Project Confluence Webinar, July 23

/in , , /by

Do you want to know what engineering and scientific skills and resources are ready to be mobilized in service of communities? Are you curious about the kinds of incentives and barriers that might exist to collaborative work with communities? Are you interested in learning about how engineers and scientists value collaborations with communities?

Tune into Project Confluence Webinar 2 on July 23rd, 2019 at 11am PT/2pm ET held by re-Engineered at Arizona State University to hear more about our research findings from a national survey of engineers and scientists interested in community–based work (Project Confluence) and find out how to get involved. This webinar is meant for anyone—including working professionals, community leaders, government officials, students, and academics—who cares about promoting engineering and science that serves public need.

This is the second in a series of webinars re-Engineered will host that aim to highlight opportunities for collaboration between community groups, engineers, and scientists to address environmental, climate, and energy concerns. You can view our first webinar here: https://www.reengineered.org/projectconfluencewebinar

DATE: July 23rd, 2019 (Tuesday)

TIME: 2pm Eastern / 11am Pacific

DURATION: 1 hour

REGISTER HERE: https://asu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_3nrMTIxWSF650vqbQ99prQ

A recording of the webinar will be made available at reengineered.org/projectconfluence within 24 hours in case you cannot make the live webinar.

ABOUT US: We are a group of interdisciplinary researchers (engineers, planners, and social scientists) at Arizona State University focused on building the technical capacity of environmental, climate, and energy justice groups across the US. As a first step in our work, we are talking to communities to see what technical resources are needed to meet their goals. You can find out more about our work at reengineered.org.

HOW TO GET INVOLVED: If you are a community group or non-profit, engineer or scientist, that wants to get involved with Project Confluence, please reach out to us! You can contact us with any questions, comments, or ideas at [email protected] (re-Engineered’s lead), [email protected] (post-doctoral fellow), or [email protected] (re-Engineered’s group email). You can also follow us on Twitter @reengineeredlab.

(If you belong to FMN and want credit, be sure to add this project to the CE calendar)

Join bioblitz at Oxbow Farm, near Front Royal, July 14

/in , , /by

Joe Guthrie of the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute invites you to a citizen science volunteer opportunity (Service Code C200). On Sunday, July 14th 2019 VWL and their partners at The Clifton Institute (www.cliftoninstitute.org) are co-hosting a BioBlitz at Oxbow Farm in Warren County, near Front Royal (What’s a BioBlitz? See here)

The Oxbow Farm BioBlitz will be limited to 30 participants, including staff from VWL and Clifton. To ensure a spot at this one-time event, register by using the following link (scroll to the bottom of the linked page and look for the REGISTER icon; select “1” and leave the registration fee at 0.00, then click “Submit”): https://bit.ly/2xijEhK

 

The draft schedule is as follows:

6:30-9:30 AM: Bird walk

10:00 AM-12:00 PM: Reptile and amphibian walk

3:00-4:00 PM: Flying insects walk

4:00-5:00 PM: Terrestrial arthropod walk (turning over logs and rocks)

3:00-5:00 PM: Fungi walk

3:00-6:00 PM: Plants & wildflower walk

8:30-10:00 PM: Night creatures (insects at black lights, reptiles and amphibians)

 

We will use the popular iNaturalist platform/app to collect, review and document everything we find during the BioBlitz.

If this interests you, please sign up by registering at the link above. If you have questions, please email [email protected] (cc-ed above) and Joe Guthrie ([email protected]). Some of you may have visited Oxbow in the past and know how special it is. For those of you who’ve not seen Oxbow, here’s an opportunity.

99th Green Breakfast, July 13th

/in , /by

Brion’s Grille
10621 Braddock Rd, Fairfax, VA 22032
Saturday, 13 July 2019
Breakfast begins at 8:30 am
$10 at the door, cash preferred
No prior registration required.

A Look Back: 20 Years with the Soil and Water Conservation District
Asad Rouhi, Ph.D.
Urban Conservation Engineer, Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District

As he ends his tenure with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District and looks forward to retirement at the end of July, Dr. Rouhi joins us to share his wit and wisdom after more than 20 years of service with the district.

Breakfast includes an all-you-can eat hot buffet with fresh fruit and coffee, tea, orange juice or water. No prior registration required. If you have any questions, please contact the Northern Virginia Soil and Water at [email protected].

Spotted lanternfly ID training, Today, June 26th

/in , /by

Green  Spring Gardens
4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria VA
Wednesday, June 26, 2019
6:30 – 8 pm

Calling all Master Gardeners, Master Naturalists, Tree Commissioners, Tree Lovers, Landscapers, Arborists and  Nature Lovers:

Join Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension service in learning to identify the invasive spotted lanternfly and its main host Tree of Heaven.

SPACE is LIMITED  please RSVP
[email protected]
or
703-324-8556

How to promote native plants, training June 29th

/in , /by

Photo: Barbara J. Saffir (c)

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Fairfax
2709 Hunter Mill Road, Oakton VA 22124
Saturday, 29 June 2019
9:30am -12:30 pm

Please join Plant NOVA Natives as they discuss various ways in which community volunteers can spread the word about the value of adding native plants to their landscaping. Learn how you can work with your
• homeowners or condo association
• neighbors
• faith community
• local garden center
After hearing presentations on these and other topics, we will break up into small groups to brainstorm about our individual action plans. We will have snacks, but bring a bag lunch if you like.

See details and sign up here.

The Songs of Insects, A Talk and Walk, September 11th

/in , /by

Norma Hoffman Visitor Center
Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria, VA
Wednesday, 11 September 2019
7 pm

The Friends of Dyke Marsh invite you to a presentation that will explore the world of singing insects using nature images and sound recordings. You’ll learn where to find these insects, how to identify them by looks and songs, how and why they sing, and how you hear their songs. Their speaker will be Wil Hershberger, an avid naturalist, nature photographer, nature sound recordist, and co-author of the book “The Songs of Insects.”

The talk will be followed by a walk, beginning at 8 pm, to listen for singing insects. The number of people on the walk is limited to 20, so if you want to go on the walk please register in advance by sending an email to [email protected]. Registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis. (No registration is needed to attend the talk.)
This program is cosponsored by the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society. It is free and open to the public. An informal social, beginning at 6:30, will precede the presentation.

Help FODM remove invasive plants, July 8th & 22nd

/in , /by

Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve
Haul Road Trail
Mondays, 8 July and 22 July 2019
9 am

Friends of Dyke Marsh must remove plants like mile-a-minute, Japanese stiltgrass and garlic mustard so that these invasives do not outcompete the more than 3,500 plants FODM put in in 2018. They will help you identify the target plants (no more than 5) and show you what to do. Volunteer whatever time you can and if the heat becomes unbearable, we can stop.

Please let them know if you can help. They will have some gloves and tools, but it would be helpful if you could bring your own gloves, clippers and loppers. Bring water, wear sturdy shoes, long sleeves and pants and sun protection. You might want to bring insect repellent. Meet at the native plant site along the Haul Road trail just past the second bench on the west side of the trail.
Please RSVP to [email protected].

Shortleaf pine Crop Tree Release, June 29th

/in , /by

EVENT POSTPONED DUE TO LOW PARTICIPANT RESPONSE

 

Conway Robinson State Forest, Gainesville, VA
Meet at the parking area on N side of US-29 at the intersection of University Blvd and US-29
Saturday, 29 June 2019
7:30-11 am

The planted shortleaf pines at Conway Robinson State Forest, though a native to the area, is facing strong competition from the faster growing loblolly pine. Come out and help Department of Forestry release the shortleaf with hand tools. What is a Crop Tree Release (CTR), why would we do it, and how would we go about it? CTR is a pre-commercial (doesn’t make money) practice that targets a certain species or category of trees that are desirable, but are facing competition from their neighbors. The idea is to remove the competition in favor of the desired or target trees and allow said trees to grow freely. This removal is best done mechanically by cutting down or girdling the competing trees adjacent to the target tree. Contact: [email protected].

Sign up at:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScDdjx3_D0IXaoNR1O33plY-RxhcYl24sj7Av3wvoHU-YT3HQ/viewform

Free “Designing for environmental sustainability and social impact” course starts July 9th

/in , /by

Develop entrepreneurial solutions that promote environmental conservation and address problems of poverty. This is a hands-on, project-based 6-week course that consists of weekly readings, videos, and workshops and is offered for FREE with the support of MAVA Foundation. You’ll explore different environmental challenges, identify areas of opportunity, and learn how to propose impactful solutions. You’ll have the opportunity to work with a team and learn from experts like Levi’s VP of Sustainability as well as the CEOs of the Nature Conservancy and Green for All.

By the end, you’ll have mastered a handful of collaborative and entrepreneurial approaches to help you promote both environmental sustainability and social impact – whether you’re a conservation specialist, a social entrepreneur, or a passionate change agent.
Ready to tackle an environmental challenge?
ENROLL FOR FREE

Thriving Earth Exchange introduces the Community Science Fellowship

/in , , /by

Thriving Earth Exchange’s new Community Science Fellowship offers the chance to build your skills and make a difference as you facilitate a collaborative project to address critical community priorities. Shepherding a community science project from idea to impact, our volunteer Fellows hone the skills to manage diverse teams, work across disciplinary boundaries, and connect science to action.

Learn more about the Fellowship experience.

Apply to become a Fellow.