As devoted stewards of the Goose Creek, we envision a thriving scenic river surrounded by a watershed that nurtures wildlife, enhances water quality, and offers a place of beauty and recreation for future generations.
Our mission is to improve the health of Goose Creek and its tributaries by raising public awareness, educating youth, monitoring water quality, restoring riparian zones, and advocating for best conservation practices, all with the help of volunteers and partnerships with other organizations.
Founded in 1970 to oppose the discharge of sewage into Goose Creek, the Goose Creek Association (GCA) quickly established itself as a guardian of the watershed and a leading voice for conservation in Loudoun and Fauquier counties. Over the following decades, GCA successfully championed the designation of Goose Creek and Catoctin Creek as Virginia State Scenic Rivers, organized one of the first community stream cleanups, and played a key role in preventing destructive development projects, such as dam construction, highway expansions, and the controversial Disney’s America theme park. GCA also led efforts to promote sustainable land use by supporting the Land Use Assessment Program and helping establish multiple rural historic districts.
By the 2000s, GCA’s mission expanded to include hands-on watershed protection through its stream monitoring program, riparian buffer initiatives, and environmental education. In 2006, the organization became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, strengthening its capacity to partner with state agencies, fellow nonprofits, and concerned citizens. Through public forums, film screenings, and collaborative advocacy, GCA has remained at the forefront of regional environmental stewardship. Notable recent successes include the launch of Level III professional stream monitoring with partners at George Mason University’s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center and the continued defense of Goose Creek against major development threats. Now celebrating over 50 years of impact, GCA continues to protect the creek’s natural and historic character for generations to come.
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