Environmental Overview

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has developed five areas of emphasis that are important to promoting sustainable development. Below is a review of how the EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA is addressing each of these important areas of concern.

Low-impact development - avoiding sprawl

• Site is located on farm that is already zoned for residential development
• Site is within walking distance of 250-year-old hamlet of Taylorstown, VA
• Of the 180-acre site, approximately 85% to remain as permanent open space
• State collector highway provides approximately one mile of road frontage to the site
• Five minutes by car from site to commuter train station (MARC Train)

Protecting vital resources

• Entire 180-acre site is organically managed; covenants ensure organic farming, gardening and landscaping
• Approximately three-quarters of the site to be in forest; currently about one-third forested
• Vegetable, grain and fruit production planned; animal husbandry prohibited
• Flora, fauna, air, water, soil, noise and stellar visibility to be monitored to assess and document impacts
• Building materials meet stringent health, energy, durability, manufacturing and affordability criteria
• Environmental toxicity minimized through the use of organic and biodegradable materials, products and systems

Transportation and infrastructure

• Public transit, ride sharing, telecommuting and on-site business activity
• Parking on periphery of clusters to ensure pedestrian orientation of community
• Planned foot and bicycle paths that protect and expand nesting sites, forested land, wetlands and other wildlife habitats and migratory corridors
• Low-water-use fixtures; advanced, environmentally friendly septic systems
• User-friendly recycling and composting systems
• Pre-wired “homerun” enhanced CAT 5 cable for telephone/data/internet and RG6 cable for video offered in each occupiable space of homes
• Sensitivity to local air quality and develop microclimate in house designs in order to minimize reliance on active heating and cooling systems
• General Contractor trained in sustainable land development and construction approaches

Quality of life and economics

• Commitment to sustainable economics -- localized business activity, shared appliances and machinery, shared child- and eldercare, shared meals and activities
• Living patterns facilitate collaboration while ensuring privacy
• Multiple valued roles designed to include individuals of all ages and varied abilities in community life
• Decision-making by consent or by raising timely objections which are reasoned, responsible and logical
• Community activities with Taylorstown and Loudoun County and the larger world

A new design for living

• Environmental principles and social ecology to promote sustainability in a synergistic manner
• Community systems that make adherence to the ecological and social objectives easy -- from composting to land maintenance
• Life cycle awareness as it applies to purchasing decisions
• Long-term commitment to sustainability values through covenants and environmental and architectural guidelines
• Recognition that any dynamic system has problems; commitment to creating conditions for favorable resolutions

Take a stroll outdoors at EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA: What makes this community different from an environmental perspective?

What will it be like to go for a walk in this neighborhood? For starters, the noise levels from homes will be greatly reduced. Heat pumps are a great idea, but in most communities they are “air source” heat pumps that require an outdoor unit. We’ve all heard how these fans turn on and off throughout the day and night. In contrast, the geothermal systems in these homes don’t have outdoor units. So you won’t hear a chorus of heat pump fans on your stroll.

Noise is further curtailed by the community’s commitment to forest. In addition to the approximately 25 acres of forest and hedgerows already in place, thousands of other young trees are growing throughout the property, increasing the oxygenation of the air. Take a deep breath!

As you wind your way up the path and approach the homes, the vehicular road outside the homes continues to read as pedestrian path. This is not only because of landscaping, but because of the absence of cars. The cars are relegated to the main roads with the community and parking areas are on the periphery. (Special exceptions are made for emergencies, special deliveries, etc.).

You decide to change your course and walk toward the common house. On the way you are joined by Joe and his leashed Golden Retriever, Brodie. Yes, dogs are permitted. Three canine/feline pets are allowed per household. Pet owners are responsible for adequately controlling their pets and keeping them out of conservation areas.

Together, on the way to the common house, Joe and Brodie show you the garbage/ recycling area with a nearby composting bin. There are several of these areas throughout the community. Joe speaks with pride to you about the low trash pickup bill the community had last year -- all because of the user-friendly systems that help with garbage reduction and encourage recycling and composting throughout the community.

As you reach the common house, there’s a delicious hot meal waiting. You pay for your meal, serve yourself buffet style and sit down to a table with six of your neighbors. Most of the vegetables you’re eating were grown right here, on the organic farm. What a delicious meal and fine conversation!

The sun sets as you take an after dinner stroll. Some of the kids ask you to join them in a game of tag in the twilight. As it grows darker and the tag game winds down, you notice that thousands of stars appear overhead. It’s amazing how brightly they’re shining. That’s because of the use of “ground lights” -- hooded outdoor lamps that point toward the ground and shield the light from refracting into the sky.

Listening to the sounds of nature, you continue on the path to your home. What a pleasant and peaceful way to end your day.

Wildlife Sightings and existing vegetation

The following is excerpted from a report prepared by Dana Malone, State Forester, Loudoun County, Virginia, after field investigation of the property:

[The EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA site] provides excellent habitat for a broad spectrum of wildlife such as Whitetail Deer, Wild Turkey, Grey Squirrel, Rabbit, Raccoon, Opossum, Groundhog, Muskrat, Mink, Pheasant, Raptors and numerous songbirds. Available water, broad species diversity and variable stand [tree stand] density and size underscore this desirable habitat. [Species of hardwood trees present] include White Oak, Black Oak, Chestnut Oak, Northern Red Oak, Shingle Oak, Scarlet Oak, Hickory, White Ash, Black Walnut, Red Elm, Black Gum, Black Cherry, Persimmon, Sassafras, Yellow Poplar, Ailanthus, Boxelder, Black Locust, Eastern Red Cedar, Hornbeam, [Serviceberry] Sycamore, Hackberry and Dogwood. [Species of evergreens present include Eastern Hemlock, Loblolly Pine, Virginia Cedar, White Pine and Aroborvitae].

Soil type is Brandywine. These soils are considered to be fair to good agricultural soils, although Brandywine soils are somewhat highly erodible. Runoff and internal drainage are moderate to rapid. The soils retain added plant nutrients fairly well and are above average in fertility.

The northeastern portion [of the EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA site] has outstanding potential for both recreation and aesthetic development. A creek, open understory, large diameter trees and scenic geological formations give this parcel great potential to be developed recreationally.

Craig Tufts, Chief Naturalist of the National Wildlife Federation, has guided two bird walks on the property. Birds identified on his tours as well as other reported sitings include: Great Blue Heron, Canada Goose, Mallard, Red Tail Hawk, Screech Owl, Barred Owl, American Kestrel, Sharp Shinned Hawk, Turkey Vulture, Downey Woodpecker, Red Bellied Woodpecker, Common Flicker, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Eastern Peewee, Tufted Titmouse, Carolina Chickadee, White Breasted Nuthatch, American Crow, Common Grackle Brown-headed Cowbird, Red-Winged Blackbird, European Starling, Blue Jay, House Sparrow, Field Sparrow, Song Sparrow, White Throated Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Carolina Wren, House Wren, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Mockingbird, American Robin Wood Thrush and Barn Swallow, Morning Dove, Killdeer, Northern Oriole, Scarlet Tanager, Bob White, Woodcock, Indigo Bunting, American Goldfinch and Eastern Bluebird.

Additionally, other plants, animals and insects have been sited such as the American Toad, Green Frog, Eastern Box Turtle, Snapping Turtle and various Salamanders. Plants include Watercress, Mullein, Thistle, Honeysuckle, Wineberry, Raspberry, Grape, Poison Ivy, Fescue, Hay, St. John’s Wort, Heath Aster and Dandelion, Clover and Yarrow. Insects include Praying Mantis, Honey Bees, Carpenter Bees, Lacewings, Ladybugs, Paperwasps, Ticks, Ground Beetles, Dragonflies and Gypsy Moths.

The community is very grateful to volunteers Andy Johnston (naturalist), Anne Kottman (environmental intern), Doug Boucher (Professor of Ecology at Hood College, Frederick, MD), Carl Hahn (horticulturist), Wendy Bratzel (land planner) and Charlie Klein (landscape architect) for assisting in flora and fauna identification and enhancement strategies.

Environmental impact assessment: How will human impact on the environment be measured?

One of the major concerns facing EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA is the environmental impact of this more benign human habitat. Are we really able to make a difference environmentally? What targets should we set for ourselves and how do we measure our ability to meet these targets? How does this subdivision’s impact compare with the impact of the farming that has gone on before?

In order to answer these questions, a team of Future Residents, volunteers and student interns have established over 20 experimental sites strategically scattered around the 180 acres. In particular, Randy Williams, Doug Boucher, Anne Kotmann and Andy Johnston are to thank for this initiative. Various measurements are taken at each site over time, including water quality, soil quality, erosion levels, flora present, fauna sitings, etc. Volunteers are needed to help collect the data that will be used for environmental baselining and ongoing monitoring of environmental impacts. Optimally the information will be recorded and stored on a computer once each quarter.

Environmental stewardship: How will the community take care of the land?

Organic management

In keeping with its commitment to environmentally friendly approaches to the use of the land, EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA has made a commitment to maintain organic standards for the entire property in its forest, farming, gardening and landscaping practices.

Conservation and sustainability are a primary focus of EcoVillage. State of the art techniques that will conserve and replenish topsoil and minimize the use of water for irrigation will be researched and implemented. In addition, EcoVillage is currently working closely with County Forestry and Soil and Water Conservation officials to develop a reforestation plan for large segments of the property.

Reforestation

We are told by environmentalists that the site, if it were in its natural state, would be fully forested, as would virtually all of the land in our bioregion (the Piedmont). If we were to do absolutely nothing to the land, it would become fully forested once more, without any further human intervention.

The ecological benefits of the forest are numerous. According to the United Stated Department of Agriculture and the United States Forest Service, there are many compelling reasons to prioritize forests. These include:

1) Trees store carbon and clean the atmosphere. In 50 years, one tree generates $30,000 in oxygen, recycles $35,000 of water and removes $60,000 of air pollution.

2) Trees prevent or reduce soil erosion.

3) Trees prevent or reduce water pollution.

4) Trees help recharge ground water and sustain stream flow.

5) Properly placed screens of trees and shrubs decrease traffic noise along busy streets and highways.

6) Trees screen unsightly views and provide privacy.

7) Trees make life more pleasant by softening harsh outlines of buildings.

8) Properly managed forests provide a sustained supply of lumber, plywood and other wood products.

9) Tree shade reduces air conditioning costs in residential and commercial buildings by 15 to 50 percent, thereby reducing the need for additional dams, power plants, and nuclear generators.

10) Trees that form windbreaks can shield homes against wind and snow, reducing heating costs as much as 30 percent.

11) With trees to offer shade, sweltering streets and parking lots cool off a bit.(Cities are “heat islands,” 5 to 9 degrees warmer than surrounding areas.)

12) Properly placed and cared for, trees and shrubs significantly increase residential and commercial property values.

13) Crop yields of fields with windbreaks are significantly higher than those without windbreaks.

14) Farmstead [farmbuilding and house]windbreaks reduce cooling and heating utility bills, trap snow, reduce wind, provide wildlife habitat and simply look good.

15) Trees provide nutmeats (walnuts, pecans, hickory), fruit (plums, peaches, apples, pears), berries for jams and jellies and sap for maple syrup.

16) Tree shelters for livestock can reduce weight losses during cold winter months and provide shade for moderating heat stress in summer.

17) Trees can act as living snowfences, if strategically placed, hold snow away from roads, reducing maintenance costs.

18) Trees add beauty and grace to any community setting. They make life more enjoyable, peaceful and relaxing.

19) Tropical forests offer great healing value. One of every four pharmaceutical products used in the U.S. comes from tropical forest plants.

20) Native trees in the U.S. yield substances used for pharmaceutical and other medical purposes. Taxol, a substance from yew trees, shows promise for treating certain kinds of cancer.

21) Trees provide a multitude of recreation opportunities.

22) Trees provide habitat for a large variety of wildlife.

23) Trees along rivers, streams and lakes reduce water temperature and prevent or reduce bank erosion and silt. Their roots provide hiding places for fish.

24) Trees add brilliant colors to fall landscapes and, following the dropping of the leaves, provide excellent garden mulch.

25) Research shows that trees help reduce stress in the workplace and speed hospital patients’ recovery.

26) Police officers believe that trees and landscaping can instill community pride and help cool tempers that sometimes erupt during long, hot summers.

27) Trees connect us with nature and reinforce spiritual and cultural values.

28) Trees, planted as memorials, leave a valuable gift for future generations.

29) Many people plant and care for trees because they enjoy watching them grow.

About one-third of the 180-acre site is in forest; and about one-half of this forested area is a result of White Pine plantings. Approximately three acres are in natural succession. In April of 1999 approximately 6,500 additional trees were planted by over 70 Future Residents, volunteers and machine planting contractors. This reforestation planting included a variety of hardwoods and some cedar. Natural succession will be catalyzed by these deliberate plantings. EcoVillage of Loudoun County, VA plans to continue the reforestation effort each year until approximately 75% of the 180-acre site is in forest.