AC44 Phase 2: Environmental Stewardship

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Albemarle County’s landscape, located in the Virginia Piedmont and on the eastern flank of the Blue Ridge, has a variety of habitats, species, and environmental features. Ongoing protection and restoration of the environment is essential for the health of our ecosystems and biodiversity, our water supplies, our community’s resilience to the effects of climate change, and our enjoyment of the natural world.

Protection and restoration of the natural environment requires ongoing conservation efforts and is essential for the health and resilience of our community. For example, the County's 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory estimated that forests in Albemarle County sequester an average of approximately 945,732 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) per year. The magnitude of the sequestration potential of local forests and other ecosystems emphasizes the importance of protecting and sustainably managing these systems — to preserve their sequestration potential, to prevent large amounts of unnecessary emissions from forest loss, and for the many other benefits of healthy local forests, including water-quality protection and wildlife habitat.

The following one-pager and topic report highlight the importance of stewardship of the County's resources and natural environment:

The Comp Plan update is an opportunity to explore how the County can better protect and restore the local natural environment.

Learn more about how you can participate in environmental stewardship in our community through the Environmental Stewardship Hub!

Albemarle County’s landscape, located in the Virginia Piedmont and on the eastern flank of the Blue Ridge, has a variety of habitats, species, and environmental features. Ongoing protection and restoration of the environment is essential for the health of our ecosystems and biodiversity, our water supplies, our community’s resilience to the effects of climate change, and our enjoyment of the natural world.

Protection and restoration of the natural environment requires ongoing conservation efforts and is essential for the health and resilience of our community. For example, the County's 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory estimated that forests in Albemarle County sequester an average of approximately 945,732 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) per year. The magnitude of the sequestration potential of local forests and other ecosystems emphasizes the importance of protecting and sustainably managing these systems — to preserve their sequestration potential, to prevent large amounts of unnecessary emissions from forest loss, and for the many other benefits of healthy local forests, including water-quality protection and wildlife habitat.

The following one-pager and topic report highlight the importance of stewardship of the County's resources and natural environment:

The Comp Plan update is an opportunity to explore how the County can better protect and restore the local natural environment.

Learn more about how you can participate in environmental stewardship in our community through the Environmental Stewardship Hub!

What questions do you have about Natural, Historic, Scenic, and/or Cultural Resources?

This is a complex topic with lots of implications. What questions do you have?

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  • Share How are you preventing historic building sites from being over expanded and developed? What are the parameters for development of historic landmark properties so developers don’t exploit the county’s generosity? on Facebook Share How are you preventing historic building sites from being over expanded and developed? What are the parameters for development of historic landmark properties so developers don’t exploit the county’s generosity? on Twitter Share How are you preventing historic building sites from being over expanded and developed? What are the parameters for development of historic landmark properties so developers don’t exploit the county’s generosity? on Linkedin Email How are you preventing historic building sites from being over expanded and developed? What are the parameters for development of historic landmark properties so developers don’t exploit the county’s generosity? link

    How are you preventing historic building sites from being over expanded and developed? What are the parameters for development of historic landmark properties so developers don’t exploit the county’s generosity?

    L asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question! At this time, County regulations for historic buildings are limited to historic country stores and historic taverns/inns/restaurants. With the Comp Plan update underway, the current Plan's Goals, Objectives, and Strategies will be reviewed and updated, including for historic, cultural, and scenic resources. Community input will be used to help inform the updated Plan recommendations. We have a questionnaire open through March 10, which asks about all Comp Plan topics (historic resources is found on Page 5). In the fall of this year, we anticipate sharing draft updated Goals and Objectives for community members to review and share feedback on. If you have not already, we recommend registering on the AC44 website to receive updates on the latest questionnaires, events, and draft materials. 

  • Share What are you going to put in the plan for "Protection of theses natural resources..."? Our natural resources are being overwhelmed by invasive species and the impacts of continued population growth. Unless real actions are taken, our natural resources will continue to deteriorate. I would be happy to discuss this if that would help. on Facebook Share What are you going to put in the plan for "Protection of theses natural resources..."? Our natural resources are being overwhelmed by invasive species and the impacts of continued population growth. Unless real actions are taken, our natural resources will continue to deteriorate. I would be happy to discuss this if that would help. on Twitter Share What are you going to put in the plan for "Protection of theses natural resources..."? Our natural resources are being overwhelmed by invasive species and the impacts of continued population growth. Unless real actions are taken, our natural resources will continue to deteriorate. I would be happy to discuss this if that would help. on Linkedin Email What are you going to put in the plan for "Protection of theses natural resources..."? Our natural resources are being overwhelmed by invasive species and the impacts of continued population growth. Unless real actions are taken, our natural resources will continue to deteriorate. I would be happy to discuss this if that would help. link

    What are you going to put in the plan for "Protection of theses natural resources..."? Our natural resources are being overwhelmed by invasive species and the impacts of continued population growth. Unless real actions are taken, our natural resources will continue to deteriorate. I would be happy to discuss this if that would help.

    Rod asked almost 2 years ago

    Thank you for your question! The County has a Biodiversity Action Plan that provides direction and guidance for protection of natural resources and native species. Additionally, with the Comp Plan update underway, the current Plan's Goals, Objectives, and Strategies will be reviewed and updated, including for natural resources. Community input will be used to help inform the updated Plan recommendations. We have a questionnaire open through March 10, which asks about all Comp Plan topics (natural resources is on Page 5). In the fall of this year, we anticipate sharing draft updated Goals and Objectives for community members to review and share feedback on. If you have not already, we recommend registering on the AC44 website to receive updates on the latest questionnaires, events, and draft materials. 

Page last updated: 05 Feb 2024, 08:19 AM