December 8, 2016
“The Conservation Fund applauds the U.S. Congress’ passage of legislation to expand the boundary of the Petersburg National Battlefield. This boundary expansion will authorize the National Park Service to acquire currently unprotected historic sites that tell the story of the major battles associated with the longest military event of the Civil War, preserving this heritage for future generations.
I want to commend the leadership of U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Randy Forbes (R-VA-4) and Bobby Scott (D-VA-3)―along with the National Park Service―in ensuring the expansion of Petersburg National Battlefield by more than 7,000 acres, making it the largest protected battlefield in the country.
The 292-day long Petersburg Campaign, where Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee came head-to-head, featured 26 major battles across more than 176 square miles. The fall of Petersburg set the stage for the surrender of the Confederacy that occurred seven days later at Appomattox Court House. Currently, only a fraction of these historic lands are protected within the Petersburg National Battlefield, with the unprotected lands threatened by incompatible development.
The Fund is honored to have played a significant role in this effort, as a long-standing partner of the National Park Service helping to conserve land at Petersburg National Battlefield. I’d like to also thank the other organizations that worked over the past decade to help advance the boundary expansion, including the National Parks Conservation Association, the Civil War Trust, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.”
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect more than 7.8 million acres of land since 1985.
I want to commend the leadership of U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Randy Forbes (R-VA-4) and Bobby Scott (D-VA-3)―along with the National Park Service―in ensuring the expansion of Petersburg National Battlefield by more than 7,000 acres, making it the largest protected battlefield in the country.
The 292-day long Petersburg Campaign, where Generals Ulysses S. Grant and Robert E. Lee came head-to-head, featured 26 major battles across more than 176 square miles. The fall of Petersburg set the stage for the surrender of the Confederacy that occurred seven days later at Appomattox Court House. Currently, only a fraction of these historic lands are protected within the Petersburg National Battlefield, with the unprotected lands threatened by incompatible development.
The Fund is honored to have played a significant role in this effort, as a long-standing partner of the National Park Service helping to conserve land at Petersburg National Battlefield. I’d like to also thank the other organizations that worked over the past decade to help advance the boundary expansion, including the National Parks Conservation Association, the Civil War Trust, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.”
About The Conservation Fund
At The Conservation Fund, we make conservation work for America. By creating solutions that make environmental and economic sense, we are redefining conservation to demonstrate its essential role in our future prosperity. Top-ranked for efficiency and effectiveness, we have worked in all 50 states to protect more than 7.8 million acres of land since 1985.
Recent Press Releases
If you are inspired, please give today. Your unrestricted donation offers the greatest flexibility for conservation and makes a big impact. Thank you.
