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

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.

“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 Nisay

Ryan Nisay

Executive Director & Founder

Spotlight

In the spotlight

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.

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.

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.

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

Meet Our Team

The students leading LNCP

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 headshot

Ryan Nisay

Executive Director & Founder

Potomac Falls High School

Cornell University

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.

Ryan Nisay, Executive Director & Founder. Potomac Falls High School - Cornell University. 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.
Christian Shire headshot

Christian Shire

Co-Founder & Advisor

Christian Shire

Co-Founder & Advisor

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 the Potomac Area, Christian co-founded LNCP to give back to his community. Christian now attends Gannon University majoring in Marine Biology, where he continues to contribute to LNCP's research division and serves in a mentorship and advisory role.

Christian Shire, Co-Founder & Advisor. 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 the Potomac Area, Christian co-founded LNCP to give back to his community. Christian now attends Gannon University majoring in Marine Biology, where he continues to contribute to LNCP's research division and serves in a mentorship and advisory role.
Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz headshot

Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz

Director of External Relations & Communications

Potomac Falls High School

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.

Enzo Garcia-Eguiluz, Director of External Relations & Communications. Potomac Falls High School. 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.
Nawaf Shehzad headshot

Nawaf Shehzad

Director of Expansion & Operations

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.

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.
Shray Vij headshot

Shray Vij

Vice President & Head of Research

Shray Vij

Vice President & Head of Research

Shray joined LNCP in early 2024 and has since led several of the organization’s research initiatives, guiding projects from concept to publication. His work spans LNCP’s water quality studies, including its water factors, runoff, and nitrate research, along with a study on the environmental impact of data center growth across Northern Virginia. As Head of Research, he focuses on applying rigorous science to real-world conservation challenges and using LNCP’s findings to inform local decision-making and broader environmental advocacy. His contributions have helped bring LNCP’s research to a wider audience, including a featured segment on WUSA9 and recognition in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam. Outside of LNCP, Shray spends his free time at the gym.

Shray Vij, Vice President & Head of Research. Shray joined LNCP in early 2024 and has since led several of the organization’s research initiatives, guiding projects from concept to publication. His work spans LNCP’s water quality studies, including its water factors, runoff, and nitrate research, along with a study on the environmental impact of data center growth across Northern Virginia. As Head of Research, he focuses on applying rigorous science to real-world conservation challenges and using LNCP’s findings to inform local decision-making and broader environmental advocacy. His contributions have helped bring LNCP’s research to a wider audience, including a featured segment on WUSA9 and recognition in the Congressional Record by U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam. Outside of LNCP, Shray spends his free time at the gym.
Alyssa Nisay headshot

Alyssa Nisay

Branch President

Potomac Falls High School

Alyssa Nisay

Branch President

Growing up in Potomac Falls alongside her brother and LNCP founder Ryan, Alyssa developed an early appreciation for the natural spaces that shaped her community. As President of LNCP's Potomac Falls Branch, she leads cleanups, club partnerships, and community engagement efforts within the school and its surrounding area, inspiring fellow students to take meaningful action for conservation.

Alyssa Nisay, Branch President. Potomac Falls High School. Growing up in Potomac Falls alongside her brother and LNCP founder Ryan, Alyssa developed an early appreciation for the natural spaces that shaped her community. As President of LNCP's Potomac Falls Branch, she leads cleanups, club partnerships, and community engagement efforts within the school and its surrounding area, inspiring fellow students to take meaningful action for conservation.
Evan G headshot

Evan G

Branch President

Independence High School

Evan G

Branch President

Evan is a senior at Independence High School and the founder of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project. Their path toward environmental advocacy began at the 2025 ACLU Advocacy Institute, and they started the branch shortly after. Evan is passionate about environmental policy and making conservation fun.

Evan G, Branch President. Independence High School. Evan is a senior at Independence High School and the founder of the Loudoun Nature Conservation Project. Their path toward environmental advocacy began at the 2025 ACLU Advocacy Institute, and they started the branch shortly after. Evan is passionate about environmental policy and making conservation fun.
Jenna Hamandi headshot

Jenna Hamandi

Branch President

Dominion 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.

Jenna Hamandi, Branch President. Dominion High School. 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.
Karthik headshot

Karthik

Branch President

Rock Ridge High School

Karthik

Branch President

Hi, I’m Karthik Uppalapati, a junior at Rock Ridge and AET engineering. I’m interested in the environmental impact of data center expansion in NOVA, and started the Rock Ridge LNCP branch. I’m excited to help and make the environment healthier!

Karthik, Branch President. Rock Ridge High School. Hi, I’m Karthik Uppalapati, a junior at Rock Ridge and AET engineering. I’m interested in the environmental impact of data center expansion in NOVA, and started the Rock Ridge LNCP branch. I’m excited to help and make the environment healthier!
Tyler headshot

Tyler

Branch President

Stone Bridge High School

Tyler

Branch President

Bio coming soon.

Tyler, Branch President. Stone Bridge High School. Bio coming soon.
NOVA Branch President headshot

NOVA Branch President

Branch President (Tentative)

Northern Virginia Community College

NOVA Branch President

Branch President (Tentative)

NOVA branch president position - in progress.

NOVA Branch President, Branch President (Tentative). Northern Virginia Community College. NOVA branch president position - in progress.
Joe Long headshot

Joe Long

Branch President

George Mason University

Joe Long

Branch President

Bio coming soon.

Joe Long, Branch President. George Mason University. Bio coming soon.

Ready to make a difference?

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