Ivy Creek Natural Area was founded in 1975, thanks to efforts of local citizens who valued the former farmland for its natural beauty and diverse wildlife habitat. Enlisting the help of The Nature Conservancy, the 80 acres remaining of Riverview Farm was purchased to protect it from impending development. By 1981, with the aid of federal grants, an additional 97 acres of former farmland was bought and that, along with 38 acres of City-owned land bordering the reservoir, was added to the Natural Area, bringing ICNA to its present size of 215 acres — approximately the original boundaries of Riverview Farm.

Now jointly owned by Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville, and managed by the Ivy Creek Foundation, the land has been set aside in perpetuity for free public use as an unspoiled natural area.

To learn more about this fascinating story of conservation through individual initiative, check out the ICF chronicles (PDF, 704K).