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: Thursday May 27, 10 am - 1:30 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 May 27 (back-up date June 15). 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.

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!

Advanced Macroinvertebrate Identification

When: Now through December 31, 2021

Audubon Naturalist Society's (ANS) Stream Science series begins online with Healthy Stream Biology. This introductory course is required for those who wish to join ANS' Water Quality Monitoring Program in Maryland and Washington, DC, and strongly recommended for anyone who does aquatic monitoring, fly fishermen, stream restoration scientists, consultants, and engineers, and of course naturalists and biologists. More information.

Deadline Extended: Saturday, May 15, 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 current 8^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 May 15, 2021. Registration is $25 and will be due by May 31, 2021. 

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.

Check out the Fairfax County Park Authority ParkTakes May 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.

When: Wednesdays at 11:00 am

A series of webinars on Wednesdays from Prince William Master Gardeners. Registration links will close at 1:00 pm EST on the Tuesday before the class, a zoom link will be emailed to those registered prior to the class. For questions or further information please contact the Help Desk at mastergardener@pwcgov.org. Visit VCE-PW Website for a full list of classes.

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

When: Every Friday, 12:00PM to 3:00PM

Save this park from "the vine that ate the South"! Arrive anytime and stay as long as you wish. We recommend sturdy work shoes, long pants, and long sleeves. Water and work gloves will be available. From Braddock Road, go south to the end of Danbury Forest Lane. Park on the street and follow the footpath uphill past the tot lot. Turn left on the main trail and go about 400 yards to the worksite on the right. RSVP.

When: From now to May 23

From April 24 until May 23 you and your team can pick any 48-hour window to observe birds, and you can raise funds for Loudoun Wildlife at the same time. This interactive fundraising opportunity is a great way to get involved and share your passion for birds with your friends and family. This year we're going to be using the hashtag #LWCBirdathon for you to follow all the action on social media. So grab your binoculars and get ready for spring migration! More information.

When: May 1, sunrise to 4:00pm

Join bird walk leaders any time from sunrise to 4:00pm at Morven Park. Stay for a few minutes or a few hours. Participants will hang out near the Gatehouse and watch, listen for, and talk about birds. If you are interested in bird watching, but haven’t yet given it a try, come on out! If you are limited in mobility and want to attend a relatively stationary birding event, then this is for you! If you want to just hang out with other people and talk about birds and nature, then come on by! Everyone is welcome! In 2019, we found 64 different species of birds including Ruby-throated Hummingbird and several species of warblers. Bring binoculars if you have them. No fee and no registration required.  Rain date is May 2. More information.

When: Tuesday, May 4, 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Finding plants that will thrive under certain environmental conditions - such as streetside spaces, dry shade, rain gardens, small spaces, wet shade, near house/foundation plantings - can be challenging. Learn how native plants are up to the task! Details and registration here.

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: May 6th at 12 Noon EST / May 10th at 7PM EST

Dandelion Detectives is a STEM activity targeting 3-7 graders where participants work together to measure the value of weeds for insects. Dandelion Detectives will take place over the summer of 2021. Dr. Mary Gardiner will discuss the value of turf habitats for biodiversity and introduce Dandelion Detectives, which can be completed in one day of your choice (June-August) and involves: taking a pre and post questionnaire about insects; observing insects at an "Observation Dandelion" created using simple provided materials and sugar water mixture; and conducting a lawn weed survey. Participating Dandelion Detectives will be able to upload their findings to a project website. At the end of the project, students will receive a "Student Scientist" certificate and will have access to all of the data collected by the project team! Dandelion Detectives toolkits can be ordered for $10 (to cover shipping fees) here; a DIY option is also offered. You do not have to attend the webinar to participate in this program.

When: Saturday, May 8 @ 9:00 am

Where: Join the Webex Meeting Here

Who: Patricia Greenberg, Ecologist and Invasive Management Area (IMA) Program Manager with the Fairfax County Park Authority

Spring has sprung and you may have noticed some undesirable plants taking over portions of your yard. For many years, the Fairfax County Park Authority has trained volunteers through the Invasive Management Area program, to battle invasive plant species in parkland, removing them and replacing them with native species. However, invasive plants are not just on FCPA property. Grab the breakfast of your choice and pull your comfy chair to your computer and learn how to identify and manage some of the common invasive plant species from Patricia Greenberg, an Ecologist with FCPA and Manager of the IMA Program. Be prepared to learn as if you are a new IMA volunteer, only your site will be in your yard. Kickoff your weekend with an important understanding of the impacts invasive plants have on the health of our forest ecology and ways to reduce the pressure starting at home. Registration is NOT necessary.  Join us on Webex here.

When: May 8, 2:00pm

The Friends of Mason Neck State Park will host a virtual program featuring Buddy the Bald Eagle in lieu of the Park's annual Eagle Festival. Buddy has appeared at several previous Eagle Festivals. This year, Lauren Edzenga, the Outreach Educator for the Wildlife Center of Virginia, will join us in a Zoom program during which she will show Buddy live and on-camera while she discusses the lives of Bald Eagles. The Friends of Mason Neck State Park are presenting this program without charge, thanks to the generosity of our donors and members. Learn more and RSVP.

When: May 15, 10:00-11:30 am

Writing and nature are two power-packed resources. Together they create a scientifically supported health regimen that can improve physical and emotional well-being. Having a conversation with nature simply involves careful listening with all senses alert and engaged. Participants take note of sights and sounds that intrigue and inspire deep reflection about experiences, thoughts, and feelings. And that’s how the writing begins. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s Nancy Morgan as we wander on and off the path at Morven Park as impulse guides us, using the writing of naturalists like Henry David Thoreau and Robin Wall Kimmerer as stepping stones as we search for clues that bring meaning to our lives. Feel free to bring a favorite nature poem or quote to share with the group to help us get to know you and what nature – and writing – mean to you. Small writing notebooks will be provided. Dress comfortably for the outdoors. Directions to the Gatehouse. Registration required.

When: Wednesday, May 26, 7:00 pm

Join Friends of Dyke Marsh 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.

The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC)

EQUAC is pleased to announce the opening of the application period for its student member term running from July 2021 through June 2022. EQAC comprises of one citizen representative from each of nine magisterial districts, four at‑large members, and one student representative. Each member is appointed by the Board of Supervisors to serve a three-year term, except the student member, who serves during her or his junior or senior year of high school. EQAC’s primary function is to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for improving environmental protection and enhancement. The Annual Report on the Environment, which is prepared by EQAC, provides information on the status of various environmental resources and issues and is designed to aid the Board of Supervisors in setting its environmental agenda and priorities. The council generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month, starting at 7:15 p.m.

If you are currently a sophomore or junior in good standing and would be interested in serving in this capacity during your junior or senior year, please download and complete the application linked below. All applications must be received via email to eqac@fairfaxcounty.gov by 11:59 PM on Friday, May 14, 2021.