LTV has now permanently protected 136 properties and more than 13,800 acres of land in ten Virginia counties.

Land Trust of Virginia Conserves 13 Properties in 20131,280 acres of VIrginia’s natural and rural heritage now protected forever.

During 2013, thirteen landowners in five different counties donated conservation easements to LTV on 1,283 acres of land. Thanks to the generosity and commitment of these landowners, LTV was able to protect productive farmland, forests, streams, wetlands, and beautiful scenic landscapes for future generations.

LTV had another successful year in Loudoun County, with five easements totaling 505 acres. The 115-acre Dresden Farm is within the Study Area of the Civil War Battle of Aldie and also has s i g n i fi c a n t f r o n t a g e o n

Snickersville Turnpike. Also in Loudoun, LTV conserved the 223-acre Cantacuzene property, a working horse and cattle farm on 70 acres of productive farmland with a perennial stream and 125 acres of forest land.

Bettina Gregory also placed her 70-acre property on Forest Mills Road near Lincoln in easement with LTV, protecting the historic Janney Mill House and Norton Patent House, along with 10 acres of floodplain and 70 acres of scenic open space.

LTV recorded four easements in Fauquier County, totaling 244 acres, including an easement on a 102-acre property located within the Core Area of the Civil War Battle of Upperville and the

Unison Battlefield Historic District. O t h e r F a u q u i e r C o u n t y easements included a 38 acre property south of Warrenton and two adjacent properties in The Plains totaling 103 acres.

Additionally, LTV recorded its first c o n s e r v a t i o n e a s e m e n t i n S t affo r d a n d K i n g G e o r g e Counties. Landowners in Stafford aspiring to establish and operate an organic farm and farmer’s market protected their 146-acre property with LTV. In King George, the landowner of a 318-acre-property with 245 acres of forest , several meander ing streams, and frontage on Route 3 relinquished all division rights, e n s u r i n g t h e p e r m a n e n t protection of the property’s various conservation values.

Conservation News

FEBRUARY 2014

from the Land Trust of Virginia

D o n O w e n a n n o u n c e d his retirement as Executive D i r e c t o r o f LTV effective at the end of January. Don joined LTV in 2008 and led

the organization through a very significant period of growth.

Chairman Birge Watkins noted, “Easement intake has increased dramatical ly , our stewardship program is very effective, and our operations are lean and efficient. We also became fully accredited during Don’s tenure. His energy, enthu-siasm, and effectiveness will be missed.”

"We are very grateful to Don for his many years of vision and leadership," said LTV President Carole Taylor. "Our organization would not be one of the leaders in the field of land conservation were it not for Don.”

John Magistro has been named Acting Executive Director. John has over twenty-five years of experience as a natural resources professional and has been with the Land Trust since 2010.

“Don Owen and John Magistro have done great work advancing LTV on every front”, said Birge Watkins.“It will be an easy transition; John knows the ropes!”

P.O. BOX 14MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA 20118

2013 - 2014Board of DirectorsBirge S. Watkins, ChairmanCarole Taylor, PresidentChris Dematatis, Vice PresidentSally Kurtz, SecretaryJames Behan, TreasurerJay BryantHenry C. DayPatricia EwingPhil PaschallLaura RheintgenJames RichClaude SchochTurner T. Smith, Jr.

Advisory CouncilAva AbramowitzChilds F. BurdenPatric CopelandPenny DenegreWayne GibbensMissy JanesMerritt JonesYakir LubowskyMalcom MathesonMary Leigh McDanielAnne McIntoshJudge Terrence NeyMs. Allen OhrstromLinda PorterSchuyler RichardsonJohn RustEdith Smart

Staff & ContractorsJohn Magistro,Acting Executive Director and Director of Conservation Programs

Ashton Cole,Director of Stewardship

Louise Searle,Accreditation and Stewardship Manager

Art Campbell,Legal Counsel

Stephen Price,Of Counsel

Hunton and Williams LLP,Pro Bono Counsel

Don Owen, outgoing LTV Executive Director

Non-Profit U.S. Postage

PAIDMiddleburg, VA

Permit No. 6

cons

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Don Owen Retires from LTV

Save the DateLTV’s 2014 Garden Party will be May 18.

Details to follow.