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Where does your passion for conservation originate from? “In college I was in international studies, and at the time, climate change was certainly a topic of the day, but, similar to right now, pushed aside a little bit. However, I felt like it was going to be the intersection of everything, the intersection of international relations, geopolitics, energy, the environment, and conservation.” You studied Political Science at Old Dominion University. What motivated you to do

Small, gray, covered in dirt, and what we count on to haul invasive plants off our preserves and trash bags out of the Potomac, NVCT’s (sometimes) trusty, rusty, 2008 Toyota Tacoma has been a loyal team member through the years. You might have met our truck before if you’ve ever been to a stewardship event. It has a signature “NVCT” license plate and was a gift from a generous NVCT supporter. The NVCT truck isn’t just used for events though. It’s considered the company car wh

Alexandria, VA—May 1, 2026: The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT) and the American Horticultural Society (AHS) proudly announce the completion of a permanent conservation easement on River Farm, owned by AHS and serving as its headquarters since 1973. Part of George Washington’s original Mount Vernon estate, River Farm is a treasured landmark steeped in history, horticultural beauty, and environmental value. The completion of the conservation easement, held and mo

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, data centers are no longer just a trending topic in the news—they are a visible and rapidly expanding presence across the region. Communities throughout Northern Virginia are feeling the effects of this growth, and within the broad environmental community, data centers have become an increasingly urgent subject of discussion. Understanding why they are concentrated here, and what that means for our environment, is essential to shaping a

Welcome, Sean Saville, to the NVCT Board of Directors! Sean has a robust background in policy and environmental advocacy, leading campaigns for the National Audubon Society and the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Sean currently runs his own consulting group that specializes in strategic communications and government relations in the environmental field. We had the opportunity to learn more about his work and how his policy skills will help elevate NVCT’s work and .

Clearwing Hummingbird Moth - Photo by Jane Gamble The weather has warmed up, and yellow daffodils have bloomed on the grassy medians of the beltway. Purple crocuses, Virginia bluebells, and more are coming out for spring! Northern Virginians are also getting outside, and you may notice that your yard is home to some of these blossoming beauties as well. Spring flowers not only bring elegance to your landscape, but also provide necessary habitat for our native pollinators, whi

This winter, Northern Virginia experienced a frosty blast from the past, as snow and ice returned after years of little to no accumulation. If your plants didn’t survive the first very deep freeze, we can help you prepare for the next one. These tips are helpful for any gardener or landowner looking to ensure their plants make it through winter each year—no matter what the climate brings! Plant Natives This will always be our first suggestion! Native plants are adapted to t

Two weeks ago, we gathered at Busboys and Poets in Shirlington to host our annual Conservationists of Color event—an event NVCT has hosted the last 4 years. Did you know this event used to have a different name? Before becoming Conservationists of Color, it was the Aldo Leopold Read-a-Thon. Participants would gather to read excerpts from A Sand County Almanac. This popular event brought together inspired conservationists who wanted to honor a powerful conservation legacy.

Another year, another successful heron count! This year marks 21 years of nest surveys at Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve in Stafford. For even longer, Great Blue Herons have called Crow’s Nest home, their rookery ranking among the largest Great Blue Heron nesting sites in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. When the Heron Rookery was acquired by NVCT in 1997, it spanned 70 acres. Through persistent work to protect additional land for inclusion in Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserv

This week, the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust was back in Richmond as the General Assembly convened for its 2026 session. On January 28, we joined partners from across the Commonwealth for Virginia Outdoor Recreation Day, a lobby day championing the Virginia Great Outdoors Act! Virginia’s Great Outdoors Act would provide $230 million annually to protect critical natural, agricultural, historic, and water resources, expand public access, and invest in trails, parks, and