Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans, December 28th

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Photo: Tundra Swans, Randy Streufert, The Potomac Flier (The NVBA)

Sunday Dec. 28, 2026.
10:00 a.m. – 12:00 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: MasonNeck@dcr.virginia.gov

Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton, VA 22079.
Woodmarsh Trail Observation Deck at Elizabeth Hartwell 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 Arctic tundra breeding grounds to warmer winter habitats. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, including harsh weather and the need to find 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 deck at the Woodmarsh Trail within the Elizabeth Hartwell Mason Neck National Wildlife Refuge. The Woodmarsh Trail Observation platform is approximately 1 mile from the parking lot. The trail is unpaved with slight elevation changes. The trail offers a longer loop to the observation platform if you like.   Please stay tuned to the website for any weather-related changes to the program.

Additional dates

Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 3, 2026. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 11, 2026. 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 17, 2026. 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ranger at the Refuge: Tundra Swans – Jan. 25, 2026. 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Winter Fest 2026 – Mason Neck State Park, January 1, 2026

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Image: Mason Neck State Park – Winterfest 2026

Jan. 1, 2026
7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Mason Neck State Park, 7301 High Point Rd., Lorton, VA 22079.
Various Locations throughout the Park

 

Other details:

Standard parking or admission fee applies: No.
Extra fee: No.
Registration required: No.
Children welcome: Yes.
Phone: 703-339-2385
Email Address: MasonNeck@dcr.virginia.gov

Bundle up and celebrate the wonder of the season! Join folks for a day of frosty fun, nature exploration, and cozy community cheer. Discover how wildlife adapts to winter, take a guided hike through the quiet woods, create nature-inspired crafts, and warm up by the campfire with a hot beverage. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the beauty and magic of winter outdoors! Festivities will take place near the picnic area. Look for specific information on the hikes. Please plan to be outdoors the entire time. If the weather becomes unfavorable, we will make alternative arrangements.

7:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m. Sunrise Hike 3.6 miles moderate hike, meet at the trailhead for High Point Trail near the picnic area.
Folks will hike along the High Point Trail to Wilson Springs to Kanes Creek, then to Eagle Spur, and back. This hike will be a moderately paced hike to start the new year with a heart-healthy activity. You will then spend a short time at the observation point, then return to the picnic area. This trail is partially paved, mostly dirt, with some elevation changes. Not wheelchair nor stroller-friendly.

10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at the Picnic Area

Crafts.

Snow Science.

Campfires and warm beverages.

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Winter animal adaptation story “hike”. This family-friendly “hike” will explore how different animals adapt to winter. Meet Interpreters at the picnic area at 10:30, or, if you prefer to learn and explore on your own, the story walk will be available from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Winter Tree ID Hike on High Point Trail. This will be a slower-paced hike, with many stops along the way to identify trees. Interpreters will have some winter tree ID guides to share and will teach you to look for the subtle signs trees give us for identification. Interpreters will meet you at the trailhead to High Point near the group picnic area. This is wheelchair and stroller-friendly.

About First Day Hikes

Every year on Jan. 1, Virginia State Parks celebrates First Day Hikes. This nationwide initiative invites people to ring in the new year by connecting with nature and making lasting memories at a state park. Ranger-led and self-guided First Day Hikes are offered across the state, giving visitors of all ages and skill levels the chance to explore outdoors. January 1 is a Free Parking Day at all Virginia State Parks. (The admission fee at Natural Bridge still applies).

Italy’s Birds and Conservation Efforts with Marco Valtriani, November 24th

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Image Courtesy of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA)

Free Event – Registration is required

Virtual AND In-person at National Wildlife Federation
11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Reston, VA, 20190United States (map)

Come for an evening with Marco Valtriani, an Italian biologist who has over twenty-five years of experience guiding birders and nature lovers through Italy. He’s a pioneer in Italian ecotourism and a certified nature guide (Guida Ambientale Escursionistica). You can learn more about Marco here.

Join in welcoming Marco to northern Virginia where he will share how Italy’s passion for birds, nature, and conservation has shaped the country’s landscapes through history. You’ll also get an opportunity to learn more about Marco’s ongoing ecotourism initiatives with S-Cape Travel, which offers unique opportunities for birding adventures across famous Italian “boot.”

This is a hybrid event! You can join in one of two ways:

  • In Person: Meet Marco and connect with other guests at he National Wildlife Federation office. There will be Italian treats for those who come in person!

  • Online: You can also join the event via Zoom. Please note that online participants will only see Marco at the podium, not the full room view. Questions from virtual participants will be submitted through the Zoom chat. The link will be sent to registered participants one week before the event.

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, looking to travel soon, or simply curious about Italy’s rich environmental heritage, this event offers a rare opportunity to learn directly from a passionate expert.

2026 Hog Island Scholarship Virtual Event, November 20th

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Image: Courtesy of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA)

Thursday, November 20, 2025
7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Virtual Event
FREE –  Registration is required

Each year, Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) offers one classroom teacher, specialist or school administrator a scholarship to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week” at Hog Island Audubon Camp, in coastal Maine. The scholarship covers tuition, room, board and transportation. Hog Island Audubon Camp has offered environmental education programs for adults, teens, families and conservation leaders since 1936.

Last year’s scholarship recipient, Deborah Hammer, is an Autism and Low Incidence Specialist with Arlington County Schools. She coaches hundreds of teachers, paraprofessionals, and other staff across the district who work with over 1,200 students. She is using her experiences from camp to implement nature-focused strategies that helps teachers make academic content fun and engaging for their students who struggle to learn. Want to learn more about this opportunity? Join us for this virtual info session!

Who is this for? This free virtual event is for anyone interested in hearing about Deborah’s camp experience, asking questions about the camp or scholarship program, or applying for next year’s program. After Deborah’s presentation and Q&A, NVBA staff will share details about this year’s scholarship and camp.

Scholarship Eligibility: Applicants must be a public classroom teacher, specialist or school administrator in the NVBA chapter territory (Counties: all of Arlington, Fairfax, Prince William, and Stafford; and portions of Loudoun, Fauquier, Culpeper, Rappahannock and Spotsylvania. Independent cities: Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Leesburg, Manassas and Manassas Park.)

Interested in being a Roving Naturalist?

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Photo: Huntley Meadows Park, View from Observation Tower, by Jerry Nissley

 

Huntley Meadows Park is looking for a Roving Naturalist. If you are interested in providing on-site naturalist interpretation and being outside in this beautiful park, and are interested in the stewardship of the park’s natural and cultural resources, they are looking for a roving naturalist to join them for 4 hours a month (with a 1-year commitment).

Duties include committing to monthly shifts, walking to set locations within the park to tally park visitors (noting issues encountered and reporting back to staff), and answering visitor questions.

Required:

  • Ability to communicate and interact with people of all ages.
  • Ability to work independently.
  • Comfort working in a public setting.
  • Background check.

Site and on-the-job orientations are offered, and they provide training (to include facility-based safety and outdoor safety training). 

Location: Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA

Minimim age: 16

Time commitment: 4 hrs / month for 1 year

Sign Up / Learn More: This opportunity is listed on the Volunteer Fairfax site, but you can also contact Brooks Long (Outreach & Volunteer Coordinator) at Brooks.Long@fairfaxcounty.gov or 703-768-2525.

MOTHtober Fest at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, October 17th

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Photo: Io Moth by Judy Gallagher

 

Friday, October 17, 2025
8:30 pm – 10:30

Fee: $7.00

Register here!

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
9750 Meadowlark Gardens
Vienna, VA 22182 United

Organizer: (NOVA Parks)
Discover the magic of moths at MOTHtober FEST! Experience a unique nighttime adventure celebrating these fascinating nocturnal pollinators with Roving Naturalist Matt Felperin and Ana Ka’ahanui of Capital Nature. Using bed sheets and black lights, you will attract, observe, and identify a variety of moths while learning why these, often-overlooked, insects are vital to our ecosystems.

Wildlife Sanctuary Presentation Hosted by the Native Plant Circle, December 13th

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Photo: North American Bird Alliance, Certified Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Saturday, December 13, 2025
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Mount Vernon Unitarian Church,
1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, CA 22307

Fee: FREE

Registration is required – Click here for details.

Are you intrigued by observing wildlife in your own yard? Do you want to contribute to the environmental health of our planet?

If so, come learn about the Wildlife Sanctuary program and how you can transform your yard to create habitat, attract beneficial wildlife, and get your yard certified as a Wildlife Sanctuary. You’ll learn about habitat best practices and receive tips to help you select native trees and plants that suit the conditions in your yard. A FREE redbud seedling will be available as a gift from the Wildlife Sanctuary program to those who register early!

This event will take place in the Meeting House of the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, 1909 Windmill Ln, Alexandria, VA 22307, on Sunday, September 21, 1:00 -2 pm after coffee hour. Program is free but registration is requested. The event is open to the public.

 

Invitation to Third Annual Climate Action Conference – Third Annual Climate Action Conference – Teaming Up to Restore and Protect Healthy Waterways, Oct 18th

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October 18, 2025 
9:00AM – 1:00PM

Lake Braddock Secondary School  in Burke, VA.

Expand your understanding about the impact of climate change on water resources, from the oceans and Chesapeake Bay to the
Potomac River and local streams. No matter where you live or work, your actions matter to protect the quality of water and the resilience
of our communities in this period of climate change.

Please click here for a flyer containing complete agenda and other conference details.

An Afternoon with Filmmaker and Naturalist Kathryn Pasternak, October 7th

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Tuesday, October 7, 2025
3:00pm – 4:30pm

Tysons-Pimmit Regional Library
Tysons-Pimmit Meeting Room 1, Tysons-Pimmit Meeting Room 2

Event is free
Registration is required – click here for more information and registration

 

Emmy award winning photographer and director, Kathryn Pasternak, will share her fascinating work before offering hands on tips to improve your own photography skills. Kathryn is a Fairfax County Master Naturalist and will explore ways you can contribute to your local scientific community through the app iNaturalist. Weather permitting, there may be a brief outdoors field trip to practice your new skills. Please bring a smartphone with camera. Adults.

Read more about presenter Kathryn Pasternak on her website.

 

Worm Composting Workshop,October 4th

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Saturday, October 4, 2025
2:00pm – 4:00 pm

Cost is $10.00 per person (non-refundable)

Green Acres Center
4401 Sideburn Rd., Fairfax VA, 22030

Register at: Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District: Worm Composting Workshop

At this workshop, you will learn tips and tricks for successfully composting with worms and build your own worm composter to take home. See the Northern Virginia Soil and Water District’s (NVSWD) worm composting bin in action and get all your composting questions answered. Each worm composter will include two stacking bins, worm bedding (a mix of compost, shredded paper, and coconut coir), and red wiggler worms. The completed bins will be roughly 15 inches long, 20 inches wide, and 20 inches tall in size. Please make sure you have a place to keep your worm bins inside when temperatures drop (a garage or basement will do). While we will have all the tools at the workshop to build your bin, please consider bringing a cordless drill and drill bits if you have them to speed up the process. You can also bring in a week’s-worth of kitchen trimmings to get your worm composter off to an immediate start! This workshop is co-sponsored by NVSWCD, Clean Fairfax Council, Pollinative, and the City of Fairfax.

This workshop is generously supported with funding from Clean Fairfax Council and City of Fairfax. Please note that workshop registration fees are non-refundable.