Meetings Planned On Launch Of Loudoun's Invasive Plant Removal Program

ASHBURN, VA — Ahead of a fall launch of an invasive species plant removal program in Loudoun County, upcoming information sessions will inform property owners how the program works.

The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors had approved the Invasive Plant Species Management Program on June 17. That follows a fall 2024 pilot program with a few property owners — the Aldie Estates, Brookmeade, Church Mills, Countryside and One Loudoun homeowners associations and the Flora and Fauna Farmstead in Lovettsville.

The permanent program will be administered by the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District, with applications opening in the fall. Landowners of private land, commercial and industrial properties or homeowners associations with invasive plants on their properties are eligible for the program. The Board of Supervisors had approved $2 million from the fiscal year 2024 fund balance for the invasive plant removal program, which includes an estimated $291,000 for staffing and operational costs.

Before applications open to property owners in the fall, information sessions will be held by Loudoun County government, the Loudoun Soil and Water Conservation District and the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance. The meetings will provide an overview of the program and how to prepare for the application process in the fall.

Here are the times and locations of the meetings:

• Wednesday, Aug. 27, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at The Barn at Brambleton, 24439 Evergreen Mills Road, Ashburn, VA
• Tuesday, Sept. 9, 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Bluemont Vineyard, 18755 Foggy Bottom Road, Bluemont, VA

The program is a strategy to grapple with invasive plants, which can take over space from native plants and cause other negative impacts to the environment. According to the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance, one common example is the Bradford Pear, also known as the Callery Pear due to its weak wood structure posing a greater risk of falling during storms. Another example is the invasive Tree-of-Heaven, which is the preferred host of the invasive spotted lanternfly. The insect has become widespread in Northern Virginia and poses a risk to Loudoun County's agricultural industries like vineyards and orchards.

According to the county government, there are at least 30 invasive plant species found in Virginia's Piedmont region. Some of the common invasive species found in Loudoun County are the Autumn Olive, Bradford Pear, Chinese Privet, English Ivy, Garlic Mustard, Japanese Barberry, Japanese Honeysuckle, Japanese Stiltgrass, Sericea Lespedeza and Tree-of-Heaven.