Putting a Ribbon on Tank Creek

This month, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust celebrated the forever protection of Tank Creek Preserve with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. 

You may recall the story of Joyce Arndt and the campaign we ran to help her dream of protecting her property come true. This past September, we officially tied a ribbon on the accomplishment and celebrated with Joyce and those who made it happen. Thank you to everyone who played a part in this effort. Afterward, Joyce let us know, “You all made an old lady very happy today,” and that happiness reflects a collective effort to protect something we all believe matters

The new preserve brings NVCT’s total conserved acreage in Stafford County to 1,495 acres. Read coverage of this story by the Fredericksburg Free Press HERE

Welcome our first-ever Communications Fellow, Kojo Baidoo!

A Baltimore native, he developed a childhood fascination with birds that grew over time into a deep appreciation for the environment and a desire to contribute to conservation efforts.

Read More to learn how Kojo became our newest Fellow, and to learn about the social media presence and personality he uses to share his passion for birds and nature with a growing online community. 

Conservation Explored

Fall Foraging

What if your next outdoor adventure came with a tasty reward? Northern Virginia’s natural landscape offers a surprising variety of edible finds. Even some of the invasive plants threatening our local ecosystems can be put to good use in the kitchen!

Learn what to look for this fall, how to forage responsibly, and delicious ways to bring nature’s harvest to your table. Just remember: when it comes to wild plants, proper identification is essential, so when in doubt, leave it out!

Saving Nearby Nature

Meet our Darden Board Fellow: Jake Cargal - Bley!

Meet Jake Cargal-Bley, NVCT’s newest Darden Board Fellow, who brings a passion for land conservation and a background in program performance and impact analysis. After working on conservation programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Jake is bringing his expertise to NVCT to help strengthen our work protecting Northern Virginia’s natural spaces.

In this interview, learn what inspires his conservation journey and what he hopes to accomplish during his fellowship. We’re excited to have Jake on board and can’t wait to see the impact he helps make!

Lore of the Land

KETH

Two neighboring couples, one shared vision, and 1.4 acres of forest with a story to tell. Meet KETH, named for the four landowners who came together to protect a wooded lot between their homes that once held a house built in 1953. Today, it's a haven for wildlife near the banks of the Potomac River.

Discover how their collaboration shows that even a small patch of land can make a lasting difference for nature and the community.

Event

Nearby Nature Network: Political Roundtable

NVCT’s Nearby Nature Network series is back with a Political Roundtable discussion bringing together state-level politicians that represent Northern Virginia to talk about environmental policies and issues facing the region ahead of the next session. Join us for a one-hour webinar to stay up to date on what’s happening in the area!

Senator Scott Surovell - Senate Majority Leader for Virginia will be joining us, with more elected officials to come!

RSVP to receive the Zoom link.

Nov 10, 2026

12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

On Zoom

Welcome the newest NVCT members! Thank you for committing to conservation!

Become a Member!

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Become a Volunteer!

Join our volunteer team and be a part of on-the-ground conservation work in our region!