 |
We hope you enjoy this issue of Saving Nearby Nature from the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust
. Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
|
|
Saving Nearby Nature January 2016
|
Conservation advocates came together at NVCT's "Celebrate Conservation" lunch last week. Juliet Eilperin from
The Washington Post was the keynote speaker. Awards were given to eight property owners to recognize their generous donations of conservation easements, and to Paul Siegel and Betsy Martin for their conservation leadership. What a great celebration!
Click here to see the gallery of photos from the event.
|
Serving our conservation property owners
A key part of land conservation is to maintain the conservation values unique to each speci
al property. That's what our Land Stewardship team does in their work directly with the Trust's conservation easement prop
erty owners, and in their outreach to the broader community. Welcome Daniel Saltzberg and Rentz Hilyer to NVCT. The Land Conservation team continually seeks new opportunities to conserve land in urban, suburban, and rural areas throughout the region.
Shannon O'Neil has moved on to this staff, and Andrea Reese has been named team lead. Click on the pictures to meet our two land staffs.
|
Events and opportunities to experience nearby nature
|
Jan. 18 Day of Service on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Join us at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve in Alexandria to remove invasive plants. 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., co-sponsored with the Friends of Dyke Marsh.
Click for info about volunteering.
|
Feb. 7 and Feb. 21 Invasive management workday at Salona
Meadows, McLean, 1 to 3 p.m., sponsored by Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. Contact Alan Ford,
[email protected].
|
Jan. 23 Green Fire film showing by Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 7 p.m., open to public. The film is about Aldo Leopold's life and work. NVCT can provide the film to community groups for showings, click here.
|
Feb. 12 to Feb. 15 Great Backyard Bird Count. Count birds for as little as 15 minutes on one or more days and report your sightings online. Click here to find out how you can participate.
|
|
Land conservation gets a federal boost
Landowners, the environment, and the public all benefit from a federal tax incentive supporting land conservation that was passed by Congress in December and signed into law. The bipartisan bill makes permanent certain federal tax benefits to landowners who sign conservation easements. Since it began as a temporary provision in 2006, the incentive is directly responsible for conserving more than two million acres of America's natural outdoor heritage. Click for information from the Land Trust Alliance. A second important bill supports the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), a program that funds parks and public lands, using revenues from offshore oil drilling. Its legacy is outstanding: more than three million acres enjoyed by over 500 million people every year. Both federal actions benefit land conservation in Northern Virginia and throughout the nation.
|
Managing your land for wildlife
Several of NVCT's conservation easement landowners have participated in certification programs that promote and reward managing properties for wildlife habitat. The National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Habitat Certification program requires that landowners provide food, water, cover, and places to raise young. The
Wildlife Sanctuary Certification
program
offered by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) goes a step further, requiring that a certain number of indicator species be observed on the property. ASNV Ambassadors are available for consultation through their Audubon at Home program.
|
Be stingy with deicer this winter!
While this winter has been mild and snowless so far, we will get cold and snow at some point! When we do, homeowners may be putting salt and chemicals on their driveways and sidewalks to help melt snow and ice. While this is absolutely important for keeping people safe, try using safer alternatives, or use the least amount you can. Your plants will thank you, and you will have a positive impact on the Chesapeake Bay.
See more helpful information
about using deicers this winter.
|
Please contact us with any questions about the Trust and our work
|
|
|
|
|
|
