You’re Invited! Lahr Native Plant Symposium, March 29th

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Photo: Courtesy of Plant NOVA Natives: Aromatic Aster, Muhly Grass, Rough Goldenrod

Saturday, March 29th, 2025
9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

PAY WHAT YOU CAN REGISTRATION (The suggested registration cost is $95 (or $76 for FONA members), but please pay what you can to attend starting at $50.)

U.S. National Arboretum
Washington, D.C.

 

Dear Native Plant Enthusiast,

I am thrilled to invite you to the 38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium, taking place on Saturday, March 29th, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington, D.C.

This all-day event will feature engaging presentations by seven local experts, including horticulturists, scientists, and master naturalists.

Highlights of the symposium include:

  • Discovering how a historic estate is being reimagined with native plants.
  • Exploring research on the benefits of planting straight species versus cultivars.
  • Understanding the environmental impacts of proper backyard stormwater management.
  • A live demonstration of plant-pressing and its role in agricultural research and education.
  • Insights on encouraging native pollinators in your garden.

Engaging with the concept of ethical local foraging to support native landscapes.Your ticket also includes access to the Friends of the National Arboretum Native Plant Sale, where you’ll find local native plant vendors and artisans. Free lunch and snacks will be provided, with gluten-free and vegan options available.

For the full schedule of presentations and additional details, visit our ticketing page here:  38th Annual Lahr Native Plant Symposium

Please feel free to share this invitation with friends and fellow plant enthusiasts and reach out with any questions. I hope to see you there!

Best regards,

Molly Patton
she/her/hers (what is this?)
Public Horticulture and Engagement Unit
U.S. National Arboretum
Washington, DC
(207)415-1286

One Way to Support the Virginia Master Naturalist Program – Virginia Tech’s Giving Day, February 19th to 20th

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Photo Courtesy of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program

Article by FMN Debbie McDonald

As a member of our Fairfax Master Naturalist Chapter, and the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech, I am excited to share an easy and incredible program to support our Virginia Master Naturalist program statewide.  You were a big part of this last year, Virginia Tech’s Giving Day.  When we donate to Virginia Master Naturalists through this event, ALL donations go directly to VMN and provide important added funding for programs and activities.  You will hear more about it from Michelle Prysby, but it is not too early to begin planting the seeds so we are ready to grow our participation in this event.

What is Giving Day?  A 24 hour period to show support for programs connected to Virginia Tech that you are interested in and care about

How is VMN connected to this? Our program is housed in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation with the College of Natural Resources and Environment (CNRE) at Virginia Tech

When is Giving Day?  February 19, Noon (EST) to February 20, Noon (EST)

How can each of us participate?  Close to February 19, special links will be made available to you that will allow you to donate directly to the VMN/CNRE Giving Day funds

What is a suggested donation?   A minimum $5.00, tax deductible donation is all that is asked

Throughout the 24 hour period, there are “challenges,” which when met, can add matching dollars to what we as an organization contribute.

Here is the BIG challenge for VMN, we can receive $25,000 in challenge funds if we have 400 donors to the program on Giving Day. And we CAN do this, last year with your help, we had 448 donors, so let’s work for that extra $25,000 and 500 donors this year!

Here is a link to The College of Natural Resources and Environment to learn about all they are and do.  https://cnre.vt.edu/

I will be sending an email with reminders and the links to use closer to February 19.  It is such an honor and joy to be part of our organization and all each of you do and the differences you make.

FMN Debbie McDonald

Virginia Osprey Festival, April 12th

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Saturday, April 12, 2025
9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Town Hill
Colonial Avenue &, Washington Ave,
Colonial Beach, VA 22443

Photo: Courtesy of the National Park Service, Osprey

Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach

The 7th Annual Virginia Osprey Festival in Colonial Beach, hosted by the Virginia Osprey Foundation will be held on Saturday, April 12, 2025, from 9 am to 4 pm on Town Hill in Colonial Beach. The festival offers expert speakers including keynote speaker, Mark Smith! Mark Smith Photography – Glad I’m not a fish! (msmithphotos.com)

The festival weekend kicks off on Friday, April 11, with the 2nd Friday Art Walk in Downtown Colonial Beach where you can enjoy beautiful artwork by local artists with an emphasis on wildlife art. Enjoy live bands at the various food establishments throughout the Downtown area. On Saturday morning, the festival will offer, artisan vendors, food trucks, many exhibitors including, VIMS, Center for Conservation Biology, George Washington Birthplace National monument, Stratford Hall and many others. A nestlings’ corner with activities for our young attendees, and a critter corner featuring live raptors are favorites for young and old alike. After the festival, on Sunday, off site bird walks at several of our parks will be led by our Master Naturalists and a “Fly like an Osprey” kite flying day on the banks of the Potomac River will be held by Colonial Beach Parks and Recreation. Join us for a fun filled weekend!

Winter Symposium & Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association Short Course Homes and Habitats, February 12th and 13th

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Image: Courtesy of the Winter Symposium & CVNLA Short Course

 

Wednesday, February 12 & Thursday, February 13, 2025
9:00 am – 3:55 pm

In-Person OR Virtually, via Zoom

Click here for more session information and ticket/registration details.

Presented by Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden, Central Virginia Nursery and Landscape Association, and Virginia Cooperative Extension

Explore the intricate relationships that exist between ecosystems, communities, and humankind, focusing on the importance of the reciprocal relationships between plants, animals, and humans. Learn how, as gardeners and landscape professionals, can steward the land to support our natural ecosystems, foster biodiversity and build resiliency in our changing climate.

Join the sessions on Wednesday, February 12 and Thursday, February 13 to hear a variety of engaging experts including Silvermoon LaRose (Assistant Director of the Tomaquag Museum), Jared Rosenbaum (author of Wild Plant Culture: A Guide to Restoring Native Edible and Medicinal Plant Communities), James Golden (author of The View from Federal Twist: a New Way of Thinking about Gardens, Nature and Ourselves), Jared Barnes, Ph.D. (Associate Professor of Horticulture, Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, TX), Robert Shaut (Casey Trees), Kasey Yturralde (USDA Forest Service), Jessie Ward (Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories) and many more.

 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12 SESSIONS

OHKEHTEAU UNNEHTONGQUATASH, PLANT STORIES
Silvermoon LaRose, Tomaguag Museum

WILD PLANT CULUTRE: RESTORING NATIVE EDIBLE AND MEDICINAL PLANT COMMUNITIES

Jared Rosenbaum,Wild Ridge Plants, LLC

THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT: MICRO PLANTINGS FOR MACRO IMPACT

Dr. Jared Barnes, Stephen F Austin State University

PLANTING TREES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE: ADAPTING TO SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL SHIFTS
Robert Shaut, Casey Trees

THE VIEWFROM FEDERAL TWIST: A NEWWAY OF THINKING ABOUT GARDENS, NATURE, AND OURSELVES

James Golden, Author

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13 SESSIONS

CULTURAL CONTROL: AN IPM TOOL FOR PEST AND DISEASE MANAGEMENT
Jessie Ward, Bartlett Tree Research Laboratories

SUPPORTING RESILIENT FORESTS AND COMMUNITIES IN A TIME OF CHANGE
Kasey Yturralde, USDA Forest Service

A CELEBRATION OF ECCENTRICITIES – FAMOUS PLANT PEOPLE AND THEIR PLANTS
Tony Avent, Juniper Level Botanic Garden and Plant Delights Nursery

TINY HOMES FOR TINY INSECTS – ADVANCES IN INSECT GALL DEVELOPMENT
Sarah Melissa Witiak, Virginia State Universit

CHASING THE BLOOM IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

Don Hyatt, American Rhododendron Society

 

First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest returns for 2025! Submission Before Noon on Thursday, January 2nd

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Image: Courtesy of Fairfax County Government – First Hike

The amazingly popular First Hike Fairfax Photo Contest returns for 2025! Grab your coats and cameras and join the fun on New Year’s Day along more than 334 miles of Park Authority trails.

Participation is simple:

Visit any FCPA trail on Wednesday, January 1, 2025. Take a photo to commemorate the experience and submit it online before Noon on Thursday, January 2. The photo submission link will be posted here by 7 a.m. on January 1, 2025.

Win prizes in one of the following seven categories; prizes are sponsored by the Fairfax County Park Foundation:

  • People’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
  • Judges’ Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card or 25-visit FCPA Rec Center Discount Fast Pass (valued at $175)
  • Director’s Choice: $100 Park Authority Gift Card
  • Best in Show (Scenery/Landscapes): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
  • Best in Show (People): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
  • Best in Show (Wildlife): $75 Park Authority Gift Card
  • Best in Show (Pets): $75 Park Authority Gift Card

PHOTO CONTEST RULES

  • First Hike Fairfax is open to amateur and professional photographers.
  • Photos must be taken on a Park Authority trail on Wednesday, January 1, 2025
  • Submissions must be made online. A link will be provided above by 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025.
  • Only one photo entry per person will be accepted (multiple family members may submit photos individually).
  • Photos must be in JPG format (no bigger than 5MB is preferred)
  • Contest submissions must clearly indicate the date and what Park Authority trail the photo was taken.
  • See full contest rules.

Need inspiration? See all photo submissions for First Hike 2024!

 

Calling All Teachers: Apply for NVBA’s Hog Island Scholarship by February 25th

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Photo: Walker Golder/Audubon Photography Awards, Atlantic Puffins 

Each year Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) offers a full scholarship and transportation to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at National Audubon Society’s Hog Island Camp in Maine.

Hog Island Audubon Camp has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families and conservation leaders since 1936. While there, educators learn interdisciplinary hands-on methods and approaches to environmental education while immersed in the natural world. Educator’s Week in the coming year is August 10-15. To learn more and apply, click here.

Please help spread the word by sharing this with any teachers you know in northern Virginia. Thank you!

Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans, Dec 7th (Other Dates Available)

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Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

 

Tundra Swans are known for their striking white plumage and long, graceful necks, making them a favorite among birdwatchers. Each year, these incredible birds undertake a remarkable migration from their breeding grounds in the Arctic tundra to warmer winter habitats. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, including harsh weather and finding suitable feeding areas. During your visit, you’ll learn about their impressive strength and stamina as they fly thousands of miles to return to the tundra they call home.

Where

Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton, VA 22079.

Please note: There are two observation deck locations: the Woodmarsh Trail or Great Marsh Trail. 

The Woodmarsh Trail offers a scenic 2.5-mile loop that winds through diverse habitats, providing the perfect backdrop for bird watching.

The Great Marsh Trail is a 1.3-mile accessible paved trail, making it suitable for all visitors, including those with mobility challenges. This trail allows everyone to experience the marsh ecosystem up close while enjoying the accessibility of a paved surface.

When

Meet rangers stationed at the observation decks at either the Woodmarsh Trail or Great Marsh Trail) – Jan. 1, 2025. 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Meet rangers stationed at the observation decks at the Woodmarsh Trail – Jan. 4, 2025. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Meet rangers stationed at the observation decks at the Woodmarsh Trail – Jan. 5, 2025. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Meet rangers stationed at the observation decks at the Great Marsh Trail – Jan. 18, 2025. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Meet rangers stationed at the observation decks at the Great Marsh Trail – Jan. 19, 2025. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Other details

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 703-339-2385
Email Address: [email protected]

Event types

National Events | Outdoor/Nature/Natural History

 

Difficult Run Stream Valley Park Habitat Restoration in Oakton! December 7th

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Photo: FMN J. Quinn

Saturday 7, 2024
2:00pm – 4:00pm

Sign-up information

Oakmont Rec Center
3200 Jermantown Rd, Oakton

 

Did you know that invasive plants are a huge threat to local wildlife, including migrating birds? Help out these creatures by volunteering to remove invasive plants and restore habitat!

Through removal of invasive plants, you’ll help restore natural habitats for wildlife in Fairfax County, while spending time outdoors & meeting new people. All ages are welcome. Meet in the parking lot of Oakmont Rec Center, 3200 Jermantown Rd, Oakton

Additional Information

Duties:
Volunteers will manually remove invasive plants and plant native species. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Park Authority. In working to ensure everyone’s safety, we are following current CDC guidelines. If you are not feeling well, please stay home!

Qualifications:
No prior experience necessary, a short training and introduction will be provided at the beginning of every opportunity. Registration for IMA workdays must be submitted by 3pm on the Friday prior to a weekend workday and by 12pm on the day prior to a weekday workday. Volunteers 11 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Purpose:
To restore parkland through the removal of invasive plants and planting of native species.

Benefits:
Volunteers will immediately be able to see how their efforts have had a positive impact on parkland. Volunteers will make parks they volunteer at more aesthetically pleasing and improve the quality of habitat for local wildlife.

Submit Photos to Virginia Wildlife’s Photography Showcase!

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Image: Courtesy of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR)

The Annual Photography Showcase is offered each year as a way to recognize the rich heritage of Virginia’s wildlife and natural resources and pay tribute to the mission of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR).

Images will be chosen by the editorial staff from those submitted via our online link, available now! Selected images will appear in the July/August 2025 issue, although some entries may appear on the DWR website, blog, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter sites to promote the mission of the agency and advertise future photography showcases. Promotional usage rights must be available to Virginia Wildlife staff and the Department’s webmaster.

AGAIN THIS YEAR! The DWR will choose the photo to use on the cover of the 2026 Virginia Wildlife Calendar from the photos submitted to the 2025 Virginia Wildlife Photography Showcase Issue! The Virginia Wildlife Calendar has become iconic and is sold and distributed to thousands in Virginia and across the United States. The DWR source calendar photos from professional wildlife photographers, but they wanted to give Virginia Wildlife Photography Showcase photographers the chance to be included as well.

There is no separate category for the calendar cover; DWR will select the winning image from entrants to the usual categories for the Photography Showcase Issue, and all entry rules and directions apply.

Here are some guidance on what type of image will work on the calendar cover:

The calendar dimensions are 10″ x 14″, horizontal format. Please do not crop your image too tightly. The image must have 3 to 4 inches of “clean” space at the bottom, so the logo is easily readable.

Please make sure your file is at least 300ppi and can be made into the above-mentioned size without any resulting pixelation. The image must be sharp to begin with, so please do not over-sharpen, as this will disqualify the image. Also, do not over-saturate color of the image.

We will be looking for fauna for their cover, and they do not repeat species in close succession. They are looking for colorful, eye-catching, and dynamic images, so give the DWR your best shot! Good luck! Submissions must be uploaded by 5:00 PM on Monday, February 10, 2025.

Categories:

  • Virginia Fauna: Native mammals and birds (game and nongame), insects, reptiles and amphibians, underwater images of fish and aquatic life.
  • Textures & Patterns: Abstract designs, textures, and patterns found in nature. Make us guess what it is!
  • Trail-Cam Images: Images captured on trail cameras that reveal something interesting or funny about the subject.
  • Explore the Wild: Images captured on public lands found through the DWR Explore the Wild online tool, such as DWR Wildlife Management Areas, Virginia Bird and Wildlife Trail sites, and state and local parks. Entries to this category can include photos of wildlife, native plants, and textures and patterns. Entries in this category MUST specify in the description at which public land the image was taken.

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR ENTRY AND SUBMISSION DETAILS!!!!

Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) 2025 Internship Opportunities!

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Image: Virginia Working Landscapes and Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) is a program of Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI) that promotes the conservation of native biodiversity and sustainable land use through research, education, and community engagement. Interns will have a unique opportunity to develop skills in wildlife biodiversity research, native species conservation, and sustainable land use practices on Virginia’s working landscapes, while connecting with professionals in the Smithsonian’s network.

Benefits of interning with VWL: 

  • Participation in current research on grassland biodiversity in Virginia.
  • Participation in multiple projects that will reinforce their skills in biodiversity monitoring and conservation.
  • Connections with partnering conservation organizations working in various areas of conservation.
  • Exchange of ideas with researchers in different science areas at NZCBI.
  • Participation in seminars, VWL workshops and events, and other educational activities at NZCBI.

They are currently accepting applications for an Avian Point Count Internship, Grassland Plant Ecology Internship, Cavity-Nesting Birds & Arthropod Research Internship, and Conservation Storytelling Internship!

Please click here to learn about each position and how to apply.

At VWL, they value the strength that comes from a variety of perspectives and experiences, and we are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive space for our entire team. As such, we encourage individuals from all races, ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for our internship opportunities.