Making History bloom
The W&OD and
Sustainability Matters
Rewilding the W&OD Trail
Sustainability Matters is thrilled to partner with NOVA Parks around a vision to remove invasive species and plant native wildflower meadows along many miles of the path, educating its millions of visitors on the benefits of native plants and wildlife corridors.
The Washington and Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park, locally referred to as the W&OD Trail, is the crown jewel of Northern Virginia with 3 million visitors annually. The park is owned and maintained by the Northern Regional Park Authority – or NOVA Parks – authorized under the Virginia Park Authorities Act and supported by multiple NOVA jurisdictions.
The W&OD Trail runs for 45 miles from Arlington, through the City of Falls Church, Fairfax County, Loudoun County, and ending in Purcellville. The 100 foot wide park follows the historic track of the Washingington and Old Dominion Railroad. Northern Virginia grew up around this transportation spine, with major population centers developing around its rail stops. When the trail was converted to a bike path, the first urban Rails to Trail project in the country, it became a core and beloved recreational space to millions of people.
Because power and water line easements run along much of the W&OD Trail, native trees are often not a viable option. Our wildflower meadows will provide wildlife habitat and much-needed beauty for all to enjoy.
Like the overall development of the park, this transformational vision will likely take many years to complete. It is fitting that this major enhancement will launch during the 50th anniversary celebration of the beloved park.
Education and Community Engagement Opportunity
This partnership will provide the region with an unprecedented opportunity to educate millions of people on the benefits of native plants. We will begin with wildflower meadow plantings at core hubs of the park – at historic rail stops in places like Ashburn – to engage the public in educational programming through signage. We’ll build partnerships with local schools and community centers, host public events, and engage other community stakeholders who could support and benefit from the meadows. We will grow our EcologiGALS and Guardians of the Green programs that operate at community centers along the path.
Industrialization
The explosive growth of the data center industry has transformed the landscape of Northern Virginia, especially in eastern Loudoun County. Described by residents as “other worldly,” “no longer human scale,” and “ugly,” these massive industrial areas are in desperate need of beauty and a reconnection to nature, especially to give wildlife a chance to survive or migrate through these industrial areas.
Partnership
with NOVA Parks
NOVA Parks is already known for its support of native plants throughout their parks, from the wonderful bluebell festival in the spring at Bull Run Park to the existing wildflower meadow on the W&OD in downtown Leesburg. But invasive species are a heavy burden, and there are many areas of turf grass which could be converted to native plants. When we came to the park authority with the idea of our Making History Bloom program at their 34 parks, they invited us to begin with this W&OD project, and we immediately said yes!
Sustainability Matters brings the passion of our staff and volunteers to convert turf grass to wildlife habitat, our reach through our massively successful social media channels, and our science education programming to this partnership.
