You hate the traffic. Hey, we all hate the traffic. No one likes over-crowded schools. Everyone wants the county tax bills to stop going up. While we live here, we want Prince William County to become a better place. Some of us are going to do something about it.

Do you know where candidates stand on important issues? This is your opportunity to meet Board of Supervisors candidates Corey Stewart (R) and Sharon Pandak (D) and learn more about their views and goals!

Do you want to become part of the solution, and do more than just complain about the problems? One important way you can participate is by voting for the next Chairman of the Board of County Supervisors. That individual has substantial influence in shaping the growth of Prince William. Don't know which candidate you support?

The shortness of the campaign calendar for this special election makes it more difficult than usual for candidates to articulate clear positions on specific issues - and for citizens to understand if the candidates are proposing real solutions or just providing campaign literature.

This is all the more reason to come on Wednesday, September 27 to the Candidate Forum for the Chair of the Prince William County Board of Supervisors at the McCoart Government Center.

Bring your questions! We have prepared some questions and will be collecting more from participants at the door. Join us at 7:00 p.m. to meet the candidates before the forum begins at 7:30 p.m.

Definitions provide the framework for planning efforts and a starting point for this community discussion. The proposed open space plan, which includes an assessment of existing "open space," is based on governments finding that "forty percent (40%) of the land in Prince William County is protected by some form of park or open space." Also of interest is the proposed green corridors map, which is intended to guide future trails efforts but omits the mid-county area. Click here to read more about Open Space Planning in Prince William County.

For the first time, Virginia has a proactive, state-specific strategy to conserve wildlife and important natural habitats.

Virginia's new Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy, developed by the Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries in cooperation with Virginia citizens, organizations and agencies, emphasizes Virginia wildlife species and habitats that are in greatest need of conservation. The wildlife plan aims to promote habitat conservation throughout the Commonwealth, a goal shared by birders, hunters, anglers, paddlers, photographers and everyone who enjoys the great outdoors.

The plan provides a comprehensive picture of wildlife conservation in Virginia and establishes a blueprint for wildlife conservation efforts throughout the Commonwealth.

There’s no time to lose. According to the report, more than 900 species of animals in Virginia are dropping in numbers or are otherwise imperiled. “There are lots of species showing declines. That tells us something is wrong,” said David Whitehurst, director of wildlife diversity for the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. “One major emphasis behind this work is to keep common animals common.”

Virginia’s Comprehensive Wildlife Strategy calls for actions that protect natural areas, reduce pollution and increase funding for wildlife conservation. The plan provides a roadmap for conservation in Virginia and encourages cooperative efforts between citizens, government agencies, business and environmental organizations.

Clean Streams: Getting the Dirt Out

Saturday, June 11, 2005 from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Fairfax County Sully District Governmental Center
4900 Stonecroft Boulevard , Chantilly , VA 20151
Directions

Free, but reservations are required.

For more infomation and to register:
Katherine Mull, Northern Virginia Regional Commission,
kmull@novaregion.org or 703.642.4625

Muddy backyard streams are a major source of pollution in the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay . Clean Streams is a workshop to show citizens how to identify and report erosion and sediment control problems at construction sites, an easy way to help keep local waterways healthy for drinking and recreation. This regional workshop is set for June 11 at the Fairfax County Sully District Governmental Center , near Route 28 in Chantilly.

Land-disturbing activities speed up erosion and the flow of mud or sediment to local streams and rivers. Sediment smothers aquatic life, increases the costs of treating drinking water, carries pollutants and disease-causing organisms, and can pose a risk to human health. Sediment suspended in the water reduces the recreational values of local streams and reservoirs as well as downstream economies dependent on the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay.

Erosion and sediment control professionals from Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties will show citizens to help spot and report problems on construction sites. Citizens will also receive a rundown on the latest planning tools to protect and restore valuable natural resources. Guides and easy-to-understand information on planning tools will be distributed.

This project of the Northern Virginia Regional Commission is funded by the Chesapeake Bay Small Watersheds Grants Program, the National Fish and Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Chesapeake Bay Program.

January 22, 2004, 8:30 a.m. - Green Plate Breakfast at the Old Country Buffet (we'll be in the separate dining area), 2942 Prince William Pkwy.

Marc Aveni, DCR's Potomac River Watershed Manager, will share information on Virginia's Potomac River Tributary Strategy and what this means for Prince William.

Read More about Virginia's Trib Strategies:

---- Virginia's Tributary Strategies, Virginia Dept. of Conservation and Recreation
---- Fast Facts, Chesapeake Bay Program
---- Financing the Cleanup of the Chesapeake Bay

The Chesapeake Bay is on the Nation's Dirty's Waters list. Originally slated to be removed the list in 2010, clean up efforts have lagged and many question whether this is now possible. Governor Warner recently acknowledged that we will not meet that goal without new federal funding.

Charlie Grymes, Prince William Conservation Alliance Chairman, says, "That means there may be even greater pressure for local actions aimed at cleaning up the Bay." Virginia's Potomac River Tributary Strategy sets a new standard for efforts and outlines the actions needed to achieve success. Although some actions require significant funding, the Strategy outlines the "Lucky 7" implementation steps -- things that can happen right now without large infusions of dollars.

How does this affect Prince William? What's on the "Lucky 7" list? Marc Aveni, Virginia's Potomac Watershed Manager, will share information and answer questions about this new call for action our Green Plate Breakfast! We hope you can join us then.

Email us at pwca@pwconserve.org for more information and to let us know you're coming. We hope you can join us! Directions

Green Plate Breakfast
 Saturday, January 22, 8:30 a.m., Old Country Buffet on Prince William Parkway

Here is your chance to find out more about conservation easements, limited development options and other opportunities to protect green open spaces in rapidly suburbanizing areas! Mike Nardolilli, Vice President and General Counsel for the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust (NVCT), will draw upon Arlington’s experiences in helping preserve the County’s high quality of life through the ‘urban village’ model. Also, Mike will share information on watershed management planning, Arlington’s Open Space Master Plan and Unified Residential Development Ordinance.

Mike will also talk about the roles NVCT has played in both securing traditional conservation easements as well as in assisting limited development options. And, using successful preservation examples from Northern Virginia, Mike will address several projects in Prince William County where NVCT has been active.

Given Prince Wiilliam’s rapidly suburbanizing conditions, this is a perfect time to find out more about the tools that have worked in nearby Northern Virginia areas . . . and consider how these successful ideas can be applied in Prince William. Ultimately, the types and amount of conservation opportunities are up to the local community. What is your vision for Prince William? Are green open spaces and high quality natural resources important to your quality of life?