Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District

Stop by the Hail-to-the-Trail event and see LSWCD’s display of skulls and bones! We are here from 1-4 at the Chapman and DeMary trail!

Applications close on October 2nd for our Youth Conservation Leadership Institute program. 🐝🌳🌻

Youth Conservation Leadership Institute (YCLI) is a recognition program for students in 9th- 12th grade that focuses on volunteer service and environmental stewardship. YCLI began as an expansion of Youth Conservation Camp to keep students engaged in the environmental topics introduced at camp. YCLI offers self-motivated and enthusiastic high school students interested in environmental conservation and stewardship an opportunity to build leadership skills and connect with local mentors involved with environmental issues.

Please email [email protected] and [email protected] with any questions or see the Virginia SWCD website at https://vaswcd.org/ycli/

Check out our septic pump-out rebate program.
Have you had your septic tank pumped out within the past five years? If not, allow us to financially assist! Once you have completed your septic removal, LSWCD can offer a $50 rebate.
https://tinyurl.com/4buexfdz

Start cleaning out those cabinets and garage - Household Hazardous Waste Day is this Saturday in Hamilton.

County residents are encouraged to safely dispose of their household hazardous waste items at the next free, county-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Saturday, September 7, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at the Harmony Park and Ride in Hamilton. Details here: https://bit.ly/3TfNmP3

County residents are encouraged to safely dispose of their household hazardous waste items at the next free, county-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Saturday, September 7, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at the Harmony Park and Ride in Hamilton. Details here: https://bit.ly/3TfNmP3

Check out our September Conservation Education newsletter! Get an update on what has been happening with environmental education in Loudoun County. In this quarter's newsletter we feature our Conservation Poster Contest winners, celebrate Youth Conservation Camp, introduce our new LSWCD Environmental Educator, discuss the 2024 Envirothon competition and applaud our fantastic interns from this past summer. Go to https://tinyurl.com/3as6ht4v to see it all!

The Youth Conservation Leadership Institute is now accepting applications for the 2024-25 program year. Check out www.loudounsoilandwater.com/youth-conservation-leadership-institute to learn more and download an application.

Join us for the Soil for Water Virtual Forum on August 13, 15, & 20 from 11:00-12:00 pm ET!

Hear from Virginia farmers and ranchers about protecting, conserving, and regenerating our soil and water resources. For more info, visit our website below ⤵️

https://foodsystems.centers.vt.edu/events-and-speakers/UpcomingEvents/SoilForWaterVirtualForum.html

4 the Soil, Virginia Tech School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education, National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT), USDA-Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

THE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING (August 1st) for the 2024 VASWCD Photo Contest, "Conservation Across the Commonwealth." Show us what conservation looks like in your community.
Each person may submit up to ten (10) photos (please use one submission form per photo). Visit the VASWCD Photo Contest Webpage to submit and learn more: https://vaswcd.org/photocontest/

Submit your photos to the 2024 VASWCD Photo Contest! This year's theme is "Conservation Across the Commonwealth." Show us what conservation looks like in your community.

The deadline is August 1, 2024 and each person may submit up to ten (10) photos (please use one submission form per photo). Visit the VASWCD Photo Contest Webpage to submit and learn more: https://vaswcd.org/photocontest/

Don't miss your chance to be recognized for capturing Virginia's beauty and conservation efforts! 📸

County residents are encouraged to safely dispose of their household hazardous waste items at the next free, county-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Saturday, July 27, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at Lovettsville Elementary School. Details here: https://bit.ly/4d5nm08

Last call for entries to our annual Conservation Poster Contest, "May the Forest Be With You Always". Prizes awarded in multiple age categories (K-12). Digital (7-12) and Hand-drawn entries (K-12) are eligible. Deadline is August 1. Learn more at www.loudounsoilandwater.com/swsw-poster-contest/

Submit your photos to the 2024 VASWCD Photo Contest! This year's theme is "Conservation Across the Commonwealth." Show us what conservation looks like in your community.

The deadline is August 1, 2024 and each person may submit up to ten (10) photos (please use one submission form per photo). Visit the VASWCD Photo Contest Webpage to submit and learn more: https://vaswcd.org/photocontest/

Don't miss your chance to be recognized for capturing Virginia's beauty and conservation efforts! 📸

Check out our most recent Conservation Education newsletter to learn about our current Conservation Poster contest (entries due AUG 1st!), Envirothon competition, storm drain marking, TEN ways you can and improve our watershed health and more -> https://tinyurl.com/3xdjmryt

Did you know....🐶pet waste stations in your community can help improve our water quality. Pet waste can end up in our waterways with storm water runoff. The decomposition of waste causes excess nutrients and bacteria to enter the water. Excess nutrients can cause excessive growth of algae and weeds, causing the water to become unusable for recreational purposes, a degraded habitat for wildlife and also costs more to cleanup for drinking water purposes. The pathogens can cause illness in humans and make the water unswimmable and unfishable. Disposing of pet waste properly reduces the amount of bacteria and nutrients from pet waste entering our local streams.

How can you help? Dispose of pet waste properly. Loudoun SWCD offers a Pet Waste Station program which allows for up to a maximum of $7000 for pet waste station installation in your community. Learn more and apply at www.loudounsoilandwater.com/pet-waste-station-program

County residents are encouraged to safely dispose of their household hazardous waste items at the next free, county-sponsored Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event this Saturday, June 22, 2024, 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., at Freedom High School in South Riding. Details here: https://bit.ly/4bbaOmq

Interested in Youth Conservation Camp?? There are still openings available - go to http://www.loudounsoilandwater.com/education/conservation-camp/ to learn more and download an application.

Open spots remain for the 46th annual Youth Conservation Camp (YCC)! Scholarships may still be available through local SWCDs. This opportunity is open to all Virginia High School students currently enrolled in grades 9-12. Apply through your local SWCD or contact Byron Minson ([email protected]) with the VASWCD for application details. Camper form submission closes June 14th, so make sure to reach out ASAP! You can also visit our website to learn more: https://vaswcd.org/conservation-camp

The May 1st DEADLINE is fast approaching! Youth Conservation Camp is a great opportunity for Loudoun high school students interested in sustainability and conservation and is happening July 14th - 20th on the campus of Virginia Tech. Tuition may be covered. Download an application and learn more details here -> http://www.loudounsoilandwater.com/education/conservation-camp/

Calling all farmers! Join your local SWCD to learn about:

🚜Financial, technical and conservation resources available to you
🚜First-hand experiences from farmers utilizing the Virginia Ag Cost Share Program

Food will be provided at this FREE event!
RSVP: https://forms.office.com/g/M09r2vc7r6

Gather up all those old, outdated electronics that you’ve been collecting and bring them to the County Electronics Recycling Event Saturday, April 27, 2024, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., at the Dulles Town Center. Details here: https://bit.ly/4d1fgGH

UPDATE: We're out of trees! Thanks for your interest in this event, we hope to do more soon. In the meantime, check out our Throwing Shade VA program and our seedling store: BuyVATrees.com.

Callery pears are out. 🚫 Native trees are in. ✅ Remove your Callery pear trees and receive up to three free native replacements during our first Callery pear exchange on April 20 in Charlottesville! Registration is required; learn more: https://ow.ly/XO6W50QUcRH

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS!! The deadline to apply is fast approaching...APRIL 4th!
Do you know a Loudoun County high school senior or college freshman who is currently majoring in or showing a strong desire to major in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies? Please refer them to our VASWCD Educational Foundation scholarship program. Now accepting applications! Deadline to apply is April 4th. Go to http://www.loudounsoilandwater.com/education/scholarships/ to learn more and download an application.

Rocks! And so do the students, coaches and staff who participated in our hands-on soil training this past week at Hal & Bernie Hanson Park in Ashburn. We wish all of our Loudoun teams (two from Lightridge HS and three from Academies of Loudoun!) good luck in our upcoming local competition. Envirothon is a natural resource competition for high schoolers – learn more at http://www.loudounsoilandwater.com/education/envirothon/

Is there a community group or team making a positive impact on the environment? Share their story and help them shine! Nominate them for an Environmental Excellence Award. Together, we can make a difference! Nominate now and view all the award categories at loudoun.gov/EnvironmentalAwards 🌱

Teachers of Loudoun - sign up for this great opportunity happening March 9th at the new Sweet Run State Park! Register at https://bit.ly/SweetRunPLTworkshop

Sweet Run State Park is hosting a Project Learning Tree Educator Workshop for grades K-8, on March 9, from 10 am- 4:30 pm. Project Learning Tree is a nationally recognized Environmental Education Curriculum.

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS!! Do you know a Loudoun County high school senior or college freshman who is currently majoring in or showing a strong desire to major in a course curriculum related to natural resource conservation and/or environmental studies? Please refer them to our VASWCD Educational Foundation scholarship program. Now accepting applications! Deadline to apply is April 4th. Go to http://www.loudounsoilandwater.com/education/scholarships/ to learn more and download an application.

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS - Youth Conservation Camp is a great opportunity for Loudoun high school students interested in sustainability and conservation and is happening July 14th - 20th on the campus of Virginia Tech. Partial tuition may be covered. Download an application and learn more details here -> http://www.loudounsoilandwater.com/education/conservation-camp/

What a great turnout for our outreach event to learn more about funding to help with tree plantings, pet waste stations and livestock exclusion fencing for landowners and HOAs. Learn more about these programs at www.loudounsoilandwater.com

K-12 STUDENTS of Loudoun - help promote awareness of the importance of our natural resources by entering the 2024 Conservation Poster Contest, "May The Forest Be With You Always". Go to http://www.loudounsoilandwater.com/swsw-poster-contest to learn more and download an entry form. Entries due August 1st, 2024.

Happening TONIGHT at Rust Library - 6pm! Come learn more about funding to help with tree plantings, pet waste stations and livestock exclusion fencing on your own property or HOA property.

The County government and the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District are partnering to provide funding to homeowners interested in implementing water quality improvement projects on their property or in their neighborhood. An informational meeting will be held February 6, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at Rust Library in Leesburg. Details here: https://bit.ly/3SlRYml