A 97-acre farm outside Leesburg was placed in conservation easement with the Land Trust of Virginia yesterday by Dr. Mimi Miran. Miran placed her farm into the Land Trust of Virginia, which is a nationally accredited non-profit land trust that protects open space and natural and historic resources in Virginia.

The farm donated, known as Miran Farm is located on Route 15, south of Goose Creek and the Oatlands Plantation. Miran’s actions protects the property’s open space, agricultural, forest and water conservation values and the view of Route 15 for more than a half mile.

“I purchased this property years ago with the hopes of retiring here. Now I am able to do so,” Miran said. “My son, Fareed, raises and trains equestrian riders and horses. We ride on the property every day. Fareed and I are especially pleased that we will be able to continue our equestrian training operations while protecting our land forever with a conservation easement.”

The land is part of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area. The property contains 95 acres of agricultural land and Goose Creek. Route 15 has been designated as the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Scenic Byway by the Secretary of Transportation, becoming the 99th road in American to receive that title.

“This region was designated by Congress as a National Heritage Area because of its national beauty and because of the leadership shown by generations who lived here, to create and sustain our American ideals,” Cate Magennis Wyatt, the Founder and President of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership said. “Dr. Miran’s act of generosity and vision personifies the latter and sustains the former.  On behalf of untold others, we thank her.”

The Land Trust of Virginia is a fully accredited private, non-profit organization. Their purpose is to help private citizens in Virginia to protect open space lands and natural and historic resources by accepting donations of conservation easements on their properties. To learn more about the Land Trust of Virginia go to landtrustva.org.