and picnics, forestland for hunting and traditional forestry, and lands celebrating West Virginia’s natural and cultural heritage. It is funded by a new recording fee that is collected at the county level.
In 2009, Terrell Ellis was appointed by Governor Manchin as a Trustee for the OHCF. The Board of Trustees has been busy developing rules for the dissemination of these funds which can go to nonprofit organizations, land trusts, and the Division of Natural Resources for the purpose of conserving or stewarding land.
The rules establish the procedures and guidelines to be used by the Board in the administration of its programs. Specifically, the rules:
- Govern the distribution of funds through a competitive grant process for the purchase of interests in land for conservation purposes,
- Includes provisions governing the acquisition, acceptance, holding and transfer of interests in land for conservation purposes,
- Establishes the process for the Board to request the issuance of WV Economic Development Authority bonds to fund the purchase of interests in land for conservation purposes.
Ms. Ellis has been busy working with the OHCF partners such as The Nature Conservancy and the WV Division of Natural Resources to craft rules and guide them through the legislative approval process. As of this time, they have passed through the House Judiciary Committee and are heading to the House floor for a vote.
It is anticipated that the program will be operational by July 1-bringing much needed new financial resources to the land conservation movement in West Virginia.
Hello
We have several projects that are of major importance to our County. In Paw PAw we have started an incredible rail trail project that I would love for you to see the potential.
The OHCF and the WV Land Trust are two organizations that you will want to keep your eye on. The OHCF’s legislative rules were just approved and grant policies are being drafted. I will keep our blog posted as time lines are firmed up. In the meantime would love to hear more about yoru project!