The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is a political subdivision of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Its boundaries are the same as those of Fairfax County, home to nearly one million people. Founded in 1945 by citizens concerned about conserving natural resources, NVSWCD is now one of 47 conservation districts in Virginia and approximately 3,000 nationwide.The agency is governed by a five-member Board of Directors who employ seven staff to carry out the organization's technical and educational programs.

The agency goal is to promote clean streams and protected natural resources. Therefore, our mission is to lessen the impact of urban/suburban activities on our land and water resources in Fairfax County—vital components of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. We achieve this through effective leadership, technical assistance, and outreach programs in collaboration with government, industry, and the public.

NVSWCD is not a regulatory agency. Instead, the agency provides information, educational programs, volunteer opportunities, and newsletters to citizens on many aspects of water quality, nonpoint source pollution, and stream health.

Learn more about our Board of Directors and staff.

Read our 2006 annual report (PDF, large file, 292k).