News & Events
Contact
Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District13061 Fitzwater Drive
Nokesville, VA 20181
Tel: (703) 594-3621
pwswcd@pwswcd.org
News & Events
They brought their kayaks and canoes.............
to the 14 Mile Occoquan River Cleanup - it was a beautiful day and a very successful cleanup starting at the Lake Jackson Dam.
A big thanks to Ed Dandar, Cleanup Coordinator, Director of Blueways, Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition for organizing this huge project which is to be an annual event. So,
mark your calendar for next spring's BIG CLEAN UP!
Photo of Ed Dandar paddling down the
Occoquan River
Almost four tons of trash was removed from the Occoquan River. Here is a summary of the results:
- Filled one 30 cubic yard roll-off dumpster
- Filled 2 cubic yards of second dumpster
- Collected 153 bags of non-recyclable trash
- Collected 30 bags of recyclable material
- 30 tires
- Ten 55 gallon drums, metal chairs, chains
- 3 broken canoes
- 25 feet of one inch steel cable
- Two 10 x 10 foot inflatable swimming pools
- 6 broken Canadian Geese decoys
- 1 pink flamingo lawn ornament
Eric Van Nortwick paddling down the Occoquan River from Lake Jackson Dam with two of the six Canadian geese decoys picked up along the way adorning his craft. Quite a sight to see!
You can help with stream cleanups too. Check out our Adopt-A-Stream page.
Elizabeth Saccoccia named Ducks Unlimited
"2009 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 Elisabeth for her outstanding work for the environment.
USDA Summer Internships
available for college all studentsThe 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 farmers’ production goals.
Community Supported Agriculture farms operate with the help 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 farm owner or manager and participation is voluntary.
The 2010-2011 school year conservation program listing is available on Educators page.
What's going on at the corner of Route 234 and Catharpin Road, Catharpin? We know. See the update on our Chesapeake Bay Horse Farm Project on the Horse Owners page.
Conservation on Your Horse Property Can Save you Time and Money, and help the Environment, too! See our Horse Owners page for valuable information.
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