RCCA was established in 1999 by a core group of Rappahannock citizens who knew land protection was of foremost importance to keeping Rappahannock County’s rural character intact. The founding board members included Bayard Catron, Gary Light, Douglas Ginsberg, Gerald Ochs, Don Audette, Bob Dennis, Chris Bird, Hal Hunter, Cliff Miller, Chris Parrish, Hildy Teegen, Sharon Pierce, and Mitzie Young.

Throughout its history, RCCA has spearheaded many key land conservation projects, such as:

•Establishment of the county’s Farmland Preservation Program, which preserves productive farmland through the purchase of all or a portion of the development rights on the property, thus giving the farm owner an economic return while preserving the property for agricultural use.
•Through RCCA’s annual fundraising gala dinner and auction, The Rappahannock Evening View, RCCA has donated over $140,000 to the Farmland Preservation Program, all matched with state funds.
•A “buildout” analysis that showed the county population would double if landowners exercised their rights to build. This analysis helped to demonstrate the value of land use planning and conservation easements.
•The 2002 survey of historic resources, which led to the Laurel Mills Historic District, and identified six additional districts worthy of state recognition. Owners of historic properties can donate an easement to the Department of Historic Resources; the easement protects both the structure and the surrounding land.
•Production of numerous educational guides on land use taxation, agricultural and forestral districts, conservation easements, the Farmland Preservation Program, and Virginia tax credits.

Largely a volunteer grassroots effort, RCCA hired its first part-time executive staff and secured office space in 2006. RCCA’s current executive director, Nathan Jenkins, started in 2009 and works from a home office. Nathan is always happy to meet for a coffee or a conversation, at the Link, at your home, or anywhere else convenient for you.