A Moment of Beauty photographed by Angela Camp

Bald Eagle Soaring over FCPA’s Burke Lake Park
Many Ways to Celebrate
Earth Day
April 22, 2021
DOUBLE Your Donation TODAY &
help TOMORROW'S Environment!
A special Earth Day challenge match is underway with a $1 for $1 donation to the Park Foundation's Lazar Family Fund up to $7,500!

Tibor Lazar, sons Keaton and Corvin, and Heidi Allen continue to help preserve, protect and care for the environment by building a fund for future natural resource stewardship of Fairfax County parkland.

 “We want this fund to be a starting base and encourage other people to give to this fund so we can have good-quality parkland that people can enjoy,” said Heidi, a dedicated volunteer who often helps with local invasive management clean-up efforts. 

Thank you for considering this ideal opportunity to DOUBLE Your DONATION.
By acting locally, we can change the world.

Give Today to the Lazar Family Fund to help many Tomorrows!
Earth Sangha Plants HOPE
Earth Sangha’s generous donation to the Invasive Management Area (IMA) program at Marie Butler Leven Preserve in McLean, VA will help remove invasive plants and replant native trees and flora. Invasives cause ecological or economic harm, mature quickly, tolerate a range of habitats, and inhibit the growth of native plants that are good for the health of parks. 

The IMA Volunteer Program is a community-based project designed to reduce invasive plants in your parklands. VOLUNTEER with FCPA's IMA Program!!
Volunteer Week 2021
The Park Foundation is grateful for the service of Howard Albers whose time and expertise in research and communications has expanded the service outreach made possible through the fundraising arm for FCPA.

Howard, pictured on his bicycle at Lake Accotink Park, is responsible for envisioning and drafting the monthly eNewsletter that you are reading now.

Over recent years, he completed a significant data collection project. This required visiting commemorative benches to capture GIS locations and to photograph the bench, plaque and the view from hundreds throughout the FCPA system. This key data collection project will result in an online tool to identify existing benches and suitable future sites.

During National Volunteer Week, we sincerely thank Howard Albers and each member of the volunteer FCPF Board of Directors; and ALL who help FCPA parks with valued time and talent!

Join them to explore the numerous opportunities to become a Volunteer in YOUR parks!
Congratulations Student Poets!
The Park Foundation is pleased to award $70 FCPA gift cards to:

  • James P., Kent Gardens Elementary School
  • Leonardo Rodriguez, Laurel Ridge Elementary School
  • Zahra Quraishi, homeschool student in Ashburn
  • Alisha Baptista, Bull Run Elementary School
  • Lydia Gibbons, Cherry Run Elementary School
  • DoWon Lee, Oakton Elementary School
  • Katelyn Hubbard, Mosby Woods Elementary School
  • Seonghui Ju, Haycock Elementary School
  • Sumayah Qazzaz, homeschool student in Falls Church

The winners will participate in a virtual poetry reading to be shared on the Park Authority’s website and social media platforms on Earth Day, April 22, 2021.

HONC naturalist Alex Doumbia videotaping Valerie Bertha’s citizen scientist group
Northrop Grumman
Funds VIRTUAL Environmental Education
FCPF is grateful to Northrop Grumman for many years of grant support of environmental educational programs at Hidden Oaks Nature Center. 

At Hidden Oaks, naturalists historically rely on direct experiences to share the wonders of nature. During the pandemic, virtually all school visits ceased.

Through the generosity of Northrop Grumman Corporation, Hidden Oaks converted a grant typically assisting middle school students from low-income communities to learn about the watershed to create a dozen natural history videos.

These videos highlight native plants, animals, and lessons that students would experience on a traditional field trip. With guidance from the Fairfax County Public School elementary school science curriculum coordinator, staff developed short videos based on the Virginia Standards of Learning.

Teachers, as well as parents, can link to each video on YouTube and use the video to elaborate, demonstrate or creatively extend a virtual science lesson.

Click here to view all the Northrop Grumman sponsored videos.
“Northrop Grumman is proud to support this program that connects our local youth to the environment. It’s important that students get involved with nature and learn what they can do to help protect the environment. My children love the Hidden Oaks Nature Center and always leave inspired to do better for the planet.”  
Melissa Teresinski
Manager of Environmental Sustainability, Northrop Grumman
Thanks to these Major Sponsors to date:

  • Apple Federal Credit Union

  • Elizabeth, Thomas & Chennikara Family

  • The Lazar Family

  • Smiles of Centreville
Sponsor a COOL Feature at the Stewardship Education Center
Available for Sponsorship!
  • Antique Mill Stone (Educational POD) $5,000
  • Archimedes Screw (STEAM POD) $11,000
  • Crazy Maze (Play POD) $6,035
  • Tenor Tree (Play POD) $5,124
  • Musical Flower (Play POD) $1,850
  • Waterfall Pump & Table (Play POD) $8,800
  • Hollow Climbing Log (Educational POD) $5,550
  • Boulder/Web Net Climber (Educational POD) $15,845
  • Feeding Stations for Birds/Wildlife $1,000
  • Trail cameras (Kiosk) $1,500
  • Bike Repair Station (Bike Rack pad) $1,390
  • Solar Charging Picnic Table (Parking) $35,000
  • E-Bike Charging Station $6,700

See more about this unique project at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park and learn how to make a donation or sponsor a feature!
Why are Invasives in the Trash?
Fairfax County requires yard waste to be placed in paper bags. So why does the Park Authority's Invasive Management Area program use large plastic bags?

Because the size is needed, and those bags are packed with non-native invasive plants that must be incinerated. Invasives are burned, not composted. Material left curbside in paper bags is turned into mulch. Invasive plants in mulch would spread their seeds. At home, don't put invasive plants in paper bags for pickup and composting. Trash them.
Do Healthy Strides Your Way!

B.Y.O.B. (Bring Your Own Banana) to our VIRTUAL Healthy Strides 5k/10k and Kids' Dash event on May 1st, 2021, live on Zoom!

Virtually feel the Healthy Strides energy while you complete your own race at your own pace.
Register Now to receive your I Love Parks T-Shirt; Custom Race Bib; and Finisher's Medal by mail!

Thank you, Healthy Strides 2021 Sponsors!
Trails Feedback is Welcome

Remember that you have until May 1, 2021 to complete the Fairfax County Department of Transportation trail and sidewalk survey. Connecting 390 miles of trails with 429 parks and other county locations is not an easy task. The interactive maps allow you to "like" proposed trails and comment.

In addition to supporting the survey and mapping projects, contributions to the Park Foundation's trail building and care fund will help.
Click here to complete an Active Transportation survey.





Click here to report where you face barriers where you want to walk or ride.





Click here to see the planned trail and bikeway networks and disclose any missing links.
Become a Stream Monitor
In celebration of Earth Day, the Park Foundation is pleased to promote stream monitoring within Fairfax County. With some basic skills you will be able to inventory and track the water quality of streams.

If you would like more information after watching a short 4 minute video produced by Hidden Oaks Nature Center and visit the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District webpage for more information about volunteer stream monitoring. Water quality improves when everyone works together!
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