JULY 2019
 NEWSLETTER
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sip & Mingle
Help us continue to celebrate our 25th year of Saving Nearby Nature by joining us on September 15th for a relaxing day at The Winery at Bull Run - a beautiful spot that's protected forever by NVCT! We will be offering a light lunch, wine tastings, historical tours, and the space to socialize with old and new friends! This event will be outside, weather permitting, at The Winery's "General's Quarters," which overlooks the beautiful vineyard (pictured above). More details will be provided in the coming weeks, but for now, please RSVP at www.nvct.org/events and save the date on your calendar!
Canoe/Kayak Cleanup
Join us for this year's second Canoe/Kayak Cleanup of the Potomac tributaries on September 28, 2019 (National Public Lands Day)!

More details are coming soon, but put it on your calendar and RSVP to Emily at ebowman@nvct.org to hold your spot!
Nearby Nature Photo Contest
It's almost time for our Annual Nearby Nature Photo Contest! We look forward to seeing all of your beautiful pictures of critters and viewsheds that you've captured this year!

We will be accepting submissions for our 6th annual photo contest from September 1 - October 31. Keep this in mind while you're out on adventures in northern Virginia this summer!

Thanks to last year's sponsors and partners including The Reston Art Gallery and Studios, we were able to showcase all of the awe-inspiring photo entries we received and hold an award ceremony and reception for our participants. Stay tuned for this year's gallery showcase location and prizes! You won't want to miss it!
Arlington County Fair
We hope you're as excited as we are about this year's Arlington County Fair! NVCT will be tabling alongside other local businesses and organizations from August 16th-18th and will be giving away our newly designed 3"x5" magnets, pictured to the left. Stop by and say "Hi" to grab yours! Full details about the fair can be found at http://arlingtoncountyfair.us/
PUBLIC NOTICE
Re-Accreditation

We are pleased to announce that NVCT is applying for renewal of our accreditation and a public comment period is now open. 


The land trust accreditation program recognizes land conservation organizations that meet national quality standards for protecting important natural places and working lands forever. In order to achieve accreditation, The Land Trust Accreditation Commission, an independent program of the Land Trust Alliance, conducts an extensive review of each applicant’s policies and programs. 

The Commission invites public input and accepts signed, written comments on pending applications. Comments must relate to how NVCT complies with national quality standards. These standards address the ethical and technical operation of a land trust. For the full list of standards see http://www.landtrustaccreditation.org/help-and-resources/indicator-practices .

To learn more about the accreditation program and to submit a comment, visit www.landtrustaccreditation.org , or email your comment to info@landtrustaccreditation.org . Comments may also be faxed or mailed to the Land Trust Accreditation Commission, Attn: Public Comments: (fax) 518-587-3183; (mail) 36 Phila Street, Suite 2, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Comments on NVCT’s application will be most useful by September 14 th , 2019. Please call us at 703-354-5093 if you have any further questions.
IN THE COMMUNITY
NVCT helping educate the next generation of
Prince William County leaders
July 10: NVCT was excited to be part of Prince William Conservation Alliance’s board of supervisor candidate bus tour in support of smart growth and land conservation across the county. While visiting parks, historic sites, proposed developments and a hydroponic farm, board candidates were introduced to key land use issues and concepts that we hope will guide their thinking into the future. Several NVCT conserved nature preserves were highlighted along the tour and we were able introduce conservation easements and private land protection priorities to the next generation of Prince William County leaders.
Rain, rain, drain away?
Are you as concerned as we are about the severe storms and flash flooding that have affected our region in recent weeks? These events also impact local wildlife, trees and plants while overtaxing our stormwater infrastructure. Take a look these ways that you can help reduce the impacts of flooding in your own backyards. 

How to Reduce the Impact of Flooding

1.         Level a sloping yard. To avoid incoming water, the ground should always slope away from your home in all directions. Locate the high and low points of your home and use extra dirt to slope the yard away from your house. This way, melting snow and rain will flow away from your home and basement, preventing flooding in your home. Work with a professional to make sure vents, basement windows, pipes, drains, and other areas aren’t negatively impacted during the grading process.

2.         Choose native plants that prevent flooding. Indigenous plants can help to prevent soil erosion while also allowing rainwater to drain more efficiently. Some examples of plants great for this task are shrubs, ferns, wildflowers, and small, native trees. These can often be found at local plant nurseries.

3.        Add mulch to your garden. In garden areas graded away from your home, fill with a few inches of mulch. This will help keep soil in place and hold in rainwater. If mulching near your home, make sure the mulch is at least six inches from your siding to avoid moisture wicking and rotting of your home’s exterior.

4.         Plant grass to reduce the impact of floods.  The root structure of grass can help absorb water. It’s important to research what kind of grass would be most effective for your area. Once it grows in, avoid cutting your lawn too short, which weakens the roots and can lead to flooding in your yard, and possibly your home.

5.         Plant a rain garden. Rain gardens are the perfect solution for curbing erosion and improving water quality. They collect rainwater and water that runs from your gutters and downspouts, and create a runoff, filtering it away from your house. They are often created in shallow, landscaped depressions.

6.         Add drainage areas near driveways. Paved driveways can quickly lead to rainwater runoff, which can increase your home’s risk for flooding. Installing a gravel or spaced paver driveway are two options. For something less expensive, consider adding drainage next to your driveway by way of channel drains, pavers, or other landscaping-based solutions.

7.         Install a rain barrel. Rain barrels, which are placed at the bottom of downspouts to collect the water, are a great way to redirect moisture and protect your home from flooding. As an added bonus, rain barrels allow an eco-friendly way to water your gardens and lawn when it’s dry out, as well as decrease pollution runoff into lakes and natural waterways.

8.         Check your sump pump.  A well-maintained sump pump will ensure that your basement stays dry by directing water out of your basement and away from your home. A sump pump can mean the difference between proper water flow and costly water damage. It’s important to check your sump pump to make sure everything is in proper working order. If you don’t have a sump pump, you might want to see if getting one is right for you.

*This and other useful info and NVCT news can be also be found on our website
IN THE NEWS
INSIDENOVA