The Laurel Hill Park Volunteer Team planted southern red oak seedlings (Quercus falcate) on Oct. 30 as part of the Celebration of Trees campaign organized by Plant NoVA Natives. The event, one of many planned across the area this Fall, is part of a five-year campaign to preserve native trees and see more planted in Northern Virginia.
The planting at the historic Barrett House replaced three mature oaks lost last year after a period of several year’s decline. The seedlings will grow to medium sized trees, providing shade, with a large root system for watershed protection, and with a beautiful red leaf color in late summer and the Fall, from which the trees get their name. All oak species provide high food value and shelter for wildlife, including insects, mammals, rodents, birds and deer. This particular oak is the larva host for the Banded hairstreak and White hairstreak butterflies.
Fairfax Releaf’s Taylor Beach demonstrates correct tree planting for best success
In coordination with Fairfax County’s Natural Resources Branch of the Park Authority, additional seedlings were planted in the park’s reforestation area. The reforestation project, under the management of ecologist Darko Veljkovic, will include the planting of hundreds of native trees of various species this December, to reclaim forest habitat from invasive shrubs and vines. The Laurel Hill Park Volunteer Team’s planting of six southern red oak seedlings was the symbolic start of that reforestation effort.
Fairfax Releaf, an independent non-profit organization promoting the planting and preservation of native trees, provided the seedlings for the Laurel Hill planting. The organization makes trees available to Virginia residents and businesses to “lessen the impact of development on the environment” in our fast growing county. (fairfaxreleaf.com) A variety of tree species are available, most of which are grown at the Virginia Dept. of Forestry nursery in Augusta County. The state’s nursery grows hardwood and pine trees from donated acorns and seeds gathered by volunteers around the state. The Laurel Hill volunteer team effort brought the process full circle, from acorn donation to tree planting.
Rust Library 380 Old Waterford Rd NW, Leesburg, VA Tuesday, December 7, 2021 7 pm
It is thrilling to watch a Red-tailed Hawk soar beneath a bright blue sky or hear a Barred Owl call on a cold, clear night. Have you ever wondered where they live, what they eat, or how they raise their young? You are invited into the secret lives of these magnificent birds of prey. The personal stories of the live hawks, owls, and falcons who will be present will help you identify our native species, understand their valuable contribution to a healthy environment, and learn what we can do to provide for their welfare in the face of climate change and an increasingly human world—with good news, bad news, and a few surprises along the way. This program by certified raptor rehabilitator Liz Dennison is being jointly sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Loudoun County Public Library. Questions: Contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or [email protected].
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/March-1-Red-tailed-hawk-in-RAC-Forest-2-scaled.jpg14402560Janet Quinnhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgJanet Quinn2021-11-07 11:51:432021-11-07 11:51:44Meet Your Wildest Neighbors: Raptors of Virginia, Maryland and DC, December 7th
Fairfax County Park Authority commemorates Veterans Day by offering free admission to Rec Centers to those who serve and those have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Veterans, active-duty military personnel and their families are invited to use FCPA Rec Centers at no cost on Thursday, November 11, 2021. The complementary entry includes admission to pools, fitness rooms, gyms and racquetball courts at the county’s nine recreational facilities. It’s the Park Authority’s way of saying “Thank you” for service to our country.
Please bring your military identification to enjoy this complimentary Rec Center access.
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Salute.jpeg6341200Janet Quinnhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgJanet Quinn2021-11-06 11:56:172021-11-06 11:56:18Saluting Those who Serve on Veterans Day
Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) is one of the leading environmental organizations in the region with more than 4,500 members. They specialize in birds, wildlife, native plants, and the diverse human communities in which they exist. They have activities and programs in adult education, citizen science, conservation, and advocacy. They are looking for a full-time program manager to lead day-to-day operations of ASNV in coordination with their board of directors, part-time Program Assistant, and large cadre of volunteers. All applications are due by November 24, 2021.
Duties
The program manager will: • Coordinate with and provide support to the board of directors and committees • Develop and provide support for adult classes, programs, and quarterly membership meetings • Develop and nurture relationships with local and regional environmental organizations • Work to engage the full range of diverse Northern Virginia communities in ASNV’s activities • Coordinate with the communications team to facilitate publication of the monthly newsletter and updates to the website, and write frequent social media posts • Provide support for fundraising campaigns and the annual report to the membership • Coordinate with the part-time Program Assistant and volunteer Treasurer on bill payments and compensation for instructors and speakers • Together with the Program Assistant, monitor mail, email and voice mail and answer or forward messages for resolution
Qualifications
The applicant should have: • Commitment to and love for the environment • At least an undergraduate college degree or comparable work experience • An ability to work independently and to know when to ask for help • Strong written and oral communications skills, including with social media
Work Arrangements The employee may work remotely or at the office in Reston, but if working remotely will travel to the office at least once per week. Work includes some weekend time and some evening time to support programs and classes in coordination with volunteers.
Salary is $50-65,000 depending on experience. Benefits include vacation, sick leave, holiday pay, and a contribution to health insurance.
Application Process
Please respond to [email protected] with questions or with a resume and a cover letter explaining your suitability for the position. All applications are due by November 24, 2021. Please include contact information for three references.
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/S.Hermann-F.Richter-Pixabay.jpg258750Janet Quinnhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgJanet Quinn2021-11-05 11:02:252021-11-05 11:02:25Seeking Program Manager for Audubon Society of Northern Virginia
Each year the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) celebrates outstanding efforts of volunteerism at the Elly Doyle Awards Ceremony. As the announcement states, “there are thousands of individuals and many organizations that volunteer each year in local parks and support the many programs and initiatives of the Fairfax County Park Authority. In fact, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to operate our park system without you, our valued volunteers”.
This year FPCA will be hosting a virtual ceremony. The 2021 award recipients will be honored on November 19, 2021 at 7:00 p.m.Please RSVP to receive the direct link to the ceremony.
Two of the 2021 recipients are FMN Bob Dinse and the at large group Friends of Accotink Creek. Membership in the Friends group is many, including in part FMNs Ashley Zywusko, Kathryn Pasternak, Kim Schauer, Ana Ka’ahanui, Elaine Sevy, Janet Quinn, Beverley Rivera, Wendy Cohen, Sarah Glassco, and Dianne Bowen. The contrasting qualities of these awards should not be lost. One recognizes the efforts of an individual, the other the combined efforts of a group. Both, however, recognize how each made lasting positive impacts to their community and to the environment. At the end of the day, getting out there and getting involved, no matter how you are able to do it, is the difference maker.
Bob Dinse will be awarded the Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award for his continued contributions at Hidden Oaks Nature Center (HONC). According to the HONC nomination, Bob exemplifies an environmental steward by his actions and advocacy with his 12 years of at Hidden Oaks. Bob demonstrates the responsible use and protection of natural resources through his conservation efforts. In addition to routine upkeep of existing trails, Bob alleviated erosion and stream bank deterioration, created and enhanced gardens, donated hundreds of dollars of native ferns, native plants, nuts, and birdseed and, in doing so, effectively serves as a FCPA ambassador.
Bob Dinse at HONC – photo Jerry Nissley
Bob is a consummate environmental steward – he leads by example. As he wears the park logo on his hat and shirt, he quietly, effectively, and earnestly shares the message that each person can make a positive difference in his community. The specifics of Bob’s contributions are numerous. When I asked Bob for one project that might stick out for him he replied, “I would like to thank Suzanne Holland and Michael McDonnell [both are HONC management] for letting me work at HONC for the past 12 years. There have been past workers and staff as well current ones I have enjoyed working with. I hope I have a few more years being at HONC.” To me that exemplifies the humility of a man with a servant’s heart.
The Friends of Accotink Creek will be awarded the Elly Doyle Park Service Award. Anyonethat reads the FMN newsletter or monitors FMN social media is aware of the tireless efforts and continued positive impact this group makes to Accotink Creek watershed system and surrounding environs.
FACC Members after planning walk – Photo courtesy of FACC
With regards to the criteria for this 2021 Service Award, the group has removed invasive plants, planted dozens of native trees, organized community activities with scout, school and faith groups, provided advocacy for environmental issues, and organized several stream clean ups to list but a few projects.
For example, at this year’s Spring Clean Up, more than 280 Friends of Accotink Creek (FACC) volunteers picked up 255 bags of trash, tires, and assorted flotsam at 12 different locations between Chain Bridge and Telegraph Road. Remember that Accotink Creek watershed is a major tributary to the Potomac River via Accotink Bay/Gunston Bay on the north side of Mason Neck Peninsula. As the creek flows, that’s 30+ miles of cleaner water thanks to the efforts of FACC.
Stream Monitoring – Photo Courtesy of FACC
FACC members also maintain three different Invasive Management Sites where native tree seedlings are protected from deer browse to give them an increased chance of successful growth. The sites also monitor the health of the creek system and report pollutants, such as oil spills, to the appropriate authorities.
They advocate for sensitive areas such as the Accotink Gorge, which has rare native plants but is also heavily overrun with invasive Wisteria. Education within the community promotes awareness of issues that can affect the health and recreational aspects of the community. To that end, the group participated in the Mount Vernon Environmental Expo, handing out native sedges for planting, along with posters, booklets, and invasive species playing cards for educational purposes; and for the first time FACC contributed a table at the Latino Conservation Day.
Accotink Stream Gorge – Photo Courtesy of FACC
For more than ten years volunteers have had workdays every week, occasionally more if a school or scout group has a particular request. The nomination for this award included a quote by Doug Tallamy, “Plant an oak, plant the future”. There is still hard word to be done but it is clear that FACC is both literally and figuratively working diligently to ‘plant the future’, which exemplifies the basic tenant of the VMN program itself, “to provide a statewide corps of volunteers dedicated to the beneficial management of natural resources in their communities”.
Well done to all – and congratulations on the well earned awards.
Virginia Native Plant Society, Potowmack Chapter 2021 Annual Meeting & Program Sunday, November 14, 2021 2:30 pm Register here.
Annual meeting begins at 1:30 with social time, then annual business meeting and elections. The presentation by Max Ferlauto begins at 2:30.
Max Ferlauto outlines his PhD dissertation research and discusses preliminary results.
Max grew up in Arlington, Virginia where he gained an appreciation for native plants and insects through local environmental organizations, such as the Potowmack Chapter of VNPS. He received his bachelor’s degree in Plant Ecology from Juniata College. He is now a 3rd year PhD student at the University of Maryland Entomology Department in Karin Burghardt’s Lab. Dr. Burghardt is a former student of Doug Tallamy and has published research with him. Max studies how landscaping practices, such as leaf litter management, affect urban ecosystems.
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/unnamed.jpeg457597Janet Quinnhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgJanet Quinn2021-10-25 20:53:332021-10-25 20:53:34My Year Playing with Litter: Exploring the Effects of Leaf Litter Removal on Insect Communities, November 14th
The Wildlife Center of Virginia invites you to the 26th annual Call of the Wild conference on wildlife rehabilitation, co-sponsored by the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources. Wildlife rehabilitators, veterinary professionals, wildlife biologists, environmental educators, and wildlife enthusiasts from Virginia and beyond will share ideas and knowledge that can benefit wildlife, the environment, and the continually evolving field of wildlife rehabilitation.
This is an excellent learning opportunity for rehabilitators of all skill levels — and a chance for you to relax, rejuvenate, and be inspired to continue the great work you do!
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/training.jpeg203420Janet Quinnhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgJanet Quinn2021-10-25 11:40:172021-10-25 11:40:18Call of the Wild Conference, November 19-21, 2021
Earth Sangha Wild Plant Nursery 6100 Cloud Drive, Springfield Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays 9am – 1pm Must register here.
Fall is upon us! Join the Earth Sangha team at the Wild Plant Nursery for a morning of repotting, divisions, weeding, watering, sowing seed, and more! Please wear shoes that can get muddy, bring your own water and gloves, and wear a mask.
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Earth-Sangha-logo.jpeg54590Janet Quinnhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgJanet Quinn2021-10-25 11:23:192021-10-25 11:23:19Earth Sangha Needs Fall Volunteers
A group of Fairfax Master Naturalists had a unique opportunity to visit the Noman M. Cole, Jr., Pollution Control Plant, located on Route 1 in southern Fairfax County recently. The visit, organized by chapter president Marilyn Parks, was actually a continuing education “field trip” incident to the state-wide “on-line” annual meeting of Virginia Master Naturalists Chapters.
The Cole facility, located on 400 acres, serves about 40 percent of Fairfax County and is among a handful of water or sewage treatment plants in the United States operating at “state of the art” efficiency. With advanced wastewater treatment systems, the facility is able to remove or “digest” water pollutants, nutrients and contaminants at an exceptionally high level, earning recognition as being in the top tier of the 16,000 publicly owned treatment facilities in the United States, an important achievement for Fairfax County and our local rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. About 75% of sanitary wastewater is treated by similar facilities. The remaining 25 % of waste winds up in private septic tanks.
Photo: Marilyn Parks; climbing to the MBBR site
The facility, which celebrated its 50 year anniversary in 2020, uses a four-stage process to treat south Fairfax County’s wastewater: primary, secondary, advanced treatment and final treatment. After the secondary phase, the effluent moves to three five-million gallon holding ponds. Wildlife thrives in these ponds and 89% of treatment facilities in our country stop their treatment here. The Cole facility, however, goes two stages beyond, which includes using Moving Bed Biologic Reactors (MBBR). This microbiologic process uses tiny, pasta-shaped plastic pieces on which to grow algae to feed “good “microbes that convert nitrates to nitrogen gas. (Nitrogen is the primary gas in our atmosphere.) By the time the effluent is released to Pohick Creek, it is cleaner than the water in the creek.
We were privileged that Cole’s superintendent Mike McGrath took time to personally escort our group on much of the tour, with operations manager Joshua and Melissa showing us the entire physical set up from the bar screen to the water sampling laboratory.
Sewage and sewage treatment is often a subject many choose not to think about: what is out of sight is out of mind. But the men and women of Fairfax County who work daily to run this amazing operation, from the 3,000 miles of collection sewers to the solid waste that is removed from the bar screen – including false plastic fingernails – this is a highly sophisticated, automated operation, that is a real success story that Fairfax residents can be proud of.
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/FMN.jpeg8101080Janet Quinnhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgJanet Quinn2021-10-24 21:34:142021-10-25 21:07:55Fairfax Master Naturalists Tour State of the Art Sewer Plant
Sunday, November 14, 2021 3-4:30 pm Online Register here.
Join Dr. Herlitz Davis and Audubon Society of Northern Virginia for a personal journey through Jamaica, from Cockpit Country to the Blue Mountains. Dr. Davis will introduce you to the fascinating Avifauna of Jamaica through stories of his life growing up in nature, and through his doctoral research at George Mason University and the Smithsonian Institution. If you like good coffee, if you like hummingbirds and owls, if you like adventure, you will like this presentation!
https://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/https___cdn.evbuc_.com_images_157433879_316853880247_1_original.jpeg400800Janet Quinnhttps://fairfaxmasternaturalists.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/VMN-Fairfax-cmyk_w223h156.jpgJanet Quinn2021-10-22 13:13:552021-10-22 13:13:56Audubon Afternoon: Birds of Jamaica with Dr. Herlitz Davis, November 14th
