In 1995, the Dulles Toll Road was in the final stages of completion and the “development” of Loudoun was just kicking in. Changes in our landscape were taking place, subtly at first but then more dramatically as wetlands were filled in, fields were replaced by lawns, and forests were cleared for malls and houses, thereby displacing wildlife and changing the face of our county.

In response to these changes, three Loudoun residents, Joe Coleman, Diane Gilliam and Leslie Metzger, decided it was time to form an organization to help preserve and protect habitat for wildlife in our county. In the spring of 1995, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy was founded.

Since our founding, we have made some significant strides. Here are a few highlights:

1995: Conducted the first educational program and first demonstration of stream monitoring (Taylorstown Bridge)

1996: Kicked off the Citizen Stream Monitoring Program

1996: Published the first edition of the Habitat Herald

1996: Initiated the School Yard Habitat program at the Lincoln Elementary School

1997: Held the first Annual Butterfly Count for Loudoun

1997: Conducted the first Annual Christmas Bird Count for Loudoun

1997: Spoke out on Banshee Reeks and the need for a passive park

1999: Played a key role in establishing Banshee Reeks as a nature park

1999: LWC Honored by Leesburg Government with the 1999 Award for Community Improvement as a result of our leading the riparian tree planting at Ida Lee Park

1999: Worked with the Virginia Native Plant Society to produce the popular brochure Do I have to Mow All That?

2000: Helped build the coalition of organizations which became Loudoun Watershed Watch (LWW)

2001: Developed the LWC Environmental Position that was presented to the Board of Supervisors

2002: Engaged LWC members to participate in discussions and focus groups on revisions to the county’s development regulations

2003: Participated in the Campaign to Save Courtland Woods, an effort to purchase and protect 200 acres of land scheduled for high-density development; the campaign’s goal was to add the 200 acres to banshee Reeks Nature Preserve

2004: Managed 27 volunteer-monitored stations throughout Loudoun County streams

2004: Developed a more formal partnership with the Virginia Bluebird Society to monitor and expand bluebird nestbox trails across the county

2005: Celebrated our 10th Anniversary!!

2005: Established partnership with the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship and continued to expand partnership with the Audubon Naturalist Society

2006: Produced 4 new publications: Gardening for Wildlife, Butterflies of Loudoun Checklist, Dragonflies of Loudoun Checklist and The LWC Coloring Book

2006: Laid the groundwork for the Amphibian Monitoring Program

2006: Added 3 more trails to our bluebird nestbox trail system and led a stream buffer restoration at Frazier Park, planting over 500 trees and shrubs

2006: Led the charge to protect Loudoun's wildlife habitats through speaking at public hearings, engaging citizens in action alerts, our postcard campaign and petition to save Wood Turtles.

2007: Worked with other local environmental organizations to form the Loudoun Environmental Stewardship Alliance (LESA) to enable greater opportunities in environmental education for grades K-12

2007: Conducted habitat restoration event at Rust Sanctuary to protect the very special upland forest pond

2007: First full year of the Amphibian Monitoring Program with over 50 volunteer monitors

2008: Habitat Restoration Project launched at the Phillips Farm in Waterford - stream buffer planting and invasive species removal

2008: Added 5 more bluebird nestbox trails: Mountain View Elementary, Arcola Elementary, Pinebrook Elementary, Susan Kane Nature Preserve, Belmont Greene

2008: LWC Board approved the launch of the 5-year project to develop the Loudoun Bird Atlas, which will include a birding checklist to be used on field trips

2008: We jumped into the world of new media and added the LWC Blog and Podcast and set up a Twitter account so that we can tweet with members. A Wild Wiki is in development

You can also read about our activities at LWC in the News.