The Garden Club of America recently recognized our own Joe Coleman with their Zone Civic Improvement Commendation Award. Our congratulations and appreciation go out to Joe!
Below are excerpts from two of the letters of recommendation that were submitted for this award:
From the Land Trust of Virginia:
Joe has been a key member of the Land Trust of Virginia for many years, serving on both the Board of Directors and the Easement Committee almost since the inception of the organization.
His contributions include extensive work on review of proposals, easement tracking and monitoring properties under easement in western Loudoun and northern Fauquier Counties. He helped the Land Trust develop the stewardship capacity to monitor all of the easements in its portfolio.
Joe also is largely responsible for creating and shepherding the development of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, which has become a critical force in protecting the flora and fauna of Loudoun County. Finally, Joe is an active Board member for the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship, a 900-acre property in northern Loudoun County that is dedicated to the proper stewardship of the area’s natural resources.
From the Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club:
In 1995, Joe was one of three who founded Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, the purpose of which is “protection and proliferation of wildlife habitat.” He served as its first president and is president again today. Early on, Joe recognized that with the rapid growth in Loudoun County, there needed to be an advocate for wildlife.
Joe spearheaded and led programs, projects, advocacy and education over a 13 year period. lt is remarkable that this all-volunteer organization now has 800 members who are active volunteers in many of the projects that Joe has implemented.
Joe’s knowledge, passion, and direction have resulted in partnerships with other organizations in and around Loudoun and Fauquier counties. Under Joe’s leadership and vision, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has worked for better habitats, cleaner water and improved environmental standards.
“The voice of the naturalist,” Joe speaks often before Planning Commission and the Board of Supervisors to educate and inform them on the impacts of their decisions on our environment.