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Land Trust adds 900 acres in 2008
The Land Trust of Virginia completed the paperwork and recorded conservation easements on 13 properties, totaling 900 acres, in 2008. Properites now protected from development are around Leesburg, Waterford, Lovettsville, Unison, Aldie, Airmont, Hillsboro, Middleburg, Marshall and Delaplane.
Three of the easements were from David Dobson and protect land near Waterford, Aldie and Unison.
Dobson's 74-acre parcel near Waterford will protect the remainder of the Phillips Farm, which was purchased by the Waterford Foundation just before being subdivided and developed. The farm serves as a backdrop for the historic community, and the terms of the easement guarantee that all properties along Catoctin Creek will be protected from development forever. The Land Trust easement on the 60-acre Dobson property near Aldie allows a single residence to be built, and will protect the ridgeline of Bull Run Mountain, and will ensure public access along Bull Run Mountain Trail.
A conservation easement in Unison protects the core battlefield of the Oct. 31-Nov. 2, 1862, Battle of Unison.
The Land Trust now holds a conservation easement on the remaining 2.66 acres of Rock Springs Farm in Leesburg. The entire farm, once Leesburg's source of drinking water, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Executive Director Don Owen said the Land Trust is poised to add more than 10,000 acres in the coming year to its roster of protected land.
The Land Trust of Virginia, with offices in Middleburg, is a private nonprofit organization that assists private citizens in Virginia protect open spaces and natural and historic resources on their properties through conservation easements. The Land Trust holds easements on nearly 100 parcels totaling 9,000 acres in Loudoun, Fauquier and surrounding counties. Land Trust staff works directly with landowners to design easements that protect open space, forests, water quality, biodiversity and historic values, while ensuring that farming, forestry and other compatible uses can continue.
More information is at www.landtrustva.org .
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