Take a Walk to See the Tundra Swans
When
: Wednesday, January 1, 2020, 12:15pm
Where
: Mason Neck State Park, Lorton VA
Have you ever seen Tundra Swans, those amazing birds that migrate thousands of miles from the Arctic to spend the winter in our region? Their haunting calls are nearly impossible to forget! You've got a great opportunity to see the Tundra Swans at 12:15 pm on January 1, when the Friends of Mason Neck State Park will lead a guided walk to see them. We'll start from the Woodmarsh Trail parking lot, on the left side of High Point Road a short distance BEFORE you get to the Park's Contact Station. We'll walk about a mile over fairly level ground to the viewing area. You'll likely hear the birds before you see them. We'll have binoculars and telescopes so you can view the swans and other water birds and we'll also help you identify them. There's no charge for this event, which is open to everyone. Come out and enjoy the first day of 2020 with the Friends! The trails can be a little muddy, so be sure to wear sturdy shoes or boots.
Learn more
.
NVSWCD Green Breakfast
Getting Winter Ready – An Update on the Northern Virginia Salt Management Strategy
Sarah Sivers, Water Quality Planning Team Lead with the Virginia DEQ-Northern Regional Office
When
: Saturday, January 11, 8:30am
Where
: Brion's Grille,
10621 Braddock Rd.,
Fairfax VA 22032
It’s been two years since the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality began the stakeholder process to develop a salt management strategy and address the elevated chloride levels in Fairfax County streams. Since then, DEQ along with a stakeholder group have prepared a draft list of recommendations. Join us for a warm breakfast and hear from Water Quality Planning Team Lead, Sarah Sivers, who will provide background on how all of this began, the status of the program, and draft strategies and recommendations.
Breakfast begins at 8:30 am, $10 at the door, cash preferred. We are unable to process card transactions. Breakfast includes an all-you-can eat hot buffet with fresh fruit and coffee, tea, orange juice, or water. No prior registration required. If you have any questions, please contact the
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
.
Conservation Action Workshop
When
: Thursday, January 16, 6:00-7:30pm
Where
: Belmont Station Elementary School, Ashburn VA
Want to be a steward of the landscape and our watersheds? Whether it’s installing a rain garden on your own property, working to convince an HOA to make a management change to shared space, or identifying ways to evolve HOA guidelines, learn the basics of making change locally. After a short presentation, you’ll divide into groups and prepare your own Action Plans to grow your watershed stewardship. Got kids? Bring them along! They will join a separate kids’ activity to learn about watershed health with fun, hands on activities they’ll enjoy! Sponsored by the Audubon Naturalist Society and hosted by
Renee Grebe
.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival
When
: Thursday, January 23, 7:00-10:00pm
Where
: The Miracle Theater, Washington DC
Tickets are currently available for the Wild and Scenic Film Festival, a benefit for the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Grab your ticket today before they are gone! Seats are limited.
Purchase your tickets here
!
Your ticket gets you...
- a free stainless steel Klean Kanteen tumbler
- admission to the film festival
- opportunities to win raffle prizes including a River & Trail Tubing trip, Escape room passes for 3, and more!
To keep up to date on the films we will be screening, and additional raffle prizes to come, check out the event
Facebook page
.
Winter Stream Life
When
: Sunday, January 26, 1:00-2:00pm
Where
: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly VA
(8-Adult) Explore Walney Creek with a naturalist to meet some of the small creek critters (macroinvertebrates) that call it home. Learn why so many different types of macroinvertebrates are active in winter streams. The naturalist will demonstrate winter collecting, and participants can help pick, sort and learn to identify these magnificent critters. The program at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park runs from 1 to 2 p.m. The cost is $8 per person. Call 703-631-0013.
Stop Mowing, Start Growing!
2nd Annual Native Plant Symposium for Beginners
When
: Saturday, February 8, 9:00am-2:30pm
Where
: Northern Virginia Community College, Woodbridge VA
Whether you are new native plants and what they can do for your property or looking for alternative landscaping ideas this event is for you! Native plants can:
-Create a beautiful yard
-Save time so you can enjoy other activities
-Create habitat for birds & pollinators
-Save money on fertilizer & pesticides
-Improve Water Quality
-Curb Erosion
-Reduce costs
The cost of the event is $20 which covers coffee and donuts, lunch, and materials. Lunch will be buffet style and there will be both meat and vegetarian options. To register for the event, please click
here
.
Virginia Cooperative Extension - Prince William
Vegetable Gardening Series
When: Saturdays, February 1 and 15, March 7, 10:15am-1:15pm
Where: Bull Run Library, Manassas VA
Come join Master Gardeners to learn more about soils, cover crops, compost, planting calendar, containers and small spaces, managing pests, food safety, and more! Register for free classes
here
.
Virginia Cooperative Extension - Prince William
The Basics of Gardening Series
When: Saturdays, February 22 and 29, March 7, 10:15am-1:00pm
Where: Haymarket Gainesville Community Library, Haymarket VA
Come join Master Gardeners to learn more about soils, weeds, native plants, container gardening, seed-starting, rain gardens, integrated pest management, and more! Register for free classes
here
.
