Middleburg, VA- On August 22, 2016, The Land Trust of Virginia received a $10,000 gift from the Sharon D. Virts Foundation, based in Herndon, Va. The presentation of this grant was part of the Foundation’s official launch event, held at Selma Plantation in Leesburg, Va. Notable speakers included Sharon D. Virts, FCiFederal Founder and Chair, The Honorable Barbara Comstock (VA-10), and Phyllis J. Randall, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors Chair

“Having recently begun the two-year renovation of historic Selma Mansion here in Loudoun County,” said Virts, “I feel a deep connection to the many historical properties in need of support. Maintaining our cultural heritage is important to today’s residents and future generations.”

On behalf of LTV, Board Member Jim Rich from The Plains graciously accepted the donation, the first awarded by the Sharon D. Virts Foundation.

“The Land Trust of Virginia is honored to receive the first grant from the Sharon D. Virts Foundation,” said LTV’s Jim Rich. “Sharon’s devotion to preserving the fabric of the land and our communities is unparalleled; we are proud to stand shoulder-to-shoulder in the important work of saving land and our scenic, cultural and historic resources. We will use every penny of this generous grant to put more land in conservation easements which augment the quality of life for all of us. This is what it is all about: better lives for people”

The Land Trust of Virginia partners with private landowners who voluntarily protect and preserve properties with significant historic, scenic and ecological value to benefit the community through conservation easements.  Lands in easement stay in private hands and contribute to important segments of our agricultural and tourism economies as well as cleaner air and water.  Founded nearly a quarter century ago, the organization is a non-profit organization that relies upon the generosity of the community and landowners to fulfill its mission. The Land Trust of Virginia stewards nearly 15,000 acres and recently approved significant new easements in the Piedmont area.