January 2019
Watershed Calendar
Dear ,
We are so excited to bring you more great stream monitoring and community programs in 2019! Although January is generally a pretty chilly month, there's plenty of stream monitoring workshops and stream cleanups on the schedule. This month, put on your coats and boots for stream monitoring, have your environmental concerns heard at the upcoming EQAC hearing, and take a sneak peak at the highly anticipated 2019 Native Seedling Sale!
Stream Monitoring & Stream Cleanup Events
Bull Run Watershed Stream Monitoring Workshop
When: Sunday, January 6, 12:00-2:30pm
Where: James Long Park, Haymarket
Join Elaine Wilson, one of Prince William SWCD's pioneers/certified monitors and her team for winter monitoring at this beautiful site in Catharpin Creek in the Gainesville area. This site has some outstanding critters that are unique only to this site.  STEM kids are welcome. Spots are limited. For more information and RSVP, contact Elaine Wilson .  

Pohick Creek Stream Monitoring Workshop
When: Sunday, January 13, 10:00am-12:30pm
Where: Wadebrook Terrace, Springfield
Join NVSWCD as we discover aquatic life in Pohick Creek! This official NVSWCD stream monitoring workshop covers watershed health, what macroinvertebrates tell us about stream quality, and what you can do to prevent pollution in your local stream. Registration is limited. RSVP to Ashley Palmer .

Potomac River Cleanup at Fletcher's Cove
When: Saturday, January 19, 10:00am-1:00pm
Where : Fletcher's Cover, Washington DC
Potomac Conservancy and the National Park Service will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by spending “a day on, not a day off”! Join them in collecting trash at Fletcher’s Cove to support clean water and connected communities! Register online to volunteer.

Reston Association Stream Monitoring Workshop
When: Saturday, January 19, 1:00pm
Where: Reston
Fall brings cooler weather and beautiful colors. What better way to do this than to get your feet wet in one of Reston’s streams? RA welcomes new volunteers to assist with stream monitoring at several locations. Get involved with a small team to collect data and identify insects with the goal of assessing the health of Reston’s stream. Not only do you get to learn about streams, it also provides an opportunity to make new friends.  Learn more and register .

Potomac River Cleanup at LBJ Grove
When: Monday, January 21, 10:00am-1:00pm
Where : LBJ Memorial Grove, Washington DC
Potomac Conservancy and the National Park Service will honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by spending “a day on, not a day off”! Join them in collecting trash and removing invasives at the LBJ Memorial Grove to support clean water and connected communities! Register online to volunteer.

Reston Association Stream Monitoring Workshop
When: Thursday, January 31, 12:30pm
Where: Walker Nature Center, Reston
Assist in important winter stream monitoring by getting your feet wet in one of Reston’s streams! RA welcomes new volunteers to assist with stream monitoring at several locations. Get involved with a small team to collect data and identify insects with the goal of assessing the health of Reston’s stream. Not only do you get to learn about streams, it also provides an opportunity to make new friends.  Learn more and register .

Reston Association Stream Monitoring Workshop
When: Saturday, February 2, 1:00pm
Where: Reston
Assist in important winter stream monitoring by getting your feet wet in one of Reston’s streams! RA welcomes new volunteers to assist with stream monitoring at several locations. Get involved with a small team to collect data and identify insects with the goal of assessing the health of Reston’s stream. Not only do you get to learn about streams, it also provides an opportunity to make new friends.  Learn more and register .
Community Events
Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) Public Hearing
When: Saturday, January 9, 7:30pm
Where : Fairfax County Government Center, Fairfax
EQAC provides advice to the Board of Supervisors through its Annual Report on the Environment and through resolutions and positions resulting from discussions at EQAC's monthly meetings. EQAC recommendations typically focus on improvement of the County's efforts in environmental protection and enhancement; they also can address legislative issues as well as state, regional, and federal matters. Environmental issues considered by EQAC include water quality, air quality, noise, hazardous materials, solid waste, stream valley protection, deer management, light pollution, visual pollution, and the use and preservation of ecological resources.
Each year EQAC holds a public hearing to obtain input on issues of environmental concern. The public is encouraged to attend and share views on the state of the environment and to identify any environmental issues applicable to Fairfax County. To learn about the upcoming EQAC meeting, or to submit a video testimony, please visit the EQAC website .
Jobs, Grants, and More!
Chesapeake Bay Trust Environmental Education Mini Grants
Deadline: Thursday, January 10, 2019
The Chesapeake Bay Trust mini grants are intended to support meaningful outdoor learning experiences around a watershed issue investigation. The deadline to apply is January 10, 2019 at 4pm. Learn more about the grant and apply here .

Free Milkweed Available to Schools
Deadline: Rolling
Monarch Watch is offering an opportunity for schools to receive free milkweed. Schools can receive a free flat of 32 milkweed plugs. Applications to receive milkweed for spring 2019 are being reviewed on a rolling basis.  Learn more and apply here .

Join Arlington Region Master Naturalists
Deadline: Friday, January 18, 2019
You can make a difference in our community by becoming a Master Naturalist volunteer! The Virginia Master Naturalist program trains volunteers to provide education, citizen science and outreach to help conserve and steward natural resources and public lands. Master Naturalist volunteers gain certification through state-approved natural history courses. Recognized experts in a wide range of disciplines such as ecology, botany, herpetology, ornithology, forest and aquatic ecosystems and much more provide fun and interactive training. Volunteers must commit to at least 40 hours of service and an additional 8 hours of continuing education annually to become certified. Arlington Regional Master Naturalists (ARMN) will be holding training this spring, beginning February 26 through June 11, 2019 on Tuesday evenings, from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington. Four Saturday field trips (dates TBD) will be scheduled at parks around the area. Applications are due Friday, January 18, 2019. Learn more and complete an application here .
Madison High School trout club makes a splash
Read about Madison High School's Trout Out of the Classroom program in this article from the Fairfax Times ! Featuring a great project and Envirothon alums.