Rab and George Thompson, Melissa and Rodion Cantacuzene, and Lori Keenan and Sean McGuiness received awards from the Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) on May 18th for their contributions to land conservation in Virginia. The awards were given at LTV's 16th annual "Garden Party to Save Virginia's Countryside," which was held at Mimi Abel Smith's beautiful estate, Hickory House Farm, in The Plains, Virginia.

LTV Chairman and Master of Ceremonies Birge Watkins said: "We are very proud of our award winners who exemplify the meaning of conservation. We had a great party, and the spectacular weather provided a wonderful canvas to see Hickory House Farm in its full splendor. It was a visual martini, a taste for the eyes, and a perfect example of what land conservation and scenic open space are all about."

LTV Conservationist of the Year Award for Leadership and Lifetime Achievement: Rab and George Thompson, Fauquier County

The LTV Conservationist of the Year Award for Leadership and Lifetime Achievement, which is presented each year to persons who have made a significant contribution to the land trust movement and land conservation in Virginia, was given to two prominent citizens who have been at the forefront of conservation in Fauquier County for decades: Rab and George Thompson of The Plains.

The Thompsons have put thousands of acres under conservation easement with The Nature Conservancy, Virginia Outdoors Foundation and the Land Trust of Virginia. They are actively involved in the establishment of the Carter's Run Valley Historic District which will comprise 4400 acres. The Thompsons have also been leaders in agriculture and have won numerous awards for sensible farm and land management practices.

Birge Watkins, Chairman of LTV's Board of Directors, presented the award to the Thompsons for their strong support of land conservation and successful efforts to insure that northern Virginia's most significant lands and waters are protected in perpetuity. Watkins said, "We were honored to award two great citizens, Rab and George Thompson, with the LTV Conservationist of the Year Award for Leadership and Lifetime Achievement. We welcome them to our land conservation 'Hall of Fame'."

LTV Landowners of the Year: Melissa and Rodion Cantacuzene, Loudoun County

The LTV Landowner of the Year Award, which is presented each year to a Virginia landowner who has made a significant contribution to protecting natural, cultural, and open space values by donating a conservation easement on their property to LTV, was presented to Melissa and Rodion Cantacuzene, by Chris Dematatis, Vice President of LTV's board of directors. In 2007, the Cantacuzenes placed two tracts of land they own north of Aldie into conservation easement with the Land Trust of Virginia. In doing so they protected the open space, forest and surface water conservation values on 161 acres of highly visible land on Tail Race Road. This past year they donated a conservation easement on an additional 223 acres containing the same natural resources and scenic open space values. Their donation also served to protect roughly one half mile of a ridgeline that is visible from more than ten miles away. In all they have now conserved 384 acres of contiguous land.

LTV Stewards of the Year: Lori Keenan and Sean McGuinness, Fauquier County

The LTV Steward of the Year Award, which is presented to a Virginia landowner who exemplifies the concept of an ideal steward of the land by caring for their property, employing best management practices, and complying with the terms and conditions of their easement, was presented to Lori Keenan and Sean McGuiness of Fauquier County by Chris Dematatis, Vice President of LTV's board. The couple donated a conservation easement on their 234-acre Fauquier County farm to LTV in 2002. Their stewardship of the property, located within the Goose Creek Watershed, has included restoration of wetland and stream corridors and best management farming practices.

Steffanie Burgevin, former LTV President and outgoing Executive Director Don Owen were also recognized for their years of service. Steffanie established the Land Trust of Virginia Legacy Giving Fund in order to assure that the lands we have protected will be protected forever. To start the fund, Steffanie has included a sizable gift to LTV as part of her estate planning. LTV President Carole Taylor said, "Both Steffanie and Don have done so much to build a solid foundation for the Land Trust."

The Land Trust of Virginia exists solely to help private citizens in Virginia protect open space lands and natural and historic resources by placing conservation easements on their properties. Over the past 14 years, LTV has been remarkably successful in its efforts to preserve land with nearly 14,000 acres protected from future development.

For more information about LTV and the LTV Conservation Awards, please contact John Magistro, LTV Executive Director at 540-687-8441 or john@landtrustva.org, or visit www.landtrustva.org.