Volunteers finish the installation of a bluebird box setup. Photo by Nida Davis.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is excited to announce that we are partnering with Microsoft’s Datacenter Community Affairs team to implement vernal pool restoration and citizen science projects in Loudoun County, VA USA in the upcoming year.

At JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary, two vernal pools will undergo restoration to provide better habitat for wildlife, especially the amphibians that depend upon the pools for breeding. We’ll also build on the ongoing bat monitoring at the sanctuary to further document the presence of at least nine species of bats including the federally endangered Northern Long-eared Bat and the Tri-colored Bat.

The grant will also support other citizen science projects throughout Loudoun County, providing equipment for amphibian and reptile monitoring, bluebird nestbox monitoring, enhanced stream monitoring and the Clean Water for Lucketts Project.

The projects will begin in November 2024 and will involve volunteers working together throughout the county to improve wildlife habitat, improve water quality and document our rich natural heritage.

The Pin Oak pool is one of two vernal pools that will be restored. Photo by SA Ferguson

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