Cover photo: Ana Ka’ahanui (Capital Nature) By definition vernal ponds are ephemeral; how we endeavor to sustain their wellbeing does not need to be. The idea to create an educational outreach film that would emphasize the importance of vernal ponds and enhance our understanding of them originated with FMN Beverley Rivera, FACC Philip Latasa, and […]
All photos by Jerry Nissley Are you gazing over your horizon for a different new place to volunteer? FMNs Tom Blackburn, Rob Warren and Jerry Nissley recently met with Jamie Leeuwrik, Chief Ranger – Visitor Experience, at Mason Neck State Park to discuss the areas of need at the park and how FMN volunteers may […]
Cover photo: Jerry Nissley As experienced FMN volunteers most of us have logged into Better Impact (BI) to record hours of service or CE. Because of this, from time to time the Projects/Hours Committee receives questions via [email protected] asking about how to record hours or how to best identify service codes to use for a […]
Cover photo: Public Domain In January 2023, the FMN board approved a chapter partnership with Fairfax Tree Stewards (FTS). FTS is an educational, non-profit, volunteer organization providing specialized training and certification focusing on trees. It is a program under the auspices of Trees Virginia, registered with the state as Virginia Urban Forest Council and is […]
It was a great way to spend a day – collaborating behind the Nature Forward Table at the Hybla Valley Community Center. Hybla Valley is designated as an Opportunity Neighborhood in Fairfax County. United Community, a non-profit organization, hosted the holiday season outreach event handing out 100s of toys, a nutritional lunch, and a tremendous […]
“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.” A tenet of volunteering coined by Arthur Ashe. The FMN recipients of the 2022 Elly Doyle Outstanding Volunteer awards most certainly personify each component of that tenet. The Elly Doyle Park Service Awards were established in 1988 by Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) […]
As previously announced, FMN recently established a partnership with Friends of Mineralogy Virginia (FMVA). During the summer of 2022 FMN Katy Johnson completed their Rock Hound 101 course and subsequently initiated an introduction of FMVA to FMN. FMN president, Marilyn Parks, then solidified an understanding with FMVA, which resulted in our educational and service partnership. In […]
It is always encouraging to hear of success stories from FMN volunteers. Then again it is also something special to hear from ‘friends of FMN’ just because they want to share a wonderful story with friends and like minded people and perhaps plant a seed for a future project. Such is the case, literally and […]
(Cover photo Jerry Nissley) FMN recently established a partnership with Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area on Mason Neck Peninsula (SRMA). The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Eastern States Lower Potomac Field Station manages recreation and natural resources on two properties, one in Maryland and the other in Virginia. The Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) […]
In July 2022 the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors (BOS) distinguished FMN Cathy Ledec, former chair of the Fairfax County Tree Commission, with a proclamation for her years of service in progressing our County’s environmental initiatives. Notably, Cathy led the charge in developing the 2019 Tree Action Plan for Fairfax County which, through its robust […]