By: FMN Ana Ka’ahanui (Capital Nature) It was the day before Easter. I navigated the busy parking lot of the Springfield Costco in Newington, scanning the area for a group of outdoorsy looking people. I found them. With walking sticks, backpacks and water bottles, I saw a few dozen people assembled at the back of […]
Congratulations to FMN Betsy Martin for her recognition as a “Community Champion” in the Mount Vernon District of Fairfax County. Betsy has been a certified Master Naturalist since 2007 with over 2950 service hours under belt. She is active in the Northern Virginia Birding community and her conservation work with area ‘Friends of…’ groups, has […]
American Horticultural Society (AHS) HQ at River Farm Spring Garden Market – American Horticultural Society In 2024 AHS contacted VMN – Fairfax Chapter (FMN) specifically to help rebuild the nest boxes along their bluebird trail. FMN Susan Farmer became the liaison for this and other activities on location. She organized a team of stalwart FMN […]
Green Spring Gardens, a Fairfax County Park Authority park, is looking for additional volunteers starting with the upcoming season. Green Spring provides field trips for kids from PreK-4th grade on weekdays in the spring and fall. Field trips include fascinating topics like Metamorphosis and More, Soil Secrets, Fantastic Flora and Fauna, Virginia Ecosystems and others. Volunteers lead […]
The Fairfax County Tree Commission’s “Friends of Trees Awards” are awarded annually to recognize exceptional and innovative conservation-based tree activities in Fairfax County and the people behind them. FMN Maryam Dadkhah, received the 2024 award in the ‘Individual’ category for providing extraordinary unpaid leadership in conceiving and implementing various tree-related projects throughout the year. She […]
Project Learning Tree® (PLT) is an international program that works with thousands of teachers each year, giving them award-winning environmental education curriculum materials and training to help them weave the environment into their everyday lesson plans and take their students outdoors to learn. Virginia PLT is sponsored by the Virginia Department of Forestry, Virginia Forestry […]
National Public Lands Day at Mason Neck State Park (MNSP) was rewarding in more ways than one. The day saw a service commendation presented to our chapter president and the initial planting of a major pollinator garden. Virginia State Senator Stella Pekarsky (36th district) presented Sarah Mayhew with a volunteer commendation (Senate Resolution number 161). […]
VMN is encouraging all chapters to get involved with an optional training opportunity facilitated by our close partner at the Virginia Department of Forestry. VMN is working to build volunteer involvement in Project Learning Tree, which is a fantastic environmental education curriculum for youth. Involvement of VMN volunteers can include taking the PLT educator workshop […]
After a summer hiatus, the popular Smithsonian CE tour led by FMN John Kelmelis, returns in September. Speaking, of course, about the interpretive tour of the National Museum of Natural History for Virginia Master Naturalists. As a reminder, this tour is for FMN volunteers only and is limited by the Smithsonian to 6 people per […]
The VA Department of Forestry (VDoF) Acorn Collection Program is an established program that helps sustain the native tree population in Virginia. The program helps by collecting native acorns, raising trees on farms, and reforesting areas that may have been destroyed by fire, disease, or clear cut. In 2023, FMN volunteers contributed over 60 hours, […]