Through American University’s Airlie farm and scenic retreat in Warrenton, Virginia, our community of changemakers shares an inspiring connection to the home of Earth Day.

Airlie’s grounds include a working farm, conference and events space, butterfly garden, and a cozy village of rooms and cottages. The 300-acre property, located an hour’s drive from campus, was entrusted to AU in 2016 as one of the earliest gifts to the Change Can’t Wait campaign.

Throughout its history, Airlie—once dubbed an “island of thought” by Life magazine—has offered an oasis to share ideas and plan meaningful change. Airlie hosted the inaugural NAACP leadership conference in 1962; Martin Luther King Jr. and other leaders planned civil rights marches there. In 1969 at Airlie, US Senator Gaylord Nelson first revealed his plans for the inaugural Earth Day.

Airlie’s board chose AU as the property’s steward in part because of the university’s commitment to sustainability. In 2018, AU became the first university in the nation to reach carbon neutrality, achieving this milestone by adopting 100 percent renewable energy, reducing carbon emissions, and strategically offsetting its few remaining emissions. AU then completed divestment from fossil fuel investments, celebrating this milestone on the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in spring 2020.

Today, produce, meat, and honey from Airlie’s 93-acre working farm are used to create hyperlocal cuisine (served to the retreat’s guests); feed AU students, staff, and faculty; and feed the community through local food initiatives, as the farm donates to food banks any surplus from the 20,000 pounds of produce that it grows annually.

Airlie’s offerings include an innovative community-supported agriculture (CSA) program designed to provide produce for the university’s Market Food Pantry, which serves students experiencing acute food insecurity. Farm-to-table goods, including Airlie’s honey, are also available at the AU Farmers Market, held on the quad during the academic year.

Honeybees and butterflies, vital to pollination of food crops and food security worldwide, thrive at Airlie thanks to its crop diversity, abundant flowering trees and plants, and clean water sources. Other local species thrive there, too—The National Wildlife Federation recognizes Airlie as a Certified Wildlife Habitat with buffer zones around lakes and ponds.

At Airlie, AU aims to create an idyllic space to develop changemakers and grow a sustainable future.

“There’s endless opportunity rooted in Airlie,” says Bronte Burleigh-Jones, CFO, vice president, and treasurer of AU. “The first time I walked on the property in 2022. . . I was immediately struck by Airlie’s special nature and what an incredible opportunity we had in it for our community of Eagles.”

The property hosts educational conferences, immersive and experiential learning programs, faculty research opportunities, student internships, and classes.

“Airlie has this really rich environment,” says Wendy Boland, dean of graduate and professional studies. “There’s a reimagination of what’s possible there.”

Airlie’s rooms, cottages, and conference spaces are available to rent for getaways and special events. See airlie.com for details on accommodations, resort activities, dining experiences, and more.