“My Little Piece of Heaven” – Waterford Landowner Preserves 36 Acres Forever with Land Trust of Virginia

Scenic View of Burgevin Property

Middleburg, VA – September 22, 2025 — Just south of the historic village of Waterford, a cherished piece of Loudoun County farmland has been permanently protected. Thanks to the generosity of landowner Steffanie Burgevin, 36 acres of rolling fields and horse pastures will remain unchanged for generations to come under a conservation easement with Land Trust of Virginia (LTV).

For Burgevin, the decision was deeply personal.

“I wanted to preserve my little piece of heaven. Zoning changes, but conservation easements don’t,” Burgevin shared. “This property was zoned for three-acre development when I bought it thirty years ago. I feared zoning around Waterford could change. Since I owned a larger lot contiguous to my original lot, I wanted to overlay an easement for all of my pretty farm so no one could build another huge house. I’m happy this pretty place will never change. It’s a historic property and it’s very special.”

LTV Executive Director, Ashton Cole (Left) and Steffanie Burgevin (Right) after signing the paperwork for her conservation easement

The Burgevin property has long been recognized for its natural beauty — open pastures, tree-lined edges, and views that echo the rural heritage of Loudoun County. It also carries history in its soil, with roots dating back to the 1700s, making its preservation especially meaningful to the Waterford community.

Ashton Cole, Executive Director of Land Trust of Virginia, expressed his gratitude: “Steffanie’s easement is a gift not only to her local community, but to all of Loudoun. By protecting her farm, she has ensured that this historic landscape, with its open fields and agricultural character, will remain a vital part of the community forever.”

This easement builds on the growing network of protected land in northern Loudoun, reinforcing the character and charm that make Waterford and its surrounding countryside so beloved.

With this act of conservation, Steffanie Burgevin has guaranteed that her “little piece of heaven” will always remain a reflection of Loudoun County’s rural beauty and history.