Land Trust of Virginia Protects 277th Property: The Hepburn Easement Preserves Over 100 Acres on Short Hill Mountain

Middleburg, Va. —November 18, 2025— Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) has permanently protected more than 100 acres of scenic forestland on Short Hill Mountain in Loudoun County through a conservation easement donated by landowners Jacqueline and Phil Hepburn.

The property—an expanse of hardwood forest on the eastern slopes of Short Hill Mountain—is LTV’s 277th conservation easement. From the property’s lower elevations, it ascends to the top of the mountain, where it shares nearly half a mile of ridgeline with Harpers Ferry National Historical Park. Located three miles northwest of Lovettsville, the property is highly visible from most of northern Loudoun County, as well as those recreating on the Potomac River and hiking on the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail. The property is nearly entirely forested, serving as an important wildlife corridor and habitat. These values are now permanently protected thanks to the Hepburns.

“We chose to donate an easement to Land Trust of Virginia because of the deep love my wife and I have for Short Hill Mountain and the enduring hope that its beauty, serenity, and natural integrity will be preserved for generations to come,” said Phil Hepburn.

Jacqueline and Phil Hepburn

This project was made possible with support from LTV’s Mars Blue Ridge Conservation Fund, established in 2023 to advance land protection within the Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding landscapes.

“The Hepburns’ decision to protect their land ensures that one of Loudoun’s most iconic mountainsides will remain natural and undeveloped forever,” said Ashton Cole, Executive Director of LTV.

With this latest easement, LTV has now protected over 36,200 acres across 36 counties in Virginia, safeguarding farms, forests, and historic places that define the Commonwealth’s rural character.