Historic Germanna is honored to announce its recognition with a Governor’s Environmental Excellence Award, presented by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR). This prestigious award celebrates outstanding achievements in environmental stewardship and sustainability across the Commonwealth.
Historic Germanna received Silver recognition in the Land Conservation category for the permanent conservation of the Siegen Forest. In 2023, 163 acres of historically significant land—including the Germanna Ford area along the Rapidan River—were placed under an open space easement with the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR). This milestone ensures long-term protection of the site’s cultural and environmental value, while enhancing public access through the revitalized Germanna Ford Public Boat Launch.
This achievement was made possible through the invaluable support of our key partners, including Virginia DHR, Friends of the Rappahannock, AmeriCorps, the Piedmont Environmental Council, American Battlefield Trust, Virginia Land Conservation Fund, American Battlefield Protection Program, Boy Scouts of America, and the Old Rag Master Naturalists.
The award was presented during the Environment Virginia Symposium, an annual gathering of environmental leaders and professionals from across the state who come together to share knowledge and celebrate impactful conservation efforts.
For more information about the Governor’s Environmental Excellence Awards, visit https://www.deq.virginia.gov/our-programs/pollution-prevention/governor-s-environmental-excellence-awards.