March 2021
Watershed Calendar
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Hello ,
After recent weather-related cancellations last month, we expect March to bring our first stream monitoring workshops of 2021. Registration is limited and you'll find information about each workshop below.
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 will be very happy to welcome you back in the spring!
Ashley Palmer
Stream Monitoring Coordinator
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
NVSWCD stream monitoring workshops are resuming after a brief winter break. Our workshops comply with all CDC safety guidelines and 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. You can learn more about stream monitoring with NVSWCD here.
- Horsepen Run, Herndon - Monday, Mar. 8, 3:00-5:30pm - Register Here
- Cub Run, Centreville - Saturday, Mar. 27, 9:00-11:30am - Register Here
- Sugarland, Herndon - Tuesday, Mar. 30, 4:00-6:30pm - Register Here
- Big Rocky Run, Centreville - Sat., Apr. 3, 9:00-11:30am - Register Here
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Izaak Walton League Stream Monitoring Certification Online 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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Creek Critters by Audubon Naturalist Society
Audubon Naturalist Society’s Creek Critters® app walks you through finding and identifying the small organisms – or critters – that live in freshwater streams and creating stream health reports based on your findings. Through a short series of steps, you’ll learn one method for catching critters using an aquarium net. You can simply pick up submerged rocks and carefully check them for critters if you don’t have a net. As you identify critters, you’ll be building a stream health report. Check out the Creek Critters app and learn more!
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$1,000 College Scholarship Available!
Due: Friday, April 2nd, 2021
This scholarship is available to incoming freshmen or first-year college students residing in Fairfax County and studying natural resources or a related field. Scholarships are available at both the local and state level. You can learn more about the scholarship, eligibility, and how to apply on our college scholarship webpage.
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VASWCD Photo Contest Open!
"Conservation Through the Local Lens"
Due: Friday, July 30th, 2021
VASWCD is committed to conservation of natural resources through stewardship and education programs and we want to see it through your eyes! You can submit up to 10 photos and all photographs must be taken within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Learn more and submit photos!
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Conservation Poster Contest Open!
"Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities"
Due: Friday, October 1st, 2021
This poster contest is open to K-12 students, and scouts are eligible to receive a patch for participating. You can learn more about the contest, eligibility, and how to submit a poster on our poster contest webpage.
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33rd Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup!
When: Saturday, April 10th, 2021
Virtual Webinar: How to Organize a Cleanup
When: Wednesday, Mar. 3, 6:30-7:30pm or Saturday, Mar. 6, 10:30-11:30am
Join the Alice Ferguson Foundation and partners across the watershed for the 33rd Annual Potomac River Watershed Cleanup event! Join this virtual workshop to learn how to safely organize a trash cleanup within your community during a pandemic. AFF will go over all the steps you need to take to organize a cleanup, where to get COVID-19 safety information for your jurisdictions, and how to collect data to help support source reduction policies! Register for the March 3 or March 6 session.
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Community Events & Webinars |
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Prince William Master Gardeners "Zoom Class"
A series of webinars on Wednesdays at 11:00am from Prince William Master Gardeners. Registration is required.
Virtual Course on Vegetable Gardening
When: Open Feb 1 - Jun 16, registration deadline May 16
The course is a combination of self-paced learning and two live sessions, and offers something for both beginning and experienced gardeners. Growing your own food, using nature as a guide and incorporating sustainable practices is good for our bodies and good for the earth. This course covers the essential topics — planning the garden from seed to harvest, using organic and sustainable techniques to develop healthy productive gardens, growing good soil, dealing with wildlife and specific techniques for container and indoor vegetable gardens. Learn More.
Plant Virginia Natives Webinar Series
This series of twelve webinars (twelve for $10!) kicks-off on Friday, March 5 at 6:30pm with an engaging presentation by Dr. Douglas Tallamy, renowned author of Nature's Best Hope. Dr. Tallamy's photography and message of hope is not to be missed! Details and registration here.
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Nature Best Hope by Doug Tallamy: Friday, March 5, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
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Layering Your Landscape: Tuesday, March 9, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
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Landscaping with Layers: Tuesday, March 23, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
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Plight of the Pollinators: Tuesday, April 6, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
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Common Invasive Plants in Virginia: Tuesday, April 20, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
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The Right Plant in the Right Place: Tuesday, May 4, 6:30 - 8:00 pm
Ask the Experts
Plant NOVA Natives continues to offer a series of interactive videoconferences in which you can ask landscape designers for advice on improving your native plantings. Submit your questions and photos ahead of time. Register.
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Creating Outdoor Spaces that Connect Children to the Natural World: Tuesday, March 9, 4pm – 5 pm
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Pruning Native Shrubs and Trees: Wednesday, May 5, 6:30pm – 8 pm
Recordings of previous “Ask the Expert” events from Plant NOVA Natives can be viewed on this YouTube playlist!
Virtual Webinar: Dr. Mike On Turf
When: Tuesday, Mar. 9, 6:30-8:00pm
Join Dr. Mike Goatley, Professor and Extension Turf Grass Specialist for "Turf Talk" to learn techniques and tips for a beautiful lawn. Register.
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When: Saturday, Mar. 20, 9:00am-3:15pm
Loudoun Master Gardeners annual symposium will be virtual this year. Join us for a full day of online inspiration, information and insight! There is a small registration fee of $40 to help offset the costs. Learn more and register.
Reston's Arbor Day
When: Monday, Apr. 5, 9:30am - 12:00pm
Where: Walker Nature Center, Reston
Reston is a Tree City USA as certified by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Join us as we plant native trees and shrubs, and remove invasive plants that harm trees. Learn about the trees of Reston, and show appreciation for them. Rain or shine. This project is perfect for students, corporate groups and scouts. Learn more and register. .
Walker Nature Center's Earth Day
When: Thursday, Apr. 22, 1:00-4:00pm
Where: Walker Nature Center, Reston
Celebrate Earth Day by digging in to spruce up the Nature Center with new plantings and fresh woodchipped trails. Individuals, families and companies are encouraged to participate. Register by April 19.
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Plant Sale Alternatives:
Culpeper SWCD- pick-up dates March 26 & 27. Learn more.
VNPS Potowmack Chapter- First Wednesday of the month from May through Oct. Learn More.
Chesapeake Natives- Open for sales in March. Place orders at online store.
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Fairfax Releaf is dedicated to restoring "large numbers of native trees on public and common land"
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Trees play an important role in keeping our local waterways healthy - yes, even the one tree in your backyard! Track your trees and shrubs here!
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Road Salt Pollution is Apparent
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Water Supply Stakeholder Outreach Program Grants
Fairfax Water is offering water supply stakeholder grants to support citizen source water protection efforts and community activities related to water supply. Applications must be emailed or postmarked by May 17, 2021. Projects or programs must be within Fairfax Water’s Source Waters or service area to be eligible. More information.
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Help Plant NOVA Native name their tree planting campaign!
We are in the initial phase of planning a region-wide tree planting campaign. Philadelphia has its TreePhilly, New York its Million Trees NYC. Send your suggestions for Northern Virginia to plantnovanatives@gmail.com. Please also reach out if you are interested in volunteering with the project!
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Take a survey to help inform the Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan (CECAP)
These surveys are very brief and are designed to help respondents zero in on what it would take for them to engage in voluntary climate action. The surveys are available in four languages – English, Spanish, Korean, and Vietnamese. You can find all the surveys here.
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Need Some Forest Inspiration? |
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by Project Learning Tree
Celebrate International Day of Forests (March 21) and engage middle school aged youth in learning about trees and sustainable forest management with Learn About Forests, which includes 12 free, hands-on activities to use with ages 10 to 16.
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