Culmore Summer Adventures

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Under the leadership of FMN Jo Doumbia, FMN has supported the Culmore Teen Center and Second Story programs since 2023.
The 2025 summer program just wrapped up and Jo would like to thank the ten FMN volunteers that directly supported their outdoor activities.

Huntley Meadows view from Observation Tower – photo Jerry Nissley

This year FMN directly supported four rewarding outdoor nature programs: 1. A guided tour at Huntley Meadows Park teaching the composition and benefits of wetland environments with Sarah Mayhew, Donna Stauffer, Brian Kiviat, and Jerry Nissley. 2. A day of fishing and fun at Lake Fairfax with Rob Shapiro. 3. An always wild and exciting kayak river adventure at Riverbend Park guided by Kim Munshower, Jonathan Eskew, and Rob Warren. This was a wonderful opportunity to learn about our region’s geology, history, and river systems. 4. And last but not least, a relaxing morning of Forest Bathing at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts led by our free agent for nature, Ana Ka’ahanui, assisted by Wendy Cohen. Forest Bathing (shinrin-yoku) is the practice of spending time in nature, immersing oneself in the forest atmosphere through all sensory engagement.

Jo also sends out a hearty thank you to FCPA for generously providing access and resources at Huntley Meadows, Riverbend, and Lake Fairfax.

Please read more about the summer program, Culmore Teen Center, and efforts in Fairfax County by Second Story in the article by Annandale Today.

Cover photo – Clear wing hummingbird moth on milkweed in Huntley Meadows wetland – photo Jerry Nissley

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

Friends of Dyke Marsh Ask Your Help To Tackle Invasive Plants, Various Dates: August Through December

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Photo: FMN Margaret Fisher, Trees being engulfed by invasive plants

Help protect native plants by pulling and clipping invasive plants. You will receive training to identify the five or so target plants. FODM kindly ask that you not bring pets. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants.

Bring gloves, hand clippers and water. Instructions, plant examples and trash bags will be supplied. Wear long sleeves and pants and sun protection. Some tools will be available to share. The event will be cancelled in the event of lightning or severe storms.

Meet at the Haul Road trail entrance bench. If it is raining one hour before a scheduled session, we will cancel it.

Haul Road Trail directions and parking:

GPS coordinates: 38.777739, -77.050540 South of Alexandria off the GW Memorial Parkway at the sign for Dyke Marsh Nature Preserve and Belle Haven Marina, turn east onto the road toward the Potomac River. Take the first left and park in the Belle Haven Park lot. Walk back to the marina road and turn east, toward the river. Walk 30 yards. On your right is a Dyke Marsh sign and the entrance to the Haul Road trail.

Click here for additional information and sign-up link.

Date(s):

  • August 16, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • August 30, 9 a.m. – 11 a.m.
  • September 13, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • September 27, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • October 11, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • October 25, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • November 8, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • November 22, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • December 6, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
  • December 20, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Difficult Run Stream Valley Park Habitat Restoration! – Oakton, August 17th

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Image: Courtesy of the Fairfax County Park Authority

August 17th,2025
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Difficult Run Stream Valley Park
Oakton, VA 22124

Contact Name: Sara Holtz
Email: sh12sh34@gmail.com
Primary Phone: 703-901-0603

CLICK HERE FOR REGISTRATION AND OTHER DETAILS.

Did you know that invasive plants are a huge threat to local wildlife, including migrating birds? Help out these creatures by volunteering to remove invasive plants and restore habitat!

Through removal of invasive plants, you’ll help restore natural habitats for wildlife in Fairfax County, while spending time outdoors & meeting new people. All ages are welcome. Meet at the trailhead near 3000 Miller Heights Rd, Oakton.

Additional Information

Duties:
Volunteers will manually remove invasive plants and plant native species. Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Park Authority. In working to ensure everyone’s safety, the Park Authority follows current CDC guidelines. If you are not feeling well, please stay home!

Qualifications:
No prior experience necessary, a short training and introduction will be provided at the beginning of every opportunity. Registration for IMA workdays must be submitted by 3pm on the Friday prior to a weekend workday and by 12pm on the day prior to a weekday workday. Volunteers 11 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult.

Purpose:
To restore parkland through the removal of invasive plants and planting of native species.

Benefits:
Volunteers will immediately be able to see how their efforts have had a positive impact on parkland. Volunteers will make parks they volunteer at more aesthetically pleasing and improve the quality of habitat for local wildlife.

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.

Invasive Removal Projects at Riverbend Park, June 26th

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Photo: FMN Ana Ka’ahanui, Riverbend

 

Invasive Removal Projects @Riverbend Park

Thursday June 26, 2025
10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Riverbend Park
Get Directions 

8700 Potomac Hills St.
Great Falls, VA 22066

 

Sign-up information

Meet at the Riverbend Park Visitor Center
Riverbend Park needs your help! Join Fairfax County Park Authority for an invasive removal project this summer and help restore and preserve Riverbend’s natural resources. Enjoy a day outdoors and do some good!

Duties:
Sign up for an Invasive Removal Day! Make sure to wear and bring good outdoor-gear, long pants, boots, long-sleeve shirt, water, bug spray, and anything the weather may call for (hats, sunglasses, etc!) Volunteers are encouraged to bring their own work gloves. Students under 16 years old, must volunteer with a parent/guardian. The supervising adult may register and inform the Volunteer Coordinator that they are volunteering with a student.

Qualifications:
Must be able to walk on hilly natural trails and work outdoors. Interest in the stewardship of the county’s natural and cultural resources. Basic knowledge and identification skills of local plants helpful but not required. Volunteers may receive service hour credit. Contact Casey.Pittrizzi@fairfaxcounty.gov

Purpose:
Invasive plants are a threat to native wildlife and animals. These projects aim to control and reduce the spread of invasives of concern so that native wildflowers, plants, and trees have space to thrive. Healthy habitats have a positive ecological effect on native wildlife!

Benefits:
Hands-on experience in resource management and ecological restoration. Make a difference in the Potomac River ecosystem!

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Park Authority. In working to ensure everyone’s safety, if you are not feeling well, please stay home!

Minimum age: 16

Butterfly and Dragonfly Surveys, April-October

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Photos: Top: L-R Sam Schaen – Monarch Butterfly, Juan Gonzalez, Peck’s Skipper
Bottom: L-R Photo by Ana Ka’ahanui – Halloween pennant dragonfly, Ana Ka’ahanui -Blue Dasher dragonfly

Butterfly and dragonfly surveys are carried out in temperate months (April-October), normally on Friday mornings, at one of four sites ( listed below) around Occoquan Bay, all within the 15-mile diameter circle established for the annual North American Butterfly Association’s Annual Count.

The results of these surveys are made available to the participants and other interested individuals and agencies, including the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, and agencies of the U.S. Interior Department. The results of the butterfly-dragonfly surveys are summarized, along with the results of the general surveys, in an annual report.

 

Survey: Occoquan Regional Park Butterfly and Dragonfly
Friday, May 30, 2025
8:30 AM 12:00 PM
Occoquan Regional Park
9751 Ox Road, Lorton, VA, 22079 United States

Participation is limited. Email us to make a reservation here.

Survey: Metz Wetlands Butterfly and Dragonfly
Friday, May 23, 2025
8:30 AM 12:00 PM
Metz Wetlands
15875 Neabsco Road Woodbridge, VA, 22191 United States

Participation is limited. Email us to make a reservation here.

Survey: Meadowood Butterfly and Dragonfly Survey
Friday, June 6, 2025
8:30 AM 12:00 PM
Meadowood Recreation Area
10406 Gunston Road Lorton, VA, 22079 United States

Participation is limited. Email us to make a reservation here.

Survey: Occoquan Bay NWR Butterfly and Dragonfly
Friday, June 13, 2025
8:30 AM 12:00 PM
Occoquan Bay NWR
13950 Dawson Beach Road Woodbridge, VA, 22191 United States

Participation is limited. Email us to make a reservation here.

Meadowood Sensory Nature Trail Public Workshop on May 3rd

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Photo: By FMN Jerry Nissley – Fall Meadow
SATURDAY, MAY 3, 2025
9AM-NOON (EASTERN TIME)

MUSTANG TRAILHEAD
10702 HARLEY RD, LORTON, VA 22079

The Bureau of Land Management’s Lower Potomac Field Station is proposing to develop a sensory nature trail at Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area in Lorton, VA. The proposed trail would be approximately 1-mile of accessible trail with up to six sensory stations along the trail. Other amenities may include development of a small parking area with an access road, vault toilet, and signage. This sensory trail is based on the Autism Nature Trail at Letchworth State Park in New York plus other local sensory trails. The accessible trail would be designed for all ages and abilities, accommodating individuals with neurodevelopmental disorders, people with disabilities, and the general public. Sensory trails can be enjoyed by anyone, promoting engagement with nature and encouraging the use of all senses. The sensory stations will be areas that engage visitors in exercises to help stimulate senses, such as nature paths, music, motor skills, and visual features. YOUR help is needed to provide ideas and feedback on what sensory stations, amenities, and features should be proposed for this trail!
BLM office is hosting a Meadowood Sensory Nature Trail Workshop on May 3rd at 9am at Mustang Trailhead (10702 Harley Rd, Lorton, VA) to go over the proposed trail and sensory stations. The agenda of the Workshop is the following:
  • 9 am: Welcoming and Introduction
  • 9:15-10am: Guided Field Visit – The BLM will guide a tour along Mustang Loop Trail to show potential locations of the proposed trail. Please wear suitable clothing and shoes for walking and bring water and snacks. The Mustang Loop Trail is under a mile long on a mostly flat meadow with a mixture of natural trail and mowed grass.
  • 10:15-12pm: Project Feedback under the Multi-use Pavilion – We will facilitate an interactive discussion about the proposed trail and sensory stations.
This inclusive workshop is open to all including the general public, and interested groups, clubs, and organizations. If you cannot make this date, there will be future public comment periods this summer once the draft environmental planning document is available. Those interested in providing more in-depth feedback may email: BLM_ES_NSDO_PublicInquiry@blm.gov. Please include “Sensory Nature Trail” in the subject line. Registration is not required but suggested. See the attached flyer for more information about the Workshop. Our office hopes to see you at our Workshop on May 3rd! Welcome to share this email and the attached flyer. If you have any questions, reach out via email or call our office us at 703-339-8009.
Thanks,
Ryan Jackson
Outdoor Recreation Planner
Bureau of Land Management
Lower Potomac Field Station
Cell: (701) 495-3595
Office: (703) 339-3460

Stream Monitoring Citizen Science & Training Opportunities, April and May 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. The next field protocol exam will be offered at the end of the spring monitoring season, likely in June. Please reach out to the stream monitoring coordinator, Ashley, with any questions.

 

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.

Little Difficult Run Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Sunday, April 20, 3:00-6:00pm
Where: Fred Crabtree Park/Fox Mill District Park, Herndon

This small stream is in a peaceful wooded park a short hike away from the parking area. Little Difficult Run often scores very highly on our macroinvertebrate index because its watershed lies almost completely within the protected parkland. Reaching this site requires hiking through the woods and over uneven terrain. Learn more and register for this workshop and others here.

 

Pohick Creek Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Sunday, May 4, 9:00am-12:00pm
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.

 

TBD Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Saturday, May 10, 1:00-4:00pm
Where: TBD

Organizers are holding this space as a rain date for another workshop, or perhaps to explore a new stream to add to the 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 May newsletter.

 

Quander Creek/Dyke Marsh Muddy Bottom Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Thursday, May 15, 10:00am-12:00pm(ish)
Where: Mount Vernon District Park, Alexandria

 

Volunteers will monitor a small tributary of Dyke Marsh twice this spring in partnership with the Friends of Dyke Marsh. This is NVSWCD’s only muddy bottom stream, all others use the rocky bottom protocol. This is great opportunity for new and certified monitors alike to see a different stream habitat. They also see a lot of cool crane fly larva and dragonfly larva here! Reaching this site requires walking through the woods and over uneven terrain. Space at this workshop is limited. If you’re interested in participating, please email Ashley.

 

TBD Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Thursday, May 22, 3:00-6:00pm
Where: TBD

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

Spring Cleaning 🌳 Volunteer for a Watershed Cleanup! (April and May Dates)

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A celebration of 10 years of the Fairfax County Spring Watershed Cleanup in partnership with The Nature Conservancy and Fairfax County Park Authority. It is time to come together with your community and neighbors to remove trash from your local waterways. Be a part of the solution—volunteers have removed nearly 30 tons of trash over the last decade through this spring cleanup!

Will you be one of the 400 people we need to pick up trash? Get your friends, family, colleagues, and groups involved.

Registration for the 2025 cleanups is open.

Event capacity is limited. Please follow instructions about registering in groups in the detail section of the registration pages. You can view a list of all park locations, dates, times, and number of volunteers needed here and below.

Saturday, April 19

  • Register: Merrybrook Run Stream Valley Park—9-11 a.m.
  • Register: John Byers Park—9-11 a.m.

Saturday, April 26

  • Register: Cub Run Stream Valley (Flint Lee Road)—9-11:30 a.m.

Saturday, May 3

  • Register: Lake Fairfax Park—10 a.m.-noon

Saturday, May 10

  • Register: Franconia Rec Center—9-11:30 a.m.

A confirmation email with additional details will be sent to registered volunteers about 3-5 days before the scheduled cleanup. If you have questions between now and then, please let me know. If the sites reach capacity, we encourage you join the waitlist and find additional opportunities to volunteer and connect with nature at:

Many thanks in advance for your help. We hope to see you there!
Happy cleaning,
Brynna

Brynna Strand
(she/her/hers)
Volunteer Coordinator
brynna.strand@tnc.org

+1 540 255 5717 (Mobile)
nature.org

 

The Nature Conservancy In Virginia
652 Peter Jefferson Pkwy
Ste 190
Charlottesville VA, 22911 U.S.A.