February Author Lecture: Dr. Doug Tallamy

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February 23, 2020 03:00 pm – 05:00 pm

Location: Manassas Park Community Center, 99 Adams Dr, Manassas Park, Virginia

Join the Prince William Wildflower Society for February’s Author Lecture, given by renowned entomologist and ecologist Doug Tallamy. Dr. Tallamy will have his new book available for signing, Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard. (Timber Press, Available February 4, 2020) 

Doug Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 95 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 39 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal by the Garden Writers’ Association. The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014.  Among his awards are the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence, and the 2018 AHS B.Y. Morrison Communication Award.

For more information, click here.

A Special Evening Program with Dr. Drew Lanham, Feb 27

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Explore the convergence of conservation and culture with Dr. J. Drew Lanham at a special evening program and book signing on February 27th at the Chapel on the campus of Sweet Briar College.

In this intimate evening, Dr. Lanham will reflect on his lifelong love of birds and wildlife and the part they play as connectors across time, place and cultures throughout our history. Dr. Lanham persuasively argues that conservation of wildlife can only be successful if it generates a deep appreciation for the cultural ties that link people of all backgrounds to the natural world and its power to unite.

Dr. Lanham is the author of The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man’s Love Affair with Nature, which received the Reed Award from the Southern Environmental Law Center and the Southern Book Prize and was a finalist for the John Burroughs Medal.

Tickets are available to the General Public for $25.00 and for area students at a discounted rate of $10.00. Buy them online at https://vaee.wildapricot.org/event-3623910

Participation in the VAEE conference is not required to attend this talk. However, the talk is included in Full Conference or Day 2 Registration for the 2020 VAEE Conference.

Download this flyer about the event to share with your friends.

EQAC Public Hearing Jan. 8th, provide your input

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Fairfax County Government Center
Conference Room 2 & 3
12000 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax VA
Wednesday, 8 January 2020
7:30 pm

The Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council (EQAC) is appointed by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors to advise on environmental matters. The public is encouraged to attend EQAC’s public hearing to share views on the state of the environment and to identify environmental issues of concern applicable to Fairfax County. While the timing of the public hearing tends to coincide with the publication of EQAC’s Annual Report on the Environment, the public hearing is not intended to focus on the Annual Report. Instead, the purpose of the hearing is to solicit your views and concerns regarding environmental issues. EQAC welcomes written and/or verbal testimony. Please limit verbal testimony to three minutes per speaker. Get more details here.

Aldo Leopold Read-a-thon, Jan. 19th

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Busboys and Poets
4521 Campbell Ave., Arlington VA
Sunday, 19 January 2020
5-7 pm

Northern Virginia Conservation Trust will honor legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold and celebrate what would have been his 133rd birthday. Listen to thought-provoking and inspiring passages from his published works led by invited guest speakers with some open slots for volunteer readers from the crowd! More information.

Author Lecture: Dr. Doug Tallamy, Feb. 23rd

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Manassas Park Community Center
99 Adams Drive, Manassas Park, VA
Sunday, 23 February 2020
3 – 5pm

Renowned entomologist and ecologist Doug Tallamy will present Prince William Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society February’s Author Lecture. Dr. Tallamy will have his new book available for signing, Nature’s Best Hope: A New Approach to Conservation that Starts in Your Yard. (Timber Press, available February 4, 2020).

Doug Tallamy is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware, where he has authored 95 research publications and has taught insect related courses for 39 years. Chief among his research goals is to better understand the many ways insects interact with plants and how such interactions determine the diversity of animal communities. His book Bringing Nature Home was awarded the 2008 Silver Medal by the Garden Writers’ Association. The Living Landscape, co-authored with Rick Darke, was published in 2014.  Among his awards are the Garden Club of America Margaret Douglas Medal for Conservation and the Tom Dodd, Jr. Award of Excellence, and the 2018 AHS B.Y. Morrison Communication Award.

Registration is requested and carpools are recommended.
For more information, contact the Extension Master Gardener Horticulture Help Line at 703.792.7747 or email [email protected] or Nancy Vehrs at [email protected].

2nd Annual Native Plants for Beginners

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Saturday, February 8, 2020, 6:00-7:30pm

Northern Virginia Community College, Woodbridge VA

More details and registration info to follow. See plantnovanatives.org for more information.

The Secret of Species

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The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187

Thursday, Jan 16, 2020

7:00pm – 8:00pm

When we hear about scientific discoveries, conservation breakthroughs, or just what’s been seen in the area recently, the stories are usually about species. “New species discovered!” “Endangered species need our help!” “I saw 20 species last weekend!” We hear and talk about species all the time, but we don’t usually stop to think about what a species is. In this presentation, Managing Director Eleanor Harris, Ph.D., will discuss what it means to be a species, why they’re so important, and how they have evolved. Throughout the talk she will focus on local examples, for example, why we distinguish Alder and Willow Flycatchers, but not red-spotted purples and white admirals.

This event is open to the public and free to attend. Please register.

Virginia Association of Forest Health Professionals, Jan 27-28

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Each year VAFHP holds a conference for professionals and others interested in learning more about forest health and ecology of the Mid-Atlantic. The 2020 Conference will be held in Glen Allen, VA, just west of Richmond, on January 27-28, 2020.

Attendees include local, state and federal officials, independent contractors, consultants, horticulture and forest industry representatives and students. We encourage anyone interested in the ecology of the Mid-Atlantic to participate. VAFHP is committed to developing and providing education and training for natural resource professionals.

The Virginia Association of Forest Health Professionals (VAFHP) invites you to apply for their 2020 Conference Scholarship.

This scholarship provides you with a front row seat to pertinent Virginia forest health topics and a chance to network with professionals in forestry related fields.  You will also learn about conference logistics and provide support to the VAFHP Steering Committee throughout the conference.

This opportunity is available for first-time conference attendees and will fully cover registration costs (hotel accommodations and travel costs must be covered by scholarship recipients). Two scholarships will be available; one for recent college graduates and one for professionals or citizen scientists without dedicated travel funds. The deadline to apply is December 6, 2019, recipients will be notified by December 16, 2019.

Please visit https://www.vafhp.org/conference for conference details and registration.

Christmas Bird Count Workshop

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Photo (c) by Barbara J. Saffir

National Wildlife Federation, Wildlife Center Drive 11100, Reston, Virginia
November 24, 2019
1:00 pm – 03:00 pm

Location:

Join Phil Silas, the Manassas-Bull Run Christmas Bird Count compiler, at the National Wildlife Federation to learn about this long-running citizen science bird survey. Phil will cover its purpose and scope, explain how we organize our CBC, and show where the data goes and how it is used. The workshop offers tips on preparing for a winter bird count and will review how to identify many of the birds seen in our area in winter. Workshop is free, but registration is required. 

Botany and Bloom Workshop Series, Apr. 27 and Jul. 27 and Nov. 23, 2019

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27 April and 27 July 2019

10:00 am – 02:00 pm

Location: Sky Meadows State Park, Edmonds Lane 11012, Delaplane, Virginia

Explore the rich natural diversity of Sky Meadows State Park with this three-part series. Each workshop includes a lecture in the Carriage Barn, followed by a 3-mile field hike for hands-on application. Receive a colored print-out of the lecture. Each workshop is $15/adult, $5/child (12 and under), payable the day of the workshop. Workshop fee includes parking. Bring water and lunch to eat along the trail, dress in layers, and wear sturdy shoes.

Spring Ephemerals – Saturday, April 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Summer Blooms – Saturday, July 27, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Winter Tree Identification – Saturday, November 23, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For complete workshop descriptions, and to sign up for the series, go to: www.dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/sky-meadows