NEWS RELEASE Amie Ware, Division Manager
Parks and Recreation Division
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE aware@purcellvilleva.gov, 571-308-5480
TOWN OF PURCELLVILLE WINS VIRGINIA TREES FOR CLEAN WATER GRANT FROM THE VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY
PURCELLVILLE, Va., March 10, 2021 — The Town of Purcellville is pleased to announce that it is a recipient of the Virginia Trees for Clean Water Grant issued by the Virginia Department of Forestry. The project is to plant new trees at the Suzanne R. Kane Nature Preserve to help maintain and improve the habitat, increase the number of native species in the area, and improve water quality so the preserve continues to provide the food, water, shelter, and shade necessary for native wildlife to thrive. The elements of the project include tree plantings, community engagement, and education.
The tree plantings will be held in the spring and the fall, and completed with the help of volunteers. For the educational component, the Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee (TESC) will host a series of workshops about trees, the first of which will be held virtually on Thursday, March 25 at 7 p.m. The first workshop will be about how to plant trees, the second will cover the benefits of native trees, and the third will be about how to care for trees throughout the year. Other efforts that will be conducted through this project include flyers, signage, and online outreach through the Town’s website and social media.
“I am proud that the Virginia Department of Forestry has chosen to issue the grant to Purcellville. The Tree and Environment Sustainability Committee and town staff did an excellent job highlighting the role of healthy trees and clean water for Purcellville and I encourage all residents to take the time to learn how to be good stewards of our environment,” said Joel Grewe, Purcellville Town Council member and council liaison for TESC.
About the Suzanne R. Kane Nature Preserve
This area was named for the late Suzanne Kane in 2005 who served on the Purcellville Planning Commission and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. She was responsible for the planting of hundreds of trees in Purcellville and spearheaded the Town’s first Arbor Day celebration. The land on which the preserve is located was donated to the Town. The South Fork Catoctin Creek, part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, runs through the 11-acre preserve. In addition to providing Purcellville residents a place to walk their dogs, go for a run, or search for birds and flowers, the Suzanne R. Kane Nature Preserve currently provides about 20% of the Town’s water supply through the use of four groundwater wells. Students and scouts have enhanced the area with plantings, walkways, bat boxes, owl boxes, and signage.
For more information, visit the Suzanne R. Kane Nature Preserve page of the Town’s website in the Events and Activities section: https://purcellvilleva.gov/962/Suzanne-R-Kane-Nature-Preserve.
The Town of Purcellville, Virginia
“Purcellville-your small Town, where history and progress intersect and people prosper,” is an award-winning town of over 10,000 residents located in Loudoun County, approximately 50 miles west of Washington, DC. Having received the prestigious Siemens Sustainability Award for Small Communities, Purcellville continues to be honored for its green initiatives with most recently being the Tree City USA recipient for the 13th year. The Town was reaffirmed as a AAA rated community by S&P Global Ratings, the highest credit rating possible, and is ranked “Safest City” in Virginia in 2020. Once a stop along the W&OD rail line, which has been converted to a multi-use trail from Alexandria, VA to Purcellville, the Town has maintained its historic old-town feel through the restoration and maintenance of its many downtown structures, reflecting the Victorian architecture popular during the early 1900s. Today, Purcellville is the economic hub of western Loudoun County and a popular weekend destination for antiquing, equestrian activities, farmer’s markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries and restaurants. More info at www.purcellvilleva.gov.
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