We hope you enjoy this issue of Saving Nearby Nature from the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust . Let us know if you have any questions or suggestions.
     Saving Nearby Nature                             March 2016
NVCT celebrates Earth Day all month!

Earth Day is April 22, but the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust will be marking the event throughout April--and more:
  • Stream Cleanup April 2
  • Displays at seven local events across the region
  • Host of this years annual Land Conservation Conference for the Virginia United Land Trusts, April 28-29 in Fredericksburg.
Volunteer park cleanup April 2 

Join us for a trash and stream cleanup in Annandale Community Park on Saturday, April 2, 9 a.m. to noon, 4030 Hummer Road. NVCT is partnering with the Alice Ferguson Foundation's Trash Free Potomac Watershed Initiative, and we invite anyone age14 and above or 7 to 13 with a parent present. Gloves and supplies will be  provided, along with coffee and snacks. Bring shoes and clothes appropriate for dirty work in the park, and water, sunscreen, and bug spray. Bring boots or waders if you want to clean in the stream, a shallow stem of Accotink Creek. Contact Stewardship Specialist Daniel Saltzberg, 703-354-5093/ext. 106 or dsaltzberg@nvct.org . See nvct.org/get-involved for directions and release forms.
Calendar
Look for us at community events!
 
April 6:  Environmental Action Showcase for the region's students
April 21: Fort A.P. Hill Earth Day, Bowling Green, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
April 21: DEA Earth Day Fair, Arlington, for employees
April 22: Prince William County Employee Earth Day, Woodbridge
April 30: Fairfax Springfest, Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton,  
              10 a.m.-4 p.m.
April 30: Alexandria Earth Day, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
May 7:   Spring Festival, Walker Nature Center, Reston, 1-5 p.m.
 
NVCT hosts the 10th Annual Virginia Land Conservation Conference April 28-29, at the Fredericksburg Hospitality House. We welcome conservation professionals from nonprofit organizations and private businesses, and agencies at every level of government. The conference will have programming of interest to land trusts, partner organizations, volunteers, lawyers, and other conservation-minded individuals. For more information, see the link from nvct.org. 
Taking care of your land
Wildflower of the year Goodyera pubescens
Native plants for sale around the area
Controlling invasive plants and planting natives provides healthy ecosystems that support the most native pollinators and bird species. A number of organizations offer native plant sales in April and May, just in time for spring planting. The Virginia Native Plant Society offers a list of all the spring native plant sales throughout Virginia on their website, vnps.org. 
Land Stewards at work on conserved land  
As part of NVCT's work, there are two Land Stewardship Specialists who visit easements the Trust holds each year. Their job is to ensure that current conditions of conserved properties align with the goals and values outlined in the conservation easements. But what does it mean for someone to be a good "land steward?" Does it refer to Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic? Is it a reference to how someone can be a good neighbor? Let us know what you think, we'd love to hear from you! Email info@nvct.org. 
Eastern towhee  Jimmy Smith/CC
Conserved Lands Provide Critical Bird Habitat 
Sunday's vernal equinox coincided with some of the earliest spring migration activity. One chilly morning last week, I saw 19 different bird species in the bare branches at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale. Many of the birds I saw no doubt relied on this park to survive over the winter: dark-eyed juncos, white-throated sparrows, and hermit thrushes, all of which will be heading north very soon. But many more species that depend on this park as a migratory stopover or for nesting are on their way here right now. In fact, the singing eastern towhees and eastern phoebe I heard a week ago weren't here just the week before.
 
Like this park, land protected through conservation easements plays a vital role in providing for the incredible array of birds that depend on a network of protected habitat pockets throughout Northern Virginia. The Northern Virginia Bird Club , is a great local resource, offering bird walks with expert guides to nearby conserved lands throughout the year. -- Rentz Hilyer, Stewardship Specialist 
Please contact us with any questions about the Trust and our work
703-354-5093  |  4022-A Hummer Rd. Annandale, VA 22003  | email info@nvct.org