Friends of Dyke Marsh Bat Walk, September 10th

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Photo: Courtesy of Friends of Dyke Marsh

Thursday, September 10, 2026
7:30 p.m.

Registration required

Event is free

Location: Dyke Marsh, entrance to Haul Road trail

Join Deborah Hammer, an educator with Bat Conservation and Rescue of Virginia, and learn about our local bats on September 10, 7:30 p.m.

You will use sonar detectors that plug into phones to listen to bats echolocate as they hunt for food. Walking will be minimal and this event is accessible for all. You will identify bats by listening to their echolocation, using sonar detectors If you have an iPhone or Android phone and would like to try one out on your own device, contact Deborah ahead of time at deborahkh@netscape.net.

Meet at the Haul Road Trail entrance. Bring a flashlight (red light preferred) and insect repellent.   The walk will be postponed if the weather is problematic at 6 p.m.

To register, click here: FODM Bat Walk Registration. If you have questions or need to cancel your reservation, email Deborah deborahlovesbats@gmail.com.

Citizen Science Project – Caterpillars Count!

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Photo credit: Don Coram, Sawfly larvae observed during CaterpillarCounts!

Greetings Master Naturalists and Biodiversity Enthusiasts!

Volunteers for this Cit Science activity can record hours under:  C254: Caterpillars Count! — National Science Foundation

In 2025 several FMN volunteers contributed 85 hours to this code.Please read below for registration details. Volunteers will use INaturalist as the field tool.
Thank you.

You are invited to learn more about the citizen science project Caterpillars Count!, which aims to better understand:
•        insect declines (and hence bird declines)
•        shifts in seasonal insect activity
•        impacts of climate change and urbanization
•        importance of insect-host plant relationships.

Participants conduct surveys on the branches of trees and shrubs to monitor seasonal variation and abundance of arthropods like caterpillars, beetles, and spiders, and to establish critical baseline data for evaluating long term trends. To date, 2,500 participants have conducted 140K surveys across 37 states and provinces in North America.

The project can be easily carried out ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD with woody vegetation, especially:

•        Nature and environmental education centers
•        Parks and botanical gardens
•        School campuses (used at 14 colleges and universities)
•        Private backyards

The Maps and Graphs page allows anyone to fully explore the dataset, and the team has published a variety of  lesson plans and learning activities surrounding both data collection and analysis.

For more details on the project and what hosting a survey site for Caterpillars Count!entails, watch the short video on our project website, and check out the Frequently Asked Questions page.

In the meantime, do not hesitate to contact the team to answer any questions.  You can reach the team by emailing caterpillarscount@gmail.com.

And, please, forward this email along to any friends, colleagues or local groups you think may be interested in monitoring the biodiversity around them.

Best wishes,

Allen Hurlbert
Professor
Department of Biology
University of North Carolina
Director, Caterpillars Count!

Two Upcoming USGS Programs at Walker Nature Center, June 4th and June 14th

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Photo: Courtesy of Loudon County Virginia – Quarry with Diabase

The Walker Nature Center has two upcoming programs with the U.S. Geological Survey.  Both events are for adults only and offered free of charge.  Registration is required.

Stream Monitoring

Thursday, June 4, 2026
10:30 am _ 12:00 pm

The U.S. Geological Survey maintains several monitoring stations in Reston’s streams.  Join scientists Brendan Foster and Joao Gallotti on a walk along Snakeden Branch.  Discover the importance of stream quality monitoring for safeguarding public health, sustaining aquatic ecosystems and informing water resource management decisions.  The walk will begin at the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive in Reston) and will involve hiking over uneven terrain.  Register by June 1.

The Rocks Beneath Our Feet

Saturday, June 13, 2026
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Discover the world beneath your feet with USGS geologist, Mercer Parker.  Begin with a basic overview of geology and then head outdoors to look for landforms that can be observed around the trails at the Walker Nature Center.  Register by June 10.
Walker Nature Center educational programs are eligible for FMN CEUs.
If you are familiar with the reston.org WebTrac system, you can register there.  Otherwise, you can contact the Walker Nature Center directly at naturecenter@reston.org or 703-476-9689.  Note the registration deadline for each program above. 

Cinder Bed Road Bikeway Nature Walks, May 17th or 7th

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Photo: Amberleigh HOA

Sunday, May 17, 2026 or Sunday June 7, 2026
10:30am-12:30pm

Registration is required:  Click this link for registration information

There is room for 20-25 people to join  on these walks. 

Join Alan Ford, President of the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society, for a nature walk in the beautiful woods and creek area of the Amberleigh HOA.  The walks are scheduled for Sunday, May 17 at 10:30 AM or on Sunday, June 7, at 10:30AM. Join participants for a walk adjacent to an acidic seepage swamp, recognized as a globally rare ecosystem. The walk will take place on the property of the Amberleigh HOA in Alexandria (Fairfax Co), the site of a portion of the planned Cinder Bed Road Bikeway. The walk will highlight the plant communities that live in this threatened ecosystem. This is a unique opportunity to view a healthy ecosystem that is under serious threat within a year or two if the bikeway is constructed.

That’s right! If you live in Amberleigh, those woods behind your homes are owned by your HOA and the area is known as the Newington Conservation Site. Learn about the unique habitat of this area, the plants and animals live there, where water comes from and goes.

FMN’s – Opportunity to Join The Living with Black Bears Team in Fairfax County

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Photo: Courtesy of the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, Black Bear and cubs
For those in the FMN Chapter who may be interested in joining the Living with Black Bears Team in Fairfax County, below is information on upcoming training sessions.

DWR is hosting virtual Part 1 and Part 2 Living with Black Bears training for our chapter.  These training sessions are for new or current members interested in the Living with Black Bears project, those members who were unable to attend the original Part 1 and Part 2 Living with Black Bears training sessions, or those Living with Black Bear project members that are looking to refresh their knowledge. The training is broken into two parts.

For Part 1 training, please watch this prerecorded Bear 101 presentation hosted by DWR Region 2 District Wildlife Biologist Sarah Peltier before June 19, 2026.  The video link is https://youtu.be/T4tgRx4kswg.

For Part 2 training, please register for a live virtual Part 2 training with DWR Black Bear Project co-lead Katie Martin using this link https://www.register-ed.com/events/view/244215 . This training will be held on Monday, June 22, 2026. at 6:00 pm. This training will be hosted on the virtual meeting platform, Teams (it’s like Zoom), and you will receive a meeting link via email the morning of the training. The Part 2 training will NOT be recorded.  If you can not attend this Part 2 training, we will offer another virtual Part 2 training in winter 2027, date TBD.

If you have any questions about these trainings, please reach out to Wildlife Education Coordinator, Courtney Hallacher at courtney.hallacher@dwr.virginia.gov.

Two Birding Day Trips – Warblers of the Blue Ridge (5/5/26) and Birds on the Bay (6/9/26)

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Photo: Cerulean Warbler by Matt Felperin
Reston’s Walker Nature Center has two upcoming birding day trips that are open to all adults:
 Warblers of the Blue Ridge – Tuesday, May 5th:
Travel with us to the G. Richard Thompson Wildlife Management Area in Fauquier County to search for migrating songbirds.  GR Thompson is well known for its Trillium Trail, so we will also keep an eye out for trilliums, lady slippers and other spring wildflowers.  After a morning at GR Thompson, we will head to Sky Meadows State Park for a picnic lunch and more birding. This trip includes walking on uneven terrain and gentle slopes.
Register by May 2nd.  Trip cost, which includes bus transportation and any park fees, is $50 for Reston Association members and $65 for non-members.  We will depart the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) at 7:00 am and are scheduled to return by 5:00 pm.
 
Birds on the Bay – Tuesday, June 9th:
On this trip, we will head to Flag Ponds Nature Park on the Chesapeake Bay, where we will look for shorebirds along the bay and songbirds in the forests.  This trip will include walking over uneven terrain and some hills.
Register by June 6th. Trip cost, which includes bus transportation and any park fees, is $50 for Reston Association members and $65 for non-members We will depart the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) at 7:00 am and are scheduled to return by 4:00 pm.
Both trips will be led by one of WNC’s naturalists.  The time spent birding and observing wildflowers is eligible for FMN CEUs.
If you are familiar with the reston.org WebTrac system, you can register there (search on the keyword “birding”).  Otherwise, you can contact the Walker Nature Center directly at naturecenter@reston.org or 703-476-9689.

Mark your calendar for the 2026 Fairfax Earth Day Festival April 25th!

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Image: Courtesy of Fairfax County Park Authority – 2026

Saturday, April 25, 2026
10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Lake Fairfax Park
1400 Lake Fairfax Dr, Reston, VA 20190

Admission is FREE; Parking is $10 per car at the gate.
Cash and credit accepted.

Learn how you can make a positive impact on the planet through exciting, interactive activities and games

Enjoy:

  • Outdoor Discovery Activities
  • Interactive Nature Exhibits
  • Earth Friendly Vendors
  • Food Trucks
  • Craft Beer Garden
  • Local Bands and Live Entertainment
  • Free Giveaways
  • Furry Farm Friends

And so much more!

Springtime Bird Outing with the Bureau of Land Management and the NPS Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, April 25th

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Photo: Indigo Bunting, Randy Streufert – NVBA Photo Contest

Saturday, April 25, 2026
9:00 AM 11:00 AM

Meadwood Special Recreation Area
10702 Harley RoadLorton, VA, 22079United States (map)

FREE, but registration is requested

Join participants for a springtime bird walk with Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) partners, National Park Service Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and the Bureau of Land Management, on National Go Birding Day! Together you will explore the diverse bird species that inhabit Meadowood Special Recreation Area. This event is also during the 2026 iNaturalist City Nature Challenge for those looking to participate in the observation period.

Plan to arrive by 9:00 A.M. to meet your guides at the Mustang Trailhead, located at 10702 Harley Road, Lorton, VA 22079. Together, everyone will hike and explore Mustang Meadow and the Thompson Creek Loop Trail. Please note that this outing will cover approximately one to three miles.

Getting There & Additional Site Information

Go south on I-95 to Exit 163 toward Lorton. Turn left onto Lorton Road at the end of the exit ramp. Pass under the second overpass and turn right onto Lorton Market Street (you will see Panera and Planet Fitness). Continue about 1.5 miles to the traffic light at Route 1. Go straight through the light (the road name changes to Gunston Road). In about 1.5 miles, you will pass the main entrance to Meadowood on the right. About half a mile later, you will see a large green pavilion—turn right onto Harley Road, then take the next right into the Mustang Trail Parking Lot.

The Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) offers 13.4 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of horseback riding trails, and 6.6 miles of mountain biking trails. The site includes two fishing ponds (one of which is universally accessible), 800 acres of forest and meadow habitat, environmental education programs, equestrian facilities, geocaching opportunities, and birdwatching. Learn more on BLM’s Meadowood webpage.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) partners with Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) volunteers to provide educational stewardship programs and guided events at Meadowood SRMA in Lorton, Virginia. For over 20 years, NVBA has supported the site through volunteer surveys, guided programs, stewardship projects, and educational activities focused on local species populations.

What should you bring?

Binoculars are helpful but not required for birding. There will be a limited number of loaner pairs available for participants to use. Guides will also be using the eBird app to record and report sightings during the outing; you are  encouraged to download the free app and set up an account ahead of time. Please note that trails can be muddy after heavy rain or snow. Organizers recommend wearing comfortable, closed-toe shoes with good traction, especially for the boardwalk sections. Strollers are not permitted on the boardwalk.

Cancellation Policies for NVBA Bird Outings

Everyone’s safety and enjoyment are top priorities. Occasionally, there may be a need to postpone or cancel an outing to protect the well-being of participants or guides. Whenever possible, you will be notified at least 48 hours in advance; however, last-minute changes may be necessary. Outings may be canceled or postponed for reasons such as:

  • Unsafe air quality

  • Guide illness

  • Extreme weather, including: Lightning within 10 miles of the event location, temperatures above 90°, heavy thunderstorms, snow, or hail.

If an outing must be canceled on the day of the event, organizers will do their best to email all registered participants as soon as possible and/or post the cancellation on their website. Thank you for your understanding and flexibility!

Questions? Contact NVBA’s Community Engagement Coordinator, McKenzie, at mckenzie@nvbirdalliance.org.

Beyond the Spray: Protecting Wildlife and Biodiversity with Safer Mosquito Control Solutions,

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Image: Courtesy of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance – Beyond the Spray

Saturday, April 25, 2026
2:00 PM 3:00 PM

Mount Vernon Unitarian Church
1909 Windmill Ln Alexandria, VA 22307United States (map)

FREE, but registration is required 

Liz Train, NVBA’s Fairfax County Wildlife Sanctuary Program Coordinator, will give a presentation on mosquito control solutions that avoid pesticides. She will review the research on harms to wildlife caused by broadcast spraying for mosquitoes and talk about alternative (and more effective) methods to reduce mosquito populations. NVBA urges homeowners to consider the long-term health of their yards, ecosystems, and communities, and “Say No to the Spray.” The Wildlife Sanctuary Program promotes healthy, pesticide-free habitats that nurture biodiversity from the soil up.

WINGS OVER WOLF TRAP birds, butterflies, dragonflies +optional garden tour, April12th

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Photo: Courtesy of Wolf Trap Park,  Native Woodland Garden

 

Sunday, Apr 12, 2026
9:30 am to 10:30 am

This Event is FREE however Space is limited so please register early

Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1551 Trap Road
Vienna, VA 22182

Overview:

 

Expert led nature walk to identify migratory birds, butterflies, dragonflies, and more at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts

🐦Join Larry Meade for a fun and educational nature walk around the grounds of Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts. April is prime time for bird migration as colorful birds such as warblers sing and show off their breeding plumage. While attendees are enjoying the birds, they will also be looking for other interesting creatures such as butterflies and dragonflies. With over 300 species of birds migrating over the area, attendees should spot quite a few species of birds. Larry works with various conservation groups in the area and will share his deep expertise in a fun and educational manner. Appropriate for all ages. Explore and learn more about the nature side of this gem of a National Park.

🦋Learn how to identify species by sound, color, size, shape and patterns.

🕛Nature walk leaves promptly at 9:30am. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early.

🔍Larry Meade is president of the Northern Virginia Bird Club. He is a frequent bird walk leader, a writer, a photographer, and program presenter. He also has an interest in butterflies and is the compiler of the Alexandria Butterfly Count which is held is September.

📸Photo Credits: Larry Meade. For more information, to join and/or to make a donation Northern Virginia Bird Club | WATCH – STUDY – ENJOY – UNDERSTAND – CONSERVE (nvabc.org)

Please note: There is an optional one-hour Native Woodland Garden Tour led by the Green Spring Extension Master Gardeners following this event from 10:45am-Noon

All ages welcomed. Paths are not stroller friendly.

We love dogs but ask that you leave them at home for this event.

This Event is FREE however Space is limited so please register early as we expect this Event to be SOLD OUT. If you pre-register and cannot make it, PLEASE use Eventbrite to Cancel well ahead of time as we are sure to have a waiting list for this Event.

📍Meeting Location: Main Entrance to the Filene Center- adjacent to the Box Office.

Directions: Turn into Wolf Trap’s main entrance at the digital sign (1551 Trap Road, Vienna), and follow the road to the Filene Center. Free Parking available in nearby lots

🤓Prepare: Wear clothing and shoes suitable for woods, trail walking and the weather. Rain or shine. You may want to bring binoculars, sun and bug protection, water, a basic first aid kit and your cell phone for taking photos. iNaturalist uploads are always appreciated.

Leave No Trace.

Assumption of Risk and Waiver of Liability Attendees assume all risks and accept sole responsibility for any injury, illness, damage, loss, claim, liability or expense of any kind that attendee may experience or incur in connection with attending the event. Attendee hereby releases, covenants not to sue, discharges and hold harmless Friends of Wolf Trap, its volunteers, members, and guests, of and from any such claims, including all liabilities, claims, actions, damages, costs or expenses of any kind arising out of or relating thereto.

📷Photo Consent: Your participation means you give your consent to be photographed, filmed or otherwise recorded and to the release, publication, exhibition or reproduction of and all recorded media of your appearance, your voice, for any purpose whatsoever in perpetuity including, by way of example ony, use on social media.

🌩️N OTE: In the case of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled.

Wolf Trap National Park Visitor Information. For more information and directions, visit: Wolf Trap National Park Visitor Information

https://www.nps.gov/wotr/planyourvisit/index.htm

www.friendsofwolftrap.org

For FMN’s: These events count as educational credit under “Continuing Education – National Park Service” (sponsoring organization).  Each session that you attend counts as one hour of educational credit.