Jerry Nissley

Woodland Sanctuary Workday for Hidden Oaks Nature Center, November 8th

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Photo: By FMN Jerry Nissley, Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Woodland Sanctuary Workday for Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Join volunteers to help restore an area within FCPA’s Annandale Park that was formerly designated a “Native Garden maintained by Fairfax Master Naturalists.” They are turning it into a Woodland Sanctuary that can be used for educational purposes and habitat protection.  They need help installing native plants on Sunday, November 8, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.  Earn service hours!

Please dress for the weather, bring garden gloves and water to drink. RSVP to Laura Anderko at dr.laura.anderko@gmail.com.  Please park at the playground/picnic shelter parking lot in Annandale Community Park (4030 Hummer Road) and walk up the path toward the nature center- participants will be near the campfire area.

This project is funded by Fairfax Master Naturalists 2026 mini-grant.  Hidden Oaks Nature Center staff expect that the woodland sanctuary will be visited by community members, school groups, scouts, class and camp participants, artists, and senior groups, and will bridge a connection between viewers and nature, with emphasis on the habitats and ecosystems. Because it is located on an already ADA-accessible path, the area will provide outdoor interpretation opportunities for those with limited mobility who may not otherwise be able to participate in guided outdoor walks and activities.

Image Courtesy of Fairfax Tree Rescuers Prism

Fall Tree Rescue Extravaganza II, October 3rd to November 1st

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Image: Courtesy of Fairfax Tree Rescuers Prism

Fall Tree Rescue Extravaganza II takes place across various locations and times during the four weekends of October 2026 (running from October 3 to November 1) to help save local trees from invasive vines. No experience necessary!

What to Know Before You Go

What to Wear: Long-sleeved shirts and long pants to protect against thorns, sturdy shoes, a hat.

What to Bring: Water. See instructions for each event about tools. If you have them, bring clippers, loppers, and/or small saws. If you don’t, most event leaders will have some extra tools you can borrow.

Sign Up: Please use the registration form or link on the calendar to let the event leaders know you are coming. Children must be over age 11 to actively participate.

 

Would you rather help in other ways?

Volunteer to help organize? Please fill out the interest form.

Donate money to support the work of the PRISM or adopt parks? Please see this page. 

Featured October 2026 Events – Click here for specific event details and restistration information:

  • Tree Rescue at Colvin Run Park
  • Stanton Park Tree Rescue – Sunday, October 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM
  • Tree Rescue at Laurel Hill Park Central Green – Saturday, October 17, 2026 at 9:00 AM
  • Brentwood Farm Park Tree Rescue – Sunday, October 18, 2026 & Sunday, October 25, 2026 at 9:00 AM
  • Vienna Klub Kudzu Southside Park – Mondays, October 5, 12, 19, & 26  at 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM
  • Centreville Pleasant Hill Park – Monday, October 12, at 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM
  • Brentwood Farm Park Tree Rescue – Sunday, October 18 at 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM
  • Reston Hunters Green – Saturday, October 24 at 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM
  • Burke Rolling Valley West Park – Saturday, October 24 at 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM
  • Herndon Horsepen Run Stream Valley Park –  Saturday, October 24 at 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM
  • Fairfax South Railroad Street Park – Sunday, October 25 at 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM
  • Fairfax Brentwood Farm Park Tree Rescue – Sunday, October 25 at 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM
  • RestonTree Rescue at Lake Fairfax Park – Saturday, October 31st at 9:00 AM until 11:30 AM

Oakton Library Habitat Gardens Clean-up Day, October 3rd

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Image: Courtesy of Friends of Oakton Library

Saturday Oct 3, 2026
9:00-11:00 am.

Oakton Library
10304 Lynnhaven Place
Oakton, VA, 22124-1785

Contact:  Gretchen Cervantes,  gretticervantes@gmail.com

Gretchen Cervantes is  on the board of the Friends of Oakton library. The Friends need some help maintaining their certified habitat gardens. They have 3 beds at the library that the they maintain. The Friends are always looking for volunteers to help, mainly  on two scheduled clean up days, one on October 3 and another in the spring.
They want to spread the word amongst the FMN group  to see if anyone is interested in helping them during their clean up days, or other times of the year. If so, please let  Gretchen know.

Any advice you could give would be greatly appreciated.

Wild Plant Nursery Work Day with Earth Sangha, October 14th

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Photo: Courtesy of Earth Sangha

October 14
12 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Earth Sangha
6100 Cloud Dr
Springfield, VA 22150

Help care for native plants at the Wild Plant Nursery! Volunteers will assist with repotting plants as well as weeding, watering and labeling. Your efforts will help keep the nursery thriving and support the native plants that provide important habitat and resources for local wildlife.

Additional details can be found on the Earth Sangha website.

 

Pollinator Garden Work Day at Mason Neck, October 21st

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Photo: Tricia Rowlison

October 21
9:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.

Visitor Center Pollinator Garden
Mason Neck State Park
7301 High Point Rd.
Lorton, VA 22079

Join the Friends of Mason Neck for a volunteer garden day at Mason Neck State Park! Help care for the park’s pollinator gardens by planting native species, weeding and mulching to support local wildlife, promote biodiversity and keep these natural spaces thriving. No gardening experience is needed, just a love of the outdoors and a willingness to help.

Additional details can be found on the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation website.

 

Photo: Fairfax County Park Authority

Hidden Oaks Fall Migratory Bird Count – Citizen Science Opportunity, September Through The Month of October!

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Photo: Hidden Oaks, Fairfax County Park Authority

Saturdays, September 5th through October 31st, 2026
8:00-9:15 AM
Hidden Oaks Nature Center

Please click here for additional information and sign-up details!

 

Join FMN volunteers as they assess the migratory birds passing through the park!

As the fall season arrives, we are interested in identifying and recording the types and numbers of birds migrating through Hidden Oaks!

Time and Location:

Bird Counts will take place on Saturdays from 8-9:15 AM at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, though the month of October. Volunteers will meet in front of the native garden by the main parking lot. Please arrive about 15 minutes before the start time.

It is recommended that all participants use the restroom prior to arrival, as there will be no building access. There is a restroom located down by the restored stream near the playground.

Additonal Parking:

If the parking lot is full, additional parking can be found by the Packard Center. If you park in the Packard Center lot, take the Storybook Trail to the nature center.

Weather:

In the case of rain or heavy wind, the program will be canceled. Laura will email you the night before if this is the case.

Can I join if I’m a beginner?

Yes! All are welcome to participate. The more eyes out searching, the more likely folks will find birds. You’re likely to pick up several tips and tricks along the way from others.

Minimum age to participate: 12

Children under 15 MUST be accompanied by a registered adult

FMN members can get citizen science hours using C106: FCPA Citizen Science Programs — Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA)

Recommended Materials:

Wear appropriate footwear and dress for the weather. Long pants and bug spray are recommended.

Bring your binoculars if you have them. Organizers do have a few binoculars and field guides that you are welcome to use for the duration of the count.

It is recommended that all participants download the ‘Merlin’  and ‘eBird’ app, as they have several ID tools that are very helpful. Volunteers will also be using Cornell’s website ‘Birdcast’ to determine migration patterns and the birds you are most likely to see.

Questions or concerns?

Contact Laura Anderko – dr.laura.anderko@gmail.com

Location:
Hidden Oaks Nature Center
7701 Royce Street
Annandale, Virginia 22003

VDoF Acorn Collection 2026 – Part 2

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The VA Department of Forestry (VDoF) Acorn and Seed Collection Program was established to sustain the native tree population in Virginia by collecting native tree seeds, raising trees on farms, and reforesting areas that may have been destroyed by fire or disease. For 2026, Virginia Master Naturalists has again partnered with VDoF to collect various acorns and tree seeds. Please check-out VDoF’s sustainability program link for collection hints, a seed identification chart, and details of seed types being collected for 2026:

Acorn and Nut Sustainability Program : Virginia Department of Forestry

Collection period for 2026 is September 8 thru October 11.

Process Changes for 2026:

Each FMN collection site will have a manager. Please contact the listed manager with questions or to help administer the site (monitor bin or transport seeds).  Otherwise simply drop off acorns in appropriate containers as they are collected.

Notably, the Fairfax County Government Center (Herrity building) is NOT a drop spot for 2026. Due to this reduction in collection capacity we are asking FMN to please REDUCE the donation of Black Walnut nuts (drupes) this year. Because the Herrity Building is not available, our smaller bins and transport resources may be stressed by the volume created by walnut donations. This will be a test year for that. Please focus on donating acorns for any of the 15 types of oak and chestnut species listed on the VDoF site.

FMN Collection Bin Locations:

Fairfax City Composting Center – Sophia Chapin, Stewardship Coordinator 703.223.5054, Sophia.chapin@fairfax.gov

Hidden Oaks Nature Center – Kristina Watts – Kristina.watts@fairfaxcounty.gov

Mt Vernon District Governmental Center – Jerry Nissley – jerry14niss@gmail.com

Vienna Community Center – Maryam Dadkhah – Maryamdad@yahoo.com

Walker Nature Center – Charles Colby – Charles.L.colby@gmail.com

Collection bags will not be provided, so please use sturdy paper, cloth, or canvas bags.

VDoF Collection requirements:
1. Please DO NOT collect acorns or any seed in plastic bags. They will mildew and spoil.

2. Please separate different seed types into separate bags and include a leaf from the tree to help with positive identification.

3. Please label the bag with type of seed, collection date, collection site (zip code at least) and approximate weight.

4. Acorns need to be clean (no holes). Holes indicate that a grub has bored into the acorn. If an acorn floats on water, it is not viable and cannot be used by VDoF – please toss it.

Record FMN service Hours: S400: VDoF Acorn and Seed Collecting — (VDoF)

Jerry Nissley

VDoF Acorn and Seed Collection – 2026

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The VA Department of Forestry (VDoF) Acorn and Seed Collection Program was established to sustain the native tree population in Virginia by collecting native tree seeds, raising trees on farms, and reforesting areas that may have been destroyed by fire or disease. For 2026, Virginia Master Naturalists has again partnered with VDoF to collect various acorns and tree seeds. Please check-out VDoF’s sustainability program for an identification chart and seed types being collected for 2026:

Acorn and Nut Collection link : Virginia Department of Forestry

Process Changes for 2026:

Each FMN collection site will have an FMN manager. Please contact the manager (TBD) with questions or to help administer the site (monitor bin or transport seeds).  Otherwise simply drop off seeds in appropriate containers as they are collected.

Notably, the Fairfax County Government Center (Herrity building) is NOT a drop spot for 2026.

FMN Collection Bin Locations have not all been confirmed for 2026. Sites will be announced via a Listserv message very soon. The DoF link above indicates detail will be announced in early September. At the time of this article, FMN is waiting for final process details from DoF.

Collection requirements:
1. Please DO NOT collect acorns or any seed in plastic bags. They will mildew and spoil.
2. Please separate different seed types into separate bags and include a leaf from the tree to help with positive identification.
3. Please label the bag with type of seed, collection date, collection site (zip code at least) and approximate weight.

Record FMN Hours: S400: VDoF Acorn and Seed Collecting — (VDoF)

Jerry Nissley

Native Meadow Seeding Events – Various Dates in October

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Photo: FMN Jerry Nissley – Bubble bee and Hummingbird moth
Sustainability Matters plants native meadows to create habitat for pollinators, and this fall they are gearing up for four major seeding events in Sterling and Ashburn. If you live in the Herndon/Reston area, they will not be too far away from you! These seeding parties are family-friendly, joyful events, with snacks provided.
Join volunteers from Sustainability Matters on various dates throughout October, at 10:00 a.m. to make history bloom! Together, volunteers will plant a native wildflower meadow in the historic W&OD corridor at Trailside Park.

Bring your butterfly wings, scatter seeds, and dance them into the earth! These joyful community planting parties are a chance to create beautiful habitat for pollinators while having fun with family, friends, and neighbors.

All ages are welcome – come celebrate, plant, and help our meadows bloom!

If interested, please register at the links below or by visiting the Sustainability Matters website. I would love to get a good group out to these events! If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at paige@sustainabilitymatters.earth.

 

Help Survey Butterflies and Dragonflies, September 23rd

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Photo credit: Tricia Rowlison

September 23
8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Dyke Marsh, Belle Haven Park parking lot
Alexandria, VA 22307

Help count butterflies and dragonflies in Dyke Marsh. Surveyors do not need experience or specialized knowledge. Meet in the south Belle Haven Park parking lot. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, sun and insect protection and a snack. Binoculars, camera phone or a camera are helpful.

Additional details can be found on the Friends of the Dyke Marsh website.