Volume 23 Issue 2, July 1, 2018
by Sharon Plummer
Loudoun Wildlife’s core mission is to preserve and protect wildlife, so that humans and wildlife can both thrive on our rich lands. To do this we use a multi-faceted approach by inspiring, educating and engaging our citizens in interactive programs, citizen science, habitat restoration projects and conservation advocacy. As the pressure of housing and business development increases, we need to be more resourceful, creative and courageous to carve out places for our non-human residents. Through strategic planning and a magnanimous collaboration, we will now add property ownership to our toolbox of conservation practices.
Until 2014, we were not officially able to own land, but after much discussion and examination of our long-term strategic plan we changed our bylaws to allow us to have this capacity, if needed.
With the help of JK Moving, the seeds of stewardship are now coming to fruition and we can physically preserve 89 acres of globally rare wetland that otherwise would have been lost to development.
Preserving the Stumptown Woods property is a victory that will allow us to leave a legacy so that future generations will be able to experience the unique wildlife that inhabit the area. According to Joe Coleman, president of Loudoun Wildlife, “Stumptown Woods is a very special property that is worth saving as a natural space. We weren’t able to afford to buy the land, but with the help of JK Moving and the Kuhn family, we will save and preserve this rare wetland. Having a local corporate partner that understands the value of conservation is invaluable.” Chuck Kuhn, President and CEO of JK Moving states, “As a company headquartered here, we know how special Loudoun County is. Preserving and protecting our environment will ensure that our communities will be healthier places to live and work. That’s good for our business, employees, and customers.”
Loudoun Wildlife plans to hold the property in its natural state and conduct occasional field trips and citizen science monitoring just as we do at both the Dulles Wetlands Mitigation Project and at Gum Farm. In addition, there are plans to create a small set of walking trails to enable restricted and guided public access.
Read how Loudoun Wildlife and JK Moving worked together to preserve the property in Saving Stumptown – The Rest of the Story.
For more details about how you can get involved in funding this project, contact Joe Coleman, President or Michael Myers, Executive Director.