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Post by meadowview on May 2, 2013 12:45:58 GMT
Our new prospectus about the Joseph Pines Preserve is available on our website at www.pitcherplant.org/The-Joseph-Pines-Preserve/index.html. Click on the pdf in the section about "The Center for Biodiversity". There's a lot to read there but if we're asking for $1.9 million dollars we better have a good plan. Sincerely, Phil Sheridan, Ph.D. Director Meadowview Biological Research Station
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Post by meadowview on Sept 12, 2013 13:03:08 GMT
Hi Folks:
We have updated the Joseph Pines Center for Biodiversity pdf on our website. I made a few improvements to the proposal (for example, some refinement of Why Pitcher Plants are Important) and focused the financials specifically on the 51 acre tract we have a contract on and are trying to acquire. Meadowview member John Mentis donated the $1000 earnest money for the contract. I'm continuing to submit big budget grant proposals to Virginia foundations(ranging from $224K to $448K) to fund the purchase of the property. The purchase price of the 51 acre Schwartz tract is $449K and includes a nice 4300 sq. ft. house, 1 acre stocked fish pond, 20 x 60 carport/garage, and more. Details about the house and center plans are in the proposal. I think our chances of foundation support are promising but won't really know until I hear back from all the foundations in January.
If we get this property we will more than likely move our headquaters there but retain our current Caroline County house and land for horticultural propagation and the National Sarracenia Collection (this is exclusive of the Central VA Preserve for native purple pitcher plant which we will continue to own and expand). The focus of the Center for Biodiversity at Joseph Pines Preserve is to concentrate operations for the propagation of indigenous rare flora on-site at the preserve. If we pull this off we will have a nationally recognized facility and be able to ramp up native Virginia Sarracenia propagation and reintroduction. The result will be a preserve that rivals some of the best southeastern pitcher plant wetlands.
Please let me know if you have any questions about the prospectus and let other folks and organizations know about it if they might be able to help.
Sincerely,
Phil Sheridan, Ph.D. Director and President Meadowview Biological Research Station
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Post by Sockhom on Oct 3, 2013 19:56:06 GMT
Hi Phil,
Great project. I'll spread the news around.
All the best from me.
François.
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Post by meadowview on Oct 13, 2013 14:20:30 GMT
Hi Folks: We received notice from the Virginia Dept. of Environmental Quality that our loan application to purchase the 51 acre Schwartz tract as our education and biodiversity center is recommended for approval. A public meeting will be held in November and final decision made shortly thereafter. Full details of the plan can be read on our Joseph Pines link at www.pitcherplant.org. Click on the pdf prospectus to read the plan. The loan from DEQ would be for $449,000 and will require a foundation(s) or major donor(s) to support the note. We're working hard to make this happen so keep your fingers croseed and spread the word. If we get this property we will be able to crank up production of indigenous rare flora, on-site, to greatly accelerate the restoration program at Joseph Pines Preserve and produce a world-class pitcher plant preserve. We will also have facilities to accomodate those who want to volunteer, take an eco-vacation to help with the restoration process, or simply visit the preserve. Sincerely, Phil Sheridan, Ph.D. Director Meadowview Biological Research Station
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Post by meadowview on Dec 30, 2013 14:43:41 GMT
Hi Folks: Some updates. The VADEQ has officially approved our loan request of $449,000 to purchase the center for biodiversity at Joseph Pines Preserve. The loan is contingent on donor or foundation support. We received the second highest score in the state for the project, just below Natural Bridge. In November, we received a $50,000 challenge grant from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation towards the center. We will have to raise the match of $50K. I'm about to submit our letter of intent to the Cameron Foundation in Petersburg, VA asking them to service the hypothetical note on the balance of $349,000. The note would be over ten years at 0.25% interest, an incredible rate provided by the State of VA for conservation projects. We should know in the next month if Cameron Foundation is interested and will then move into full proposal mode. $449,000 is a lot of money, I realize that,but we really have a great opportunity to move Joseph Pines to the next level. If anyone, or organization, is interested in doing an end of year match for the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation grant please contact me at meadowview@pitcherplant.org. Details of the above items can be found on our Joseph Pines link at www.pitcherplant.org. Bob Z. Haven't forgotten you and the article(s) for CPN. As you can see we're running full tilt. I think we will slow down just enough in late Jan. - Feb to slide a couple papers out to you. Happy New Years everyone!!! Sincerely, Phil Sheridan, Ph.D. Director and President Meadowview Biological Research Station
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