The Trees of Fraser Preserve, Led by Margaret Chatham

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The Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society

Saturday, November 18, 2017
10 am to 1 pm

Fraser Preserve
101 Springvale Road
Great Falls, VA 22066

VNPS programs are free and open to the public. Space is limited on walks, so please register at https://vnps20171118.eventbrite.com

Join Margaret Chatham for a tour of the Trees of Fraser Preserve, Saturday, November 18, at 10 am. Some fifty species of trees have been recorded for Fraser Preserve. Come see how many of them we can spot with the help of turning colors, with the certainty of viewing the State Champion American Elm down by the river.
This will be a somewhat energetic hike, downhill and up several times. You might want to bring binoculars and a walking stick in addition to water and the usual dress for the weather.
Margaret is a devoted Fraser Preserve Volunteer Visitation Committee Member who removes invasive barberry shrubs in winter and wavy leaf basket grass in summer and knows the preserve intimately. She is also editor of the VNPS Potowmack News newsletter, a volunteer at the VNPS propagation beds at Green Spring Gardens in Alexandria, and an Arlington Regional Master Naturalist.

September 19th: Creek Critters at Webb Sanctuary

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You will learn how to find and identify creek critters (macroinvertebrates) living in Popes Head Creek, and generate Stream Health Reports based on your findings using the Creek Critters smartphone app. The stream site is a 10-minute downhill walk from the parking area. Participants will work in shallow water (less than 10 inches deep).

This is a FREE event, but registration is required. Children over 10 years old are welcome to participate.

September 19th  |  11am-1pm  |  Webb Sanctuary

September 9th Green Breakfast:  Fairfax County’s Environmental Vision Update

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Fairfax County’s Environmental Vision Update Kambiz Agazi, Fairfax County Environmental Coordinator Fairfax County’s environment is resilient, but not indestructible. It is the county’s overarching vision to attain a quality environment that provides for a high quality of life and is sustainable for future generations. While it is not an action plan, Fairfax County’s Environmental Vision is important because it helps to guide the county’s environmental sustainability initiatives and programs. Set aside the morning of the 12th and enjoy a hot buffet breakfast while listening to a great presentation on an ecological topic. $10 payable at the door, no need to RSVP.

September 9th | 8:30-10am  |  Brion’s Grille, Fairfax

Learn more

Hog Island Scholarship

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Audubon Society of Northern Virginia is pleased to offer a full scholarship and transportation to “Sharing Nature: An Educator’s Week,” July 16-21, 2017, at National Audubon Society’s Hog Island Camp in Maine.

Application Deadline: Feb. 24, 2017. Applications available at audubonva.org 

Scholarship Announcement: March 17, 2017

Application: http://audubonva.org/hog-island-scholarship/

Questions: [email protected] or contact Mary McLean, Youth Education Chair. For further information about Hog Island, visit the Hog Island Website.

Applicants must be classroom teachers, specialists, or school administrators working in: Alexandria City, Falls Church City, Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun or Prince William counties.

The winner is expected to develop a new or enhance an existing conservation-themed project for students. Past projects have included: developing wildlife-friendly habitat at schools, building and maintaining a Bluebird Trail and conducting nature-themed in-service programs for teachers. ASNV will assist the winner in completing their project by offering resources, professional advice, and program support as needed.

Participants in Educator’s Week learn practical approaches to environmental education during this action-packed program. Experienced and enthusiastic instructors share their favorite approaches, methods, and activities for engaging both children and adults with nature.

Workshops using art, music, theater, journaling and other disciplines will be presented, as well as a host of classic Audubon Camp field trips, including a boat trip to the restored Atlantic Puffin and Tern colony on Eastern Egg Rock, intertidal explorations and hiking through Hog Island’s unspoiled spruce-fir forest. These experiences provide a wonderful opportunity to learn outside in a beautiful setting, while considering how to use this new knowledge with your students back home. During the week educators will explore citizen science methods, creating inquiry-based lessons on birds and other topics and demonstrating both low and high-tech methods of teaching.

2016 Winner, Kate Sydney, Glebe Elem., Arlington
2017 Winner, Morgan Ochuizzo, Fairfax Schools

Continuing Education Credits (CEUs) are available for completing the course from the University of Southern Maine