Carrying Forward a Legacy of Stewardship: The Malcolm Matheson III Memorial Scholarship Fund Supports the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders

Written by Shayda Windle

Few people embodied Virginia’s Hunt Country traditions and commitment to conservation quite like Malcolm Matheson III. Known throughout the region for his decades of leadership with the Orange County Hounds (OCH), Matheson is remembered not only as a master horseman and outdoorsman, but as someone whose generosity, humor, and love of Hunt Country left a lasting mark on the community.

Following his passing in February, those who knew him fondly recalled the “twinkle in his eye,” his legendary storytelling, his mentorship, and the lasting impact he had on those around him. In honoring Matheson’s life, his family invited memorial contributions to support the OCH Conservation Foundation. In his memory, OCHCF established a scholarship dedicated to stewardship of the land and community he deeply loved.

Today, the OCH Conservation Foundation is proud to announce those contributions are helping continue his legacy through the Malcolm Matheson III Memorial Scholarship Fund, which provides young conservationists with hands-on educational opportunities in wildlife rehabilitation, land stewardship, and environmental preservation.

For those closest to him, the scholarship feels like a continuation of Matheson’s life’s work. In addition to serving more than 20 years as Joint Master of Foxhounds for the Orange County Hounds, Matheson spent 17 years on the Chairman’s Advisory Council for the Land Trust of Virginia. 

Reflecting on his father’s legacy, Colvin Matheson shares, “He taught us to cherish those around us and to be stewards of our surroundings. Foxhunting and land conservation were deeply woven into the fabric of who he was.”

For Malcolm, this philosophy extended beyond preserving landscapes; it also meant investing in, guiding, and mentoring the next generation that would care for them.

“Conservation depends on young people understanding not only why stewardship matters, but experiencing that responsibility firsthand,” says Glenn Epstein, founder and treasurer of the OCH Conservation Foundation. “This scholarship is about cultivating future leaders while preserving the values and landscapes Malcolm cared so deeply about.”

The fund’s first major partnership reflects exactly that mission.

This summer, the scholarship is supporting a wildlife rehabilitation internship through the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center, offering immersive, hands-on training in wildlife care and environmental stewardship. Interns work directly alongside rehabilitation staff, assisting with patient care, wildlife handling, treatment support, and conservation education efforts.

The inaugural scholarship recipient, Lindsay Davis of Annapolis, Maryland, brings a strong background in ecology and wildlife conservation to the role. A recent graduate of Susquehanna University with a degree in ecology, Davis has worked in wildlife rehabilitation, freshwater ecology, and avian conservation. She represents the kind of emerging environmental leadership the scholarship was created to support.

Leaders from both organizations say the partnership highlights the growing need for mentorship and field experience as conservation programs face increasing financial and staffing pressures.

“In many ways, this is how we can truly scale our impact beyond the individual animals we are able to save at the Center,” Matthew Sheedy of the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center explains. “Programs like this help develop the next generation of wildlife professionals at a time when conservation efforts face significant challenges.”

For many who knew Matheson, mentorship and stewardship were inseparable. Whether introducing young riders to foxhunting traditions, championing land management initiatives, or welcoming newcomers into the community with warmth and humor, he believed deeply in investing in others. Friends remembered him as “a pillar of the community,” “the consummate country gentleman,” and someone whose enthusiasm for conservation and rural life was contagious.

His family perhaps described him best in his obituary, writing that Matheson “lived life to the fullest,” always seeking ways to help others while preserving the landscapes and traditions he cherished. Through the scholarship fund established in his honor, those values will continue shaping future generations of conservationists for years to come. ML

Those wishing to support the Malcolm Matheson III Memorial Scholarship Fund may make tax-deductible contributions through the OCH Conservation Foundation at ochcf.org.

Featured photo by Brooke McDonough, Virginia Working Landscapes.

Published in the July 2026 issue of Middleburg Life.