Support the Claytor Nature Center
Get Involved
General Donations
Your generous support helps the Claytor Nature Center continue its mission to engage our community in the enjoyment, appreciation, and study of our diverse natural habitats. Contributions ensure the preservation of this land for future generations and support vital educational and research initiatives.
We welcome general tax-deductible donations to support the ongoing needs of the Claytor Nature Center. Your contribution helps maintain our grounds, facilities, and programs, allowing us to serve as a resource for environmental education and research in Central Virginia.
Membership
How to Volunteer
Thank you for being so interested in volunteering at the Claytor Nature Center. Your decision to volunteer with us reflects your commitment to community and conservation. At Claytor, we consider every volunteer a crucial extension of our mission. Your generous donation of time and skills will help us enhance the experiences of every visitor who comes to the center. By volunteering with us, you will become an essential part of our larger effort to create a deeper connection between the community and the natural world.
Whether you are interested in environmental education, groundskeeping, gardening, or enhancing visitor engagement, your contribution will have a lasting impact. We invite you to join our vibrant volunteer community and be part of this meaningful journey. Your efforts will benefit the Claytor Nature Center and contribute to the greater good.
Endowment and Funding Purpose: The Legacy of A. Boyd Claytor III
The Claytor Nature Center was founded on the vision and generosity of the late A. Boyd Claytor III, who donated the 18th-century Cloverlea Farm and its farmhouse to the University of Lynchburg (then Lynchburg College) in 1998. This gift established the Center and created the original financial structure designed to sustain its operations and preservation.
The original financial structure included two main funds established by the donor:
The Cloverlea Farm Endowment Fund
The donor created the Cloverlea Farm Endowment Fund with an initial amount of approximately $2 million. This fund is now part of the University’s permanent funds, and the University is expected to make diligent efforts to preserve and grow its principal. The earnings from this Endowment Fund are designated specifically for fulfilling the core purposes of the Center. These purposes include:
- To protect, maintain, insure, and preserve the premises of this conservancy.
- To pay salaries and benefits for staff who have primary responsibilities for operating the Center.
- To support the purchase of plants, equipment, and supplies necessary for the Center’s development and maintenance.
The Cloverlea Farm Supplementary Fund
The donor also established the Cloverlea Farm Supplementary Fund with an initial amount of approximately $200,000.
This fund was established for specific developmental purposes, including the development and implementation of a landscape plan for new wildflower and formal gardens (known as the Virginia Claytor Memorial Gardens) and the creation of nature paths and trails on the Property. Additionally, this fund supports and augments the development, operations, and maintenance of the Center.
The assets of this separate restricted fund, including the principal, are fully expendable by the University for purposes such as constructing a new road, building an educational facility, or acquiring specialized research equipment.
