Birding Occoquan Bay, September 30th

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Photo: Rusty Moran, Occoquan Bay

Tuesday, September 30, 2025
9:00AM – 3:00PM

Transportation is provided.
Fee: $35 for Reston Association members and $45 for non-members
Participants will depart the Walker Nature Center:  View Facility 

Registration required-Link: Register on webtrac.

 

On Tuesday, September 30th, Occoquan Bayhas scheduled a trip to the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge to search for fall migrants.  The refuge’s grasslands, freshwater tidal marshes and bottomland forests are home to many interesting year-round residents.  There will be approximately 2-3 miles of walking on gently-rolling, unpaved surfaces.

 

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 $35 for Reston Association members and $45 for non-members.  Participants will depart the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive) at 9:00 am and are scheduled to return by around 3:00 pm.  The time spent birding is eligible for FMN CEUs.

 

Register by September 27th.  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.

Hidden Oaks Migratory Bird Count – 2025

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Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale is looking for volunteers to help with their fall migratory bird counts. The surveys occur every Saturday at 8am beginning on September 20th, running through and including November 22nd. Each will last an hour. The goal is to get a sense of what migratory birds stop by Hidden Oaks as they head their way south, so the center can make educated decisions for an interpretive plan. No prior birding experience is required, but some knowledge of identification is recommended. We’re hoping to recruit some participants eager to learn, and some experienced individuals who feel confident leading surveys.

Anyone who is interested in volunteering should contact Eren Edwards at (Megan.edwards@fairfaxcounty.gov) directly, for a short in-person conversation on expectations.

Service hours can be recorded using:
C106: FCPA Citizen Science Programs — Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA)

The link to the sign-up genius has more information. Sign up genius link:

Dates are listed on the BI calendar, but please use SignUpGenius to register.

Cover photo: red headed woodpecker – FMN Jerry Nissley

Turtles, Snakes + A Reptile Discovery Walk & Learn @Wolf Trap National Park, September 7th

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Photo: By Ron Grimes, Common Ribbon snake, March 2025

 

Sunday, September 7, 2025
10:00AM – 11:30AM EDT

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

Event is FREE but Registration is required.

Registration: Please RSVP only if you plan to attend. If your plans change, PLEASE cancel your tickets 2 days in advance so others can participate.

Join a Park Ranger who will introduce you to some “animal ambassadors” plus lead an adventure through the trails of Wolf Trap National Park to discover the reptiles & and more- hiding in plain sight!

What to expect:

  • Meet several “animal ambassadors” including male and female box turtles, a small snapping turtle, and Eastern Gartner snake, Eastern Rat Snake
  • A gentle hike along the trails at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
  • Identification tips and cool facts about native species
  • How to become a wildlife watcher in your own backyard
  • Fun for all ages—no science background needed!

FMN Is Part of Arbor Row’s Nature Immersion Program – Offering Both Learning and Volunteer Opportunities

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Photo: David Shipper/Audubon, Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Arbor Row Center, a new senior facility now open on the ground floor of The Mather began offering its first programs in May.  FMN is part of Arbor Row’s nature immersion program.  The inaugural season includes presentations by the following members:

8/22/25       Jo Doumbia                                          Hummingbirds

9/19/25       Professor Mike Walker                   Aldo Leopold impersonator

10/17/25    Jan Wolf, Ph.D.                                   Turtles

11/21/25    Peter Mecca                                        Black bears

 

Registration for Jo’s presentation on Hummingbirds is open.  FMN members are invited to attend.  Register in advance here:  https://archummingbirdaug22.eventbrite.com/

Are you interested in working with those age 50+?  Would you like to be part of a groundbreaking nature immersion program in Tyson’s?  For the fall, we need 3 or 4 members to assist the Arbor Row Center Manager with two-four Nature Walks.  Volunteers will help keep hikers on-path and with the group.  In the Spring, Arbor Row Center will need volunteers to support an 8 week Walking Challenge.  We are also soliciting ideas and members who can offer nature themed events or presentations beginning in 2026.  Please contact marilynanneparks@gmail.com or Jo at  120411tigre@gmail.com for more information.

Arbor Row Calendar of Events https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/neighborhood-community-services/sites/neighborhood-community-services/files/Assets/documents/calendars/arbor-row-center-calendar.pdf

(When viewing the calendar – be sure to scroll all the way down to view the August calendar, which begins on page 10.

For questions about the Arbor Row Center Calendar, please contact Arbor Row Center Manager Carrie Conley at cconley@themathertysons.com

Winter Nature Art Classes at Hidden Oaks, October 10th and November 15th

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Drawing by Elaine Sevy

 

Improve your naturalist observation skills and add excitement to your nature journals!

Naturalist Nayeli Arellano will present nature drawing and journaling classes at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce Street, Annandale.

To sign up: Call 703-222-4664 weekdays 9am- 4pm or

Log into Parktakes by using:  http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes

Registration for Fall classes begins on August 29

Drawing Songbirds (Adults 16 and up)

Sunday, Oct 10, 2025
3-5 pm

Fee: $20.00

Get to know our local songbirds through field sketches and studies. Includes a presentation on natural history, drawing tips, and a short bird hike.

Nature Journaling – Reciprocity in Nature (adults age 16 and up)

Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025
9:30-11:30am

Fee: $20.00

Explore your relationship with the natural world through writing and sketching. In this reflective class, we’ll use journaling prompts and simple drawing exercises to consider the ways we give to and receive from nature. No art or writing experience needed — just curiosity and a willingness to slow down and observe.

******

FOR FMN CE Credit: These classes are approved FMN CE.  Record hours in Better Impact under Continuing Education > All Continuing Education.  For Approved CE Organization, choose Fairfax County Park Authority training.  In Description, include the name of the class.

Stream Monitoring Citizen Science & Training Opportunities, August Dates Available

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Photo: By FMN J. Quinn, Stream monitoring

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.

 

Difficult Run Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Saturday, August 9, 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: Difficult Run Stream Valley Park, Great Falls

This stream site in Great Falls is a short walk through the woods to a river with wide, sandy banks. These trails are very popular with hikers and monitors often get high water quality scores at this site. Reaching this site requires walking on an established trail. Learn more and register for this workshop and others here.

 

TBD Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Sunday, August 12, 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: TBD

Monitors are holding this space as a rain date for another workshop, or perhaps to explore a new stream to add to their monitoring roster. Although they don’t have any more details yet, they wanted to share this placeholder with you, with more info to follow in the August newsletter.

 

TBD Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Thursday, August 17, 9:00am-12:00pm
Where: TBD

Monitors are holding this space as a rain date for another workshop, or perhaps to explore a new stream to add to their monitoring roster. Although they don’t have any more details yet, they wanted to share this placeholder with you, with more info to follow in the August newsletter.

 

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.

Hiss-teria Averted: Staying Safe Around Snakes, Webinar July 16th

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Photo: NVCT

Wednesday, July 16, 2025
12 PM – 1 PM
Zoom link provided upon registration

Snakes often get a bad rap, but we share this land with them and they have important roles in their respective environments. In this webinar, learn how to properly identify, handle and avoid unpleasant interactions with native snakes of Virginia. Don’t worry, this session is completely virtual, so you won’t have to test your limits too much!

Brought to you by Northern Virginia Conservation Trust’s Nearby Nature Network. Presented by Bill Crisp of K2C Wildlife Encounters.

Mason Neck Kayak Adventures – 2025

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Announcing the ‘FMN only’ summer Kayak Tours at Mason Neck State Park!

June Evening: Saturday, 6/28/25, 6:00-8:00 PM
July Evening: Friday, 7/25/25, 6:00-8:00 PM
August Morning: Sunday, 8/24/25, 9:00-11:00 AM
September Afternoon: Sunday, 9/07/25, 1:00-3:00 PM

The 2 hour tours guide paddlers out into Belmont Bay and up Kane’s Creek into the heart of the park that can only be seen via the water. Explore the plants and animals found along the way; discuss the importance of wetlands; learn the history of Manson Neck peninsula; and enjoy the beauty and serenity of floating among the lilly pads, surrounded by forest.

*Guests please arrive 30 minutes prior to start time to gear up*

These are FMN only tours. Limit 10 per tour.
Registration is free and must be done via BI calendar.
Once the tour fills, registration auto-locks and it disappears from the Opportunities Calendar but remains on the Opportunities List.

All guests are required to use park provided kayaks and paddles.
PFDs are provided but you may bring your own. Personal PFDs must be Coast Guard approved/labeled Type III or better.

Appropriate clothing for the weather, activity level, and closed-toe shoes are encouraged. Below is a park provided link to a guide for recommended kayak-clothing. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/kayaking-what-to-wear.html

To register:
1. Login to BI and click on your ‘Opportunities’ tab.
2. Select ‘Opportunity Calendar’ from the pull-down menu.
3. Find event in the displayed calendar; Click it to see event details.
4. To sign up, Click the ‘Sign Up’ box in the lower right. This automatically signs you up and puts the event on your personal calendar.
5. To claim 2.5 CE hours: please use All Continuing Education -> FMN All other Chapter Training, as the Approved Org.

Mason Neck Kayak – photo JaneEllen Saums

A thought provoking prose to encourage this tour is Charles Dickens’ luminous writing about the beauty of the natural world – “The freshness of the day, the singing of the birds, the beauty of the waving grass, the deep green leaves, the wild flowers, and the thousand exquisite scents and sounds that floated in the air— deep joys to most of us, but even more so to those whose life is in a crowd or who live solitarily in great cities as in the bucket of a human well—sunk into their breasts and made them very glad.”

As you push off from the shore, inhale deeply, relax, immerse yourself in the natural world, and become “very glad”.

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.