A New Chapter for Land Trust of Virginia

By Danielle Lilly

Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) is turning the page to a new chapter full of growth, fresh energy, and a deep commitment to protecting Virginia’s beautiful landscapes for generations to come.

At the forefront of this new phase is Executive Director Ashton Cole, whose journey with LTV began in 2007. Over nearly two decades, Ashton has helped guide the organization through steady growth and new opportunity, drawing on the mentorship and example of the leaders who came before him. Today, he’s leading a team that is just as passionate about conservation as the landowners they serve.

This year alone, five of LTV’s eight staff members have joined the organization, bringing new perspectives, energy, and skills to every corner of its work. Together, this team reflects what makes LTV so effective – fresh ideas supported by decades of on-the-ground knowledge and relationships across Virginia.

From left to right: Jennifer Lee, Eliza Broughton, Danielle Lilly Newsha Nazmi Ansary, Ashton Cole, Madelyn Cooper, Ben DiGiulian, and Kailie Scott. Photo by: Jennifer Lee

Jennifer Lee, Development Director, strengthens the connection between LTV and its supporters, ensuring everyone feels connected to the land they help protect. Danielle Lilly, Communications and Marketing Director, brings those stories to life, sharing the people, places, and purpose behind each conservation success. Operations Manager Newsha Nazmi Ansary keeps everything running smoothly, making sure the team has the support and systems in place to focus on what matters most: protecting Virginia’s countryside. Out in the field, Conservation Associate Madelyn Cooper and stewardship teammates Eliza Broughton, Ben DiGiulian, and Kailie Scott work directly with landowners to monitor easements, help bring new conservation projects to fruition, and ensure the protection of the landscapes that make Virginia so special.

Since its founding in 1992, LTV has permanently protected 36,142 acres across 276 conservation easements. These milestones are thanks to the generosity of landowners who have chosen to preserve their farms, forests, and open spaces for future generations. In Loudoun County alone, more than 10,600 acres across 125 easements have been protected, proof of the community’s strong commitment to conservation.

Altogether, LTV’s easements safeguard 18,762 acres of farmland, 16,504 acres of forest, and 140 miles of rivers and streams – habitats and landscapes that sustain wildlife, agriculture, and Virginia’s way of life.

“Our mission has always been rooted in trust and partnership,” Ashton says. “Every easement represents collaboration between landowners, conservationists, and supporters who are all working together to ensure Virginia’s natural beauty endures.”

With renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose, Land Trust of Virginia is ready for what’s next, helping more families protect the places they love, one property at a time.

(Article previously published in Country Zest & Style's Holiday 2025 issue)