31 Acres Protected Near Shepherdstown
The Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle has placed a permanent conservation easement on 31 acres near Shepherdstown. The property owner, Keith Janssen, explains “I am incredibly pleased to be able to place this family property into a conservation easement with the Land Trust of the Eastern Panhandle. My decision to do so stems from a long-held and deep-seated belief in the importance of conserving our natural environment instilled in me from an early age and through my career with the Coast Guard. My father purchased this property in 1969, and it holds a special place in my heart for many reasons. I have long valued the idea of preserving it in its natural state so that it can be enjoyed by wildlife and future generations and encourage others to consider doing the same.”
Mark Schiavone, a Land Trust board member who worked on the acquisition says “permanently protecting this land was important to us. This property contains forested land over karst, which helps recharge groundwater in the area. It is also part of the headwater for Teague Run, which flows north to the Potomac River.” Schiavone says “Keith was a pleasure to work with and we’re happy that his property will be protected forever. This means more permanent open space outside of Shepherdstown and that helps protect the rural nature of that part of the county.”
A permanent conservation easement is a voluntary agreement between a land trust and the property owner. This agreement protects the land from future development, ensuring the integrity of its farm and forestland, its wetland and stream habitats, and its natural beauty. This acquisition adds to the over 7,600 acres of land protected by conservation easements in Jefferson County.
