WISH LIST $100: plants 20 new seedling trees; $500: provides habitat protection for 10 Great Blue Heron nests; $1,000: helps conserve half an acre of land forever.

In our increasingly urbanized landscape, natural areas are quickly disappearing. But preserving them is a “smart growth” strategy because it increases property values, improves environmental quality, and generates health benefits. It also combats pollution, reduces soil erosion, and moderates temperatures. The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust saves natural areas by purchasing land and acquiring voluntary “conservation easements, ” acting as stewards of protected land, and building public support through its volunteer program. Working in partnership with willing landowners, businesses, and public and private organizations, NVCT has preserved 1,414 acres of land-buffering parklands, streams, rivers, and wetlands in Northern Virginia. Its volunteers have contributed over 3,000 hours planting more than 1,500 trees and removing tons of invasive plant species from private and public property since 1994. Every parcel of land that is conserved helps assure that future generations of wildlife will survive and that future generations of Northern Virginians will have areas of natural beauty to enjoy. Your watershed, your history, your open space: you can help conserve our region’s natural and historic legacy.

Michael Nardolilli, President 4022 Hummer Road Annandale, VA 22003 703-354-5093 www.nvct.org