Our Mission: develop, demonstrate and educate about innovative approaches to environmental stewardship by inviting people and partners to study, restore, interpret and experience our land’s environment and history

The Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that manages 900 acres of preserved land nestled “Between the Hills” in Virginia’s western Loudoun county. Roughly one-third of the land preserve is owned by the Robert and Dee Leggett Foundation while the other two-thirds became a state park in 2017.

The entire land preserve is managed by the nonprofit organization — providing free recreational access to our trail network, managing camping and facility rentals, organizing educational programs, and overseeing wildlife and environmental conservation efforts.

Staff

Darlene Lamoureux
Operations Manager

Darlene started with the Blue Ridge Center in 2005.  Her background is in Human Resources, having studied at the University of Maryland with a concentration in HR Management.

Darlene LamoureuxOperations Manager

Darlene started with the Blue Ridge Center in 2005.  Her background is in Human Resources, having studied at the University of Maryland with a concentration in HR Management.

Spring Ligi
Volunteer Coordinator

After coordinating Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy volunteers and publishing The Birds of Loudoun, Spring is now championing our volunteer programs. Look for her on the trails sharing her love of birds and nature with her family!

Spring LigiVolunteer Coordinator

After coordinating Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy volunteers and publishing The Birds of Loudoun, Spring is now championing our volunteer programs. Look for her on the trails sharing her love of birds and nature with her family!

Board of Directors

Greg Miller, Ph.D.
President

Dr. Miller is a passionate conservationist, enlightened leader of diverse workforces, outdoor recreation enthusiast, and trained environmental scientist who believes in working globally, acting locally, and protecting our precious natural resources.

Greg Miller, Ph.D.President

Dr. Miller is a passionate conservationist, enlightened leader of diverse workforces, outdoor recreation enthusiast, and trained environmental scientist who believes in working globally, acting locally, and protecting our precious natural resources.

Joe Coleman
Treasurer

Joe has been visiting and leading hikes at the Blue Ridge Center for almost 20 years now.
Currently he serves on the Center’s Board of Directors as both its Treasurer and the Chairman of
its Conservation and Land Use Committee.

Joe ColemanTreasurer

Joe has been visiting and leading hikes at the Blue Ridge Center for almost 20 years now.
Currently he serves on the Center’s Board of Directors as both its Treasurer and the Chairman of
its Conservation and Land Use Committee.

Dee Leggett
Secretary
Mrs. Leggett is the co-founder, with her husband Bob, of the Blue Ridge Center. She spent 20 years on active duty in the United States Army in various healthcare-related fields, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, and continued as a contractor to DoD.
Dee LeggettSecretary
Mrs. Leggett is the co-founder, with her husband Bob, of the Blue Ridge Center. She spent 20 years on active duty in the United States Army in various healthcare-related fields, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel, and continued as a contractor to DoD.
Jeffrey Gill
Board Member

Mr. Gill is a Strategy & Analytics Director at Capital One Bank. He has 15+ years of strategy consulting and financial services experience, including providing pro-bono consulting services for nonprofits.

Jeffrey GillBoard Member

Mr. Gill is a Strategy & Analytics Director at Capital One Bank. He has 15+ years of strategy consulting and financial services experience, including providing pro-bono consulting services for nonprofits.

Dan Hodkinson
Board Member

Mr. Hodkinson is the Field Operations Manager for the NASA Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems Office at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD.

Dan HodkinsonBoard Member

Mr. Hodkinson is the Field Operations Manager for the NASA Carbon Cycle and Ecosystems Office at Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD.

Henry Stribling
Board Member

Mr. Stribling is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience.  Additionally, he serves as Executive Director of the Old Dominion Land Conservancy, an organization protecting land and water resources for their natural, scenic, recreational, historic, and agricultural values.

Henry StriblingBoard Member

Mr. Stribling is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 25 years of experience.  Additionally, he serves as Executive Director of the Old Dominion Land Conservancy, an organization protecting land and water resources for their natural, scenic, recreational, historic, and agricultural values.

Janet Vandervaart
Board Member

Janet Vandervaart is an avid equestrian trail rider and hiker.  She is Vice President of U.S. Trail Ride, that helps maintain the BRCES trails, and Vice President of the Virginia Search and Rescue Council.

Janet VandervaartBoard Member

Janet Vandervaart is an avid equestrian trail rider and hiker.  She is Vice President of U.S. Trail Ride, that helps maintain the BRCES trails, and Vice President of the Virginia Search and Rescue Council.

Ben Lenhart
Vice President

Ben Lenhart is a partner at the law firm of Covington & Burling LLP, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School. He and his wife, Carol, are avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and live with their children on a farm near Hillsboro, VA.

Ben LenhartVice President

Ben Lenhart is a partner at the law firm of Covington & Burling LLP, and is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Harvard Law School. He and his wife, Carol, are avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts, and live with their children on a farm near Hillsboro, VA.

Robert Pollard

As Chairman of Loudoun County’s Heritage Commission, Robert Pollard helps advise the Board of Supervisors on historic preservation.  After 30 years in the Foreign Service, he now teaches American history at Shepherd University (WV).  His hobbies include gardening, hiking, and high-handicap golf.

Robert Pollard

As Chairman of Loudoun County’s Heritage Commission, Robert Pollard helps advise the Board of Supervisors on historic preservation.  After 30 years in the Foreign Service, he now teaches American history at Shepherd University (WV).  His hobbies include gardening, hiking, and high-handicap golf.