Loudoun Wildlife set two historic milestones at our Annual Meeting on June 7, 20026: It was our first-ever Annual Meeting at our new home in Waterford and it welcomed the most guests to ever attend an LWC Annual Meeting at more than 155.
The inspiring agenda — celebrating a year of historic impact for LWC — was split into two main sessions, each preceded by a “social half-hour” where attendees visited various information tables featuring Loudoun Wildlife programs and our Regional Science & Engineering Fair student winners, checked out LWC merchandise and information, and enjoyed some light refreshments and general mingling.
LWC Board President and Stream Monitoring Coordinator Amy Ulland and Executive Director Tom Kercheval emceed the event, and Session 1 focused on recognition, beginning with a well-deserved hand for Loudoun Valley High School students who created some amazing paper mache critters to display throughout the auditorium.
Appreciation for our three Regional Science Fair winners followed, and each student was in attendance to discuss their fascinating projects with our guests. Clara Hoffman, winner of our “Black Oak Award,” showcased her project on the effects of impervious surface coverage and urban development on the Tuscarora Creek Watershed. Team members Aysh Bhansali and Yogesh Parameshwarn — winners of our “Great Blue Heron Award” — presented a project focused on trail condition monitoring using crowdsourced geospatial imagery. The ability to see young people so engaged with solving problems within our local environment was thrilling to witness.
Recognition of this year’s Peterson Young Naturalist Program Award Winners followed, with LWC Director of Education Tracey Baroody updating our members on the program’s incredible growth over the last year while honoring the 20 K-12 students who were given awards for excellence in nature journaling at the Peterson Awards Celebration held at Cardinal Ridge Elementary the previous week. A video showcasing a kindergarten field trip to JK Black Oak in May — our very first school field trip to the property — struck an emotional chord with the audience, especially seeing the students’ extreme excitement with finding tadpoles on the property.
Six prestigious annual awards were then presented, including three brand new awards this year. Recognizing these individuals for their incredible contributions to LWC provided uplifting moments for all:
Mission Matters
For extraordinary, above-and-beyond service in advancing our mission
Michelle Savage, Managing Editor of the quarterly Habitat Herald newsletter
Advocate of the Year
For a member who’s provided exceptional support in advancing our advocacy efforts
Nan McCarry
Partner of the Year
For a partner who’s made a lasting mark on Loudoun Wildlife’s legacy and mission
Watermark Woods (and owner Julie Borneman)
Youth Conservation Award
Presented to a truly outstanding young person making a meaningful impact on our environment
Aila McGregor, Stream Monitoring Program
Volunteer of the Year
Presented to someone who is not a Board member or program leader, but whose service is truly exemplary
Bruce Adams
Joe Coleman Award
Presented each year to a Board member or program leader who has provided exceptional service to Loudoun Wildlife
Brian Magurn
Session 1 ended with a truly motivating speech from Dr. Mamie Parker, former Head of Fisheries for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Through examples from her own life and career, Dr. Parker delivered a timely message on the importance of resiliency in the face of challenges, applying that message to Loudoun Wildlife’s ongoing work.
Session 2 began with door prizes, followed by recognition of LWC staff, Board members, and Program Coordinators and Leadership Teams. Next came the highly anticipated announcements of our Birdathon winners for 2026. Before those names were offered, however, Tom Kercheval shared the exciting news that this year’s Birdathon shattered records in participation with 54 teams! (Our goal was 20!).
Many of those teams came from Woodgrove High School thanks to biology instructor Christopher Looney’s influence, and Kercheval shared that a large number of those students commented on how inspiring the experience was, one writing, “It helped connect us with nature and unlock senses we never knew we had before. It showed us the beauty and peace of the birds. We are so deeply grateful for the opportunity.”
Birdathon winners were then named, each receiving gift certificates of their choice from either Wild Birds Unlimited, Watermark Woods, or the Loudoun Wildlife Wild Shop. Those winners were:
Most Species Observed by First-Timers: “Warble On,” featuring Leena McCluney and Adrin Andalib. Over two days, this team found 110 species of birds.
Most Species Observed by a Family: “Flying Kites,” featuring Eric, Kiersten, Abby, Rua, Sadie, and Henry Anderson. The Kites identified 100 species.
Most Species Found in 24 Hours: “Gone Pishing,” featuring Allison Gallo, Bryan Henson, and Jane Yocom! This team is always among the strongest entries, and they beat their previous high this year by identifying 113 species in 24 hours.
Most Species Found in 48 Hours: “Raven Loonatics,” featuring Bruce Hill, Larry Meade, Donna Quinn, and Gerco Hoogeweg. The Loonatics have always been top competitors in the unique species count, and this year they found 125 species.
Most Money Raised: “Shrike Force,” featuring Joe Coleman, Mary Ann Good, and Pat Whittle. This team raised over $6,000, nearly a fourth of all money raised for this event.
Three additional drawings for the Birdathon produced winners for prizes that included a signed bottle of Shenandoah Gin and a tasting for two from Catoctin Creek Distilling Company, a pair of Zeiss binoculars from Rose Gentile of Avenue Wealth, and a $100 gift certificate for either Wildl Birds Unlimited, Watermark Woods, or the Loudoun Wildlife Wild Shop.
It was announced that the Birdathon raised nearly $26,000 for Loudoun Wildlife this year, falling just a few hundred dollars short of last year’s record.
Session 2 continued with a brief business meeting, which included a “State of the Organization” message from Executive Director Tom Kercheval and a Treasurer’s Report from Board Treasurer Mike Sciortino. Both messages reflected an organization that’s growing tremendously and experiencing record highs in a variety of important areas.
Three new Board members were also officially confirmed: Greg Burgess, Caroline Foster, and Cordy Galligan. We were thrilled to welcome their expertise to our powerful Board.
Another Door Prize followed, provided by sponsor Watermark Woods. Member Thomas Ramsay won the prize, an especially interesting turn of events since Tom was one of the providers of the raffle prize to be drawn next.
The winner of our Celebrate Birds! Raffle Bundle, Michelle McGregor, received a gorgeous bird photography book created by Tom and his wife Nancy Goetzinger called “Into Their Worlds: A Love Story with Wings.” Michelle also received a stunning hand-painted Bluebird Nestbox donated by Wildbirds Unlimited and painted by Sephanie Fells.
The day closed with a showing of the video debuted last year entitled “Celebrating 30 Years of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy,” a video designed to inspire pride in our members for what they and so many have done to shape this organization into the “force of nature” its become since its founding in 1995.
Loudoun Wildlife is so thankful to our members, staff, volunteers, partners, and everyone who made this Annual Meeting — and the year it celebrated — one for the history books.
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