At its meeting on June 24, the Fairfax County Park Authority Board approved a resolution honoring 21 individuals as 2026 Outstanding Volunteers. These peer-nominated individuals were recognized for their dedication to their community and their invaluable service to the Fairfax County park system: (Three of the awardees are FMN)
* Avril Garland, Accotink Stream Valley Park, IMA Site Leader
* Jerry Nissley, Huntley Meadows Park, Educational Program and Special Event Assistant
* Carol Tretkoff, Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Resource Naturalist
FCPA 2026 Outstanding Volunteers – photo FCPA
The announcement continued by saying, “More than 10,770 volunteers contributed to the operation, preservation and conservation of Fairfax County parks in Fiscal Year 2026. They contributed 115,718 hours of volunteer service and their work is valued at over $3.98 million. The Park Authority could not function without the support and commitment of our volunteer force.
“Each year, our volunteers remind us of the extraordinary power of people coming together with purpose. Their commitment to restoring habitats, supporting programs, and caring for our parks creates a community where nature thrives and neighbors feel connected. Their impact reaches far beyond the work they do; it inspires all of us to imagine what’s possible when we serve something larger than ourselves,” said Park Authority Executive Director Jai Cole.
The Park Authority’s outstanding volunteers were honored at a special evening of music and celebration with a Volunteer Appreciation Night on Thursday, July 16, as part of the Government Center’s Evenings on the Ellipse Summer Concert Series.”
FMN Avril Garland up to her elbows in Still Grass – photo courtesy of Avril Garland
As mentioned above, Avril was recognized for her efforts in the IMA program. IMA is the Invasive Management Area program under Fairfax County Park’s Resource Division. Individuals (and teams) are assigned specific areas to maintain within the park system and Avril has worked significant hours along the Accotink Stream Trail system. The photo shows her hard at work pulling stilt grass around the stream pathways. #WOW
Carol started at Hidden Oaks Nature Center (HONC) in March (2025) when she moved from Prince William
FMN Carol Tretkoff down in the weeds – photo FMN Kristina Watts
County. Lucky for HONC, she now lives only about 10 minutes away. She has for the most part battled against the invasive plants found in the park; to name a few, English ivy, oriental bittersweet, wineberry, honeysuckle, stilt grass, and barberry.
For Fairfax County Parks, Jerry volunteers primarily at Huntley Meadows where he leads group nature programs, is a trail monitor, special events assistant, and animal caretaker (their turtle of course).
FMN Jerry Nissley with his grandson at Huntley Meadows – photo FMN Jerry Nissley
As an aside, he also presents ‘Turtle Talk’, an interactive roadshow program all about Woodland Box Turtles. Turtle Talk, which blossomed from his FMN cohort final project in 2019, visited three elementary schools, a homeschool group, a nature expo, and the Vienna Farmer’s Market this spring! Their little turtle legs are tired.
“Behold the turtle. He makes progress only when he sticks his neck out.” (James Bryant Conant)
FMN Jerry Nissley
