Hull Springs Farm Mitigation Bank

In October 2011, The Longwood University Foundation (The Foundation) received approval from the Interagency Review Team to create the Hull Springs Farm Mitigation Bank on a 214-acre farm owned by Longwood University in Westmoreland County, VA. The goal for the property was to generate revenue for the University through credit sales, while conserving open space and offering educational opportunities for students and professors. In 2013, The Foundation selected RES to complete data analysis; final stream and wetland design; construction; as-built reporting; performance monitoring, maintenance, and management of the bank. The stream component of the bank consists of 1,454 LF of stream restoration, 6,012 LF of stream enhancement/preservation, and 16.14 AC of riparian buffer plantings. The wetland component of the project consists of 22.27 AC of wetland restoration, 44.8 AC of wetland enhancement, 85.15 AC of wetland preservation, and 22.79 AC of upland buffer plantings. In addition, RES has established a Nutrient Bank on the property for the sale of TMDL nutrient offset credits. This project, which was implemented in 2017, consists of 57.71 AC of historic agricultural field that has been planted to achieve a forested condition. This project has generated additional revenue for the University in addition to expanding the extents of conserved land on the property. The bank areas, which were predominantly farm land, are now thriving ecosystems that contribute valuable functional uplift to the Potomac River Watershed while providing learning opportunities and revenue for Longwood University.