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Loudoun County, Virginia

Youth unite for Earth;inspire change piece by piece

Made by Students, for Students. Young hearts, green minds, hands-on action - empowering youth, restoring nature, and fostering community through 501(c)(3) environmental stewardship in Loudoun County, Virginia.

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We're coming back, Loudoun. New school branches announced for the upcoming year. See our branches

Conservation

The deliberate act of preserving, protecting, and restoring our natural environment for the benefit of future generations.

Loudoun Nature Conservation Project is a student-led nonprofit working to advance sustainability and ecological health across Loudoun County. We engage our community through education, hands-on restoration, and advocacy, empowering young people to become lifelong stewards of the environment. Through local cleanups, habitat restoration, and outreach events, we work to restore ecosystems and build a lasting culture of environmental responsibility. Made by students, for students, we're proving that the next generation of conservation leaders is already at work.

Learn more about our mission
A large group of LNCP student volunteers gathered after a park cleanup
Student volunteers after a Loudoun County park cleanup
LNCP volunteers with collected trash bags at the end of a cleanup
Bags collected, piece by piece
An LNCP cleanup crew posing together outdoors
Crew day in the field
Three LNCP volunteers working outdoors
Hands-on restoration

What we do

Our work
  1. 01

    Community Cleanups

    We organize regular cleanups across Loudoun County parks, trails, and waterways. From neighborhood streams to county-wide events, our volunteers work hands-on to restore natural spaces.

  2. 02

    Habitat Restoration

    Beyond picking up litter, we remove invasive plants and help restore meadows and other native habitat, working alongside the parks and conservation groups that care for them year-round.

  3. 03

    Student Research

    Our research division conducts original environmental science studies - investigating water quality, dissolved oxygen, nutrient runoff, and ecosystem health - and publishes findings for public access.

  4. 04

    School & College Branches

    Student-run branches at high schools and colleges bring LNCP to their own campuses. Each branch president recruits members, organizes local cleanups, and represents their community within the wider organization.

  5. 05

    Education & Outreach

    We empower the next generation of conservation leaders through school chapters, workshops, and community engagement events that connect students to the natural world around them.

  6. 06

    Policy & Advocacy

    By partnering with local parks, schools, and organizations, we amplify our impact and help shape environmental stewardship culture across Northern Virginia.

Acres Cleaned
3,122
Acres Cleaned
Members
270
Members
Impressions
726,022
Impressions
Partner Parks & Schools
17
Partner Parks & Schools

From the field

Student research

All studies

Get involved

All events
  • Volunteer

    Every role is led by students - for students. Build leadership skills, earn service hours, and make connections.

    Sign up to volunteer
  • Read the research

    Original environmental science from LNCP's student research division, on water quality and ecosystem health across Loudoun County.

    See the studies
  • Join a branch

    Each branch president leads LNCP at their school or college - organizing cleanups, recruiting members, and representing their community.

    Our branches
“LNCP was born from a simple belief - students don't have to wait to protect our environment. We can lead that change right now, in our own community.”

Ryan NisayExecutive Director & Founder

In the spotlight

All press

The moments and milestones defining our work - from the evening news to the halls of Congress.

These local students are cleaning up parks in Northern Virginia
WUSA9 · These local students are cleaning up parks in Northern Virginia
  • 2025 Award

    Winner, Environmental Excellence Award

    The Loudoun County Environmental Commission named LNCP founder Ryan Nisay, a Potomac Falls High School senior, the 2025 Student winner of its Environmental Excellence Award. The commission recognized the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project for encouraging young people to take action in environmental restoration through partnerships with schools, parks, and community organizations. The award was presented at the Board of Supervisors' April 15, 2025 meeting.

  • Recognition

    Honored in the U.S. Congressional Record

    LNCP was honored in the U.S. Congressional Record by Representative Suhas Subramanyam of Virginia's 10th Congressional District. What began in 2024 as a student-led effort has grown into a community of more than 270 members, partnerships with 17 parks and schools, over 3,100 acres of restored land, and three published research studies on local water quality.

  • 2025 Award

    Youth Leader, FACS Sustainability Champions Award

    Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions (FACS) named LNCP founder Ryan Nisay its 2025 Youth Leader at the 9th annual Sustainability Champions Awards Ceremony on June 5 in Fairfax, Virginia. The event, themed "Community in Action, Strength in Unity," recognized climate leaders across Northern Virginia and Rockingham County across seven award categories, including Faith Community, Individual Impact, Community Group, Government, Business, and the newly debuted Chair's Award.

  • In the news

    WTOP News profiles LNCP's founding students

    WTOP's Kate Ryan reported on how three high school students turned an idea their friends called ridiculous into a 501(c)(3), covering LNCP's weekly and biweekly cleanups and its meadow restoration work across Loudoun County. "Teenagers are the most eager individuals to tackle these environmental issues," founder Ryan Nisay told the station.

  • In the news

    Loudoun Now covers LNCP's first months at Claude Moore Park

    Loudoun Now's Alexis Gustin reported on the three Potomac Falls seniors who founded LNCP, and on its partnership with Claude Moore Park, where the group cleaned 60 acres in four months while removing invasive plants and running free weekly cleanups open to volunteers of every age.

  • In the community

    A five-hour cleanup with Keep Loudoun Beautiful

    On April 12, LNCP collaborated with Keep Loudoun Beautiful to host a large-scale cleanup in Leesburg, Virginia. Over five hours, our volunteers worked relentlessly together to gather an astonishing amount of trash and make a meaningful impact on our local environment. We thank everyone who came out, and we hope it inspires more of you to join our everlasting mission.

Contributed Photo / LNCP, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, BJ Lecrone

Loudoun Times-Mirror

Student-led environmental group expands reach in Loudoun County

By Rachel McCrea

Rachel McCrea reported from the July 23 Loudoun County Planning Commission hearing on the Spring Valley Technology Park data center application, where students identifying themselves as LNCP members spoke among dozens of residents; the nonprofit itself holds no official policy stance on data centers. The story traces the group from its 2024 trash cleanups to environmental research and land-use advocacy, with branches now at Potomac Falls, Independence, Dominion, Rock Ridge, and Stone Bridge high schools plus Northern Virginia Community College and George Mason University. Partners at Keep Loudoun Beautiful and the Sterling Foundation describe what it is like to work alongside LNCP volunteers.

Read it on Loudoun Times-Mirror
“We've started with just simple high school cleanups, and we've evolved in so many places, and we do want to see ourselves growing.”
Nawaf Shehzad, LNCP director of expansion and operations

The students leading LNCP

View the full team

From our executive team to directors and branch presidents across Loudoun County. Hover to pause, tap any card to read their story, or use the arrows to browse.

Ryan Nisay

Executive Director & Founder

Growing up in the Potomac Falls Region, Ryan serves as the founder and Executive Director of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit he built to inspire students and communities across Loudoun County to become more environmentally conscious and to give back through hands-on service. After stepping back briefly to begin his studies, Ryan has returned to actively leading LNCP's day-to-day operations, guiding its branches, research initiatives, and partnerships as the organization continues to grow. He attends Cornell University with a full ride as a double major in Music and Biological Sciences.

Potomac Falls High School - Cornell University.

Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz

Director of External Relations & Communications

A Loudoun County resident, Enzo recognized early on the need for stronger student-led environmental leadership in his community. In 2025, he co-founded LNCP's NOVA Nature Conservation Branch, expanding the organization's reach beyond high schools and into the college community for the first time. Enzo now serves as Director of External Relations and Communications, leading LNCP's community partnerships, media presence, and inter-branch collaboration. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.

Northern Virginia Community College.

Nawaf Shehzad

Director of Expansion & Operations

Recognizing the need for stronger student-led conservation efforts across Northern Virginia, Nawaf co-founded the NOVA Nature Conservation branch in 2025 alongside Enzo, helping bring LNCP's mission to a new community of students and volunteers. As Director of Expansion, Nawaf leads LNCP's efforts to establish new branches across Loudoun County and the broader Northern Virginia region, identifying schools and communities where student conservation can take root and guiding new chapters through their early stages. He attends Northern Virginia Community College with plans to transfer to the University of Virginia.

Dominion High School - Northern Virginia Community College.

Christian Shire

Director of Research & Development

With a background in environmental sciences, Christian Shire co-founded the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project to address the pressing environmental challenges facing our community. Growing up in Potomac Falls, he helped build LNCP to give back to the community that raised him. Christian now attends Arcadia University and serves as LNCP's Director of Research & Development, leading the organization's research division.

Potomac Falls High School - Arcadia University.

Evan Giglotti

Branch President

Evan is a senior at Independence High School and the founder of LNCP's Independence Branch, which they started in their junior year. An aspiring environmental activist, Evan's path toward advocacy began at the 2025 ACLU Advocacy Institute, and they launched the branch shortly after. Evan is passionate about environmental policy and making conservation fun.

Independence High School.

Jenna Hamandi

Branch President

Jenna became a member and founder of LNCP’s Dominion Branch in 2026 to continue the organization’s involvement across Loudoun County. Jenna is currently a student at Dominion and serves as the president for LNCP’s Dominion Branch and leads initiatives that support sustainability, create partnerships, and increase community engagement. She helps organize environmental cleanups and volunteer events that encourage students to take an active role in improving their local environment. Jenna works with local leaders and community partners and is committed to creating a lasting impact by promoting conservation and inspiring others to take action in preserving nature.

Dominion High School.

Karthik Uppalapati

Branch President

Karthik is a junior at Rock Ridge and AET engineering, and the founder of LNCP's Rock Ridge Branch. His interest in conservation started with the environmental impact of data center expansion across Northern Virginia. As Branch President, Karthik works to make the environment healthier through student-led action at his school.

Rock Ridge High School.

Tyler Gorthy

Branch President

Joining in 2026 as a senior at Stone Bridge High School, Tyler serves as the President of LNCP’s Stone Bridge Branch and is thrilled to work alongside the team to achieve their mission. Tyler is incredibly ambitious and dedicated to protecting Loudoun County’s natural spaces, a passion driven by his goal of becoming a civil/environmental engineer. His goals as Stone Bridge’s President aren’t only to lead cleanups and get his fellow students involved in restoring local habitats, but to inspire young minds and show them that our contributions can make a difference. He believes that a single conserved natural site may seem small, but it is a step closer to paving a path for a greener, healthier planet.

Stone Bridge High School.

Jerson Lorton

Branch President

Joining in 2026 and a first year at Northern Virginia Community College, Jerson serves as the President of LNCP’s NOVA Branch and is thrilled to work alongside the team to achieve their mission. Jerson is incredibly ambitious and dedicated to protecting Loudoun County’s natural spaces. His goals as NOVA’s President isn’t only to lead cleanups, restore habitats, and conserve the greenish of the land, but to inspire young-minds and show them that our contributions can make a difference. He also believes that although a single conserved natural site may seem small, it is a step closer to paving a path for a greener, healthier planet.

Northern Virginia Community College.

Daniela Morales

Branch President

Bio coming soon.

George Mason University.

Hassaan Abusin

Branch President

A senior at Heritage High School, Hassaan is passionate about leadership, service, and making a positive impact in his community. He is excited to work alongside others to help create meaningful change and support those around him. Hassaan hopes to continue growing as a leader while inspiring others to get involved and make a difference.

Heritage High School.

Salaar Saleem

Branch President

Founding the Loudoun County High School branch in 2026, Salaar is a senior at Loudoun County High School who became interested in helping the environment after writing a report on the harmful impact data centers have on the environment. He is happy to bring LNCP to his school and to work on cleaning its surrounding environment.

Loudoun County High School.

To be announced

Branch President

UVA branch president position - in progress.

University of Virginia.

University chapters

Meet our branch presidents

Student-run LNCP branches reach beyond high school, onto university campuses.

  • George Mason UniversityUniversity chapter
  • University of VirginiaUniversity chapter

Ready to make a difference?

Contact us

Join hundreds of students already protecting Loudoun County's natural spaces. Volunteer, collaborate, or reach out.

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  1. 01Real ImpactWe've cleaned 3,122 acres and counting. Every cleanup makes a measurable difference in Loudoun County.
  2. 02Student-LedEvery role is led by students - for students. Build leadership skills, earn service hours, and make connections.
  3. 03CommunityJoin a network of 270+ members across our school and college branches.
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