Registration Is Now Open for The Northern Virginia Urban Forest Roundtable on July 31!

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Logo: Courtesy Virginia’s Urban Forest Council

Thursday, July 31, 2025
9:00AM – 4:00PM

Registration Fee: $55.00 (Registration fee includes continental breakfast and lunch.)

Registration and additional conference information.

The Woodlands at Algonkian
47001 Fairway Drive
Sterling VA  20165

Rooted in Retention – Sustaining the Present, Planting the Future

Complete Agenda

Highlights from the agenda:

*12:00 – 1:00 Combining Aesthetics & Ecology in Urban Forests: How Native Ecoregions Inform Process
Keith Tomlinson, Interpretive Naturalist, Smithsonian Associates Study Leader
The regional native forests we see today tell a compelling story that informs what trees we plant and conserve in urban environments.
We’ll look at our native trees through the holistic lens of ecoregions as related to urban forest. This approach illustrates the foundational
role of native trees and forests in urbanized environments. Fostering the aesthetic and ecological impact of urban forests is more
important than ever as we work in a continuum of environmental change.

 

*Station 1: Under the Forest Canopy: A Journey with Fungi
Mycological Association of Washington, DC – Learn to identify different species, understand their vital role in the ecosystem, and
discover the incredible diversity of shapes, colors, and textures that fungi offer. Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned
mushroom hunter, this walk will deepen your appreciation for nature’s quiet decomposers and mysterious organisms.

  • FMN Jim McGlone has identified these two sessions as CE opportunities for sessions of the upcoming Northern Virginia Urban Forest Roundtable on July 31. These two sessions would be 2 hours of FMN CE using ‘Virginia Urban Forest Council’ as the CE provider.

Latino Outdoors DMV | Birding Juntos @ Neabsco Regional Park, June 28th

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Graphic: Courtesy of Latino Outdoors DMV

Saturday, June 28, 2025
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Latino Outdoors activities are free and in service to their communities

REGISTRATION REQUIRED
Neabsco Regional Park,
15125 Blackburn Road,
Woodbridge, VA 22191

CLICK HERE FOR SPANISH VERSION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT

Join participants 9am Saturday June 28th to go bird watching and go on a nature walk in Neabsco Regional Park led by Northern Virginia Bird Alliance (NVBA) and Latino Outdoors DMV.

Beginner birders and families are welcome!

A few things to remember:

  • Don’t forget to bring comfortable clothes and shoes, sunblock, and a water bottle.

  • There will be binoculars for participants to share.

  • Snacks will be provided.

  • RSVP is required to ensure a safe and attentive leader to participant ratio.

Latino Outdoors activities are free and in service to their communities. The volunteer leaders donate time and energy to plan these experiences, paying close attention to the number of people each event can accommodate. Please honor your reservation, and if you are unable to attend an event that you signed up for, take a moment to cancel your reservation, preferably one week prior to the event, so that another community member may participate and volunteer organizers can plan accordingly. The organizers greatly appreciate it!

Any questions about the event? Contact diana.ramos@latinooutdoors.org. If you are concerned about attending an event that is publicized, please contact info@latinooutdoors.org.

From Trash to Treasure: Reconnecting with Urban Streams, July 15th

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Photo: Rebecca Hale (Credit: Kristen Goodhue)

Tuesday, July 15, 2025
7:00pm -8:30pm

Sign up on Zoom to watch live or on demand

Speaker: Rebecca Hale, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center (SERC) senior scientist
We often think of cities in opposition to nature. But cities have a rich natural history, including many freshwater ecosystems. Urban streams and rivers have been used as dumps for human waste and trash and have been buried, channeled or armored to protect cities from flooding. But urban streams also provide important sources of water, spiritual values, recreation, and an opportunity to connect with nature. On July 15, urban stream ecologist Rebecca Hale will reveal how people are creating new relationships with streams and rivers that reconnect city dwellers with urban nature and each other. Part of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s 60th anniversary webinar series.

This event will be hosted entirely online, and it will be recorded. Closed captions will be available at the live event and on the recording. By signing up on Zoom, you will also receive a link to the recording a few days after the live event.

 

Butterfly Identification with Larry Meade, June 18th

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Photo: David Illig, Variegated Fritillary

Wednesday, June 18, 2025
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM

Virtual
FREE

Registration required

The sight of butterflies fluttering around on a warm day is one of the most iconic signs of summer. These beautiful insects usually live for only a few weeks as adults, but they make quite an impression while they are in their full glory. There is a large variety of butterfly species in our area. Larry Meade will walk   through the common species and help participants differentiate some of the trickier look-a-like species.

Participants are encouraged to register for the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) Count to be held on June 28, 8:00a AM – 1:00 PM. More info here.

A good way to prepare this program is to review Butterflies of the Mid-Atlantic, a Field Guide, by Robert Blakney and Judy Gallagher. Judy Gallagher is a member of the NVBA Board, and the field guide is available for purchase on the NVBA website.

Larry Meade is president of the Northern Virginia Bird Club and a member of the NVBA Adult Education Committee. He is a frequent bird walk leader and has been involved in numerous Audubon Christmas Bird Counts and NABA Butterfly Counts. He is the compiler of the Alexandria Circle NABA Butterfly Count in September.

Register here -This program is FREE.

Trail Care Academy: In-Person Maintenance Workshop, July 12th (Registration mid June)

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Photo: Ly Le, National Park Service

Saturday, July 12th, 2025
8:30 am – 12:30 PM

Location: Turkey Run Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway
*Exact location details will be provided following registration

 

Please keep a lookout for registration details for the in-person, half-day workshop event on Saturday, July 12th in mid-June.

Announcing  Trail Care Academy‘s in-person, half-day workshop on Saturday, July 12th from 8:30 am – 12:30 PM at Turkey Run Park, George Washington Memorial Parkway. This event will guide participants on tools and techniques for key maintenance topics, including:
  • Trail safety
  • Vegetation management
  • Tread drainage and water dynamics
  • Blazing
  • Blowdown reporting

Further details, including materials to bring and final workshop agendas, will be provided following registration confirmation and closer to the workshop dates. Please note that signing a waiver will be required, as is the use of a supplied hard hat and eye protection. Registration opening in mid-June! Check website page.

Please feel free to contact Rebecca Murphy if you have any questions regarding the workshops or broader Trail Care Academy programming.

Rebecca Murphy
Coastal Program Manager
Northern Virginia Regional Commission 

Phone: 703 – 642 – 4625

Stream Monitoring Citizen Science & Training Opportunities, May and June Dates Available

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Photo: By FMN J. Quinn, Stream monitoring

Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District (NVSWCD) Spring stream monitoring season is in full swing! They hope you’ll be able to join them at one of the upcoming stream monitoring workshops.

Are you interested in obtaining a Virginia Save Our Streams Stream Monitoring certification? This certification is not required for the workshops, but it allows you to monitor your own site if you wish. The certification consists of three parts – watching online webinars, passing an online macroinvertebrate ID exam, and taking an in-person field protocols exam.

Field Certification Event at Cub Run

When: Sunday, June 1, 3:00-6:00pm
Where: Cub Run Stream Valley Park, Centreville

To qualify for your field protocol exam, you must have passed the online macroinvertebrate ID test and have attended at least 1-2 stream monitoring sessions. Learn more about the VASOS Stream Monitoring certification here. For questions or to register, please email Ashley. Please DO NOT sign up for the field certification event using the general workshop signup below – the field certification event and workshop will run concurrently, but registration is separate. Thanks!

Pohick Creek Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Thursday, May 29, 4:00-7:00pm
Where: Pohick Creek Stream Valley Park, Springfield

The stream monitoring site on Pohick Creek is located on the cross-county trail, popular with runners, dog walkers, and families. This is the largest and deepest stream monitored in these public workshops. This is an accessible stream site, which can be reached by wheelchair and/or other assistive tools over a paved path (there may be some uneven spots). Learn more and register for this workshop and others here.

 

Cub Run Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Sunday, June 1, 3:00-6:00pm
Where: Cub Run Stream Valley Park, Centreville

This site features some of the largest hellgrammites we find in Fairfax County! (Haven’t heard of them? Be sure to research this super cool macroinvertebrate!). Just a stone’s throw from the parking area, this site is very popular, and you can certainly see why! Learn more and register for this workshop and others here. Want to get your stream monitoring certification here? Please email Ashley instead of registering.

 

Accotink Creek Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Wednesday, June 11, 4:00-7:00pm
Where: Long Branch Stream Valley Park, Fairfax

Help explore this new stream site! Adopted this spring, this stream is tiny but mighty. Monitors found a lot of diverse macroinvertebrate populations the last time we visited this site! This site is located within a short walk from the parking area over a paved trail. Learn more and register for this workshop and others here.

 

Sugarland Run Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Saturday, June 14, 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Sugarland Run Stream Valley Park, Herndon

This site is located near one of the largest great blue heron rookeries (breeding/nesting areas) in the eastern US. Monitors often find plenty of newly hatched young crayfish in the spring. This is also the most accessible stream site, which can be easily reached by wheelchair and/or other assistive tools over a paved path. Learn more and register for this workshop and others here.

 

The NVSWCD is very excited to contribute their stream data to state and national datasets. If you’d like to see data from all the NVSWCD regional stream monitoring team’s active sites, you can find the organization on the Clean Water Hub.

Celebrating Warblers: Yes, That’s a Warbler Too!, Webinar, May 20th

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Photo: Ovenbird by ABC

Tuesday, May 20, 2025
4 – 5 pm
Free webinar
Register here.

Did you know that North America is home to 53 species of warblers? While many are easily recognized by their name, other species like redstarts and waterthrushes might surprise you. These vibrant songbirds are not just beautiful to observe; they play crucial roles in our ecosystems.​

Unfortunately, warblers are among the many bird species facing significant declines, with some species even experiencing a loss of over 50% in population since 1970, according to the 2025 U.S. State of the Birds report. Habitat loss is a primary driver of these declines.

Join American Bird Conservancy (ABC) for a special “Warblinar” to learn more about warblers — whether by name or not, their songs are just as sweet! We’ll explore what defines them, their ecological importance, and the critical challenges they face. They’ll also discuss ABC’s conservation efforts and how you can take bold action to help conserve these remarkable birds.​

You’ll hear from ABC experts and partners, including:

Anne Mini, Lower Mississippi Valley Joint Venture Science Coordinator
Linnea Rowse, Great Lakes Private Lands Director
Jordan E. Rutter, Director of Communications, American Bird Conservancy

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!

Dragonflies From the Arctic to the Tropics, May 20th

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Photo: Dr. Jessica Ware – by Denis Finnin

Tuesday, May 20, 2025,
7:00pm – 8:30pm

Webinar
Advance Registration Required

Event Details


Dragonflies, damselflies and their ancestors were among the first creatures to fly—before birds, bats or pterosaurs. On May 20, explore the origins of the Odonata insects with Dr. Jessica Ware, an entomologist at the American Museum of Natural History. Using a large genomic dataset, scientists are unlocking their evolutionary history. By studying the tree of life of Odonata, scientists are beginning to understand how flight first evolved in these enigmatic insects. Part of the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center’s 60th anniversary webinar series.

This event will be hosted entirely online, and it will be recorded! Closed captions will be available at the live event and on the recording. By signing up on Zoom, you’ll be able to watch live and receive a link to the recording a few days after the event.

Sign up on Zoom to watch live or on demand

About The Speaker: Jessica Ware

Dr. Jessica Ware is a curator at the American Museum of Natural History, where she serves as Chair of the Division of Invertebrate Zoology. Dr. Ware’s research focuses on the evolution of behavioral and physiological adaptations in insects, with an emphasis on how these occur in Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) and Dictyoptera (termites, cockroaches, and mantises). Dr. Ware holds a B.Sc. from the University of British Columbia in Canada, and a Ph.D. from Rutgers, New Brunswick. She was awarded a PECASE medal from the U.S. government for her work on insect evolution. Dr. Ware served on the Governing Board of the Entomological Society of America for 3 years. Dr. Ware is the past president of the Worldwide Dragonfly Association and the past president of the Entomological Society of America. She is president-elect of the Society of Systematic Biologists. Dr. Ware is co-founder of Entomologists of Color and serves on the board of Black in Natural History Museums. Photo by Denis Finnin

See More

 

Get Your Early-Bird Ticket to Ornithology 101, Starting May 26

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Photo by Research Graphics at UMBC – Course Instructor, Kiersten Newtoff

When: 10 Sessions starting Monday, May 26, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Virtual
Member Ticket: $160 Early Bird through 4/27; $175 after
Non-member Ticket: $185 Early Bird through 4/27; $200 after

Learn more and register here.

Are you fascinated by birds and eager to learn more? Join us for Ornithology 101, a beginner-friendly, 5-week virtual course designed for bird lovers of all backgrounds! Whether you’re a budding birder or simply curious about the avian world, this interactive series will introduce you to the fundamentals of bird biology, behavior, identification, and conservation – as well as ways you can get involved locally to help protect birds and their habitats!

Sign up by April 27 and you’ll benefit from the early bird price, and as a bonus you’ll get a special list of NVBA’s favorite insider birding spots to help you find migrating spring warblers during peak migration time in early May.

The course will cover the following topics:

  • Week 1: Introduction to Birding and Ornithology (Monday, May 26; Thursday, May 29)
  • Week 2: How A Bird Works, Anatomy (Monday, June 2; Thursday, June 5)
  • Week 3: Reproduction and Life Cycle (Monday, June 9; Thursday, June 12)
  • Week 4: Bird Migration: Benefits and Risks (Monday, June 16; Thursday, June 19)
  • Week 5: Habitats and Climate Change (Monday, June 23; Thursday, June 26)

Each session will be 90 minutes long, for a total of 15 course hours. This course will take place virtually. The sessions will be recorded and videos will be shared with all registrants.

The course includes several optional in-person field trips to locations in northern Virginia. Information about how to register for these is coming soon – if you are interested, please select the free ticket ‘I’m interested in local field trips’ when you check out. Dates for field trips: May 31, June 7, June 21.

Kiersten Newtoff is an associate professor of biology at Montgomery College, a community college in Maryland. Over the past 8 years, she has been teaching her students about the local avifauna, which led to the development of the campus nestbox trail where over 300 fledglings have called Montgomery College their home. Recently, Kiersten has started a PhD in Biology at UMBC to better understand the impacts of urbanization on Eastern Bluebird reproductive success. She holds a Master Banding Permit to explore her research. When she’s not working on teaching or research, she can be found doing yard work, playing boardgames (like Wingspan!), or creating a fun cocktail.

Birding Day Trip – Warblers of the Blue Ridge, May 6th

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Photo: Matt Felperin -Yellow-throated Warbler

Tuesday, May 6th, 2025
7:00 am return by 4:00 pm.

Walker Nature Center
11450 Glade Center Dr
Reston, VA 20191

Cost: Bus transportation and any park fees, is $50 for Reston Association members and $65 for non-members.

On Tuesday, May 6th, Reston’s Walker Nature Center has scheduled a trip 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 lunch and more birding. This trip includes walking on uneven terrain and gentle slopes.
 
The trip will be led by one of WNC’s naturalists and is open to Reston residents and non-residents.  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.  The time spent birding and observing wildflowers is eligible for FMN CEUs.
 
Register by May 3rd.  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.