Every Acre Counts: Conserving Habitat for Birds, Webinar, November 19th

Tuesday, November 19, 2024
4 –  5 pm
Zoom link provided upon registration.
Free. Register here.

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has conserved millions of acres of habitat for birds like the Swainson’s Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, and the rare Cundinamarca Antpitta over the past 30 years. But there is much more to be done: Habitat loss is the most urgent threat facing wild birds today.

Habitat conservation is essential for bird conservation — and the good news is, you can help, whether it’s working in your own neighborhood or supporting establishment of a reserve that spans thousands of acres.

Join ABC to explore how they’re conserving land for birds, from one acre to 10,000 — and how you can, too. You’ll learn ways to minimize pesticide use in backyards and about how ABC is helping to do the same on agricultural land. Looking farther afield, you’ll find out how ABC is improving critical bird habitat with landowners and public land managers in the Great Lakes, and their efforts to establish reserves with partners in Bolivia that benefit Endangered resident birds, such as the Red-fronted Macaw and Palkachupa Cotinga.

You’ll discover how every bird-friendly action, whether big or small, can make an impact on the habitat birds need to thrive. Join them and get inspired to take bold action for birds!

You’ll hear from ABC experts and partners, including:
• Edward Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations, Birds and Pesticides Campaign
• Jayme Strange, Northern Forests Conservation Delivery Network Coordinator
• Marcelo Tognelli, International Project Officer

If you can’t make the webinar live, RSVP now and they’ll send you a recording to enjoy when the time is right for you.

Help Tackle Invasive Plants, Dec. 7th and 21st

Photo: Ned Stone, A Dyke Marsh inlet.

 

Saturdays, Dec. 7th and 21st, 2024
10:00 am to 12:00pm

If you wish to participate, please send an email to [email protected]

Meet at the Haul Road trail entrance bench.

Haul Road Trail directions and parking: GPS coordinates: 38.777739, -77.050540 South of Alexandria off the GW Memorial Parkway at
the sign for Dyke Marsh Nature Preserve and Belle Haven Marina. Click here for directions.

Help protect native plants by pulling and clipping invasive plants. Members of the FODM will train volunteers to identify the five or so target plants. They kindly ask that you not bring pets. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants.

Bring gloves, hand clippers and water. Instructions, examples and trash bags will be provided.  Wear long sleeves and pants and sun protection. Some tools will be available to share. They will cancel if lightning or severe storms are anticipated.

For sessions beginning at 10 a.m., if it is raining at or after 9 a.m. on the day of the session, the session will be cancelled.

For more information: Volunteer/Help – Friends of Dyke Marsh

Birds, Bugs and Berries: Providing Habitat for Birds and Other Wildlife, December 8th

Sunday, December 8, 2024
2 pm buffet; 2:45 presentation
Gunston Hall’s Ann Mason Room, 10709 Gunston Road, Lorton, VA
Friends of Mason Neck members $15/nonmembers $20
Register here.

It’s time for the Friends of Mason Neck State Park’s annual Swanfall holiday celebration. It’s an opportunity to socialize with members and friends while enjoying a delicious buffet and a
fascinating talk.

At 2:45 PM, we’ll enjoy “Birds, Bugs and Berries: Providing Habitat for Birds and Other Wildlife” presented by Alonso Abugattas. Alonso is the Natural Resources Manager for Arlington County, and he is best known as the Capital Naturalist, creator of the Capital Naturalist Facebook group with 24,000 members, and the Capital Naturalist You Tube channel. Alonso has had numerous mentions and appearances on television, radio, podcasts and the press, including appearances on Animal Planet, and makes presentations throughout the region.

Help Northern Virginia Bird Alliance Plant Natives Donated by Earth Sangha, November 20th and 23rd

Photo: Donated plants, Bill Browning

Earth Sangha is a key partner in the Stretch Our Parks habitat restoration corridor currently active between Upton Hill Regional Park and the Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association. They made a sizable donation of wild plants to the project and Northern Virginia Bird Alliance needs to get these youngsters in the ground! Please come help build deer exclosure cages and plant these gifts. Sign up, and get more details, via the links below.

Lockwood/Elmwood Senior Housing Complex (Wednesday, November 20, Meet at 8:50 AM)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/8050D48AFAC23A6F85-46970234-invasive#/

Dominion Hills Area Recreation Association (Saturday, November 23, Meet at 9:00 AM)

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040A4BA9A92CA31-powhatan1#/