Properties
- Tom and Marilyn Vernon Conservation Easement
- Rock Quarry Road Residential Easement
- Hinkson Valley Nature Preserve
- Spring Valley Preserve
Tom and Marilyn Vernon Conservation Easement
The following summary was written by Tom and Marilyn Vernon, who gave the development rights to their 18-acre property to The Greenbelt Land Trust.
“For the past nine years we have worked a small vineyard on Nebo Cemetery Road. We’ve come to love the natural beauty, wildlife and farms of this area. When we drive to our vineyard on Gillespie Bridge Road, we’re very concerned by what we see. Farms and natural areas are rapidly turning into commercial and residential development.
“For this reason we recently gave the development rights to our 18 acres to The Greenbelt Land Trust. As a result of this voluntary gift we will take a tax deduction of $99,000 from our adjusted gross income spread over the next five years. (IRS publications 526 and 561 describe the tax matters related to this.)
“This gift does not limit our ownership or control of the property. We can still farm it, sell it, and pass it on to our children. We can also increase or reduce the amount of land under cultivation if we want to.
“Our legal agreement with the Greenbelt Land Trust, the conservation easement that describes the gift, limits the extent to which the land can be developed. For example, one residence plus outbuildings is allowed; a housing development is not allowed. A confined animal operation is not allowed. It also describes the obligations of the land trust to insure that the agreement is enforced. In essence the agreement permanently protects the pastures and woods, the natural beauty of area around the vineyard for future generations.
“We hope other Boone County land owners will consider the benefits of conservation easements of this sort. If so, the county might retain the natural beauty and agricultural atmosphere that many of us love and that make the county a special place.
“Tom and Marilyn Vernon (9/23/04)”
Hinkson Valley Nature Preserve
History
The Hinkson Valley Nature Preserve was originally donated to The Nature Conservancy in 1971, by Paul and Gertrude Matthews (later Marshall), and William Elder.
In 1999, The Nature Conservancy transferred ownership of the property to the Greenbelt Coalition (now the Greenbelt Land Trust). In 2000, the Greenbelt Coalition donated an easement to the City of Columbia to build a hiking-biking trail and bridge on the property. The Greenbelt Land Trust is currently attempting to eradicate invasive non-native species such as Japanese honeysuckle and Sericea lespedeza. We intend to establish native plants in the cleared bottomlands and forest savannah.
The Greenbelt Land Trust acknowledges the generosity of the Matthews and Elder families, and the stewardship of The Nature Conservancy. We will insure that their vision of a natural area in what is now the heart of Columbia will be realized, in perpetuity.
Management Goals
The Preserve will be actively managed by Management Unit, with volunteer labor, to enhance the natural, potential ecological community structure, and to provide increased visibility for the Greenbelt Land Trust in Columbia.
Public Access
The Preserve is located on Rock Quarry Rd. by Hinkson Creek, just south of Stadium Drive and directly adjacent to Capen Park (see map). The MKT Trail extension runs through the area. Parking is available at Capen Park.
The area shown on the map is open for public access during daylight hours. Camping and hunting are prohibited. Greenbelt Land Trust reserves the right to rescind access to any individual at any time. Boundaries are currently unmarked; please respect private property to the south along Rock Quarry Rd.
Additional areas of the Preserve (not shown) are not open to public access at this time. These areas are accessible only through private property.
Spring Valley Preserve
Spring Valley Preserve is a small, undeveloped property in a residential neighborhood along Spring Valley Dr. in Columbia. County House Branch runs through the property.
In 2002, members of the Spring Valley Neighborhood Association contributed to the purchase of the land, and donated it to the Greenbelt Land Trust, in order that it remain in a natural state.
At the present time, public access is restricted to local residents, their guests, and volunteers associated with the Greenbelt Land Trust who are actively involved with management or monitoring of the property. Boundaries are not posted, and parking is limited in this quiet residential neighborhood.
Rock Quarry Road Residential Easement
A home on five acres of woods and woodland edge bordered by Rock Quarry Road, the high limestone bluff of the Hinkson Creek, Hinkson Valley Nature Preserve, and private property to the south, this area was put into a conservation easement by the family of Gertrude Marshall. The property was purchased by Fred Young and Julie Youmans in 1999 who make it their residence and conservation management project. The property was originally developed in concert with two other families sharing a vision of greenspace within city limits and collaborative use of the land. The 3 owners at that time designed a shared driveway, well-water, pond, and habitat for native species. In addition two of the owners purchased additional land to remain as conservation areas.