News & Events

We've moved!!!!!!

The District office is now located at 8850 Rixlew Lane, Manassas (right next door to Stonewall Jackson High School). Stop in to visit.

A message from Jay Yankey, District Manager

The Prince William SWCD has been awarded a grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation to increase the number of conservation plans we write. To facilitate the plan writing we have hired Thomas Bolles, a part-time conservation planner, and we are developing new marketing materials/strategies. Thomas has both a diverse agricultural background and conservation planning experience.

A conservation plan can help direct landowners in making management decisions that can increase animal health, profitability, and the aesthetics of their property, while protecting natural resources. The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and County Code requires that all agricultural lands in Prince William County have a conservation plan. The Conservation District is tasked to write these plans, free of charge. Thomas, Nicole Ethier and I will be actively engaging farmers and landowners who do not have conservation plans to offer our plan writing services. For farms that already have a conservation plan we will revise/update your plan if it is over three years old, or if you have significantly changed your operation. We would be happy to schedule a visit with you at your convenience and we look forward to working with you in the coming months.

Introducing the USDA People's Garden Initiative!

Kudo's to Ashland Elementary School in Manassas for taking part in this great project!!!!! See an article in Inside NOVA about the garden here!

When Abraham Lincoln founded the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) in 1862, he referred to it as "The People's Department." On February 12, 2009, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack broke ground on the first People's Garden at USDA Headquarters in Washington, DC commenorating that historical event. Today, USDA Agencies and community organizations are working together in establishing People's Gardens to educate and engage the public. People's Gardens must be collaborative efforts that:

Are accessible to and benefit the community,
Incorporate sustainable practices, and
Educate to promote health and wellness, environmental stewardship, and social connections within the community.

There are now 1,245 People's Gardens across the country that showcase Pollinator Beds, Native Species, Organics, Wildlife Habitat, Water Gardens, etc. For more information or call the local contact, Roger Flint, NRCS, Warrenton office in Fauquier County, 540-347-3120.

Local Teen Leads "Green Initiative" in Foxborough Neighborhood

Bristow resident Paige Manel led a "Paige Action Network" waterway cleanup under the umbrella of Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District's (PWSWCD) Adopt-A-Stream program. Paige, a home schooled teen, led a group of volunteers to the stream in their neighborhood to pick up the trash along the stream bank. PWSWCD provided the trash bags, safety vests, gloves and litter grabbers for the cleanup. After the cleanup is completed Paige, as the Cleanup Coordinator, reports the pounds of trash picked up, how many volunteers participated and the types of trash they removed.

"The Adopt-A-Stream program is part of the Ocean Conservancy's Clean Virginia Waterways program," states Kelly Jimenez, Adopt-A-Stream Coordinator for PWSWCD. Kelly Jimenez has a list of streams, many of which are in public parks, available for adoptions. She said groups such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, ecology clubs, home school groups and neighborhood groups typically volounteer. Information on stream adoption is available on this website on the Adopt-A-Stream page.

Paige decided to adopt the stream because she saw it was becoming polluted. She wants the animals and fish to be able to live in their environment free of pollutants. Paige and her stream cleanup group are to be commended for their cleanup efforts. An Adopt-A-Stream sign will be erected on Paige's adopted segment of stream, with her group name "Paige Action Network." Volunteers, like Paige, help make people aware of the water quality around them. People begin to care about the area and take ownership. Litter is an eyesore and a hazard to the wildlife that depend on waterways for food and habitat. Contact us today to adopt your stream segment!

Ducks Unlimited named Friends of the Occoquan the 2010 "Conservationist of the Year"

The Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District nominated Friends of the Occoquan for the 2010 Ducks Unlimited Conservationist of the Year award. The Friends of the Occoquan (FOTO)is a non-profit organization, formed in October 1999. The organization consists of local citizens whose mission is to preserve and maintain the natural integrity of the Occoquan River and other Virginia watersheds by promoting community awareness through public and private partnerships.

FOTO has consistently energized individuals, community and business groups to take on the challenge of keeping Northern Virginia's reservoirs clean by educating and coordinating events to remove, as well as, control man made pollution. Throughout the past decade, this message has been conveyed to schools, civic groups and community organizations, as well as, local and federal government agencies. Over the past ten years, FOTO has consistently worked to coordinate watershed management efforts and programs incuding the Semi-Annual Fall and Spring Cleanups, Watershed Education activities at Prince William County Public Schools, participating in regional watershed education activities at Prince William County Public Schools, participating in Regional Watershed Taskforces, and the development of Public Service Announcements. These efforts are very significant since the Occoquan Reservoir is a major source of our drinking water here in Northern Virginia.

As part of FOTO's outreach efforts, the organization has successfully engaged the public through various programs. One program is to connect with the Spanish speaking community of Northern Virginia to become stakeholders of our watersheds and become active in maintaining clean and safe rivers. As part of this effort, FOTO has installed bilingual signs, videos, literature and television programs. Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District is proud to nominate such a deserving candidate for the 2010 Ducks Unlimited Conservationist of the Year award. FOTO has truly been a leader in the community, helping the environment through meaningful projects, valuable partnerships and volunteer mobilization.

Chip Rohr,Co-Chairman of Prince William Ducks Unlimited, and L. Ben Thompson, District Director, presented the award to Alex Vanegas, on behalf of FOTO, at the Prince William Ducks Unlimited Annual Banquet and Auction on February 25, 2011. Congratulations to the members of Friends of the Occoquan for their steadfast stewardship of our waters.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation recognizes local farm as the
"2010 Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm"

Margaret and Don York of Mulberry Farm in Nokesville, Virginia were nominated by the Prince William Soil and Conservation District (PWSWD) to win this year's local award. The 40 acre farm was purchased in June 2007. The property was an emu farm prior to purchase, with only perimeter fencing. The York's fenced in several paddocks, the pond, stream, and wetlands. Mr. York's primary goal was to provide his cattle a healthy environment and plenty of green pastures. The cattle are used for the western sport known as "cutting." People from all over the country come to Mulberry Farm to participate in cutting tournaments, where horse and rider "cut" one cow out from the herd and pen it.

Mr. York voluntarily adopted Best Management Practices for water quality protection on his farm. Specifically, rotational grazing, sacrifice areas, stream buffers, and stabilized high traffic areas. Mr. York is plannig to install a digester to control cattle waste. The digester uses methane from the manure to produce electricity. The by product is compost, which takes about 27 days to completion (compared to 6+ months).

The York's fund two $1,000 scholarships through the National Cutting Horse Association. The York's would like to offer tours to school groups and provide additional scholarship funding. Mr. York would like to continue to work with PWSWCD sharing his experiences with the practices he has put on the farm.

Elizabeth Saccoccia named Ducks Unlimited "2009 Conservationist of the Year"

Lizzie Saccocia Conservationist of the Year Kelly Jimenez, Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District Outreach and Education Specialist (left) and Chip Rohr, co-chair of Ducks Unlimited (right), present Forest Park High School Senior Elizabeth Saccoccia (center), the Ducks Unlimited Conservationist of the Year Award at its annual dinner held on Friday, February 26, 2010.

Elizabeth is the first high school student and the fifth conservationist to receive this prestigious award named in honor of Ralph McDowell, a former Director of Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District nominated Elizabeth for her leadership in developing a Girl Scout Gold Award project that included learning how to use an EnviroScape Watershed Model and a Healthy Water Hopscotch game to educate the community about watersheds and sources of pollution that affect waterways. Elizabeth co-founded Forest Park's Environmental Club, volunteers at Public Lands Day and is a leader for the upcoming Earth Day activities. She will attend the College of William and Mary in the fall and plans to study environmental science and marine biology. Congratulations to Elizabeth for her outstanding work for the environment.

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation recognizes local farm as the

"2009 Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm"

Pablo and Esther Elliott of Stoney Lonesome Farm in Gainesville, Virginia were nominated by the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District (PWSWCD) to win this year's local award. The 90-acre farm has been in the Elliott family since 1971 and is one of 2,000 farms in the United States that participate in the Community Supported Agriculture program. The farm operates under a soil and water quality conservation plan and a forest management plan using best management practices that protect the environment while supporting the farmer's production goals.

Community Supported Agriculture farms operate with the help of non-farming members that purchase a share in the farm and in return receive fresh, locally grown products. Often shareholders may help with planting and harvest. The Elliotts' operation has the added bonus of being a completely organic farm that uses natural production methods designed to protect air and water quality while improving soil fertility with compost and green cover crops. Currently about 50 shareholder families enjoy Stoney Lonesome's produce.

PWSWCD staff began working with the Elliotts in 2008. In addition to their 3-acre organic garden they have a 45-acre rotational grazing system for cattle, goats, and horses. The Elliotts also raise chickens. The implemented grazing system excludes a pond and Resource Protection Area stream in the Broad Run watershed. These sensitive areas are protected by 35-50 foot wide buffers of tall grasses and trees that filter and slow the velocity in rainwater flow, keeping the waterways cleaner and reducing erosion damage caused by fast moving water.

Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District congratulates Pablo and Esther Elliott, Stoney Lonesome Farm, on its' well-deserved recognition!

If you would like assistance turning the vision you have for your property into a reality, consider contacting your local Soil and Water Conservation District. Conservation Districts are non-regulatory and work with landowners on a voluntary basis encouraging use of land management practices that maximize production while protecting natural resources. Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District is one of 47 conservation districts in Virginia and one of thousands across the U.S. Districts were formed during the dust bowl era to bring technical, educational, and financial resources to the community they serve and address local natural resources issues.

Each conservation district is unique. PWSWCD not only works with traditional farms and the horse community but offers extensive youth education programs on natural resources reaching over 19,000 students last year. Prince William County residents can contact Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District at (703) 594-3621. All assistance is provided at no cost to the property owner, or manager, teacher or educator and participation is voluntary.

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News & Events

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News & Events

We've moved!!!!!!

A message from Jay Yankey, District Manager

Introducing the USDA People's Garden Initiative!

Local Teen Leads "Green Initiative" in Foxborough Neighborhood

Ducks Unlimited named Friends of the Occoquan the 2010 "Conservationist of the Year"

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation recognizes local farm as the "2010 Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm"

Elizabeth Saccoccia named Ducks Unlimited "2009 Conservationist of the Year"

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation recognizes local farm as the

"2009 Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm"

The Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation recognizes local farm as the
"2010 Bay Friendly Clean Water Farm"