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UVA Wise and The Nature Conservancy Announce Cumberland Forest Community Fund Award Recipients

2025 awardees with checks

The Cumberland Forest Community Fund is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2025 grant awards, with a total of $140,000 allocated to support seven impactful projects across Southwest Virginia. Selected through a competitive review process, these projects enhance environmental quality, strengthen community capacity, and promote regional economic resilience.

“This year’s awardees are driving crucial work in environmental stewardship, public access and placemaking,” said Brad Kreps, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Clinch Valley Program. “Their projects align with our mission to deepen connections between people and nature, creating lasting benefits like healthier ecosystems and vibrant community spaces. The impact of these funds, and their role in strengthening the capacity of each organization, grows every year as the Cumberland Forest Community Fund evolves.”

Since its launch in 2022, the Cumberland Forest Community Fund has invested $480,000 in 35 community-based projects throughout Southwest Virginia. The fund is supported by a partnership involving The Nature Conservancy, the Cumberland Forest Limited Partnership, the Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation and The University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA Wise), who also serves as program administrator.

“The Cumberland Forest Community Fund continues to be a powerful example of what can be achieved when organizations and communities collaborate with a regional focus,” said Randall Rose, associate vice chancellor of community and economic development at UVA Wise. “The Fund’s impact on the region has sparked growing interest across various sectors, with rising requests from both community organizations and applicants, as well as increased attention from community and economic developers drawn to the Fund’s successful program model.”

Now in its fourth year, the Cumberland Forest Community Fund continues to support nature-based economic and community development projects in seven counties in Southwest Virginia: Buchanan, Dickenson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Tazewell and Wise counties, as well as the City of Norton.

All 2025 awardees were recognized and highlighted the impact of the funds at the Cumberland Forest Community Fund’s annual awards event at the UVA Wise’s Oxbow Center in St. Paul earlier this month.  More information on this year’s award recipients can be found below and at www.oxbowcenter.com/communityfund.

2025 Award Recipients:

  • City of Norton – Protect Our Parks Initiative ($15,000)
    Norton, Va.
    Funds will support the City’s Woodbooger Festival and enhance trails in Norton’s park system, encouraging local engagement and environmental education.
  • Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District – Forest and Meadow Habitat Restoration ($15,000)
    Lebanon, Va.
    This initiative will restore native habitats and install walking trails on a 12-acre town-owned property, laying the foundation for future recreation and conservation use.
  • Southwest Virginia Community Foundation – Bush Mill Site Enhancements ($15,000)
    Nickelsville, Va.
    Enhancements will improve accessibility and interpretation at the historic Bush Mill, preserving cultural heritage while expanding public use.
  • Town of Tazewell – Clinch River Pavilion River Walk ($15,000)
    Tazewell, Va.
    Grant funds will help establish a riverwalk and improve access near a future farmers market, encouraging outdoor recreation and community gatherings.
  • Appalachian Sustainable Development – Season Extension and Power Infrastructure for the Growing Together Community Garden ($15,000)
    Tazewell, Va.
    A new hoop house and cold storage system will extend the garden’s growing season and improve food access in the community.
  • Big Sandy Soil and Water Conservation District – Southern Gap Outdoor Classroom ($30,000)
    Grundy, Va.
    This educational space will include an amphitheater, pond habitat and interpretive signage—offering hands-on learning opportunities for residents and visitors.
  • Town of Pennington Gap – Cas Walker Flood Mitigation ($35,000)
    Pennington Gap, Va.
    This project supports the demolition of a brownfield site and the development of a recreational greenspace designed to mitigate flooding.

The Nature Conservancy is a global conservation organization dedicated to conserving the lands and waters on which all life depends. Guided by science, we create innovative, on-the-ground solutions to our world's toughest challenges so that nature and people can thrive together. We are tackling climate change, conserving lands, waters, and oceans at an unprecedented scale, providing food and water sustainably and helping make cities more sustainable. Working in 76 countries—37 by direct conservation impact and 39 through partners—we use a collaborative approach that engages local communities, governments, the private sector, and other partners. Learn more about The Nature Conservancy’s work in Virginia at nature.org/virginia and follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook.

The Cumberland Forest Limited Partnership, managed by The Nature Conservancy, owns more than 250,000 acres in the coalfields of Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Cumberland Forest utilizes an impact investment approach to manage these lands for sustainable forestry, climate resiliency, renewable energy, recreational uses and economic opportunities for people and communities.

The Anne & Gene Worrell Foundation is committed to supporting initiatives and organizations that align with its mission to cultivate resilient communities and ecosystems in the places the Worrells called home. The Foundation focuses its grantmaking in specific Virginia counties in Greater Charlottesville, Far Southwest Virginia, and Surry County. Grantmaking focus areas include economic mobility and well-being, preserving natural assets, and family legacy initiatives. To learn more, visit www.agworrellfoundation.org.