Virginia has a strong history of conserving working farms, forests, waterways and open space, and the Governor's Virginia Treasures initiative continues that commitment with a goal of designating 1,000 special properties in the state.

Twelve NVCT projects and the landowners who conserved their properties are among the newest treasures.This includes 10 NVCT-held conservation easements in Fairfax, Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William counties, and two purchased properties next to the Crow's Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford County.

"Private landowners who work with us to conserve their precious land are heroes in the community," says Peggy Stevens, NVCT executive director. They understand that choosing conservation is leaving a legacy that will last forever."

See more about NVCT's Virginia Treasures on our website,
nvct.org/about-us/news-about-nvct/.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation has information about the private conservation easements as well as accessible recreation land at http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/virginia-treasures. 

NVCT Board of Directors selects new officers, adds new new board members
Gary Kirkbride, senior vice president and urban planner for Dewberry, is the Trust's new  board chairman. Other officers are Nancy Hyde, vice chair, and John Hopewell, treasurer.

New members added to the board are Susan Smith Blakely, founder of LegalPerspectives LLC; Quincy Byrd, attorney and real estate associate with Reed Smith LLP; Conrad Mehan, Aegis Services, LLC; and Katy Weidenfeller, director of strategy for external affairs at the Nature Conservancy. See information about our board at our website.

The Trust's 2015 annual report offers a tribute to the landowners who showed their love of the land by donating conservation easements or their land, a legacy of conservation to future generations. Click here to read our annual report online.