Meet Your Neighbor: Goose Creek Association’s New Executive Director Reimagines Environmental Outreach
Written by Shayda Windle | Photos by Caroline Gray
A native of Buffalo, New York, Alyson Borowczyk moved to Loudoun two years ago armed with both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in history, along with years of experience as a museum educator, curator, and nonprofit marketing professional. Her passion for wildlife, birding, horses, and the outdoors made the administrative director position at Goose Creek Association a natural fit. Since joining GCA, Borowczyk has aimed to promote community engagement and operational efficiency within the nonprofit.
As the GCA board recognized the opportunity for growth for the organization, specifically in the eastern Loudoun region of Northern Virginia and beyond, they also saw a need for additional leadership. This May, the board appointed Borowczyk as executive director, empowering her to lead the association into its next chapter. “Since 1970,” she shares, “Goose Creek Association has served the entire watershed — from its starting point in northern Fauquier County, through western Loudoun, and finally to eastern Loudoun where it flows into the Potomac.”
While there is no shortage of environmental nonprofits in Hunt Country, GCA stands out as a grassroots organization. “What sets us apart is that the majority of our programming is accomplished by dedicated volunteers — whether it’s citizen scientists in our benthic stream monitoring program or high school students planting trees on area properties — allowing us to engage directly with students, local residents, and environmental advocates,” Borowczyk explains.
Citizen Science in Action
Since 2003, GCA’s diligent stream monitoring volunteers have been collecting benthic data from spots throughout the Goose Creek watershed. Volunteers collect data at 13 sites across Fauquier and Loudoun counties, helping the organization assess water quality and track changes over time.
“Benthic stream monitoring is a fascinating process,” Borowczyk shares. “Volunteers scrape the bottom of the stream to collect specimens like black fly larvae or aquatic snails. The types of organisms found in these oxygen-rich areas tell us a lot about the health of the ecosystem.”
One of GCA’s hallmark programs, the Goose Creek Challenge, began in 2012 as an initiative to stabilize streambeds and restore habitats through the planting of native trees, shrubs, and grasses. In addition to reducing erosion and improving water quality, the project serves as an educational platform, as it engages Scouts, students, families, and volunteers in hands-on conservation efforts that nurture future stewards of the environment.
“What sets us apart is that the majority of our programming is accomplished by dedicated volunteers — whether it’s citizen scientists in our benthic stream monitoring program or high school students planting trees on area properties — allowing us to engage directly with students, local residents, and environmental advocates.” –Borowczyk
Each certified volunteer is assigned a consistent site to ensure data accuracy and avoid cross-contamination. These ongoing programs do more than collect data — they create a tangible connection between community members and the water they rely on.
To expand its scientific scope, GCA also launched a partnership last year with George Mason University’s Potomac Environmental Research and Education Center to conduct Level III chemical and bacterial monitoring across the watershed. This initiative provides high-quality, regulatory-grade data on key water indicators, including pH, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, and E. coli levels.
“Chemical and bacterial sampling is conducted monthly by trained professors and students from GMU following strict protocols,” Borowczyk says. “It helps us track short-term fluctuations and long-term trends, ensuring we have the insight needed to protect these waterways for future generations.”
What’s Next for GCA
Looking ahead, Borowczyk and the GCA team are focused on deepening community engagement through a slate of new events this fall.
One of the most anticipated events is Experience Goose Creek: A Day on the Water, a reimagined version of the group’s traditional canoe cleanup. Cosponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Goodstone Inn, the free public event will feature hands-on environmental education, outdoor adventure, and opportunities to connect with the watershed in meaningful ways.
Participants can choose between two experiences: a guided kayak paddle with ecological experts or a land-based “exploration on foot,” which includes a bird walk led by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and a live aquatic life demonstration featuring macroinvertebrates and other organisms used in stream health assessments.
“My vision is to build a thriving, connected community where members feel empowered to participate and contribute.” –Borowczyk
“This event offers a powerful way for people to connect with the land and water that sustain our communities,” GCA Board Chair Ted Lewis explains. “Whether paddling the creek or discovering its wildlife on foot, participants will gain a deeper appreciation for why Goose Creek is worth protecting.”
In place of its traditional annual meeting, GCA is also planning a regional environmental summit this fall to collaborate with other conservation organizations and amplify shared goals.
“We want to connect with people who haven’t traditionally known about us or the work we do,” Borowczyk says. “It’s time to widen the circle.”
With Borowczyk at the helm, Goose Creek Association is poised to expand its reach and elevate its impact. “My vision is to build a thriving, connected community where members feel empowered to participate and contribute,” she says. “I’m excited to help drive positive change and ensure every voice is heard as we grow.” ML
To become a member of GCA, visit goosecreek.org/join-us.
Published in the July 2025 issue of Middleburg Life.