Elisabeth Aiken Nolting Charitable Foundation

THE FOUNDATION IS RESPONSIBLE FOR PRESERVING, MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING THE FARM LAND AND THE HISTORIC STRUCTURES ON THE PROPERTY TO COMPLY WITH APPLICABLE CONSERVATION EASEMENTS THAT WERE GIVEN TO HISTORIC GREEN SPRINGS, INC. AND LATER ASSIGNED TO THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WHEN THE GREEN SPRINGS NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK WAS CREATED. DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD , THE ACTUAL COST TO PRESERVE, MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE THE LAND AND HISTORICAL STRUCTURES WAS $30,385. THE FOUNDATION IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND CHARITABLE ENDEAVORS THAT BENEFIT CITIZENS OF, AND VISITORS TO, LOUISA, COUNTY. DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD, THE FOUNDATION BOARD DONATED 1,277 VOLUNTEER HOURS TO CARRY OUT ALL THESE MISSIONS.

THE FOUNDATION PROVIDES EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR RESIDENTS OF, AND VISITORS TO, LOUISA COUNTY. THIS INCLUDES THE DEVELOPMENT OF WRITTEN MATERIALS DESCRIBING THE HISTORY OF BRACKETTS FARM, LOUISA COUNTY AND THE GREEN SPRINGS NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK DISTRICT, CONDUCTING SEMINARS, STUDY PROGRAMS, WALKING TOURS, ETC. DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD, BRACKETTS HOSTED 11 CHILDREN AND/OR ADULTS EVENTS OR PROGRAMS THAT WERE ATTENDED BY APPROXIMATELY 570 PEOPLE.

WITH MAJOR ASSISTANCE FROM THE LOUISA COUNTY CO-OPERATIVE EXTENSION MASTER GARDNERS (MG), THE FOUNDATION OPERATES THE BRACKETTS FARM CHARITABLE GARDEN, WHICH WAS FIRST PLANTED IN 2010. IT PRODUCES FRESH VEGETABLES THAT IS DONATED TO THE LOUISA COUNTY RESOURCE COUNCIL, A 501(C)(3) PUBLIC AGENCY THAT DISTRIBUTES THIS PRODUCE AND OTHER DONATED FOOD ITEMS TO THE FOOD-CHALLENGED RESIDENTS OF LOUISA COUNTY. DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD, THE APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF VOLUNTEER HOURS DONATED BY MG AND ITS FRIENDS TO THE GARDEN IS 710, AND APPROXIMATELY $3,893 IN IN-KIND AND CASH DONATIONS WERE RECEIVED TO PROVIDE SEED, GROWING MATERIALS, TOOLS AND STRUCTURES USED IN THE GARDEN. DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD, APPROXIMATELY 2,548 POUNDS OF FRESH VEGETABLES WERE DONATED TO THE RESOURCE COUNCIL. ANY VEGETABLES THAT WERE NOT DEEMED DESIRABLE FOR HUMAN CONSUMPTION WERE DONATED TO HOOVES AND PAWS, A NONPROFIT ANIMAL RESCUE FACILITY LOCATED IN LOUISA COUNTY. DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD, APPROXIMATELY 580

OUTDOOR RECREATION. THE FOUNDATION HAS CREATED A 1.6 MILE-LONG NATURE AND HERITAGE WALKING TRAIL LOOP THAT RUNS ALONGSIDE NOLTING POND FOR A WHILE, THEN CROSSES A FIELD AND RETURNS TO THE STARTING POINT ALONG THE HISTORIC MAIN DRIVEWAY SOMETIMES KNOWN AS CEDAR LANE. IT PASSES THE ICE POND, TOBACCO BARN, AND THE MAIN GARDENS, EACH OF WHICH IS IDENTIFIED WITH HISTORICAL INFORMATION BY A MUSEUM SIGN. THERE ARE BENCHES ALONG THE WAY FOR WALKERS TO REST AND ENJOY THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT THAT THEY SEE AROUND THEM AND A PORT-A-POTTY IS PROVIDED FOR VISITOR'S CONVENIENCE. NOLTING POND, WHICH IS RENOWNED AS A BIRDING LOCATION, IS ALSO AVAILABLE TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC FOR FREE FISHING. BECAUSE HIKERS, BIRDERS AND FISHERMEN ARE NOT REQUIRED TO REGISTER, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TELL HOW MANY INDIVIDUALS BENEFIT FORM THIS. HOWEVER, IT IS ESTIMATED THAT DURING THIS REPORTING PERIOD, BRACKETTS HAD OVER 3,000 VISITS FOR OUTDOOR RECREATION PURPOSES.