Volume 24 Issue 3, Summer 2019

by Kim Strader

The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy inspires, motivates, and engages people to protect, preserve and restore wildlife habitat. Many of our volunteers naturally gravitate to one or two of these mission areas, while a few seem to embody them all. Ann Garvey is one of those people who embodies every single mission!

Ann has been sharing her time, energy, talent, experience, and knowledge with Loudoun Wildlife since 2007. In 2009 she began volunteering with our Habitat Restoration program, which continues to be near and dear to her heart. Over the last year, Ann spearheaded the meadow restoration planting on a portion of the W&OD Trail along Harrison Street in Leesburg.

Ann’s enthusiasm and love for native plants, wildlife, and people resulted in the adoption of two of our most popular programs — the biannual native plant sales and the Audubon at Home program.

Ann started the Native Plant Sale in Loudoun County in 2010 and moved it under the umbrella of Loudoun Wildlife in 2012. Thanks to Ann’s vision, not only are residents able to select and purchase plants to enhance wildlife habitat in their own backyards, they can also learn what it means to be good stewards of nature due to the strong educational component she ensures is included in every sale. The sales continue to be held each spring and fall at Morven Park. Ann has retired from being the lead coordinator of this program, but we are committed to continuing the sales with the vision she has set in place.

Ann started Loudoun Wildlife’s Audubon at Home program in partnership with Audubon of Northern Virginia in 2012-13. She served as the program coordinator for six years and continues to be involved as an Audubon at Home ambassador by making home visits to advise people on how their yards can become certified wildlife habitats.

Ann’s friendly, outgoing, and welcoming ways have been invaluable to Loudoun Wildlife in networking and attracting folks to all levels of our organization. It seems that nearly everyone involved with Loudoun Wildlife first heard about us from Ann. Her positive influence is appreciated and admired by all who come in contact with her. This has made Ann’s behind-thescenes contributions immeasurable to the various committees she has sat on. From bird counts to staffing outreach tables, Ann has done it all, and she is not afraid to jump into new projects.

Along with Ann’s many personal accomplishments, she has done a great deal through others. She is always one to chime in with an encouraging word and empowers others to be and do their best. Ann embodies what it means to be a volunteer. Her passion and expansive knowledge of birds and plants have inspired wonder in everyone who works with her.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is fortunate to have many dedicated and passionate volunteers, so choosing one to honor as Volunteer of the Quarter can be difficult. This quarter was no exception, but Ann Garvey seemed to stand out among the crowd. Many thanks to Ann for bringing the Loudoun Wildlife vision to life in all that she does by creating a place where people and wildlife thrive!

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