Our Story

OUR MISSION

Conservation Partners exists to support the land conservation goals of landowners, localities, and environmental organizations and agencies by providing comprehensive project management services to help maintain a beautiful landscape enjoyed by all.

MEET YOUR CONSERVATION PARTNERS

At Conservation Partners, we are dedicated to preserving Virginia's natural beauty for future generations. As conservation consultants, we work with landowners to help them protect the land they love while maximizing its potential for their benefit. Our team is passionate about environmental conservation, and we strive to make a positive impact on the world around us.

We absolutely love what we do. Conservation Partners is proud of the work we do to conserve precious landscapes across the Commonwealth and beyond. We each have our own area of expertise in the conservation easement process, so you'll likely be working with all of us throughout the process. Learn more about each of us below.

Taylor has helped hundreds of landowners protect their property through conservation easements. Taylor was raised in Lexington, Virginia, and received his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University and his MBA from Duke University. After retiring from a career in commercial banking, he established Conservation Partners in 2001. As well as originating conservation easements, Taylor helps resolve the many challenges that may arise, including line subordination and coordinating the work of the attorneys, appraisers, financial advisors, and other professionals. He and his wife, Lois, raise all-natural grass-fed cattle and re-establish native habitats on their conservation easement-protected Scott Hollow Farm.

Taylor Cole

President and Director of Landowner Relations

Taylor has helped hundreds of landowners protect their property through conservation easements. Taylor was raised in Lexington, Virginia, and received his undergraduate degree from Washington and Lee University and his MBA from Duke University. After retiring from a career in commercial banking, he established Conservation Partners in 2001. As well as originating conservation easements, Taylor helps resolve the many challenges that may arise, including line subordination and coordinating the work of the attorneys, appraisers, financial advisors, and other professionals. He and his wife, Lois, raise all-natural grass-fed cattle and re-establish native habitats on their conservation easement-protected Scott Hollow Farm.

Raised in the Shenandoah Valley and deeply influenced by her family’s farming heritage, Tori is passionate about helping landowners protect their farms and open spaces while preserving Virginia’s scenic landscapes. As Managing Partner at Conservation Partners, LLC, she leads efforts in generating conservation easements and developing innovative programs that balance land preservation with agricultural sustainability. With expertise in customer service and program management, Tori works closely with farmers, landowners, and industry professionals to create tailored conservation solutions. Her dedication to environmental stewardship extends beyond her work, as she enjoys exploring the world with her husband, Greg, and their son, Patrick. When not traveling, she pursues her love for photography, capturing the beauty of the landscapes she strives to protect.

Tori Kennedy

Managing Partner, Director of Conservation Services

Raised in the Shenandoah Valley and deeply influenced by her family’s farming heritage, Tori is passionate about helping landowners protect their farms and open spaces while preserving Virginia’s scenic landscapes. As Managing Partner at Conservation Partners, LLC, she leads efforts in generating conservation easements and developing innovative programs that balance land preservation with agricultural sustainability. With expertise in customer service and program management, Tori works closely with farmers, landowners, and industry professionals to create tailored conservation solutions. Her dedication to environmental stewardship extends beyond her work, as she enjoys exploring the world with her husband, Greg, and their son, Patrick. When not traveling, she pursues her love for photography, capturing the beauty of the landscapes she strives to protect.

Bridget manages grant programs, processes, and applications for landowners, CP staff, and other organizations while upholding her responsibilities of office and data management. Along with a master's degree in history, Bridget brings years of experience in customer service, office management, and program management to Conservation Partners. Several years ago, she and her husband, Kyle, fell in love with the beauty of Virginia when they visited from their hometown of Buffalo, NY. Bridget and Kyle promptly moved to Lexington, where they are raising their three sons: Owen, Sammy, and Teddy.

Bridget Braunscheidel

Director of Grant Programs and Administration

Bridget manages grant programs, processes, and applications for landowners, CP staff, and other organizations while upholding her responsibilities of office and data management. Along with a master's degree in history, Bridget brings years of experience in customer service, office management, and program management to Conservation Partners. Several years ago, she and her husband, Kyle, fell in love with the beauty of Virginia when they visited from their hometown of Buffalo, NY. Bridget and Kyle promptly moved to Lexington, where they are raising their three sons: Owen, Sammy, and Teddy.

E.C. focuses on outreach and the generation of new conservation easements. She is often the first point of contact for landowners, as she manages our community engagement and marketing initiatives. Her efforts help individuals understand the benefits of working with Conservation Partners and the importance of greater conservation. Her degrees in Environmental Studies and Business from Washington and Lee perfectly align with Conservation Partners' initiatives. E.C. enjoys exploring the outdoors, as well as good restaurants, across Virginia and beyond with family, friends, and boyfriend, Jonathan.

E.C. Myers

Director of Outreach and Engagement

E.C. focuses on outreach and the generation of new conservation easements. She is often the first point of contact for landowners, as she manages our community engagement and marketing initiatives. Her efforts help individuals understand the benefits of working with Conservation Partners and the importance of greater conservation. Her degrees in Environmental Studies and Business from Washington and Lee perfectly align with Conservation Partners' initiatives. E.C. enjoys exploring the outdoors, as well as good restaurants, across Virginia and beyond with family, friends, and boyfriend, Jonathan.

Margaret works with donors who are ready to sell their Virginia land preservation tax credits and manages the accompanying tax credit transfers. She also works with those who wish to support conservation in Virginia by purchasing land preservation tax credits. Margaret joined Conservation Partners in 2005, bringing extensive experience in office management, finance and customer relations to the team. Margaret’s free time is often spent on the ball-field or the bleachers with her husband, Jimmy, and three kids, Piper, Payton, and Tre.

Margaret Emore

Business Operations Manager

Margaret works with donors who are ready to sell their Virginia land preservation tax credits and manages the accompanying tax credit transfers. She also works with those who wish to support conservation in Virginia by purchasing land preservation tax credits. Margaret joined Conservation Partners in 2005, bringing extensive experience in office management, finance and customer relations to the team. Margaret’s free time is often spent on the ball-field or the bleachers with her husband, Jimmy, and three kids, Piper, Payton, and Tre.

Linda conducts easement deed and appraisal reviews for compliance with our Quality Standards and works directly with landowners’ attorneys, appraisers, and accountants in the preparation of materials for tax credit registration. She earned her B.A. in history from the University of Virginia and her J.D. from Louisiana State University. Linda has practiced law in the fields of business entity choice and compliance, commercial litigation, banking, and collections.

Linda McKinnis

Compliance Director

Linda conducts easement deed and appraisal reviews for compliance with our Quality Standards and works directly with landowners’ attorneys, appraisers, and accountants in the preparation of materials for tax credit registration. She earned her B.A. in history from the University of Virginia and her J.D. from Louisiana State University. Linda has practiced law in the fields of business entity choice and compliance, commercial litigation, banking, and collections.

Marleigh supports landowners nearing the end of their conservation easement donation process by assisting them through registration as well as in the sale of their land preservation tax credits. Having earned a B.A. in Biology with a Concentration in Environmental and Biological Conservation from the University of Virginia, Marleigh’s work at Conservation Partners supports her lifelong passion for wildlife by preserving their habitats and ecosystems.

Marleigh Walsh

Conservation Programs Administrator

Marleigh supports landowners nearing the end of their conservation easement donation process by assisting them through registration as well as in the sale of their land preservation tax credits. Having earned a B.A. in Biology with a Concentration in Environmental and Biological Conservation from the University of Virginia, Marleigh’s work at Conservation Partners supports her lifelong passion for wildlife by preserving their habitats and ecosystems.

YEARLY UPDATES

We greatly appreciate the support you have shown Conservation Partners in our 25+ years. Our Annual Reports are designed to show our followers some of the amazing properties we have had the privilege to help conserve and share organizational updates.