Want to share your love of nature with children and families? Great opportunities are coming up this fall for Master Naturalists and other interested volunteers. Here’s a sampling: Meaningful Watershed Education Experience, Hidden Oaks, Sept. 26 & 27, 9am-12:24pm; Oct. 2, 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 24, & 25, 9:15am-12:45pm. Assist at stations including stream […]
Effective July 30, 2018, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) has suspended the Beehive Distribution Program for fiscal year 2018-19 due to the extraordinary number of applications received by VDACS. The Beehive Distribution Program experienced overwhelming interest from Virginia’s citizens as more than 2,600 applications have been submitted since the opening of […]
Plant NOVA Natives is the joint marketing campaign of a coalition of non-profit, governmental, and private groups, all working to reverse the decline of native plants and wildlife in Northern Virginia. Their strategy is to encourage residents as well as public and commercial entities to install native plants as the first step toward creating wildlife […]
We are fortunate in Northern Virginia to have many sources of native plants. In addition to the native-only nurseries – some of which propagate plants themselves from local seed sources – there are numerous vendors who set up shop at special plant sales in the spring and fall. Find a list on the Plant NOVA Natives website. […]
Join the Friends of Dyke Marsh to hear Dr. Desiree Narango speak about her research on how residential landscapes influence biodiversity. The talk will focus on her research comparing how well native and nonnative trees provide food for insect-eating Carolina chickadees. She will share results from her work that can help you choose trees and shrubs […]
Join Earth Sangha for a Pull-a-thon at the Marie Butler Leven Preserve this weekend! The group is going to continue to focus on pulling mile-a-minute and Japanese stiltgrass from the woodland edge. It’s crucial to remove these invasives now before they set seed. Marie Butler Leven Preserve, 1501 Kirby Road McLean, VA 22101 Friday, Saturday, and […]
Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is now accepting site visit requests for both the Conservation Assistance Program (CAP) and the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP). Do you have a drainage and erosion problem? Are you interested in improving water quality in local watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay? Funding may be available for you […]
Join volunteers throughout Fairfax County who monitor water quality in local streams. The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District trains volunteers to assess ecological conditions in streams based on the presence and abundance of benthic macroinvertebrates (aquatic insects). Volunteers also learn how to take chemical measurements about nitrate/nitrite and turbidity. Training includes indoor and […]
A teaspoon. That’s all the water a mosquito needs to breed. After all the rain we’ve had, please walk around your homes, look on your apartment balconies and examine your neighborhood common areas to tip and toss standing water. Here are 12 prime locations to check: Buckets, watering cans, bottle caps or any trash that […]
A rain garden is a great way to handle runoff on your property, but it is important to do it right. Rain gardens serve the dual purpose of improving landscape aesthetics and draining stormwater in an environmentally friendly and natural way. Whether you are planning to install a rain garden at home or simply curious […]