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Conservancy

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1. Why was the Conservancy established?

With approximately 2,000 acres dedicated to open space, the Founder believed that it was important to establish an entity that would administer, maintain, and operate open space, trails, and other amenity areas within or otherwise serving the Willowsford community. Relieving the HOA of this responsibility and expense was viewed as essential for the Conservancy's long term viability and success. It is important to note however that both the HOA and the Conservancy share a commitment to making Willowsford a special place that people invest themselves in and become a part of a true "community" where people not only live and play, but put down roots and build relationships and get involved in a way that creates a better quality of life for themselves, their neighbors, and the community at large. The Founder intended for the Conservancy to be a catalyst for a wide variety of programs, services and activities to appeal to the diverse interests of those who live in Willowsford.

Active management and conservation of Willowsford’s natural resources is a vital part of the Conservancy’s mission. Conservation practices may include reforesting farmland, creating edible landscapes, wildlife management including hunting programs, the harvesting of trees, eradication of invasive plants, meadow restoration or naturalization, as well as other active land management activities.

2. Who runs the Willowsford Conservancy?

During development, the Conservancy is run by a Board of Trustees, appointed by the Founder. The Board meets bi-monthly, on the 3rd Thursday of the month beginning in January, at 5:00 pm at Sycamore House. For more information, contact info@willowsfordconservancy.org.

3. How is the Conservancy funded?

To be effective, the Conservancy must have a reliable source of funding as well as options for developing additional funding to expand its programs and services. Today, the Conservancy is funded in a variety of ways, including Community Enhancement Fees and assessments. The Community Enhancement Fee is charged to the purchaser upon the transfer of property ownership. The amount of the fee is set by the Board of Trustees, but may not exceed 0.25% of the gross selling price. Builders also contribute an initial fee. Revenue derived from the Farm's products and services as well as fees from events organized by the Conservancy help support the mission and work of the Conservancy.

4. Are Conservancy lands and activities open to people outside of the community?

While it is true that the mission of the Conservancy extends to individuals beyond Willowsford’s borders, only activities sanctioned or organized by the Conservancy allow the use of its amenities by non-residents. One of the benefits of being a Willowsford resident is that the Conservancy amenities that have been activated for safe use are right in your backyard and available from dawn to dusk. Please note that due to ongoing development, certain trails or areas may be temporarily closed until deemed safe for resident use.

5. Are motorized vehicles, such as dirt bikes and four-wheelers, allowed on Willowsford trails?

No; all Willowsford trails are intended for pedestrian use and bicyclists. Motorbikes and all-terrain type vehicles are not permitted due to safety concerns, environmental impacts and trail maintenance costs. Only our trail maintenance crews are permitted to use these types of vehicles in order to access trails for cleanup and repair. Please report any suspected violations to a Conservancy Ranger.

6. How and when is new land added to the Conservancy's stewardship?

Only a small fraction of the ultimate open space area has currently been transferred out of private ownership. Until a section of the property is fully planned and the engineered plans are approved by the County, it is not possible to determine the exact size and shape of the open spaces. As Willowsford prepares to sell a section of lots to a community Builder, staff create a Subdivision Record Plat, (aka Plat) depicting the exact configuration of roads, lots and open space parcels. Many factors are considered in designating which entity will own and maintain the community’s open spaces. Generally, the areas with resident-only amenities, (e.g. pools) and higher maintenance areas (e.g. entry features) are deeded to the HOA. Parcels of open space that are to be utilized by the Farm or maintained as natural habitat including fields, forests and wetlands are deeded to the Conservancy. The Plat is recorded in the County land records along with a deed of dedication that subjects each open space parcel to either the HOA Charter or the Conservancy Covenant. Either form of dedication provides protection from further development and qualifies as Open Space. Upon recordation of such a Plat and deed the newly created parcel(s) come under the Conservancy’s governance and maintenance responsibility. Thereafter, the Conservancy Trustees direct maintenance of the land, such as agricultural practices, game management, programs, trail repairs, etc. in accordance with the Conservancy’s Mission statement and Guiding Principles.

7. Are there environmentally-friendly efforts that Willowsford can use to reduce ticks?

The Willowsford Conservancy’s general policy is to avoid pesticides that kill beneficial insects and pose hazards to humans and wildlife. We recognize that ticks and tick-borne disease have become prevalent in Loudoun County. We recommend the commonly prescribed protocols of wearing light colored clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants with tucked-in pant legs, and shoes that cover the foot, and checking and changing clothing after outdoor activity. The best prevention is to frequently check yourself and your clothing, check your children and your pets.

At Willowsford's off-leash areas we use a Cedar oil-based, “Tick Free” organic control solution that is safe for pets. We mow trails every few weeks and monitor wooded trails to keep vegetation from encroaching. We remove accumulated leaf litter and woody debris from the vicinity of play areas. Please report any overgrown trail segments to the HOA or Conservancy.

8. Are there bears on Willowsford trails?

There have been black bear sightings in Willowsford villages. Black bears are the only native bears in Virginia and for the most part are rarely seen. Bears live shy and secretive lives and it's a real treat to see one. We share their habitat and it is our responsibility to be good neighbors. Black bears lead solitary lives and travel through wetlands and forests. We need to make sure that we don't unnecessarily attract bears to our homes and gardens. The website of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) has an excellent pamphlet on "Living with Black Bears in Virginia."

Most residential bear problems arise from people attracting them with food. Policing your trash cans, outdoor grills, pet food and bird feeders will deter bears from your property. Young bears, only a year or two old, are frequently left to roam on their own by their mothers during the summer months. Food found in back yards may make an easy meal for a young, hungry bear. Unfortunately, bears that associate humans with food and become nuisance bears are not relocated. It is the policy of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to kill nuisance bears.

We love all of our wildlife, especially those bears that call this area home; you can help by reading the VDGIF pamphlet and telling your neighbors.

9. Is hunting allowed on Conservancy land?

Deer populations can nearly double in size annually and hunting is a necessary tool to control population. Over-population of deer causes damage to residential and agricultural landscapes, leads to more frequent vehicle collisions and has a negative ecological impact on natural areas and other wildlife. During hunting season, the Conservancy permits hunting on Conservancy-managed land where safe and appropriate, within the guidelines set forth by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. Participation in the deer management program is limited to Willowsford residents, employees and volunteers. The program is designed to be safe, sportsmanlike and ethical, with program regulations meeting or exceeding applicable laws and regulations. Program information is available in the “Conservancy” section of the Willowsford Life website.

Residents may hear gunfire from adjacent properties. Target practice and hunting are part of rural living, and not unusual. The activities on adjacent properties are beyond our jurisdiction.

10. Should I keep bird feeders up throughout the winter?

The winter season can be tough on birds especially when days are cold and windy. Most of their edible vegetation has disappeared, is frozen or covered in snow, and insect populations have perished or become dormant. Foraging for food in these conditions can be difficult and finding food is a matter of survival.

Backyard birdfeeders are a great way to attract and watch birds at home while making their life a little easier during the winter. Some of the birds that remain over the winter include woodpeckers, blue jays, titmouse, chickadees, finches, starlings and cardinals. Most of these birds prefer black oil sunflower seeds (blue jays/chickadees/cardinals/titmouse) or suet with fruit/nut (woodpeckers/song birds). October and November are a great time to collect and use your pumpkin seeds. Just dry them out, grind them a little in your food processor to break the shells, and place them in the feeder.

Tube feeders work well and are harder for squirrels to hang on to. It is recommended to place feeders close to your home, within 3 feet of windows. This will help birds notice the glass and not fly as fast when they approach the feeder. It also has the benefit of giving you a great view of the feeder. If feeding birds in winter, continue to use a feeder consistently until April, when natural foods become abundant again.

A few housekeeping notes: Cleaning the bird feeders every few weeks is important and will prevent the spread of disease.

Avoid overcrowding by adding feeders several feet apart. Keep food dry and free of mold. Check feeders for sharp edges that may injure the birds. For more information go to Willowsford Life under Conservancy/Wildlife/Monthly Spot Light Winter Bird Feeding.

11. Why does Willowsford install nesting boxes and monitor bluebirds?

The plight of the bluebird stems from a loss of habitat, the over use of pesticides and the introduction of competing non-native European sparrows and starlings. Bluebirds naturally build their nests in the cavities of old and standing dead trees. With the loss of such habitat it is necessary to supplement by adding bird houses specifically designed for bluebirds. The nest box and monitoring program is one step we can take as a community to ensure the promise that future generations may enjoy the sight and sound of bluebirds.

12. How to prevent tick-borne diseases when camping and hiking?

In the eastern United States, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are spread through the bites of infected blacklegged ticks, primarily those in the nymph stage. Spread of Lyme disease bacteria from an infected tick to a person generally occurs after the tick has been attached to the person’s body for at least 36 hours. Blacklegged ticks are found mainly in densely wooded areas and in transitional habitats between woodlands and open areas. Trails and campsites are often located in these areas.

One of the most effective methods for preventing Lyme disease is to check for ticks during or immediately after outdoor activity, and to promptly remove attached ticks. Wearing light-colored clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants with tucked-in pant legs, is another effective, risk-free method for preventing tick bites and Lyme disease. DEET-based repellents that contain 20 to 30% DEET have also been shown to be effective. Perfume and cologne can attract ticks and should be avoided when outdoors.

13. What do I do if I come across a snapping turtle?

Around the month of June, residents may observe snapping turtles digging their nests and laying eggs. The turtle eggs incubate in 80-90 days and the mother turtle will not return to the nest. Residents who leave the nesting area undisturbed may observe hatchlings in around 90 days, when the young make their way to the closest pond or creek on a warm evening. The eggs are laid in shallow ditches and need to be protected to prevent pets and wildlife from digging up the eggs.

Snapping turtles are a game species in Virginia and some people hunt and eat them. If left alone, the turtles typically pose no danger to people or pets because they are mostly nocturnal and spend their days in the water. However, the turtles have powerful jaws and can be aggressive when on land, and should not be handled.

14. What’s the value of leaving dead trees standing in the woods?

Dead wood is a great resource for animal species in the forest. If there is no danger to persons or buildings, leaving standing dead trees, called “snags”, provides shelter and food to many kinds of wildlife.

Snags are used by many species of birds and mammals for shelter and nesting, and are a source of insects and other invertebrates. This food source is particularly important for overwintering birds.

Snags are also important launch sites for birds to catch insects. A snag that borders a field or orchard may be used by hawks and owls to catch mice. Similarly, kingfishers, ospreys and bald eagles perch on or fish from dead trees standing in or near water. At least 30 kinds of birds commonly use snags for foraging perches. In addition, certain bird species regularly use snags for singing perches.

15. How Can I Safely Build a Campfire While Camping?

Campfires are a leading cause of wildfires. Before starting a campfire, it is important to:

Check the weather and make sure conditions are safe for an open flame. Avoid fires in windy conditions, and when the weather is very hot and dry.

Only burn wood inside the fire pits and keep the fire at a manageable size. Keep a bucket of water nearby to keep fires under control.

Only burn firewood and nothing else. Other materials can be highly combustible and lead to a quickly spreading fire. Paper products can create ash that floats away and lands in dry leaves or treetops (or on your tent!).

When preparing your campfire pit, start with small pieces of dry wood. A small wad of paper can be used to start the flame. Place unused firewood upwind and away from the fire. Once you have a fire going, add larger pieces of dry wood to keep it burning steadily.

Do not build stacks of firewood that could erupt in flame or topple over, and never put glass in the fire pit. Glass does not melt away, it heats up and shatters, leaving dangerous slivers of broken glass.

Completely extinguish the fire and any smoking materials before retiring for the night or leaving the campsite. Pour lots of water on the fire to drown all embers and make sure everything is wet and cold to the touch. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave! Do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder

NEVER leave your campfire unattended.

16. How to stay safe with coyotes outdoors and at home?

Coyotes generally avoid humans, even when living in urban or suburban areas, and should be left alone. However, the presence of pet food, compost, dirty BBQ grills or trash can lure coyotes into yards, and a coyote who finds food in one yard may learn to search for food in others. Don’t make your yard a food source to coyotes!

Avoid feeding pets outside, or remove the food bowl as soon as your pet has finished the meal.

Bird seed on the ground attracts mice and rats and can attract coyotes who feed on rodents.

Keep trash in containers with tight fitting lids. Place the cans curbside the morning of collection; much wildlife is active at night.

Keep unattended cats and dogs indoors or in in a secured, covered kennel.

Keep dogs on short leashes while walking outside; no longer than 6 feet.

Coyotes typically try to avoid people whenever possible. However, as you and your pets spend more time outdoors, the possibility of a coyote encounter increases. In the spring, when coyotes raise litters, they may be territorial and challenge dogs that come close to the pups. Or they may try to escort you out of an area to protect their pups when you encounter them on a trail. It is important to recognize such incidents for what they are: defense of space, not an attempt to stalk or attack.

If you encounter a coyote, do not run away. Haze the coyote by clapping, shouting, and waving your arms, or throwing sticks and small rocks to persuade the coyote to move on. Noisemakers, such as whistles, can help scare coyotes away.

If you spot a coyote in or around Willowsford, do not panic. Unless an animal is a nuisance or a threat, wildlife should be left alone and precautions should be taken not to attract wildlife to the home or yard. Please visit Loudoun.gov for more information.

17. The Willowsford Design Guidelines list invasive plants as “prohibited plants.” Why should invasives be avoided?

Invasive plants are non-native plants that cause ecological harm to forests, native grasslands, wetlands and waterways as well as economic damage. They can rapidly invade and overtake a site, forming dense layers that interfere with or completely displace native plants. Invasives alter habitats by decreasing light availability and depleting soil moisture and nutrients. Some invasives release chemicals into the soil that inhibit the growth of other plants.

Unfortunately, a number of plants that are invasive in Virginia are still sold through the nursery trade and recommended by landscapers and garden designers. These include Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), various non-native honeysuckles including Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Akebia (Akebia quintata), Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and English Ivy (Hedera helix).

Plants often escape gardens when seed is carried away by birds and deer that feed on seeds and plants. Seeds can also disperse through wind and water, or by attaching to shoes and clothing, or to animals that carry seed back into forests and open space.

Controlling invasive plants is difficult once they have become established. Therefore, not using the plant, and removing highly invasive plants from gardens, are the most important steps toward control.

18. Can I put a bluebird nestbox in my backyard?

Bluebird nesting boxes support declining populations of the Eastern Bluebird and other native songbirds, and provide opportunity to watch beautiful and beneficial wildlife in your home landscape. Provided you follow the HOA-approved guidelines when installing and maintaining a bluebird nesting box on your property, no Design Review application is required of residents. Please e-mail info@willowsfordconservancy.org to receive a copy of the guidelines and information for building and monitoring the nesting box.

19. How to prevent tick-borne diseases when camping and hiking?

In the eastern United States, the bacteria that cause Lyme disease are spread through the bites of infected blacklegged ticks, primarily those in the nymph stage. Spread of Lyme disease bacteria from an infected tick to a person generally occurs after the tick has been attached to the person’s body for at least 36 hours. Blacklegged ticks are found mainly in densely wooded areas and in transitional habitats between woodlands and open areas. Trails and campsites are often located in these areas.
One of the most effective methods for preventing Lyme disease is to check for ticks during or immediately after outdoor activity, and to promptly remove attached ticks. Wearing light-colored clothing, including long-sleeved shirts and long pants with tucked-in pant legs, is another effective, risk-free method for preventing tick bites and Lyme disease. DEET-based repellents that contain 20 to 30% DEET have also been shown to be effective. Perfume and cologne can attract ticks and should be avoided when outdoors.

20. What do I do if I come across a snapping turtle?

Around the month of June, residents may observe snapping turtles digging their nests and laying eggs. The turtle eggs incubate in 80-90 days and the mother turtle will not return to the nest. Residents who leave the nesting area undisturbed may observe hatchlings in around 90 days, when the young make their way to the closest pond or creek on a warm evening. The eggs are laid in shallow ditches and need to be protected to prevent pets and wildlife from digging up the eggs.
Snapping turtles are a game species in Virginia and some people hunt and eat them. If left alone, the turtles typically pose no danger to people or pets because they are mostly nocturnal and spend their days in the water. However, the turtles have powerful jaws and can be aggressive when on land, and should not be handled.

21. What’s the value of leaving dead trees standing in the woods?

Dead wood is a great resource for animal species in the forest. If there is no danger to persons or buildings, leaving standing dead trees, called “snags”, provides shelter and food to many kinds of wildlife.

Snags are used by many species of birds and mammals for shelter and nesting, and are a source of insects and other invertebrates. This food source is particularly important for overwintering birds.

Snags are also important launch sites for birds to catch insects. A snag that borders a field or orchard may be used by hawks and owls to catch mice. Similarly, kingfishers, ospreys and bald eagles perch on or fish from dead trees standing in or near water. At least 30 kinds of birds commonly use snags for foraging perches. In addition, certain bird species regularly use snags for singing perches.

22. How Can I Safely Build a Campfire While Camping?

Campfires are a leading cause of wildfires. Before starting a campfire, it is important to:

1.Check the weather and make sure conditions are safe for an open flame. Avoid fires in windy conditions, and when the weather is very hot and dry.
2.Only burn wood inside the fire pits and keep the fire at a manageable size. Keep a bucket of water nearby to keep fires under control.
3.Only burn firewood and nothing else. Other materials can be highly combustible and lead to a quickly spreading fire. Paper products can create ash that floats away and lands in dry leaves or treetops (or on your tent!).
4.When preparing your campfire pit, start with small pieces of dry wood. A small wad of paper can be used to start the flame. Place unused firewood upwind and away from the fire. Once you have a fire going, add larger pieces of dry wood to keep it burning steadily.
5.Do not build stacks of firewood that could erupt in flame or topple over, and never put glass in the fire pit. Glass does not melt away, it heats up and shatters, leaving dangerous slivers of broken glass.
6.Completely extinguish the fire and any smoking materials before retiring for the night or leaving the campsite. Pour lots of water on the fire to drown all embers and make sure everything is wet and cold to the touch. If it's too hot to touch, it's too hot to leave! Do NOT bury the fire as the fire will continue to smolder
7.NEVER leave your campfire unattended.

23. How to stay safe with coyotes outdoors and at home?

Coyotes generally avoid humans, even when living in urban or suburban areas, and should be left alone. However, the presence of pet food, compost, dirty BBQ grills or trash can lure coyotes into yards, and a coyote who finds food in one yard may learn to search for food in others. Don’t make your yard a food source to coyotes!

•Avoid feeding pets outside, or remove the food bowl as soon as your pet has finished the meal.
•Bird seed on the ground attracts mice and rats and can attract coyotes who feed on rodents.
•Keep trash in containers with tight fitting lids. Place the cans curbside the morning of collection; much wildlife is active at night.
•Keep unattended cats and dogs indoors or in in a secured, covered kennel.
•Keep dogs on short leashes while walking outside; no longer than 6 feet.

Coyotes typically try to avoid people whenever possible. However, as you and your pets spend more time outdoors, the possibility of a coyote encounter increases. In the spring, when coyotes raise litters, they may be territorial and challenge dogs that come close to the pups. Or they may try to escort you out of an area to protect their pups when you encounter them on a trail. It is important to recognize such incidents for what they are: defense of space, not an attempt to stalk or attack.

If you encounter a coyote, do not run away. Haze the coyote by clapping, shouting, and waving your arms, or throwing sticks and small rocks to persuade the coyote to move on. Noisemakers, such as whistles, can help scare coyotes away.

If you spot a coyote in or around Willowsford, do not panic. Unless an animal is a nuisance or a threat, wildlife should be left alone and precautions should be taken not to attract wildlife to the home or yard. Please visit Loudoun.gov for more information.

24. The Willowsford Design Guidelines list invasive plants as “prohibited plants.” Why should invasives be avoided?

Invasive plants are non-native plants that cause ecological harm to forests, native grasslands, wetlands and waterways as well as economic damage. They can rapidly invade and overtake a site, forming dense layers that interfere with or completely displace native plants. Invasives alter habitats by decreasing light availability and depleting soil moisture and nutrients. Some invasives release chemicals into the soil that inhibit the growth of other plants.

Unfortunately, a number of plants that are invasive in Virginia are still sold through the nursery trade and recommended by landscapers and garden designers. These include Winged Burning Bush (Euonymus alatus), various non-native honeysuckles including Japanese Honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), Chinese Wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), Akebia (Akebia quintata), Norway Maple (Acer platanoides), Japanese Barberry (Berberis thunbergii) and English Ivy (Hedera helix).

Plants often escape gardens when seed is carried away by birds and deer that feed on seeds and plants. Seeds can also disperse through wind and water, or by attaching to shoes and clothing, or to animals that carry seed back into forests and open space.

Controlling invasive plants is difficult once they have become established. Therefore, not using the plant, and removing highly invasive plants from gardens, are the most important steps toward control.

25. What is Emerald Ash Borer and how does it affect trees at Willowsford?

Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) is an Asian beetle that is a relatively new pest in Virginia. It has spread rapidly since 2008 and is now found throughout the state.

From what we know at this time, once a tree is infested, there is no “cure” for EAB. Pesticides can be applied to extend the life of a tree, and can be an option for homeowners where there are a few individual trees.

In forests, with trees dispersed over large areas, treatments include drenching the soil or injecting each tree every 1-2 years, which may extend tree life by a few years (it takes about 2-5 years for EAB to kill the tree). This would not be economically feasible for the Conservancy, and not be environmentally responsible. Research is being conducted on biological controls.

Because the entire state of Virginia is now quarantined, and the infection so widespread, trees can be left in place after they die. If there is no danger to persons, structures or trails, the Conservancy leaves dead trees standing in the forest, to provide habitat and food for a wide variety of wildlife and microorganisms.

Tree pests and diseases like Chestnut Blight, Hemlock Woolly Adelgid and Dutch Elm Disease, among others, have been a long-standing problem. Ways to prevent their spread include limiting transport of firewood and other materials that carry pests and diseases; deer population control to support natural regrowth of healthy native trees; and managing forest habitat for overall health and better resilience.

Examples of the Conservancy’s efforts include providing firewood at the campsite and launching a firewood sales program this spring using wood from Willowsford; implementing a deer management program; habitat restoration; education; and programs to encourage wildlife to support natural pest control.

26. How to identify poison ivy?

Poison ivy is extremely common in our area, growing along roadways and in fields, forests, yards and gardens. Although well known for causing an itching, painful rash in most people who touch it, the plant is eaten by many animals, and the seeds are consumed and spread by birds. Knowing how to identify it is one of the best defenses against accidental contact.

A good way to identify poison ivy is by its leaf that consists of three pointed leaflets. The middle leaflet generally has a longer stalk than the two side ones. Each group of three leaflets grows on its own stem, which connects to the main vine. The leaflets are 2-4” long; leaflet edges can be smooth, toothed or lobed. The leaves are usually glossy, and can be reddish when they emerge in the spring. They turn green in the summer, and become various shades of yellow, orange or red in the fall. Yellowish-green flowers appear in June or July followed by light colored berries. Poison ivy can be found in one of three forms: an erect woody shrub, a trailing shrub running along the ground, or a woody vine. The vine usually grows on trees or other objects for support. It has aerial roots along the stem that give it the appearance of a fuzzy rope. Poison ivy has no thorns. Good images of eastern poison ivy in its various stages can be found at http://www.poison-ivy.org/identify-poison-ivy-poison-oak.

27. How to reserve a campsite at Willowsford?

Residents and their guests can camp at the Grant Family Campsite off Everfield Drive. The wooded campsite offers 7 tent pads, each suitable for one large or two smaller tents and up to 8 people. Several camp sites also feature hammock stations.

The family-friendly tent sites are easily accessible from the parking area, and are each equipped with a tent pad, fire pit, lantern holder, picnic table and charcoal grill; with firewood available at the campsite.

Located on the 8-mile Grant Loop trail, campers have plenty of opportunity for hiking and nature exploration; for playing games; and for building camp fires, grilling, and enjoying family time together under the night sky.

The campsite is open from May 1 through October 31, and tent sites can be reserved online at http://www.willowsfordlife.com/278/Campsites.

28. Who takes care of trees and branches that fall on residents’ property?

In general, Virginia land owners are not responsible for damage caused by their trees or branches falling on adjoining property. Trees or branches that fall on residential property through an “act of god” or other natural causes are the responsibility of the residents to remove and clean up. Homeowner’s insurance may cover the damage.

If the Conservancy and/or HOA receive notice of a potentially hazardous tree and verify that it may pose a threat to adjoining property, structures or established trails, they will arrange for necessary pruning or removal. Please report potentially hazardous trees to the Conservancy and/or HOA through the Willowsford HOA work order process.

29. How can I volunteer with Willowsford Conservancy?

Interested in monitoring native wildlife and plants?  Nature photography?  Surveying and maintaining nature trails?  Habitat restoration?  Researching and writing about Virginia plants and animals?  Leading nature walks?  There are many opportunities to volunteer with the Conservancy.  Please contact us at info@willowsfordconservancy.org to learn more!

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Photography Policy

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1. Who should fill out the Photography Permit Form?

All Professional Photographers (resident or non-resident) who wish to conduct photo shoots on Willowsford grounds should complete the Photography Permit Form.

2. What is the fee for the photography permit?

No fee is required for a professional photographer conducting individual and small group photo shoots for residents who live within the Association.  

Small Group Fee = $50.00 per photo shoot or $250.00 for one year

Large Group Fee = $250.00 per photo shoot or $1,250.00 for one year

3. What is considered a small group?

Small group photo shoots are defined as taking pictures of immediate family members or groups of no more than five (5) people for no more than one to three hours.

4. What is considered a large group?

A large group photo shoot is defined as pictures taken for weddings and large group photo shoots.

5. Do I have to sign the Photography Waiver?

The Photography Waiver must be signed by all photographers, whether applying for a permit or not.

6. Where do I submit my Photography Permit Form and Photography Waiver?

Permit forms and waivers may be submitted at The Lodge or Sycamore House during business hours.

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Snow Removal

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1. When will snow removal begin?

The Association and your Developer begin snow removal once the depth of the snow reaches two (2) inches on the roads and is still falling (as reported at Dulles Airport) and/or no later than four (4) hours after snow stops fully. Salt may be applied on an "as needed" basis 

2. Which roads are plowed first?

Main roads are plowed first, followed by secondary roads, cul-de-sacs and amenity parking areas.

3. Will the roads be treated?

Salt may be applied in trouble spots, such as slopes and curves if conditions are icy and the temperature is below freezing and forecast to remain below freezing for an extended period of time.

4. What are Homeowners responsibilties?

Homeowners are responsible for driveways, fire hydrants, and any sidewalk or bus stop adjacent to your lot and any roads with a common shared driveway (pipestems). It is recommended that you shovel your driveway and sidewalk after the plow comes through.

5. What streets are the responsibility of the Developer? Builders? VDOT?

Please refer to the Street Responsibility List for an updated list regarding Developer, VDOT, and Builder responsibilities.

View Snowplow Tracker for VDOT schedule updates  and report any questions or concerns for VDOT roads here or call 1-800-367-7623.

For builder specific roads, please contact your builder.

For questions regarding these areas, please email HOA@willowsford.com.  

6. What are the Associations responsibilities?

The Homeowners Association is responsible for the amenity parking lots surrounding The Lodge and Sycamore House, sidewalks and bus stops adjacent to common areas, loop lanes that have been topped and any other parking lots maintained by the Association. For questions or concerns regarding these areas, please email HOA@willowsford.com. 

7. What if there is a disruption in trash service?

The trash vendor typically provides notice to the Association if trash removal services are affected by inclement weather. Residents will be notified through email and on social media.

8. What about building closures?

The Association offices and staff generally follow the Loudoun County Government & School Administration snow closures and delays schedule. Closures will be posted on the website and social media. The Association may stray from this policy if employee safety is of concern.

9. What if I have a maintenance emergency when the Association is closed?

In the event of a maintenance emergency during inclement weather, residents should contact SFMC at (888) 980-8958.