Ending Summer with a Splash | | |
In August, NVCT and Potomac Conservancy hosted our annual kayak cleanup! Volunteers hopped in kayaks and paddled along Hunting Creek to pick up trash that flows in from the Potomac and Cameron Run. Together, we collected 70 bags of trash! Hunting Creek is a tributary of the Potomac, by cleaning up Hunting Creek, we are ultimately helping to keep the entire Potomac River region clean.
Thank you to all our volunteers who came out to keep the lifeblood of Northern Virginia healthy, clean, and beautiful! Check out photos from the event!
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The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust is honored to be named a finalist in the Cox Conserves Heroes grant contest — and we need your vote to win up to $30,000 for local land conservation!
This funding would directly support our mission to protect open space, clean water, and natural habitats for everyone in Northern Virginia. Winning means more trails, more trees, and more opportunities for people to connect with nature. Visit coxconservesheroes.com/vote to vote. Every vote gets us closer to protecting the places you love!
Help us make a lasting impact — vote today and share with your friends!
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| | Fall Festival at Leopold's Preserve | | |
This September marks the third anniversary of the Fall Festival at Leopold’s Preserve, hosted in partnership with the White House Farm Foundation and with generous support from the Plein Family Trust. We’re proud to be part of an event that continues to connect the local community with nature through hands-on exploration and environmental education. As we reflect on this year’s successes and look ahead to new opportunities for growth, we also took a moment to celebrate how far both the festival—and our partnership—have come. To help highlight the environmental impact of WHFF’s work in Northern Virginia and the power of collaboration in advancing our shared mission, we spoke with Marie Pinto, Executive Director of the White House Farm Foundation. Click here to read!
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NVCT recently lost a dear friend, supporter, and champion — Paul Siegel. Alongside his beloved wife, Betsy Martin, Paul played a pivotal role in protecting Little Hunting Creek through the use of conservation easements and grassroots activism. As co-founders of Friends of Little Hunting Creek, Paul led decades of hands-on work — from trash cleanups and invasive species removal to habitat restoration — preserving their Fairfax County community against unchecked development. Paul’s leadership on NVCT’s Advisory Council challenged us to think bigger and act boldly, always rooted in his deep understanding of ecology and policy. A certified Master Naturalist and recipient of numerous environmental awards, Paul leaves behind a powerful legacy of stewardship, generosity, and resolve. NVCT is committed to continuing the work he championed, honoring his memory one step, one tree, and one creek at a time.
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Conservation Explored
Conservation in Unlikely Places
In a region experiencing rapid growth and development, conservation isn’t just important — it’s urgent. In cooperation with Compass Datacenters, NVCT now protects 14 acres along Goose Creek. This new preserve is a globally rare ecosystem found only in Northern Virginia! This conservation win helps protect drinking water, supports wildlife corridors, habitat connectivity, and preserves a uniquely sensitive habitat.
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Lore of the Land
Ruckstuhl Park: A Legacy of Love and Land
What began as one woman’s peaceful escape has become a sanctuary for generations to come. In June, children laughed, climbed, and explored at the grand opening of Ruckstuhl Park—land lovingly protected by Dr. Lily Ruckstuhl over two decades ago. But before the ribbon was cut, one special child stepped onto the playground first: Lily’s own great-niece, continuing a legacy rooted in family, conservation, and the joy of being outside.
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Saving Nearby Nature
Conserving a Legacy
For the Currier family, conservation isn’t a project—it’s a way of life. This month, their decades-long stewardship took a powerful step forward as 62 more acres of the Bull Run Mountains were permanently protected through a new easement with NVCT. Rich in biodiversity and family history, this land now joins a growing network of preserved forests, farms, and wildlife corridors—securing a future where nature and agriculture thrive, side by side.
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Event
Clifton Haunted Trail
Dare to Discover What Lurks in the Woods? Join us for a spine-chilling stroll through the Haunted Clifton Trail, protected by the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust! Hidden within eight eerie acres of deep forest in Clifton Park, this haunted hike is packed with frights and folklore!
Need Service Hours?
NVCT is seeking brave volunteers to assist with trail entry, parking, and event support. Earn hours while being part of a fun (and spooky!) community event.
October 25, 2025
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Clifton Town 8-Acre Park
Clifton, VA 20124
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The Great Blue Heron!
Our cherished mascot made a surprise appearance at our summer staff outing, and we had to snap a pic!
Since we often talk about this majestic bird, we'll give you a fun fact you may not know: Great Blue Herons may appear small from afar, but on average their wing span can reach 5-6 feet in length! When they aren't perched and fully extend their body, the GBH can grow to be 3-5 feet tall!
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To Contact NVCT:
703-354-5093
info@nvct.org
www.nvct.org
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