Who We Are
The Living River Trust began when The Elizabeth River Project recognized a need for more mitigation alternatives to offset impacts to the Elizabeth River bottom.
The Trust was established in 2004 (as the Elizabeth River Restoration Trust) when the Norfolk District of the Corps of Engineers and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, along with the Trust’s independent board, reached agreement on operating guidelines. The Elizabeth River Project helped set up the Trust and is providing contracted support, as needed, for start-up projects.
The Living River Trust is governed by its own Board of Trustees and has a long-term goal of establishing its own support services.
In 2010, the Trust added a second focus, becoming the only locally based land trust in the Elizabeth River watershed. Our niche is smaller urban parcels that may not be of value to state and national land trusts. In our urban watershed, open space is rare and important! Contact us to discuss benefits that may be available for long-term conservation of your natural area.
Administrator
Welcome, John Harbin, new Administrator! The LRRT welcomes our first Administrator. John Harbin is a former principal planner with the City of Chesapeake. Contact him at jharbin@elizabethriver.org, 757-399-7487.
John is a native of Hampton Roads and has worked in a variety of capacities in the environmental field, including consulting, government, and other non-profit organizations. He has a Masters of Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Policy from Virginia Tech. John is a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners.
Board of Trustees
Officers
Chairman
Diana Bailey, Retired Chief of Public Affairs, US Army Corps of Engineers Norfolk District
Vice Chairman
Bob Hume, Retired Chief Regulatory Branch, US Army Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District
Secretary
John Randolph Stokes, Esquire
Treasurer
Rob Robins, Senior Vice President, Bay Diesel and Generator
Additional Reading
Trustees
Jennifer K. Cool, Realtor, BHHS Towne Realty
Jason Deans, Partner, BDO USA, LLP
John M. Harbin, AICP, Principal Planner, Chesapeake Planning Department
Walter I. Priest, III, Retired NOAA Restoration Center
Mary-Carson Saunders Stiff, CMF, JD, Director of Policy,
Wetlands Watch
Joseph J. Thomas, COL. USACE (Ret.), Former District Engineer Norfolk District
Matthew Wilbricht, First Vice President, Colliers International Group Incoporated
Edward Wolcott Jr., Esquire
