Suffolk family establishes conservancy on land

George Cornell grew up on a wooded farm on the Nansemond River in Suffolk. His father bought the scenic tract in 1946, wanting to escape the trappings of city life in Norfolk and raise his family in the country.

Today, Cornell still lives on the estate.

He is a successful physician with children and grandchildren of his own.

Gone, however, are the many neighboring farms and wilderness of his boyhood, replaced by new homes, roads and shopping centers in fast-growing North Suffolk.

"This whole area used to be the country," Cornell said, "but not anymore."

Determined to maintain open space and rural charm amid the suburban bustle, Cornell and his wife, Phyllis, just completed a two-year process establishing a "conservation easement" on their entire 127-acre homestead.

It is one of the few such easements in Suffolk today and the first administered by the Williamsburg Land Conservancy south of the James River.

The executive director of the conservancy, Caren Schumacher, hopes the Cornell tract springs a trend.

"Hopefully others who want to preserve their land will learn about this and do the same," Schumacher said. "We know there's interest out there, but many people don't know where to start."

By enacting the easement, the Cornells will forever keep their land from being developed. It will remain a habitat for wildlife and continue to serve as a natural buffer against pollution that might foul Bennett's Creek, the Nansemond River, the James River and ultimately the Chesapeake Bay.

In exchange, the Cornells will receive a sizeable tax break for years to come - along with the peace of mind that comes with knowing their family farm will live on.

Cornell said he has been approached for years by developers wanting to buy his land and build homes there. Despite property values as high as $80,000 an acre, Cornell always said no.

"Over my dead body," he said.

It was then he started learning about land trusts and conservation easements and tax incentives. Really, though, he just wanted to continue leasing a piece of his estate for a tree farm and nursery and leave the rest alone, including the 1908 farm house at the center of the homestead.

His quest took him to western Virginia, where land trusts have become more popular than in Hampton Roads. Then to Richmond and state conservation officials there. And finally to Williamsburg and the land conservancy there.

The Cornell easement will be counted toward Gov. Timothy M. Kaine's goal of conserving 400,000 acres during his four-year term, which ends next month.

In Suffolk, until now, only 66 acres had been preserved under the Kaine initiative.

"Yeah, but we're doubling that in one shot," Cornell said with a proud chuckle.

Scott Harper, (757) 446-2340, scott.harper@pilotonline.com