The Land Trust of Virginia honored Doukénie Winery owners George and Nichola Bazaco; Talbot Farm owner Virginia Friend; and longtime conservationist Magalen "Maggie" O. Bryant for their work in helping preserve Virginia's rural landscape.

Dr. George and Nichola Bazaco were presented with the 2011 LTV Landowner of the Year award for their commitment to preserve "one of Northern Loudoun County's most spectacular properties." The award is presented to a Virginia landowner who, by donating a conservation easement to LTV during the previous year, has made the "most significant contribution to protecting natural, cultural and open space values."

In March 2010, the Bazacos placed their nearly 500-acre Windham farm north of Hillsboro under a Land Trust Conservation Easement, the second-largest easement ever recorded with LTV. Located on the eastern side of Short Hill Mountain, the property is visible for more than a mile and a half along Mountain Road/Rt. 690, a Virginia Scenic Byway.

With 360 acres the property includes 170 acres of prime farmland and 135 woodland acres that stretch to the crest of Short Hill just north of Hillsboro.

The Bazacos decided to place their land under easement to provide permanent protection for its open space, agricultural and environmental resources. The easement also served to protect the northern flank of the Hillsboro and surrounding countryside east of the Blue Ridge from development.

At the time of the easement donation in 2010, George Bazaco said he and his wife had bought the property in the hopes of living and working in northern Loudoun and one day passing the land on to the next generation. Noting he and his wife had "loved this land from the moment we saw it," Bazaco said the couple was particularly pleased the land would be protected in perpetuity, but also that the family could continue its vineyard operations.

Virginia "Ginny" Friend, received the 2011 LTV Steward of the Year award for her meticulous care of Talbot Farm just south of Waterford. The award is given to a Virginia landowner who employs best management practices in preserving their property and, in complying with the conditions of the easement, exemplifies the concept of an ideal steward of the land.

Friend was one of the first landowners in the state to place her property under easement through the then-fledgling LTV, starting with an initial 25-acre parcel in 2000. Three years later, she placed a second easement, on an additional 215 acres. The farm's open meadowland and stream, visible to the east of Rt. 662 as one approaches Waterford from the south, have been carefully protected by Friend, along with the main house, farm buildings and forested area. Friend, particularly, has sought over the years to return the stream bank areas of her property to good health, working with several environmental groups. She has worked closely with LTV staff members to ensure the riparian areas are adequately protected.