Volume 25 Issue 2, Spring 2020

by Kim Strader, Volunteer Coordinator

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy founding member, driving force behind our Citizen Science projects, advocate for protecting and preserving important local wildlife habitat, and birder extraordinaire. All this and more is what Joe Coleman is to our community. In 2019, he received the Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award from Loudoun Cares, and Loudoun Wildlife renamed our annual volunteer award for meritorious board or program leadership service “The Joe Coleman Award” in his honor.

Joe and two others founded Loudoun Wildlife in 1995, and he continues to help guide us. As a former Board president, his leadership propelled Loudoun Wildlife into a new area of growth and expansion. He facilitated the hiring of Executive Director Michael Myers. Michael says Joe has been a tremendous mentor, educating and introducing him to members, partners, and community leaders, and sharing his knowledge about the organization and past projects, events, and activities.

Joe is a great advocate for birding and the natural world. He enthusiastically supports our Citizen Science Programs and leads bird walks every month, passing along his extensive birding knowledge. Joe organized and supervised the 2019 publishing of Birds of Loudoun: A Guide Based on the 2009-2014 Loudoun County Bird Atlas.

Joe led the committee that raised the funds necessary for Loudoun Wildlife’s first property purchase — JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary. He continues to chair that committee as we create a management plan for the property’s future.

Joe also has worked to preserve the Great Blue Heron Rookery along Broad Run and to establish the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve. His years of work with the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship continues as they transition into Sweet Run State Park. As a member of a Land Trust of Virginia advisory committee, he also has assisted in placing thousands of acres into conservation easements.

Joe has made Loudoun County a better place where people and wildlife thrive. Thank you, Joe, for sharing your passion, knowledge and experience with all of us!

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