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Since 1980, the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District annually recognizes individuals or groups who work in partnership with the district to protect and conserve natural resources in Fairfax County. For the many reasons that are described below, we would like to recognize the Friends of Accotink Creek as NVSWCD's2013 Cooperator of the Year and invite you to join us at a presentation with the NVSWCD Board of Directors on November 26, 2013 or January 28, 2014.
At the ground-breaking for the Wakefield Run Stream Restoration project, Suzy Foster, asked those in attendance to close their eyes and to listen to the birds chirping in the woods behind them, the babble of the nearby creek, the roar of the Capital Beltway, and to feel the wind on their cheeks. It was a well-placed opportunity for the Friends of Accotink Creek to remind everyone that the Accotink Creek stream valley is an important component to their community fabric, providing a refuge for wildlife and humans alike to escape from the hustle and bustle of Northern Virginia life.
Throughout the Wakefield Run project, you brought your passion for improving the Accotink Creek watershed to the forefront by being actively engaged in the design process and communicating your interests and concerns in a constructive and thoughtful way. Additionally, you shared your abilities to rally surrounding communities and neighbors through several important efforts, including:
- Promoting the stream naming contest,
- Coordinating a stream cleanup effort with Dominion VA Power,
- Rescuing native plants from the Wakefield Run restoration site,
- Offering to coordinate a volunteer planting after the restoration is complete,
- Publishing information on their website about the project and its benefits, and
- Creating a YouTube video of the ground-breaking ceremony.
And these are the efforts that just directly support the Wakefield Run project.
Through countless volunteer hours, the Friends of Accotink Creek exemplify the ideal of an engaged citizenry, working together with many agencies, businesses, groups, and individuals to do the right thing.
You take action and build awareness of simple measures that your neighbors and those who enjoy the stream valley can do to improve water quality and enhance the natural beauty of the Accotink Creek watershed. The Friends often promote NVSWCD programs and staff to your membership through monthly meetings, semi-monthly field work days, large scale workshops, and many other events, including the recent Watershed Forum at the Annandale Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College.
Accotink Creek has its share of challenges. However, every effort made by its Friends makes an important difference. For these reasons and more, we are pleased to recognize the Friends of Accotink Creek as NVSWCD's 2013 Cooperator of the Year.
On behalf of NVSWCD staff, directors, and associate directors, I extend hearty congratulations. This recognition is well-deserved. Thank you for being role models in your community and excellent partners over the last year. We look forward to continuing our efforts together in the future.
Sincerely,
Laura Grape Executive Director
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
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