Mason Neck Chapter Project – 2026 Plan
The FMN Chapter Stewardship Project is restarting in mid-March 2026.
This project is for the long-term maintenance of Mason Neck State Park’s Pollinator Gardens. The volunteers on this project are providing long term care and maintenance of the 2 main pollinator gardens on the grounds of Mason Neck State Park and the beds around the visitor’s center. FMN is collaborating with the Friends of Mason Neck State Park and Park staff.
Photo by Sarah Mayhew, FMN Rob Warren with weed whacker Mason Neck Chapter Project
Purpose: This project will help volunteers gain knowledge and experience with the care and maintenance of pollinator gardens, how to collect seeds for sustainment of the gardens, how to identify and care for native plants, how to control undesirable invaders (weeds and pests), and work in a team environment.
Mason Neck State Park Pollinator Gardens work plan for 2026:
The plantings from 2024 have taken root and should be well established this year. We will see what happens with the attempt to bury weeds in the parking lot garden when the growing season starts up.
There are two big focus areas for this year. On March 14 we will bury the buttercups and other weeds in the driveway garden. Hopefully, this will knock them back enough that hand weeding will keep them under control.
The second big task will be a September planting in both areas we have spread deep wood chips on. This technique has worked in other landscapes as a way of restoring badly overrun gardens.
Project Location:
Mason Neck State Park – 7301 High Point Road, Lorton, Virginia 22079
FMN crew at MNSP – photo Rob Warren
FMN contact: Jim McGlone at dofmcglone@gmail.com if you are planning to attend so he can let you know if there are any schedule changes. Or register in BI calendar. Dress for the weather, drink plenty of water, use sun and insect protection.
Workdays have been scheduled in BI calendar so you can signup there. For 2026, workdays will be the second Saturday and third Wednesday of each month March to October from 9:30 to 11:30. Check BI calendar to sign up. Most days will be spent weeding and sharing gardening tips.
To register:
1. Login to BI and click on your ‘Opportunities’ tab.
2. Select ‘Opportunity Calendar’ from the pull-down menu.
3. Find event in the displayed calendar; Click it to see event details.
4. To sign up, Click the ‘Sign Up’ box in the lower right. This automatically signs you up and puts the event on your personal calendar.
To record hours, please use CP179: Mason Neck Pollinator Garden Maintenance
