Landowners Unite to Permanently Protect 201 Acres on Bull Run Mountain

Fauquier County, VA – July 17, 2025 -- Land Trust of Virginia (LTV) is pleased to announce the permanent protection of a 201.32-acre property on the western slope of Bull Run Mountain, just southwest of Aldie in Fauquier County. This conservation easement was made possible through the collaborative efforts of a group of local landowners who joined forces to form an LLC, purchase the land, and preserve it for future generations.

Located along State Route 629 (Bull Run Mountain Road), the property sits within a dense network of protected land. It is adjacent to and surrounded by open space easements held by the Virginia Outdoors Foundation (VOF), and within a one-mile radius, there are more than 20 other conservation easements held by VOF, the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Old Dominion Land Conservancy, and Fauquier County. The easement recorded with LTV builds upon these protections, permanently conserving approximately 27 acres not previously protected and enhancing safeguards on the rest of the property by prohibiting division and limiting development. The 27-acre portion originally consisted of six small lots and was approved to become a cluster subdivision; fortunately, this has been prevented, and the land will remain intact.

The property features a diverse mix of open fields and forested slopes, nearly a mile of stream corridors, including “Hungry Run”, high-quality farmland soils, wetlands, floodplains, and 35.8 acres of areas with “High” ecological integrity and natural landscape value, as determined by the Virginia Natural Landscape Assessment. The property is, and will continue to be, a valuable resource for wildlife habitat, water quality, and agricultural use.

"The community came together with a shared love of this beautiful part of our countryside and a determination to preserve the integrity of the landscape," said a representative of Bull Run Mountain LLC. "This is one of the most pristine natural corridors in northern Fauquier County, and it would have been devastating to see it lost to development."

“This project reflects the strength of community-driven preservation,” said Ashton Cole, Executive Director of LTV. “By coming together to conserve this land, the property owners have ensured that a vital piece of Bull Run Mountain’s landscape remains intact, benefiting the entire region.”

The conservation easement was tailored to reflect the LLC’s shared vision of long-term land stewardship. It includes a no-division restriction and allows for agricultural and residential use, providing the blueprint for a farm while carefully designating potential building areas that protect the area’s significant scenic values. The terms of the easement also support the continued ecological health of the land by preserving water and forest resources.

With the protection of this property, LTV continues its mission to conserve Virginia’s irreplaceable open spaces through strong partnerships and local leadership, safeguarding the character and resources of the Commonwealth’s rural landscapes well into the future.

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About Land Trust of Virginia

Land Trust of Virginia is a nonprofit organization that partners with private landowners who voluntarily protect and preserve properties with significant historic, scenic, or ecological value. LTV has worked with over 270 families, conserving more than 35,000 acres across Virginia. While LTV charges landowners for its services, these fees cover only a portion of the actual cost, making donor support essential to its mission. For more information about Land Trust of Virginia, visit our website at www.landtrustva.org.