2002-2003 Accomplishments

In 2002 LWW received a Chesapeake Bay Small Watershed Grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. LWW has received funding from the National Park Service and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. With this support, LWW undertook an extensive educational outreach project with three major components.

Watershed Educational Map

LWW distributed the first Loudoun watershed map and activity guide made for Loudoun's approximately 37,000 Loudoun public school students. The full-color guide features a map of Loudoun's watersheds showing the impact of local activities. With lively illustrations, word games and lots of Q&A's, the guide provides an entertaining and engaging way to make learning science fun, while also weaving in a local perspective to broader, regional issues.

Watershed Report

LWW issued a report titled "State of Loudoun Streams: 2002" that provides a comprehensive assessment of the health of Loudoun streams. Key issues discussed in the report include:

• Why is LWW concerned about Loudoun streams?
• How do we tell whether a stream is healthy?
• What are the stream monitoring findings and conclusions?
• What is the status of each subwatershed?

Family Stream Day

LWW honored the anniversary of the Clean Water Act by hosting an X-Stream-ly Awesome Family Watershed Day at Rust Sanctuary in October 2002 in Leesburg. In 2003 LWW sponsored the Exploring Our Streams Day along Beaverdam Run in Ashburn Farms. Hands-on family oriented activities included physical and chemical stream monitoring, stream riparian zone restoration, stormwater management practices, and wise water use. A similar event was held in for 2004.

Stream Monitoring Plan

LWW has prepared a "Comprehensive Stream Monitoring Strategy, Plan Design and Guidelines" that provides state and local government and citizen watershed organizations with a comprehensive countywide plan for stream monitoring. Stream monitoring will provide baseline data to help assess stream health and to prioritize the needs of degraded streams.