Image of River Farm courtesy of NVCT
Image of River Farm courtesy of NVCT
Northern Virginia Conservation Trust is holding its annual gala fundraiser Friday, June 3 at River Farm to celebrate the many conservation heroes of Northern Virginia. As COVID-19 has prevented this event over the last couple of years, the group notes that they are eager to host the gala, which will feature music, food and drink. Taking place at River Farm, 7931 E. Boulevard Dr., the event is scheduled from 6-9 p.m.
River Farm was at the heart of a conservation brouhaha when the then-American Horticultural Society board decided to sell the property. AHS makes its headquarters there. But after neighbors, preservationists and government officials got involved, AHS called off the sale and it was taken off the market.
"We are springing out of a highly successful year in conservation, and what better place to celebrate than one of our organization's greatest protection successes, George Washington's River Farm," the group notes in their invitation.
"For over a year, we managed the Save River Farm campaign, which started as a grassroots community effort to prevent the sale of the historic property once owned by our nation's first president. This noble campaign transformed into a coalition of community stakeholders, volunteers, government officials, and sponsors, whose united voices empowered the right people to do the right thing and not sell River Farm to a developer for profit."
"Many of you have yet to experience the beauty of River Farm in person. Well, here's your chance to do so with food, drink, and others who value the natural, cultural, and historical value of Northern Virginia. Saving Nearby Nature is why we exist. Over the last two years since our previous annual fundraising event, we've protected hundreds of acres of natural open spaces. Your continued support helps us keep saving properties like River Farm for all time."
