Land Trust of Virginia: 19th Annual Garden Party

Courtesy of Goodstone Inn

Land Trust of Virginia (LTVA) celebrated their 25th year, May 21 at Wind Fields Farm in Middleburg, Virginia. The organization began as an all-volunteer agency, but is now fully and professionally staffed.

Today, LTVA holds 151 easements, which include more than 16,000 acres in Virginia. They are currently working with landowners to add 2,000 additional acres.

LTVA’s strategic vision now includes an area that ranges from the northern Blue Ridge Mountains to the Potomac River in Harper’s Ferry, West Virginia. It is the largest unprotected area with only 15 percent of its 200,000 acres under easement.

Steward of the Year was presented to Sam and Uta Brown. They donated two easements to the Land Trust totaling 90 acres; half of that land is within the town limits of Purcellville, Virginia.

Landowner of the Year went to Dr. Thomas Gilbert, who donated 334 acres of easement in Culpeper County, Virgnia.

Conservationist of the Year went to Turner Smith. He was a key player in the effort to become accredited with the Land Trust Alliance.