Land Trust of Virginia Earns National Re-Accreditation for the Third Time

Demonstrating Continued Excellence and Trust in Land Conservation

Middleburg, VA – August 5, 2025 — Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) is proud to announce it has earned renewed accreditation from the national Land Trust Accreditation Commission—marking the fourth time LTV has achieved this prestigious recognition. LTV remains one of only 22 land trusts in the nation to reach this milestone, out of the approximately 1,600 land trusts operating across the country.

Since 1992, LTV has worked in partnership with landowners to permanently protect Virginia’s scenic landscapes, natural resources, and historic places. Now, as one of almost 480 accredited land trusts across the country, LTV continues to demonstrate its commitment to professional excellence, strong ethics, and the public’s trust in its conservation work.

“Earning our fourth accreditation is a testament to LTV’s steadfast dedication to protecting Virginia’s land forever,” said Ashton Cole, Executive Director of Land Trust of Virginia. “The accreditation process is rigorous, and we are a stronger organization because of it. That strength ensures we can safeguard the farms, forests, waterways, and historic places that make Virginia such a special place to call home.”

To achieve reaccreditation, LTV underwent a comprehensive review of its policies, governance, financial management, and stewardship practices. The process verifies that LTV upholds the highest standards for permanent land conservation.

LTV has been a national leader in the accreditation process since its inception. It was among the first 54 land trusts in the country to be accredited in 2009, among the first 43 to be renewed in 2014, and among the first 27 to receive a second renewal in 2019. These early placements reflect the organization’s dedication to excellence in every facet of its work. The application and renewal process is demanding, and not every land trust is approved.

“LTV has a proud history, and it's exciting to see its continued growth and success,” stated Dulany Morison, Vice Chair of Land Trust of Virginia. “The hard work of the original team provided the foundational support that set LTV on this celebrated path, and I am sincerely grateful that they had the resolve to make it happen. It is an inspiring story, and we have more chapters to write.”

As of July 2025, Land Trust of Virginia has protected more than 35,000 acres across 36 counties through 274 conservation easements—more than any other private land trust in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Accreditation must be renewed every five years and signifies a land trust’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of its mission and ensuring that the land it protects today will remain protected for generations to come. However, now that LTV has been renewed for a third consecutive time, the term of accreditation has increased to seven years.

To learn more about the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org. To learn more about Land Trust of Virginia and its conservation efforts, visit www.landtrustva.org.

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