River Farm Ribbon Cutting Celebrates the Finalization of the Conservation Easement on the Property

The symbolic conclusion to the River Farm saga took place on May 1st on the property with River Farm friends and supporters. The easement now in effect requires River Farm to remain a publicly accessible open space forever while also protecting and enhancing the property's ecological value. The easement also includes strong legal protections that prevent future commercial and residential development while allowing AHS to live its mission of inspiring a culture of gardening and horticultural practices that create and sustain healthy, beautiful communities.

NVCT began the journey to protect the property in 2022, when we led the Save River Farm campaign, as the property was listed for sale. This movement brought together local residents, building a powerful coalition that included local government officials, civic groups, and thousands of engaged citizens.

Senator Scott Surovell, Mount Vernon Supervisor Dan Storck, American Horticulture Society Board President Scott Plein, and NVCT Executive Director Alan Rowsome all gave remarks on why this community wins matters so much and what it represents for grassroots conservation campaigns.

Read more about the eventful celebration and what this represents for NVCT's larger goals to protect more important places across the Potomac region! Be sure to also visit our newsroom to read coverage on this event from other outlets.

Annual Kayak Cleanup with New Partners in Potomac Protection

NVCT and Defensores de la Cuenca made waves at our annual Kayak Cleanup!

With support from Porto Vecchio and NVCT volunteers, students took to the water to help remove trash while also learning why removing trash from our Hunting Creek Preserve and surrounding waters ultimately helps keep the Potomac River clean!

We were honored to partner with defensores for this meaningful event and to use our preserve as a space for connection, education, and community. Experiences like these help bring young people closer to nature, especially those who may not always have the opportunity to engage with it in this way. 

Welcome, Alex Rough, to the NVCT Board!

NVCT is excited to welcome Alex Rough to our Board of Directors! By day, Alex is a systems engineer for Akima; by night, he's an eco-advocate who uses his expertise, voice, and connections to advance environmental efforts in his community.



In this interview, he shares his history in Northern Virginia, his experience in local conservation advocacy, and his hope to help expand NVCT’s impact across the region.

Click Here to Read More!

Welcome, Abby Knipp, to the NVCT Team!

Membership & Administrative Manager

NVCT has added a new member to our team and a new position! Abby is our first-ever Membership and Administrative Manager. Abby will not only be the friendly voice that greets you when you call our office, but will also assist in managing and building our membership base!

Abby is no stranger to the marketing and membership world, and luckily for us, she's also a fan of the environment! Abby will not only be a great addition to the marketing and membership team, but also our unofficial staff birding team!

 Read more to learn more about what Abby will bring to our team!

Lore of the Land

In Search of: New NVCT Truck

Ever been to an NVCT invasive plant pull or trash cleanup? If so, you may have met NVCT’s unofficial 12th staff member: the NVCT truck!

Rusty, gray, and full of “quirks,” this hardworking pickup has hauled tools, supported conservation projects, and been part of countless memories over the years. But after many miles of service, it may finally be time to retire our old friend and begin the search for a replacement.

What are we looking for in the next addition to the NVCT team? Read on to hear some of our favorite truck memories, and let us know if you have a lead on NVCT’s future pickup!

Community Survey

How does nature benefit you?

Are you a resident of the Northern Virginia region? If you have a few minutes to spare, please consider taking this survey on the experiences of Northern Virginians related to nature and open spaces. As residents of this region, your opinion is very valuable and can impact future decisions made that will shape your local landscapes!

The survey is brief and respondents are entered to win a $100 Visa gift card if they choose to share their information. You can preview and take the survey here, and reach out to awilt@nvct.org with any questions or accommodations needed. This survey helps us better gauge how nearby nature benefits the communities we serve!

Event

Saturdays in the Garden

Introducing a new series of events: Saturdays in the Garden! This series seeks to educate those interested in learning about the Terborgh Terrace Garden, with hands-on learning opportunities! Our first Saturday in the garden is this weekend.

Volunteers will come learn about the Terborgh Terrace Garden and get their hands dirty! We'll clean up the garden beds, maybe do some early-summer planting, and pull invasive weeds.



May 23, 2026

9:00 AM – 11:00 AM

4578 26th St N

Arlington, VA 22207