Laura Hassell

Laura grew up in the Midwest, where she always felt at peace in the outdoors. But it wasn’t until later in life that she considered making nature a part of her career. She earned a Master’s degree in Sustainable Landscape Design from George Washington University, and practiced design for six years before earning her arborist certification and working as an Urban Forester in Fairfax and Arlington counties. She most recently directed the White House Farm Foundation, an educational foundation focused on conservation. It is best known for its stewardship of Leopold’s Preserve, a 380-acre nature preserve in Prince William County that is protected by a conservation easement held by NVCT.

As Land Conservation Specialist, Laura is focused on developing and managing land conservation projects in Stafford County in cooperation with county and state government and other local partners. Laura lives in Fairfax County with her husband and three children.