Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

12/17/2025

📸𝗧𝗢𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧!!
Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy & professional photographer/photography expert for National Geographic -Jeff Mauritzen at the Brambleton Library for an exciting 𝗔𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗛𝗢𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗣𝗛𝗬 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽!
🕰️7pm
📩RSVP & we look forward to seeing you there!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Join professional photographer Jeff Mauritzen to learn how to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of photography! Whether capturing sports, wildlife, pets, or life’s various special moments, documenting a quickly unfolding moment in sharp detail can be frustrating. For the last 12 years, Jeff has been guiding and lecturing as a photography expert for National Geographic Expeditions. This program takes place at Brambleton Library and is co-sponsored by the Loudoun County Public Library and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗱: https://loudounwildlife.org/event/action-photography/

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀? Contact [email protected]



https://www.facebook.com/jeffmauritzen

12/16/2025

🪶 𝗙𝗼𝗴, 𝗙𝗼𝘅 𝗦𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮 𝗙𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝘁 𝗥𝘂𝗻

A soft morning fog made Sweet Run feel extra magical as 6 birders set out for the monthly walk. It did not take long for the stars of the show to appear. 6 Fox Sparrows were busy rustling through the leaves, showing off their rich colors and giving everyone wonderful looks.

From there, the morning turned into a steady parade of surprises. Hermit Thrushes called from the understory. Winter Wrens zipped around. A Golden-crowned Kinglet flashed its bright yellow stripe. And a juvenile Bald Eagle cruised overhead twice, stealing the spotlight in classic eagle fashion.

There were so many great birds to watch that the group never even made it around the Farmstead loop. By the end of the morning, 39 species were recorded and plenty of smiles to go with them.

𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗮𝗽: https://loudounwildlife.org/2025/11/fox-sparrows-sweet-run/

𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁: https://ebird.org/checklist/S285620423

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲: https://loudounwildlife.org/event/birding-sweet-run-january

📸 𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁: Dennis Utterback

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Cornell Lab of Ornithology eBird

12/15/2025

🎄🐦 Central Loudoun 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 🐦🎄

Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy on Monday, December 29th as we take part in the National Audubon Society’s annual 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁. This long-running community science project began in 1899 and continues to help track winter bird populations across North America.

Our count circle spans 177 square miles of beautiful Loudoun countryside, from Waterford to Aldie and Ashburn to Purcellville. New birders are teamed with experienced leaders, and every observation adds valuable information to this important effort.

The 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁 is a great reason to get outside, enjoy winter wildlife and help us finish 2025 on a high note. You can participate for a couple of hours or spend the entire day in the field.

📅 Registration required by December 26th

🔗 Sign up: https://bit.ly/48zzyqE

📩 [email protected] or [email protected]

12/12/2025

𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆 is developing a 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆, and this is an important opportunity for our community to weigh in. The county is asking residents to share their perspectives on how to protect our land, water, and wildlife—now and into the future. YOU can help shape the direction of this plan.

Survey responses are anonymous, and it should take about 10–20 minutes to complete. The deadline to participate is December 31, 2025.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲:
1️⃣ Click this link to get started: https://bit.ly/48mys1r

2️⃣ Review the Natural Resources Strategy: https://www.loudoun.gov/NaturalResourcesStrategy

3️⃣ Take the online survey & share your thoughts: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N92TVVZ

Your feedback will help guide the future of conservation in Loudoun County.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Loudoun County Government

County is in the process of developing a Natural Resources Strategy and wants to hear from the community. Consider taking a few minutes to complete an online survey about how to protect the county’s land, water and wildlife resources. Find details here: https://bit.ly/48mys1r

12/11/2025

💚 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗮𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝘂𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆!

Because of your generosity and love for Loudoun’s wildlife, we not only exceeded our Giving Tuesday goal - 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗱𝘀!

💚Thanks to the generosity of so many, sparked by some incredible donors who helped us raise a matching pool of $35,000, we raised more than $58,000 to protect habitats, expand education programs, and ensure that Loudoun’s wildlife continues to thrive into 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱.

But the good news doesn't end there. Response to Giving Tuesday was so strong that it inspired additional donations to our year-end matching pool. As a result, from now through Dec. 31st, all gifts made to Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy will be MATCHED for the first $20,000 raised!



💚So if you "missed the match" for Giving Tuesday, here's another chance to make a double-impact gift before the last chorus of "Auld Lang Syne" rings out on Dec. 31st.

𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, and with your help, we'll continue to 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁 in Loudoun County and beyond.

💚See inspiring examples of what support helped us accomplish this year and make your matched gift today at: https://bit.ly/LWC-match25

Thanks for standing with us as one united force of - and FOR - nature!

12/10/2025

📣 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘂𝗽 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮? 𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝗮 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁.

Join the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a virtual program, “𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗮,” 𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟲𝘁𝗵 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟳:𝟬𝟬–𝟴:𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺 with Delegate Kathy Tran, Majority Caucus Chair for the Virginia House of Delegates.

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼:
1️⃣ 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿
-December 16 • 7:00–8:00 pm (virtual program)

2️⃣ 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁
-Sign up here: https://loudounwildlife.org/event/effective-advocacy-in-virginia/

3️⃣ 𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿, 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽-𝗯𝘆-𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀
Delegate Tran will share practical, real-world strategies for:
-Contacting elected officials
-Speaking effectively at public meetings
-Advocating for conservation + environmental issues in Virginia

4️⃣ 𝗣𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
-Use what you learn to speak up for wildlife, healthy habitats, and strong environmental protections in your community.

𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗸 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘃𝗲, 𝗯𝗲𝗰𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲.

12/09/2025

🏠 𝗪𝗲 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗹𝗹 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝘂𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲!

On 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟯, 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬–𝟯:𝟬𝟬 𝗽𝗺, we’re opening the doors of the 𝗚𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝘁 Morven Park to the public one last time before our office move in January. (More info on this coming soon). This space has been a special home for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, and we’d love to celebrate with the community that makes our mission possible.

If you’re new to Loudoun Wildlife, this is a great chance to learn about our programs and meet the people behind our work. Long-time friends can reconnect, catch up, and help us reflect on our 2025 accomplishments. Enjoy refreshments, explore new merch, and spend a cozy afternoon with fellow nature lovers.

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 helps us prepare to welcome everyone:
https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/ng5D9S4lNOPbpNwqIgaLqQ

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀:
https://loudounwildlife.org/event/lwc-open-house/

12/07/2025

📣Passionate about wildlife? Want to make a real difference?

𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy'𝘀 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 and help 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁, 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗲, and 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁 across 𝗟𝗼𝘂𝗱𝗼𝘂𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝘆.

𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝑩𝒐𝒂𝒓𝒅 𝑴𝒆𝒎𝒃𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝑫𝒐:
🔻Provide strategic leadership and governance
🔻Support fundraising and financial oversight
🔻Serve as ambassadors for conservation
🔻Participate in committees and bi-monthly meetings
🔻Commit 5–10 hours per month

𝑾𝒆 𝑬𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒊𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒚 𝑵𝒆𝒆𝒅: Candidates with HR or financial management expertise to strengthen our organizational capacity as we grow our programs and team.

All candidates passionate about our mission are encouraged to apply!

➡️ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝘆 𝗯𝘆 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟯𝟭, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲: https://bit.ly/48AsuJ1

Know someone who would be a great fit? Please share this opportunity.

12/05/2025

With Loudoun County's first snow of the season settling in, it’s a good time to remember that 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿. 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗲𝗹𝘁𝘀, 𝗲𝘅𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝘄𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.

Thoughtful choices today help protect the streams and habitats that make Loudoun such a special place.

❄️ 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁, 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝗹𝗮𝘀𝘁. Clear snow by shoveling, sweeping, or scraping before using any salt.
❄️ 𝗨𝘀𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘁 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝘆. One 12-oz cup (about a coffee mug) can treat roughly 10 sidewalk squares, a light sprinkle is enough.
❄️ 𝗦𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝘂𝗽 𝗹𝗲𝗳𝘁𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀. Once conditions improve, sweep up unused salt so you can reuse it and keep it out of our waterways.

Thank you for helping keep our community safe while caring for the health of our streams and the wildlife we all cherish.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

12/04/2025

𝗛𝗲𝗿𝗲'𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝟲𝟬 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗭𝗲𝗻 (volume up for the full effect)

📹 A trail camera at our Big Branch biological stream monitoring site near Banshee Reeks has been working overtime capturing some of our favorite neighbors—the ones who never RSVP but always show up.
..White-tailed deer swing by for a refreshing sip.

A determined beaver waddles past like it’s late for work.

Raccoons rummage through the riffle in search of a tasty treat.

An opossum bravely tiptoes across the stream.

Wood ducks cruise their way downstream.

Robins turn the shallows into a splash pad.

And wild turkeys strut along the banks like they own the place.

While the wildlife steals the spotlight, our amazing 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲𝗿𝘀 are focused on the tiny—but super mighty—benthic macroinvertebrates hiding under rocks: mayfly larvae and other sensitive species that serve as living reporters of water quality and stream health. From the smallest critters clinging to the streambed to the trail cam catching its wild paparazzi shots, this waterway is quietly sustaining life at every turn.

Clean water matters for every creature—wildlife, critters, and us.💚

🎥credit to 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 member Karen Jimenez for the fantastic trail cam footage!

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

12/03/2025

🌱 Protecting the places wildlife depends on.

At Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, we’re committed to safeguarding the natural spaces that support our community, from local habitat and migration corridors to the green buffers that protect our streams and neighborhood ecosystems.

This article highlights concerns from residents near Westpark about the proposed 57-space parking lot and pavilion, underscoring why thoughtful planning matters for both people and wildlife. These community perspectives are essential in understanding how development decisions can affect the natural systems LWC works to protect.

➡️Read the Patch.com article here: https://patch.com/virginia/leesburg/loudoun-county-plans-build-57-space-parking-lot-next-leesburg-condominium-nodx

One of your neighbors posted in Neighbor News. Click through to read what they have to say. (The views expressed in this post are the author’s own.)