2018 Native Seedling Sale: Place You Orders Now! 

Be shovel ready for the spring: Orders for the  NoVA Conservation District's 2018 seedling sale can be placed starting February 1st! This year's species were all chosen for their deer tolerance. The Shrub and Small Tree Package ($16.95) will include two each of the following: Common Witch Hazel, Silky Dogwood, False Indigo Bush, Spicebush and Shadblow Serviceberry. The Tree Package ($11.95) will include two each of Eastern Redbud, Shortleaf Pine and Pawpaw. All species are Virginia natives and wildlife friendly! Seedling packages can be picked up at the Packard Center in Annandale on April 20th and 21st. This year, there will also be a handful of build-your-own tumbler composter kits for sale. Order them with your seedlings and pick both up at the same time and place.

Get Ready for the 2018 Potomac River Watershed Cleanup!

Sure, it's still winter, but it's not too early to start planning for the Alice Ferguson Foundation's 30th annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup. Volunteer to pick up trash at one of the many participating cleanup sites throughout Fairfax County and beyond, or better yet, get some friends or family together and organize your own cleanup - with bags and gloves provided, of course! If you've never led a cleanup before, consider attending the Site Leader training workshop on February 10th. The official day of the Watershed Cleanup is April 14th, but events will be held throughout the month of April, and even into March and May. Please visit the Alice Ferguson Foundation website to volunteer.

Help Make the Red Salamander Virginia's State Salamander

Fairfax County's own Salamander Savers 4-H Club is lobbying the state legislature to designate the Red Salamander the official state salamander of Virginia. The club's  young naturalists believe that such a designation will help them spread the word about the importance of salamanders across the state.  To support their bill, visit the Salamander Savers website for instructions on contacting your representatives. And if you're between the ages of 8-18 and are interested in learning more about how to help the environment, consider becoming a Club member!

 

Rain Barrel Spring Workshop Dates Announced
The Northern Virginia Rain Barrel Partners' have announced the spring dates for their popular build-your-own workshops and pre-made rain barrel sale. Build-your-own workshops will be held on March 24th and April 14th, and the pre-made barrel sale will be April 20th-21st. Online registration and ordering will open in early-to-mid February

Job Opening: Watershed Projects Manager, Arlington County

  Arlington's Department of Environmental Services is seeking a Watershed Projects Manager to support the County's stormwater program. This employee will implement watershed retrofit and stream restoration projects; manage stormwater projects from design through construction; work collaboratively to ensure projects are maintained and monitored; and engage and inform residents, commissions, and county officials. This employee will also review development plans affecting riparian buffers, streams and wetlands. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

 

Public Comment Period on the Northern VA Salt Management Strategy
Salt is a water quality issue in snowy urban areas, so much so that one of Fairfax County's largest creeks - Accotink - is listed as officially impaired because of the high chloride levels in its water. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality is working with Fairfax County and neighboring jurisdictions to develop a Northern Virginia salt management strategy that will satisfy the need for safe winter travel, reduce salt pollution in our waterways, and get Accotink Creek into compliance with water quality standards. Information about the strategy is available online, and the public comment period is open through February 16th.

Apply for the 2018 Youth Conservation Camp!
For over 35 years, the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts has sponsored a week long summer conservation camp in July for Virginia high school students on the campus of Virginia Tech. The camp provides a week of learning about Virginia's natural resources from conservation professionals and university faculty. Youth Conservation Camp is a selective program. Interested students must send their applications to the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, whose staff will select which students will attend and be eligible for partia l scholarships. The pre-scholarship cost is $550.

College Scholarships for Natural Resource/Conservation Students
The Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts annually offers several $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors for college study. The scholarships support studies related to natural resource conservation. Fairfax County students must submit their applications to the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District, which will select one student for consideration by the state committee. Applications can be found online and are due by March 12, 2018

 

Litter in Our Waters: From the Potomac to the Oceans

Litter on land does not stay on land. Every time it rains, it washes first into our local streams, then on to our rivers and eventually the ocean. Recent articles shed light on the scope of the problem. Locally, an op-ed in the Washington Post discusses the amazing variety of trash that can still be found in our improving hometown river, the Potomac. Globally, unless behaviors change, there could be more plastic than fish in the oceans by 2050.

The Farm Bill: Not Just About Farms

From it's name, you would think the Farm Bill deals only with farms. In fact, this sprawling piece of legislation includes much more, from urban and suburban conservation to food assistance for the needy. Find out what's really in the Farm Bill and how it can affect your friends and neighbors, regardless of where you live.

The Conservation Assistance Program (CAP) can provide technical assistance and cost-share funds for stormwater projects on private or common land and energy efficiency upgrades to community property. For more information about CAP - including application deadlines, eligible projects and funding levels - please visit the program webpage.