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!

Restoring Mussels to Our Rivers, In Person Only, February 23rd

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Sunday, February 23, 2025
3 pm (informal social hour begins at 2 pm)
Mount Vernon Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria VA

No RSVP needed

Mussels are nature’s water-based “cleanup crew.” One adult mussel can clean up to 10 liters of water per day.

Friends of Dyke Marsh is hosting Dean Nauioks of the Potomac Riverkeeper to describe Potomac Riverkeeper Network’s 50 Million Mussel Project (https://www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/50-million-mussel-project/). Their goal is to restore this important bivalve to the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers.

This presentation is cosponsored by the Friends of Dyke Marsh, Northern Virginia Trout Unlimited, Friends of Mason Neck State Park, Four Mile Run Conservancy Foundation, Friends of Little Hunting Creek and the Prince William Conservation Alliance.

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

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.

Building Back Bird Diversity: Best Management Practices That Really Work!, Webinar, December 17th

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Graphic: Evan Barrientos/Audubon

Tuesday, December 17, 2024
7 – 8 pm
Register here.

Join Northern Virginia Bird Alliance for Justin Proctor’s presentation on bird-friendly best management practices to apply across rural, suburban, and urban landscapes. His talk will explore strategies, technical assistance, and cost-share programs that can greatly simplify and accelerate your adopting and putting into effect practices that increase habitat and biodiversity on your property. Specific practices to be covered include how to convert lawns into functional grasslands, transitioning to zero emission landscaping equipment, reducing and refining landscape management, dark skies lighting, and many more.

Justin Proctor is a conservation biologist with the Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes program. He is based in Front Royal, VA. He coordinates the Virginia Grassland Bird Initiative, working to assist producers and landowners in adopting a suite of best management practices for bird conservation on their landscapes. Justin has spent 15+ years working in the fields of science, education, and conservation, affording him opportunities to conduct ornithological research across the western hemisphere. Justin is excited to be a part of an initiative that takes science and turns it into action that benefits biodiversity, landscape resiliency, farmer livelihoods, and local communities.

Project Learning Tree – How to get Involved

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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 Association, and the Virginia Tech College of Natural Resources & the Environment. Project Learning Tree is one of the cornerstone environmental education curricula and its current guides contain activities that are engaging, hands-on, & aligned with the state’s education standards.

VMN is working to build volunteer involvement in Project Learning Tree, which is a fantastic environmental education curriculum for youth. Involvement by VMN volunteers can include taking the PLT educator workshop (learning to use the curriculum for youth programs), taking the PLT facilitator training (learning to train other educators, such as fellow VMN volunteers in how to use the curriculum), facilitating programs for youth using the curriculum, and/or giving training workshops for other educators (for those who complete the facilitator training.)

To this end, our FMN Chapter has approved PLT as a CE Provider and established Activity Service code E003: Project Learning Tree Facilitator.
FMN CE hours may be recorded for taking the required training and then service hours may be recorded for actually preparing material and teaching the curriculum.

Project Learning Tree has two components where VMNs can be involved:

1. The educator workshops are eligible for continuing education hours per the discretion of the local chapter. Those are offered around the state at various times throughout the year.

2. Part two is adding an Outreach service code for trained PLT instructors for when they actually teach course criteria. They can’t teach until they have been trained. PLT sessions could be arranged with schools or county nature centers.

Educator Workshops may also be arranged for a specific chapter, which segues to the ‘big ask’ of this article. FMN Wendy Cohen, is a certified facilitator and has volunteered to lead a workshop for our chapter. PLT likes to have at least ten people attend these workshops. Because of the preparation required to develop a chapter workshop, FMN would like to gauge the potential interest of our membership.

FMN is targeting the workshop for the February/March 2025 timeframe.

FMN is not asking for a commitment at this time but if there is potential interest on your part to participate in a workshop, please respond with a ‘Yes, I am interested in a workshop in [Feb or Mar or either]’ to the following email address:

Jerry Nissley (Hours co-chair) – [email protected]

Results will be communicated in January 2025.

Acknowledgements:

Cover photo by Kara Zimmerman – Bigleaf Magnolia leaf found by Isaac. Kids love nature programs.

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. 

Every Acre Counts: Conserving Habitat for Birds, Webinar, November 19th

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Tuesday, November 19, 2024
4 –  5 pm
Zoom link provided upon registration.
Free. Register here.

American Bird Conservancy (ABC) has conserved millions of acres of habitat for birds like the Swainson’s Thrush, Golden-winged Warbler, and the rare Cundinamarca Antpitta over the past 30 years. But there is much more to be done: Habitat loss is the most urgent threat facing wild birds today.

Habitat conservation is essential for bird conservation — and the good news is, you can help, whether it’s working in your own neighborhood or supporting establishment of a reserve that spans thousands of acres.

Join ABC to explore how they’re conserving land for birds, from one acre to 10,000 — and how you can, too. You’ll learn ways to minimize pesticide use in backyards and about how ABC is helping to do the same on agricultural land. Looking farther afield, you’ll find out how ABC is improving critical bird habitat with landowners and public land managers in the Great Lakes, and their efforts to establish reserves with partners in Bolivia that benefit Endangered resident birds, such as the Red-fronted Macaw and Palkachupa Cotinga.

You’ll discover how every bird-friendly action, whether big or small, can make an impact on the habitat birds need to thrive. Join them and get inspired to take bold action for birds!

You’ll hear from ABC experts and partners, including:
• Edward Hardy Kern, Director of Government Relations, Birds and Pesticides Campaign
• Jayme Strange, Northern Forests Conservation Delivery Network Coordinator
• Marcelo Tognelli, International Project Officer

If you can’t make the webinar live, RSVP now and they’ll send you a recording to enjoy when the time is right for you.

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

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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.

Watch Now: Video on How to Protect Northern Virginia Birds

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Photo: Purple Martins, Keith Kingdon/Audubon Photography Awards

From the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance

Over 100 million birds migrate through northern Virginia each spring, and 160 million migrate through each fall. Their journeys are perilous because they can be attracted to and disoriented by brightly lit buildings and crash into them or waste precious energy flying around the lights.

Birds that live here risk colliding with glass and other reflective surfaces, and light pollution disrupts their feeding, sleeping and reproduction, as well as that of the plants and insects on which they depend. NVBA has established a partnership with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, DarkSky Virginia, DarkSky NOVA, Nature Forward, the Friends of Dyke Marsh and the Friends of Little Hunting Creek to initiate a Bird Safe NOVA campaign. Check out the recording of their recent webinar here. 

Project FeederWatch Workshop with Greg Butcher, November 21st

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Picture Photo: Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pamela Brown – Audubon Photography Awards

Thursday, November 21, 2024
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Free Virtual Event

REGISTRATION IS REQIRED.

From the comfort of your home, you simply count the winter birds that visit your feeders and report your data to Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

This FREE workshop will cover a bit of Project FeederWatch history, its purpose, tips for identifying birds, and the protocols to be followed while counting.

Greg Butcher, formerly on the Board of NVBA, served as the Migratory Species Coordinator for the U.S. Forest Service’s International Programs, and also worked at the National Audubon Society, American Birding Association, Partners in Flight, and Cornell Lab of Ornithology. He also served as editor of Birder’s World magazine. He now leads birding tours around the world and volunteers on the NVBA Conservation Committee.