Loudoun residents have learned to appreciate the importance and benefits of being outside over the past two decades. The county’s young environmentalists are harnessing this passion by hosting environmental events in April. Loudouns Earth Day celebration is back better than ever Saturday April 23, and Tuesday April 26 is the county’s annual Student Environmental Action Showcase.
Lexi Howards Earth Day Mission
Think of Lexi Howard like Loudoun’s Johnny Appleseed.
The young environmentalist made waves last year with her ambitious Project Pollinate project during her senior year at Heritage High School. Howard, a Virginia Commonwealth University environmental studies major, is still passionately committed to increasing environmental awareness in her hometown. She was instrumental in the organization of this year’s Earth Day Extravaganza, which was held in conjunction with the county’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services department. The family-oriented event will be held at Franklin Park near Purcellville on April 23.
Howard said, “I wanted children to get involved in fun environmental stuff. It’s amazing how it is and what it can do for their communities. Also, I wanted adults to be more aware and lighthearted about their environmental impact.”
Howard has been working with Elizabeth Mowe (a Loudoun PRCS recreation programmer) to bring Earth Day to life over the past few months. The event features a range of environmentally focused nonprofits and activities including t-shirt tote bags, wildflower seed bombs, a scavenger hunt, local bird identification, DIY bird feeders, fishing tutorials and other fun activities.
Howard is a graduate of the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District’s Youth Conservation Leadership Institute. Project Pollinate, an eight month-long effort to educate the community about pollinators and native plants, was Howard’s biggest hit. It involved a team of volunteers planting pollinator gardens and educating the community.
Howard said that it was truly amazing and was a huge success. It felt like I could see my impact on the community.
The Leesburg Town Council presented Howard with the 2021 John W. Tolbert Environmental Achievement Award. It was in recognition of her efforts with Project Pollinate.
Howard stated that she has always been a science nerd and that she increased her interest in the environment during high school.
I knew I wanted to make a big impact. I knew I had the power within me because I grew up wanting big things Howard said.
Howard continues to spread the word to local youth by giving talks at school clubs. Jennifer Venable, education specialist at LSWCD, says Howard’s influence was partly responsible for the largest Youth Conservation Leadership Institute class she has ever had during the current school year with four high school-aged students.
Howard is also a leader of the DC region’s participation at the international City Nature Challenge hosted by the iNaturalist Initiative. The global challenge, which encourages amateur natureists to identify and spot wildlife using the iNaturalist App, runs from April 29 through May 2.
Loudouns Earth Day Extravaganza takes place Saturday. April 23rd, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Franklin Parks’ event field.
For more information on the City Nature Challenge, go to citynaturechallengedc.org.
SEAS 2022: Saving Streams
Emma Lloyd considers protecting Loudoun’s waterways a family tradition. Emma Lloyd is already a certified stream monitor at the age of 14. She is also a member in 2021-22 Loudoun of the Loudoun Youth Conservation Leader Institute. Her project to create signs for waterways on the W&OD trail is a highlight at this years Student Environmental Action Showcase scheduled April 26.
Emma stated that the main goal of the project is to build a sense connection between people and streams. This will hopefully foster a sense stewardship to conserve and protect the streams.
Amy Ulland, Emma’s mom, is the stream monitoring program coordinator at the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. Venable of LSWCD works with Ulland to support young environmentalists passionate about protecting Loudouns waterways.
Ulland stated that it is exciting to witness the enthusiasm and dedication of these students. It also shows how motivated they are, to make a positive difference in the world. It is a great feeling to see them work so hard on these things.
Emmas YCLI fellow participants, Sharanya Maldukuri, Cooper Niess, and Anthony Santos have all been certified stream monitors. Their water quality projects will be displayed at this years SEAS.
Emmas project involves working with NOVA Parks to install two signs identifying Tuscarora Creek where it passes under the W&OD Trail in Leesburg. She is also creating a guide to assist nonprofits and others who are interested in creating signs to help navigate the process.
Emma explained that her idea came about while she was working with her mom on stream monitoring. She noticed that Loudoun’s waterways were largely unknown on roads and bridges. Emma originally envisioned signage on roads, but after encountering administrative roadblocks, she decided to concentrate her efforts on the W&OD Trail. She hopes to have her sign at Tuscarora Creek in place by June, with the goal of increasing awareness and mindfulness for Loudoun’s waterways.
These streams are popular because people come to them. They have fun and they don’t know what stream it is. Emma said that Emma was right.
Venable emphasizes that the Student Environmental Action Showcase is not limited to high school students with complex projects. Emma’s work will be showcased along with other YCLI students. In the past, some of her favourite submissions were from elementary school students who simply captured the joy of being outdoors. Students in Loudoun from kindergarten to 12th grade can register for the showcase until April 5.
The third annual Loudoun Student Environmental Action Showcase will be held Tuesday, April 26, from 5-8 p.m. at Trailside Middle School Ashburn. Students in grades K-12 may register by April 5 for the opportunity to present their projects. The event is open to the public. Loudounnature.org has more information and registration.
Amy Ulland and several YCLI students will also be participating in the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy/Town of Purcellville-sponsored event Creek Critters of the Catoctin Sunday, March 27 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Chapman-DeMary Trail in Purcellville. This event is free but registration is required. For more information and to register, visit loudounwildlife.org.
