local businesses are fighting through as best they can , but they definitely need our love . I know it ’ s a tough ask , but I hope everyone will get out to show our appreciation as soon as you feel safe to do so .
These are just a few of the many reasons to love rural Loudoun . You will find many others in the following pages of this edition of Wander .
But before I let you go , I want to appeal to you not to take Loudoun ’ s unique and spectacular rural areas for granted . Just a few decades ago , much of eastern Loudoun was covered with farms , meadows and trees . Today , western Loudoun is at risk of being overwhelmed by the same forces .
Over the coming year , the County government will be making a number of critical zoning and other policy decisions that will determine the future of our rural spaces . A number of local community organizations are asking the County to adopt strong new measures to preserve our farms , forests , meadows and streams for our children and their children after them .
But these organizations need your active support to succeed . Please take some time to learn about the issues and let your County supervisors know what you think . You can find specific suggestions , supported by detailed research and analysis , on the websites of Save Rural Loudoun , the Loudoun County Coalition for Preservation and Conservation , the Piedmont Environmental Council , the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy , the Loudoun Historic Villages Alliance and other local organizations .
In the meantime , enjoy this edition of Wander and may you have many opportunities to wander the west !
John Ellis is a happily semi-retired former diplomat , trade negotiator and manager of foreign assistance programs . Before settling down in western Loudoun , he and his family lived in the Congo , New Zealand , China , Liberia and Rockville , Maryland . These days , he splits his time between part-time international consultancies , advocating for rural preservation here in Loudoun , gardening , brewing beer , playing pickleball , and admiring nature . He is the current President of Save Rural Loudoun .
Working to sAve Loudoun ’ s rurAl roAds .
Join us .
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