Current Campaigns

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is always actively involved in a variety of advocacy campaigns. In addition to working on the frontlines, Loudoun Wildlife works behind the scenes. Below are some of our active campaigns.

Loudoun Wildlife staff and volunteers also represent wildlife, healthy habitats, and green infrastructure on a variety of advisory boards and coalitions. In 2021, Loudoun County formed the county’s first Environmental Commission, and Loudoun Wildlife’s Executive Director, Michael Myers, serves as the Chair of the Natural Resources Committee.

Zoning Ordinance Rewrite

The Zoning Ordinance rewrite process has entered its final stage with the Board of Supervisors. The Planning Commission forwarded the draft of the new Zoning Ordinance to the Board of Supervisors with a recommendation of approval following their work sessions on June 5th and 8th. The Board of Supervisors will be holding chapter-specific work sessions from September to November. Loudoun Wildlife is collaborating with nonprofit partners of the Loudoun County Preservation and Conservation Coalition to provide input throughout this process. Check back for updates on how to get involved. More information about the rewrite…

Mickie Gordon Memorial Park

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has been working with concerned community groups to oppose an application for changes/ additions at Mickie Gordon Memorial Park in Middleburg. The County held a community meeting at the end of June during which they received significant pushback on the proposed changes. The application has since been placed on hold while the Parks Department reworks the application with community input. The county held a workshop to involve the community in the restructuring of the park improvement plan at the end of August, and is anticipating holding another in September. More information about the application…

Westpark Property

In August 2022 Loudoun County acquired 134 acres of what was previously the Westpark Golf Course in Leesburg. The land was placed under conservation easement, and the property is now slated to be a park for passive recreation uses. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy will be staying involved throughout the process to ensure that this new park stays conservation-focused and implements wildlife-friendly practices that enhance nature as it is cultivated for recreational use. More information about Westpark…

Franklin Park Master Plan

Franklin Park is expanding after Loudoun County acquired an additional 103 acres adjacent to the park grounds, and a new Master Plan of improvements is currently in the works. The park will be undergoing many changes, many of which have the potential to significantly impact wildlife and habitat. Among the most significant changes is the construction of a new office building and the installation of mountain biking and equestrian trails in what is currently a forested area of Sleeter Lake Park. We will send out an advocacy alert when the county begins accepting comments on the Master Plan drafting process through the Loudoun Online Land Applications System (LOLA). More information about the master plan…

Dominion Energy Infrastructure Development Projects

To meet heightened energy demand coming from the increase of data centers in the county, Dominion Energy has started the process of building new major transmission lines, substations, and infrastructure linkages. This mult-year, multi-project expansion currently includes a new high voltage transmission line along Broad Run between Northstar Blvd. and Loudoun County Parkway; a series of substations adjacent to Goose Creek and Belmont Ridge Road; and new transmission lines along Route 7 and Loudoun County Parkway. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has grave concerns about these applications. The proposed locations of these infrastructure improvements would further fragment habitat within the Goose Creek and Broad Run riparian buffer and floodplain creating more challenges to wildlife and the ecosystem as a whole. Learn more about these projects and our recommendations:

Route 15 N Widening Project

At the Board of Supervisors July 5, 2022 business meeting, they approved a Comprehensive Plan Amendment (CPAM) that includes the construction of a western bypass of Route 15 around the Village of Lucketts. This western bypass cuts through JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary, which is held under conservation easement by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. Further evaluation and finalization of this decision will occur during the design phase of road construction. As of November 2022, the Board of Supervisors is considering short-term safety improvements to the road that may alleviate issues warranting the widening project. Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy continues to monitor this process and is striving to do whatever possible to protect the unique wildlife habitat of JK Black Oak. More information about Rt 15 widening…