Note From The Boat House

Greetings from the Conservancy Team! – In the last two weeks, our team battled lots of rain which I am sure impacted many of your plans as well (especially if you were trying to occupy kids during spring break!). Sometimes, that forced office or desk time for our colleagues who are typically found in the field can present an opportunity for catching up on planning for the upcoming season. But, it can also give us a chance to contemplate a longer time horizon. We kicked off the implementation of our strategic plan on a rainy morning last week and we are excited to share our plans with you once they are finalized.

We also said goodbye to Farmer Ben who had been an important part of our Farm team for the last few years. We thank him for his service to our land and our community and also wish him and his partner well on their adventures in Boston. You can hear some parting words from Ben in a recent reel posted to social media. Thank you, Ben!

FEATURE

 
Annual Earth Day Celebration
Two years ago, the Conservancy hosted its first annual Earth Day event. The intention behind this event was to bring community together, provide the Agrihood an opportunity to connect with each of the Conservancy Teams and share ideas on how we can better co-exist with the natural world around us – think native plant sales, composting opportunities, and talking with your farmer about the importance of keeping your food dollar local.This year, the Earth Day Celebration has the same goals and our event will feature live music from the Knuckle Dusters, beer and wine from Honor Brewing and Stroll Magazine, face painting, our popular veggie tattoos, a native plant sale, and more. Back again is the opportunity to purchase a picnic dinner box prepared by the Willowsford Kitchen. This is a great way to keep the evening easy for busy lifestyles.

Date: Friday, April 19
Time: 5 – 7 PM
Location: Willowsford Boat House
Register: Here
What to Bring : A lawn chair or a blanket, picnic food, beverages, lawn games and anything else that would make your experience more comfortable.

CSA Dinner Series, It’s Back!

This popular collaboration between Willowsford Kitchen and Willowsford Farm is back! This imaginative and exciting five-course plated dinner showcases Farm-sourced food with pairings of wine or mocktails. In addition to a wonderful meal prepared by Chef Emily, Farm Team members will also be in attendance chatting about Farm happenings and the upcoming growing season. Historically this series has only been for Willowsford residents, but we are excited to invite nonresidents who are part of our Farm-ily this year! Purchase your tickets by COB Monday so Chef Emily has time to prepare.

Date: Saturday, April 13
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Location: The Willowsford Lodge, Aldie

Register: Here for Willowsford residents and here for non-residents

Have you registered for your 2024 CSA Share Yet?! There’s still thyme. Check out all of our CSA options on our website, here, before they become limited.

 

Native Plant Sales Have Started

Are you looking to diversify your yard, so it is more resilient and beneficial to the wildlife around you? Adding native plants is a terrific way to do this! Native plants have formed symbiotic relationships with native wildlife over thousands of years, and therefore offer the most sustainable habitat. A plant is native if it has occurred naturally in a habitat without human introduction. Many of the plantings you see around Willowsford are unfortunately not in this category and require greater chemical use, water applications, and lack food for pollinators. And while several residents have transitioned their yards to incorporate natives (hooray!), we hope our new enterprise of offering of native plants grown right in your Agrihood will further this effort.

To pre-order from a selection of more than twenty-five varieties check out our website, here. The first opportunity to pick up your plants will take place at the Conservancy Earth Day event, April 19.

Are you unsure what will work in your yard? Reach out to native plant lead, Sam Adams, with questions: sadams@willowsfordconservancy.org. Sam will happily assist you in turning your yard into resilient oasis.

Pre-Order Your Native Plants, Here!

Vernal Pools Field Note

Latest Field Note From The Land Stewardship Team:
If you’ve ever visited our Wet Meadow in The Grange Village, you may have noticed some small pools of water, they’re called vernal pools. A vernal pool is a seasonal pool of water that provides habitat for distinct plant and animal species. They are a unique type of wetland, as they are usually not connected to other wetlands or water sources and generally dry out at some point in the year. Because they don’t have permanent inlets or outlets, they rely almost solely on rainfall or snowmelt!

Check out the rest of this article written by Conservancy Ranger Emily Lawrence, here. 

Who Are These Little Humans?!

Can you guess who we are? The first reply guessing all four humans correctly will receive a dozen Farm-fresh eggs and a $10 promo code to the Online Farm Stand.

Two Hints…
1. We’ve each made it our life’s work to engage and advocate for the environment around us
2. You have likely met us if you’ve attended a Willowsford Conservancy & Farm program

Reply to this email with your guess – and don’t forget to number them! One submission per person, please. The winner and rationale for sharing these cute pics will be shared in the next Conservancy newsletter.

Make Your Voices Heard

  • Upcoming Planning Commission Work Session – On Thursday, April 11 at 6 pm, the Planning Commission will hold a work session for two previously discussed projects that are adjacent to The Grant Village. The public can sign up to speak in person or online on one of the two items below here (URL – https://www.loudoun.gov/1890/Speaking-at-Planning-Commission-Public-H) . The agenda and revised applications for both projects can be found here. (URL – https://lfportal.loudoun.gov/LFPortalInternet/Browse.aspx?startid=305808&row=1&dbid=0)
    • Project #1 – LCPS has submitted a revised plan for Dulles North High School (HS-14) on the site where Watson Mountain Middle School is currently under construction. Conservancy staff and Conservancy/HOA board members were able to meet with LCPS staff and a Tree Conservation Area has been added to the revised plan. While this is certainly an improvement to the proposal, LCPS has not included a fence and has not demonstrated how lighting will comply with DarkSky Certification for Sports Fields. If you have comments or concerns, please email our Planning Commissioner Robin-Eve Jasper at robineve.jasper@loudoun.gov and county planner Allison Britain at allison.britain@loudoun.gov.
    • Project #2 – Developers have submitted a revised plan for the Fleetwood North residential application which is located adjacent to the approved Parkside Village currently under construction near Hartland. If you have comments or concerns, you can email Marshall Brown at Marshall.Brown@loudoun.gov.
  • Scrape the Grape: Volunteers Needed – The Willowsford HOA, with input and support from the Conservancy, has helped create the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance (LIRA). The alliance is seeking volunteers to help take action against the Spotted Lantern Fly and Tree of Heaven in our county’s wineries and farms on Saturday, April 6 from 10 am to 2 pm. Click here to learn more.  (URL – https://www.willowsfordlife.com/DocumentCenter/View/4071/LIRA-Flyer—Scrape-for-the-Grape)

Volunteer Opportunities

Invasive Removal Workdays with Banshee Reeks
Willowsford Conservancy and Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve are partnering together to put on a series of volunteer work days aimed to help us eradicate some pesky invasives before summer arrives! The next one will be here at the Conservancy on Thursday, April 18 from 4 – 6 PM. Register HERE.

Programs & Events

Greenhouse Seeding
Are you interested in learning more about where your food comes from? Join us at the beginning of its journey in the greenhouse with greenhouse lead, Farmer Rachel. She’ll show/talk to you about: how to make flats, the recommended depth of the seed based on variety, germination rates and more. By the end you’ll be a pro!
Date: Recurring, Tuesdays through early May
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Register: Here

Solar Eclipse Viewing
Join Conservancy staff at the Willowsford Boat House to watch the solar eclipse on April 8th! We’ll be experiencing a partial 0.9 magnitude eclipse here in Virginia. Bring a blanket and we’ll have eclipse glasses available to experience this rare event!
Date: Monday, April 8
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 PM
Register: Here

Raptors Up Close – Second Session Added!
Join Willowsford Conservancy and Secret Garden Birds and Bees, to meet live birds of prey – just like the ones living right in your own backyard! You’ll have a chance to meet each of their hawks, owls, and tiny falcon up close, hear their story personal stories, and learn about the lives of raptors in the wild. 
Date: Wednesday, April 10 (LCPS is closed!)
Time: 2:30 – 3:30 PM
Register: Here

Limited Seating – CSA Dinner with Willowsford Kitchen
Willowsford Kitchen is partnering with Willowsford Farm to bring you an imaginative and exciting five-course plated dinner with wine or mocktails to showcase Farm-sourced food. In addition to a wonderful meal prepared by Chef Emily, Farm Team members will also be in attendance chatting about Farm happenings and the upcoming growing season. New this year is the opportunity for non-residents who are members of the Farm-ily to join us for this popular Farm focused series. Registration closes at midnight on April 7. 
Date: Saturday, April 13
Time: 6:00 – 9:00 PM
Register: Here for residents and here for non-residents

Conservancy Board Meeting
The Conservancy Board of Trustees and staff will next meet to discuss Conservancy business in late April. Residents are welcome to attend in person at the Boat House or by Zoom. The Agenda will be shared via our Resident Document Center before the meeting. 
Date: Tuesday, April 30
Time: 5:30 – 7:30 PM
Location: Boat House or by Zoom (passcode: 438401)

Full Calendar of Events + Programs

Our Mission Is
To protect our land and promote conservation and sustainable farming so that our community discovers a deeper connection to nature and each other.