Rechristened to Honor Helen and Tayloe Murphy, and Given to Cessie and Bill Howell

WARSAW, VA – October 1, 2024: The Northern Neck Land Conservancy’s presented the Helen and Tayloe Murphy
Conservation Champion award at its sold-out Boots and Barbecue event on Saturday.

The Land Conservancy established its Conservation Champion award in 2015 to recognize people in our community who support protection of the rural character of the Northern Neck in a significant way. However, this year the award was renamed to honor conservation leaders Helen and Tayloe Murphy. The event location, King Copsico Farm, was the Murphy’s former home, now owned by their daughter, Anne Brumley, and her family.

For 2024, Northern Neck Land Conservancy President Jim Russell was proud to present the Helen and Tayloe Murphy Conservation Champion Award to William (Bill) and Cessie Howell for their work in conservation throughout Virginia.

To be chosen, a Conservation Champion must have significantly contributed to the protection of natural resources on the Northern Neck; or have contributed to preserving the unique rural heritage of the Northern Neck of Virginia; or have educated the public about the benefits of conservation. Both Bill and Cessie Howell have long standing careers focused on the preservation of Virginia’s natural and historic spaces.

Former Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William C. Howell represented Stafford County and Fredericksburg in the House of Delegates for 30 years, starting in 1988 and served as Speaker from 2003 to 2018. A champion of the Virginia Land Preservation Tax Credit, one of the most important open-space protection mechanisms in the country, he sponsored the landmark law that made the tax credit transferable from one taxpayer to another. Because of this landmark legislation over 1 million acres have been preserved by individuals and the private sector. Bill was also a key sponsor of the Virginia Land Conservation Fund.

With strong ties to the Northern Neck, avid gardener and Garden Club leader, Cessie Howell is also a conservationist. She helped to spearhead the effort to save Ferry Farm in Stafford Country in 1996, preventing George Washington’s boyhood home from becoming a large-scale Walmart shopping center. Cessie joined the Scenic Virginia board in 2008 and was named Board Chair Emerita in recognition of her many years of distinguished service when she retired.

Cessie and Bill Howell with NNLC staff members

“Bill and I want to thank you for giving the first very prestigious award honoring Helen and Tayloe Murphy to us. They were great partners in Virginia preservation. We are very honored and look forward to seeing next year’s winner,” said Cessie Howell.

“All of you [with Northern Neck Land Conservancy] are making the Commonwealth a more beautiful state through your preservation of valuable land. We wish you the best with each new challenge.”

As the region’s local land trust, the Land Conservancy is committed to preserving working farms, forests, historical sites, scenic views and healthy watersheds. The Conservancy supports landowners and is steward to conservation easements in all five counties of the Northern Neck and Essex County.

Everyone can support regional land conservation. Visit Northern Neck Land Conservancy’s website at nnconserve.org to learn more.

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