A little bit of heaven. That’s how a Delhi resident refers to her home of the last 30 years. And, thanks to a conservation easement agreement with the Western Wildlife Corridor, her 18 acres overlooking the Ohio River and Kentucky will remain a “little bit of heaven” forever.
Purchased in 1946 by her husband, the couple moved into the single-family home on the property. It had been utilized as a farm by the previous owner, but once it was no longer being planted, the land began to revert back to its natural state, complete with an abundance of wildflowers and wild animals such as deer and turkeys. Maintaining the land kept the couple busy, but they loved every minute of it. Over time, the surrounding neighborhood has seen much expansion, but the only development on this cherished property has been the growth of Mother Nature herself.
With the eventual death of her husband and with no immediate family, the owner began to think of her home’s future. She couldn’t bear the thought of her land being urbanized; she felt that there were too few wide open green spaces already. After reading a newspaper article about a woman who was legally able to secure the preservation of her own 200 acres, the widow contacted a friend, who put her in touch with the Western Wildlife Corridor (WWC). After meeting with the group’s president and learning about the methods of preservation available to her, she agreed to a conservation easement with WWC.
This legally binding agreement has allowed the owner to limit the type and scope of development that can take place on her 18 acres, even after it’s sold. Future owners must adhere to her wishes, which stipulate that while the existing house may be added on to, the remainder of the property can never be disturbed. In keeping with its mission to protect the greenway corridor along the Ohio River, the WWC supervises clearing the land of invasive plants in an effort to restore the natural wildflower population.
With the promise that her precious home will remain a permanently protected greenspace, this land lover is thrilled that not only she and her late husband, but also current neighbors and future generations, will benefit from this little piece of heaven.