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.

When: Friday, April 2, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm

Where: Westgrove Dog Park, Alexandria

FODM needs several volunteers to help test water quality in a stream flowing into Dyke Marsh near Fort Hunt Road on April 2, 10 a.m. (backup date, April 9). We will train you to identify the tiny critters we find and tally. Meet at the north end of the Westgrove Dog Park. Sign up by emailing info@fodm.org and put "Water Testing" in the subject box.

When: Sunday, April 11, 2:00-4:00pm

Where: Purcellville, Location TBD

Did you know that the health of your neighborhood stream is vitally important to sustaining diverse wildlife habitat, both locally and along our larger tributaries like the Potomac River and Goose Creek? And that citizen scientists (like you!) can efficiently measure and monitor the health of our local streams by systematically collecting, identifying, and tallying the variety of aquatic macroinvertebrates collected from the stream bottom? Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Loudoun Soil and Water for a demonstration of how a watershed system operates, and get your feet wet as we conduct a biomonitoring survey of a local stream and identify and tally the amazing creatures we discover. We will also discuss where this data goes, how it is used, and how you can get involved as a Loudoun Wildlife stream monitoring team member. This is a family-friendly event, geared toward those 10 and up. Location TBA in Purcellville. Limit 20. Registration required.

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!

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!

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.

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!

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.

Due: Friday, April 30th, 2021

For the summer of 2021 Youth Conservation Camp will be operating virtually as the Virginia Academy of Natural Resources (VANR). This new one-week experiential learning opportunity will focus on forestry, soil, aquatics, and wildlife to teach 9^th-12^th graders more about the natural world. This partnership between Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) and the Virginia Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (VASWCD) will be held Monday July 12 through Friday July 16. Applications can be submitted through this google form and are due by April 30, 2021. Registration is $25 and will be due by May 31, 2021. 

When: Saturday, April 10th, 2021

The largest regional event of its kind, the Annual Potomac River Cleanup provides a transforming experience that engages residents and community leaders and generates momentum for change. March 14th is the deadline to register your cleanups for guaranteed gloves and bags! Learn more, become a site leader, or register your cleanup!

Check out the Fairfax County Park Authority ParkTakes April Calendar of Events!

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.

A series of webinars on Wednesdays at 11:00am from Prince William Master Gardeners. Registration is required.

**Past classes are available on the VCE-Prince William YouTube.

When: Saturday, April 3 and 17, 10:00am-12:00pm

Join the Friends of Dyke Marsh on April 3 and 17, 10 a. m. to 12 noon, in socially-distanced sessions to remove English ivy from trees. Register at info@fodm.org, put "English ivy control" in the subject box and indicate your preferred date(s). We are working in several locations. Once you’ve registered, we’ll let you know where to meet. FODMers will train volunteers to identify ivy and remove it.  

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.

When: April 7-8

The National Wildlife Federation EcoCareers Conference prepares students and young professionals for sustainability careers by providing information on the latest EcoCareer trends from leading analysts and employers, clarifying career-enhancing credentials and academic offerings, and formulating a better understanding of the competencies employers seek in the green sector. Find out more and register today.

When: Saturday, April 10, 10:00am - 12:00pm

Where: Belle Haven Park, Alexandria

Join Friends of Dyke Marsh and the National Park Service to clean up trash along the Potomac River shoreline. Meet in Belle Haven Park’s south parking lot to pick up supplies. Meet at the registration table near the Belle Haven Park south parking lot. NPS and FODM will provide some gloves, tools, trash bags, and hand sanitizer. Wear a mask, sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves, gloves, and sun protection. Bring water. We will follow covid-19, social distancing protocols. Register here.

When: Wednesday, April 21, 7:00 pm

Jennifer Smirnoff will show us the transformation she has made in her yard over time and tell us how making small changes can have a BIG IMPACT. Her talk focuses on how to get started on making your property a more welcoming place for wildlife, no matter how large or small. Registration required.

When: Thursday, April 22

Join the alliance of educators inspiring NoVA students to be leaders in community environmental improvement. Student group/team registration is now open for SEAS 2021, this year a virtual event. Have your students or youth group members share their environmental ideas and solutions and learn what other young people are working on throughout our region. Any eco-team of youth with an adult sponsor can attend: school classes and clubs, homeschoolers, scout troops, and other youth groups are welcome. Every group shares or presents their efforts to improve the environment and community, and participates in one or more SEAS features. Register here.



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.

When: Wednesday, May 5, 6:30-8:00pm

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 Here. Recordings of previous “Ask the Expert” events are on this YouTube playlist!

When: Saturday, May 8 @ 9:00 am

Speaker TBA.NVSWCD's popular Green Breakfasts are now virtual! All Green Breakfast webinars begin at 9:00am and are hosted on WebEx. To register for this webinar or learn more, please email conservationdistrict@fairfaxcounty.gov.

When: Wednesday, May 26, 7:00 pm

Join FODMers for a presentation on the challenges facing the Potomac River by Hedrick Belin, President, Potomac Conservancy. Learn about its history, recent grade and problems like stormwater runoff and climate change. Click here to register for this presentation. After registering you will receive a confirmation email.

For a full list of Native Plant Sales, visit Plant NOVA Natives website.