The Washington Region's Conservation Priorities 2011:  A Call to Action

The Alliance's annual Conservation Priorities list honors critical and urgent conservation initiatives that will contribute to the future quality of life in the National Capital Region. Each spring, the Alliance convenes a diverse gathering of conservation, government and business representatives to identify potential nominees for listing as Regional Conservation Priorities. During the summer the Conservation Jury works to narrow the list based on extensive research and by fall they make their final selection. At a press conference, the jury presents the product of their work, a high quality publication describing each initiative and providing links to help readers get more information. 

The List:  Elements of our Regional Green Infrastructure

The jury selected six projects for listing in 2011. Each one, in its own way, contributes significantly to our regional green infrastructure:

• Completion of the Capital Crescent Trail and the Metropolitan Branch Trail (Montgomery County, MD & Washington, D.C.)
• Opening of Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge to Public Access (Prince William County, VA)
• Creation of Gateway to the Piedmont at Gilbert’s Corner (Loudoun County)
• Creation of a Virginia State Park in Loudoun County and Protection of the Bull Run Headwaters
• Designation of the Unison Historic Battlefield District as a Virginia Historic Landmark and Listing on the National Register of Historic Places (Loudoun and Fauquier Counties, VA)
• Completion of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (portion in Fairfax and Prince William
  Counties, VA)                                                                                                                                                          (Click on cover to download the report)

Planning and Funding the Preservation of Our Regional Green Infrastructure

As in the previous publication (2009), the Conservation Jury again emphasized our regional green infrastructure and the importance of planning for its preservation on a regional basis. The Alliance applauds the regional planning effort underway by the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (MWCOG), which has resulted in Region Forward, a Guide to Regional Planning and Measuring Progress in the 21st Century. As MWCOG launches a new coalition to focus on implementing Region Forward, the Alliance recommends the development of meaningful milestones and measures to track the region’s progress toward its goals for land protection, open space, recreation, and natural, cultural and historic resources. For more information about Region Forward, visit the website at www.regionforward.org.

For More Information about green infrastructure approaches, see the web site of the Conservation Fund's Green Infrastructure Network at www.greeninfrastructure.net and look for the Green Infrastructure Community of Practice (GI CoP), a collaborative network of organizations and agencies that promote and implement a green infrastructure approach to strategic conservation.

The Press Conference

On April 27, 2011 the Alliance released its 2011 Call to Action at a well-attended event at Goerge Washington's Mount Vernon.  The event was well-attended by sponsors and supporters of the selected projects, participants from the Conservation Summit, where the 2011 program was launched, and by Alliance staff and jury members. Mount Vernon’s Vice President for Preservation Dennis Pogue welcomed participants to the historic site and scenic venue on the east lawn, overlooking the Potomac and the Maryland shore. This site has close links to a key project recognized by the alliance in 2008, the George Washington Maryland Conservation Area, consisting of the Maryland viewshed visible from the estate.  Dr. Wilton Corkern of Accokeek Foundation provided an update on that project, which has continued to advance since it was originally recognized as an urgent conservation priority. Alliance President and Board Chair Robert Harris introduced the group to the work of the Alliance, it's origins, and how the Conservation Priorities program complements the Smart and Sustainable Growth Recognition program. Michael Kane, Chair of the Conservation Jury, briefly described each of the six projects selected for listing in 2011 and honored the project sponsors. Guest speaker Chris Miller, President of the Piedmont Environmental Council recounted the conservation advances over the last 20 years, including many of those recognized by the Alliance.  Guest speaker Tom Murphy, Urban Land Institute Senior Fellow and former Mayor of Pittsburgh, gave an inspirational talk about the often unrecognized hard work and dedication of conservation and preservation advocates and the importance of their efforts over the long term.  Click here to read the press release.

News Articles, Project Releases and Announcements

For more information, see the following news articles and announcements by project sponsors and supporters: 

Unison Preservation Society News - Unison Battlefield Wins Conservation Award

Prince William Conservation Alliance - Sustainable Growth Alliance Will Select Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge as “2011 Regional Conservation Priority”

Leesburg Today - "Unison Battlefield Nomination Ready For Registers, Timing Designed To Coincide With Sesquicentennial"

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, Region Forward -  Washington Sustainable Growth Alliance Supports Region Forward in 2011 Conservation Priorities

Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail News - Completion of the CCT and MetBranch Trails recognized as a Regional Conservation Priority

Summary of Potomac Heritage Trails Workshop, which followed soon after recognition by the Alliance.