November 2020
Watershed Calendar
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Hello ,
We've had such a beautiful month of leaves changing and crisp fall weather! I hope you're enjoying the season as much as our staff are! As the seasons continue to change, you may be finding yourself outside less frequently. For a splash of Vitamin D with social distancing, be sure to check out the outdoor events and educational engagement opportunities in this month's Watershed Calendar!
As you've heard many times before, wash your hands, stay home, and take care of yourself. Keep in touch with NVSWCD on our Facebook and Instagram. Your friendly neighborhood stream monitors are very happy to welcome you back!
Ashley Palmer
Conservation Education Specialist
ashley.palmer@fairfaxcounty.gov
703-324-1423
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Stream Monitoring
Citizen Science & Training Opportunities
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NVSWCD stream monitoring workshops have resumed, with safety as our first priority. It may seem very different than the stream monitoring that you're used to, but we hope to have you join us. New precautions for stream monitoring workshops include:
- social distancing and spacing out equipment
- small group sizes
- masks are required for all participants
We expect these workshops to fill up quickly, so follow the links below to register or join the waitlist. Priority is given to volunteers who have completed the IWLA online training.
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Difficult Run, McLean - Wednesday November 12, 10:00am-12:30pm - Register Here
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Izaak Walton League Stream Monitoring Certification Training
Want to become a certified Save Our Streams monitor? Start the certification process from the comfort of your home with online interactive webinars! Simply watch the video versions of in-person training lectures: Introduction to Water Quality and Introduction to Macroinvertebrates. See all the information you need here!
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Stream Selfie
You can collect and share important data on the amount of trash at your neighborhood stream, if your stream is monitored for water quality, and more, just by taking a quick photo. Your observations will help us tell the story of our country’s waterways. Snap a stream selfie and check out other submissions! While you're at it, check out all the other cool citizen science projects on SciStarter!
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Creek Critters
Ready to start monitoring, but not quite ready to take on official training and certification? Creek Critters has got you covered! This app guides you step by step through the process of finding and identifying bugs in your stream. Perfect for families, public programs, and even as a solo activity, Creek Critters is easy and fun. Collect bugs by following simple step-by-step instructions, and identify your bugs with an interactive identification key. Once you’ve identified your bugs, Creek Critters does the rest! The app automatically calculates your Stream Health Score based on your findings. This score can tell you how healthy your stream is! Learn more and get started!
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Alice Ferguson Foundation
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November 7, 9 am - 11 am at Belle Haven Park (Learn more)
Friends of Accotink Creek
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November 11, 10 am - 12 pm at Americana Drive (Learn more)
Potomac Conservancy
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November 14 , 9 am - 1 pm at Daingerfield Island (Register)
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November 21, 9 am - 12 pm at Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve (Register)
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Community Events & Webinars |
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Fairfax County, VA Household Water Quality Program
Do you know what’s in your drinking water? While public water supplies are tested daily for contaminants, most private water supplies, like wells and springs, are rarely tested. There are more than 16,000 household wells in Fairfax County. It is recommended that well owners test their water at least annually for bacteria and nitrates. Learn more about the quality of your water and how to care for your water system at our Fairfax County Drinking Water Clinic. View the flyer and register.
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Salt Watch Kick-Off
When: Thursday, November 5, 12:00 - 1:00 pm
Join us to kick off this year's Winter Salt Watch at our November Clean Water Webinar! We will provide background information and updates on the Salt Watch program and then hand it off to our experts. Dr. Gary Johnson will teach us about how road salt impacts our trees, and Phill Sexton will tell us about smarter methods to reduce salt use in the winter months. RSVP.
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Conservation Advocacy 101 for HOAs and Condo Associations
When: Thursday, November 5, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
We can act locally in our own communities to create change. Learn how you can make a difference. You'll get a chance to think about your own community, begin developing your own action plan, and participate in breakout discussions. Requested donation $10-$20; register and learn more.
Plants Shaped by Water
When: Tuesday, November 10
Charles Smith will give a presentation on plants shaped by water. We will hold this meeting via Zoom. Hosted on Zoom by the Friends of Dyke Marsh, registration required in advance. To sign up, please email info@fodm.org and put “November 10 program” in the subject line and your name in the body of the email. Free.
Foundational Planning
When: Wednesday, November 11, 12:00-1:00pm
Are the shrubs and other plants next to your house or business looking tired? Landscape Designer Adele Kuo will address questions about creating a good planting design with native plants for foundation plantings. Register and learn more.
Mobilizing your Campus to Conserve Pollinators: An Introduction to Applying to Bee Campus USA
When: Thursday, November 12, 10:00 - 11:00 am
Join affiliates from across the country as they share their experiences helping their campuses become affiliates of Bee Campus USA. Affiliates will share how they learned about Bee Campus USA, who led the effort, any challenges they faced and how they overcame them, as well as advice for maintaining an enthusiastic and engaged committee. There will be time at the end for open Q&A. RSVP.
Pollinator Conservation in Agricultural Landscapes
When: Friday, November 13, 2:00 - 3:30 pm
This 90 minute webinar will focus on concepts around protecting and enhancing populations of pollinators, especially bees, in agricultural landscapes. RSVP.
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Green Breakfast: Purple Martin Initiative
When: Saturday, November 14, 9-10:30 am
Grab the breakfast of your choice and pull up your comfy chair to your computer to hear from Michael Bishop, who founded the Initiative in the mid-2010s to build awareness of these feather friends. Since then, he has worked to promote the beauty and benefits of these important birds and helped many “landlords” throughout the region to establish nesting locations. The Fairfax County Park Authority is recognizing his efforts at Twin Lakes Golf Course in Clifton, along with those of the Bluebird and Honeybees Societies with an Elly Doyle award on November 20. More Meeting Details.
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All Around the Garden
Gardening Webinars and Resources
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Ecological Landscaping Alliance's "Focus on Sustainability" Webinar Series
Held throughout November, free to ELA members / $10 for non-members
Friends of Accotink Creek Kudzu Klub
Every Wednesday in October starting at 12 pm, join the Friends of Accotink Creek in removing Kudzu from Americana Park. Check calendar for details and to RSVP.
Invasive Management Area Volunteer Work Days
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iNaturalist BioBlitz
From October 14- November 14, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust invites you to participate in their first ever BioBlitz! Become a Citizen Scientist by exploring nature and helping gather valuable data in your very own neighborhood. They'll be using iNaturalist to enable people to capture and share information that helps us all learn about nature.
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Clean Virginia Waterways Balloon Research
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Starting to Feel the Cabin Fever? |
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Take advantage of these activities designed to get all your kids' wild energy out in the wild winter landscapes!
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by Chesapeake Bay Foundation
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By Karren Rent, Harris Center for Conservation Education
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By Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies
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NVSWCD, along with the Chesapeake Bay Project, the State of Virginia, and many others, recognizes November as National Native American Heritage Month. In observance, we encourage you to learn about the rich history of the first inhabitants in the Chesapeake Bay region in this article from the Chesapeake Bay Program and explore the historical tribal land in your area through the Native Land website.
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