… FMN Kathryn Pasternak for the Outdoors Maryland segment titled “Ghost Rivers”. Ghost Rivers tells the story of Sumwalt Run, a stream that once flowed through Baltimore’s Remington neighborhood. In the early 20th century it was buried in a brick and concrete culvert up to 40 feet below street level. The same fate as natural […]
Announcing the ‘FMN only’ summer Kayak Tours at Mason Neck State Park! June Evening: Saturday, 6/28/25, 6:00-8:00 PM July Evening: Friday, 7/25/25, 6:00-8:00 PM August Morning: Sunday, 8/24/25, 9:00-11:00 AM September Afternoon: Sunday, 9/07/25, 1:00-3:00 PM The 2 hour tours guide paddlers out into Belmont Bay and up Kane’s Creek into the heart of the […]
As many readers already know, FMN has maintained a signed Cooperative Agreement (CA) with Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) since chapter inception in 2007. Annually, FMN contributes more collective volunteer hours towards FCPA Activity Codes than any other single partner organization. In turn, FCPA provides FMN with course instructors, meeting facilities, volunteer opportunities, and access […]
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). […]