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

/0 Comments/in , /by

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

/0 Comments/in , , /by

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)

/in , , /by

Photo: Courtesy of Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge

Where

Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton, VA 22079.
Woodmarsh Trail Observation Deck at Elizabeth Hartwell Refuge

When

Dec. 7, 2024. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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.

Meet rangers stationed at the observation decks at the Woodmarsh Trail within the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. The Woodmarsh Trail offers a scenic 2.5-mile loop that winds through diverse habitats, providing the perfect backdrop for bird watching.

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

Additional dates

Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Dec. 8, 2024. 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Dec. 21, 2024. 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Dec. 22, 2024. 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Rangers at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 1, 2025. 9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 4, 2025. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 5, 2025. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 18, 2025. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 19, 2025. 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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

/in , , /by

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!

/in , /by

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!

/in , , /by

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. 

Birds, Bugs and Berries: Providing Habitat for Birds and Other Wildlife, December 8th

/in , , /by

Sunday, December 8, 2024
2 pm buffet; 2:45 presentation
Gunston Hall’s Ann Mason Room, 10709 Gunston Road, Lorton, VA
Friends of Mason Neck members $15/nonmembers $20
Register here.

It’s time for the Friends of Mason Neck State Park’s annual Swanfall holiday celebration. It’s an opportunity to socialize with members and friends while enjoying a delicious buffet and a
fascinating talk.

At 2:45 PM, we’ll enjoy “Birds, Bugs and Berries: Providing Habitat for Birds and Other Wildlife” presented by Alonso Abugattas. Alonso is the Natural Resources Manager for Arlington County, and he is best known as the Capital Naturalist, creator of the Capital Naturalist Facebook group with 24,000 members, and the Capital Naturalist You Tube channel. Alonso has had numerous mentions and appearances on television, radio, podcasts and the press, including appearances on Animal Planet, and makes presentations throughout the region.

A Rewarding Day

/1 Comment/in , , /by

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.

Senator Pekarsky and FMN Sarah Mayhew –  photo FMN Rob Warren

Virginia State Senator Stella Pekarsky (36th district) presented Sarah Mayhew with a volunteer commendation (Senate Resolution number 161). Senator Pekarsky, a member of the Senate Agriculture, Conservation, and Natural Resources committee, presented Sarah with a conservation award recognizing her 20+ years of conservation service in Fairfax County.

Sarah has been the Virginia Master Naturalist – Fairfax Chapter president

FMN crew planting the garden – photo Rob Warren

since 2023 and championed our chapter project at MNSP. The project commits 5 years of service to restore and maintain two large pollinator gardens and the native plants surrounding the visitor’s center. For the Public Lands Day event, 23 FMN gathered to plant the ‘Forest Edge’ garden with native plants appropriate for that specific area. Of course, the pot-luck picnic prior to the work shift, coordinated by FMN Mike Walker, made for happy laborers. The chapter project maintenance phase will continue for the next 3 years. Volunteers can sign up for work days via the BI calendar.

FMN Stephanie Johnson – photo Rob Warren

FMN Stephanie Johnson (owner Green Steeze Landscaping) and landscape architect, designed the garden with Jim McGlone, purchased all the native plants with funds from Friends of Mason Neck State Park, and volunteered many of her own hours along with some of her crew’s hours to help plant it. A very generous contribution of time and resources. Thank you Steph! You’re the best!

Acknowledgments:
– Thanks to Jamie Leeuwrik, Chief Ranger for Visitor Experience at MNSP and a Fairfax Chapter co-advisor, for supporting the chapter project.

– FMN Mike Walker – kudos for coordinating and setting up the picnic.

– Jim McGlone’s significant contributions to the project.

– The Friends of Mason Neck State Park for a wonderful project partnership and major contributions of time and resources.
– FMN Rob Warren for photos of the day.

2024 Virginia Bluebird Society’s Biennial Conference, November 1st – 2nd

/in , , /by

Photo: By Susan Cato, Bluebird at nest box

Friday & Saturday, November 1- 2, 2024
Friday 6:00PM – 10:00PM, Saturday 8:00AM – 4:00PM

Virginia Crossings Conference Center & Hotel
Glen Allen, VA.

Registration and Conference details

The Virginia Bluebird Society is celebrating its biennial conference on November 1st and 2nd.  Whether you are an experienced Bluebird landlord or just beginning and don’t know where to start, there will be sessions for you!

Topics include Nest Box Monitoring 101, nature photography, birding with children, nature journaling and so much more!  There will be a silent auction and fun merchandise to purchase.  

Keynote Speaker Mynra Pearman, biologist, author and nature photographer, will be sharing her expertise. Learn more about Myrna at: https://www.myrnapearman.com/ 

The conference will take place at Virginia Crossings in Glen Allen, Virginia. Registration opens September 9 on the Virginia Bluebird Society website. Contact [email protected]  for more information.

 

Invitation to Participate in Save the Night! Light Pollution Awareness & Dark Skies Day, November 17th

/in , , /by

Photo: Fairfax County Park Authority – Dark Sky Celebration

Sunday, November 17, 2024
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Vienna Community Center
120 Cherry Street
Southeast Vienna, VA, 22180

DarkSky NOVA and Dark Sky Friends are hosting a Save the Night!

Join this family-friendly afternoon dedicated to exploring the effects of light pollution and how it impacts our lives and health.

Engage with astronomers, peer through telescopes, and immerse yourself in the planetarium experience. Discover how artificial light at night affects your health and that of birds, plants, insects and animals.

Light pollution, the excessive or misdirected artificial light that brightens our night skies, is a growing environmental issue with serious consequences. Discover the different forms of light pollution—such as skyglow, glare, and light trespass—and learn how they interfere with our ability to see stars and our everyday lives.

In addition to dimming our night skies, light pollution has far-reaching effects on human health, wildlife behavior, and energy consumption.

Learn how you can be part of the solution and how to stop light pollution!

Find out how you can help reduce light pollution and protect our night environment!