Upperville, VA — Goose Creek Association is proud to announce the launch of Next Gen Creekkeepers, a new hands-on conservation and leadership program for high school students in Grades 9–12 from public and private schools in Loudoun County and Fauquier County.

Set to begin in Spring 2026, Next Gen Creekkeepers will bring 15–20 students to Goose Creek Historic Park for a series of biweekly Saturday sessions focused on invasive plant removal, pollinator habitat restoration, and water quality education. The program is developed in partnership with the Loudoun Invasive Removal Alliance and NOVA Parks.

Through guided fieldwork and expert instruction, students will learn how land stewardship directly affects stream health and watershed integrity. Activities include identifying and removing invasive plant species, designing and installing a native pollinator garden, and observing stream monitoring demonstrations that connect habitat restoration to water quality outcomes.

“Next Gen Creekkeepers is about empowering young people to become active stewards of the land and water that sustain our community,” said Alyson Borowczyk, Executive Director of Goose Creek Association. “By combining hands-on restoration with education and mentorship, students gain real-world experience while making a visible, lasting impact on Goose Creek.”

The program also emphasizes community engagement and leadership development. In addition to restoration work, students will participate in reflection activities and present their work at a community showcase at the conclusion of the program.

This program was made possible in part by a generous grant from the Van Huyck–Chockley Family Foundation of the Community Foundation for Loudoun and Northern Fauquier Counties, the Mars Foundation, and  the generous Next Gen Creekkeepers supporters.

Applications for Next Gen Creekkeepers are now open. Community members are encouraged to share this opportunity with a high school student they know who may be interested in conservation, science, or outdoor learning.

For more information or to apply, visit the Next Gen Creekkeepers website.