Protecting Bles Park’s Natural Assets
River Otter at Bles Park
On October 14, 2021, the Loudoun County Planning Commission voted to recommend denial of Bles Park Enhancements 5-2-2 (two commissioners absent), because the current proposal did not do enough to balance the protection of natural resources and the needs for active recreation and greater park amenities. This item is being forwarded to a future Board of Supervisors public hearing.
Loudoun Wildlife thanks our members who spoke up at the Planning Commission public hearing, and now is the time to voice your concerns to the Board of Supervisors. Together, we can keep the pressure on to ensure more modifications are made to adequately protect the exemplary wildlife habitat found at Bles Park.
Here are updates and position statements from Loudoun Wildlife:
ADVOCACY ALERT: Bles Park Needs Your Voice! (posted June 18, 2021)
Defending a Natural Wonder: Speak Up to Protect Bles Park’s Wild Areas (published in Habitat Herald, Volume 26 Issue 3, Summer 2021)
ADVOCACY UPDATE: Protect Bles Park’s Natural Assets (posted October 27, 2021)
Goose Creek Overlook
- Advocacy Alert to oppose rezoning proposing increased density on the banks of Goose Creek.
- After initially approving the application, and further outcry from constituents, the Board of Supervisors reconsidered their vote and denied the application. Lessons from the battle of Goose Creek Overlook (Blue Ridge Leader, March 31, 2021).
Short Hill Mountain AT&T Monopole
- Loudoun Wildlife joined many nonprofits in advocating against and writing multiple letters to the Board of Supervisors (here and here) to oppose the construction of a 125-foot monopole atop the Short Hill ridgeline. Supervisors voted 8-1 to oppose this application, agreeing with the recommendation of denial from the Planning Commission.
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Loudoun supervisors deny proposed AT&T cell tower (Loudoun Times-Mirror, October 5, 2021)
Countywide System of Linear Parks and Trails: Emerald Ribbons
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy collaborated with members of the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition to advocate for the creation of Emerald Ribbons, aka Linear Parks and Trails (LPAT) System. This interconnected linear parks and trails network will protect wildlife habitat while providing passive recreation opportunities to residents. After being introduced as a Board Member Initiative, a Linear Parks and Trails subcommittee of the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space Board was created, and a consultant drafted a framework plan for implementation that has subsequently been adopted by the Board of Supervisors.
Loudoun Wildlife continues to be involved with Loudoun Coalition’s Emerald Ribbons Committee and as a stakeholder on the LPAT subcommittee. The implementation of this ambitious undertaking will take years.
For out more information:
- Loudoun Coalition’s Emerald Ribbons website.
- Loudoun County’s Linear Parks and Trails website.
- Loudoun Wildlife’s position statement on the creation of the system. (posted January 14, 2019)
Transition Area Alliance’s Message to County: Value Land As an Asset, Not a Commodity
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy supports the Transition Area Alliance (TAA), a group of concerned Loudoun County residents dedicated to protecting open space and quality of life in Loudoun’s Transition Policy Area (TPA). The TPA provides a buffer between the high-density suburban areas to the east and north, and rural areas to the west. It is also home to three drinking water reservoirs, and a rich diversity of species and habitat.
As Loudoun County government drafts its new comprehensive plan, which will guide land use for years to come, the Transition Area Alliance advocates for policies that will protect the TPA from over development. Read TAA’s position paper.
Protecting Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, Loudoun County’s Wildlife Gem
Photo by Lisa Streckfuss
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has advocated for protection of the Mountain/Piedmont Seepage Swamp – one of just twelve known examples in Virginia – and for maintaining contiguousness of the Preserve’s White Oak Forest.
- November 2013 letter to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
- July 2009 action alert: Banshee Reeks and The Woods Road Realignment.
- March 2008 action alert: Banshee Reeks and The Woods Road Realignment
Helping people to live in harmony with wildlife
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has organized numerous education and advocacy programs to highlight the important role our most misunderstood species play in our ecosystem, and help people coexist safely with these animals.
- Fall 2010: Bats at Oatlands: Lessons for Human-Wildlife Interaction
- September 2012: Living with Coyotes in Loudoun County
- December 15, 2014: Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy recommendations on vultures to Town of Leesburg.
- Vulture Information Page
Rebalancing Loudoun County’s approach to preventing tick-borne disease
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has highlighted research showing that personal protective measures are the best way to prevent Lyme and other tick-borne disease – not spraying pesticides. We have also highlighted evidence that preserving biodiversity and contiguous forest can be key to preventing tick-borne disease – and that focus on deer may be misplaced.
- January 2015 letter to the Loudoun Lyme Disease Commission
- February 2014 Position Paper.
- Washington Post, July 16, 2014: In fight against Lyme disease, Loudoun won’t spray public parks with pesticide
Other Campaigns:
- Temple Baptist Church: Despite objections from Loudoun Wildlife, Piedmont Environmental Council, and others, and contrary to Comprehensive Plan policies, the Board of Supervisors approved the construction of ballfields in the Broad Run floodplain, 5-3-1, on January 19, 2021.
- On Jan. 18, 2018, Loudoun County Board of Supervisors (BOS) approved the True North Data Center 5-4, despite County staff recommendations for denial of a rezoning request based on the land’s location in the Transition Policy Area, the environmental sensitivity of the land and public protest in the form of emails, post cards and calls to the Board. Read more here about how the supervisors voted and the case against the data center at this location.
- May 1, 2014 letter to the Board of Supervisors: “No” on Franklin Park Field Lighting
- May 2010 action alert: Please Speak Out for Stream Protections
- Assessment: The Case for Preserving Natural Stream Buffers and Floodplains