Land Trust Of Virginia and Miller School Conserve 637 Acres
Natural Resources and Scenic Campus Forever Preserved
The Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) has accepted a conservation easement on the campus of Miller School of Albemarle County, conserving the beautiful and historic 637-acre property.
LTV worked with the Miller School for several months to craft language in the conservation easement that allows for the ongoing use of the property as a school while protecting the resources on their campus from increasing local development pressure.
The new easement protects the property’s valuable farmland soils, 510 acres of forest, 13 acres of wetlands, and over a mile of Miller Branch. The property’s scenic landscapes, visible from over two miles of public roads, are also forever protected by the LTV easement.
Rick France, Headmaster of Miller School, is thrilled that the “rolling hills, streams, lake, wooded areas, and pure beauty will always be part of our school environment.” He further commented on the deeper meaning of the donation. “This Conservation Easement will help the property always remain a school – what a wonderful way to preserve Samuel Miller’s legacy. We are extremely grateful to Land Trust of Virginia for helping us take this momentous step in the 139-year history of the school and make this setting a reality for generations of future students.”
Land is Virginia’s most valuable resource. By conserving land, we help ensure clean air and drinking water, food security, scenic landscapes and views, and recreational places for future generations. When they donated their conservation to LTV, the Miller School truly showed that they are a champion and caretaker of our critical land resources, and that they are willing to safeguard the land for future generations.
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 over 15,000 acres and recently approved significant new easements in the Piedmont area.