It took a minute for this information to sink in: Joe Coleman, president of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, told a group of more than 100 people gathered at the 2009 annual meeting that he wanted everyone to take the toll road last Thursday, May 21, and to encourage friends and family to do the same.
Promoting carbon emissions was not what I expected from a group of outdoors aficionados and defenders of natural habitats, but there is apparently quite a good partnership with LWC and TRIP II, owners of the Dulles Greenway. TRIP II also manages the Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project, an area that has become one of the best birding spots in Loudoun County. Bald eagles have been nesting there since 2005. The partnership with TRIP II and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy allows LWC to use the wetlands area owned by the Greenway for public walks and bird surveys. And if you haven’t been on a Wildlife Conservancy bird watch or butterfly count, you are missing one of the best outdoor excursions in Loudoun. Coleman’s message seems to have had a positive impact. This year LWC will get a chunk of the $230,000 raised at the 2009 “Drive for Charity” event. In 2008, LWC received $29,500. Ann Huggins-Lawler, TRIP II’s head of marketing and public relations, said that the 2009 drive brought in $20,000 more than their target goal. There was a 5% increase in Greenway use during the evening rush and “The 5 p.m. hour was much higher than we normally have,” said Huggins-Lawler.
Meet the Local Wildlife Even with the bit of money and driving talk at the LWC annual meeting, nature remained the primary focus of the gathering at Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg May 17. Seven live owls were on hand to meet and greet the people. Featured presenter Kent Knowles, of the Raptor Conservancy of Virginia, along with fellow volunteer, Liz, handled the group, ranging from the diminutive Saw Whet to a domineering Great Horned. Knowles wove stories of feeding habits and car accidents, which resulted in many of these birds of prey breaking hollow bones and severe damage to their large, but very fragile eyes. Though the birds may look large, many actually weigh less than 2 pounds. The Raptor group rehabilitates over 240 birds of prey every year, including hawks, falcons, owls and eagles, in the region covering Northern Virginia and parts of West Virginia, Maryland, and the District. “Our guests don’t pay bills, want great food, nice quarters and Animal Planet, and they bite us,” joked Knowles, outfitted in a sturdy glove to protect his hands and arms from sharp talons. But in the end his message was serious – “These wildlife are your neighbors too.” And if you find one in trouble, don’t hesitate to call. The Raptor Conservancy’s goal is to get the animals rehabilitated and back to the wild. So, keep an eye out for those birds and enjoy your trips along the toll road knowing that the odd-couple partnership between toll road owners and wildlife protectors benefits feathered friends, flora, and fauna native to our local community and helps fund these outstanding education programs. TRIP II will also give out $13,000 in scholarship money to high school students throughout Loudoun and to have a check ceremony to award all beneficiaries their share of the fundraiser in just a couple weeks. The beneficiaries of the Greenway’s Drive for Charity: Every Citizen Had Opportunity (Echoworks) Fresh Air/Full Care Loudoun Abused Women’s Shelter (LAWS) Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy March of Dimes
Thank you for the coverage of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy! And thank you to the Dulles Greenway for including LWC as a beneficiary of their successful 2009 Drive for Charity.
Any readers who want to participate in one of our many programs or who want to volunteer, can register through our website at http://loudounwildlife.org . Upcoming events include:
Habitat Restoration Tree Planting Event in Leesburg on Saturday, June 6, 9:00 a.m.
Mid-week bird walk at the Dulles Greenway Wetlands Mitigation Project and nearby Loudoun County's Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is Wednesday, June 10, 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.
13th Annual Loudoun County Butterfly Count will be on Saturday, August 1, 9:00 a.m.
Thanks,
Rhonda
LWC Volunteer Coordinator
rchocha@loudounwildlife.org