Casey Trees needs volunteers, Sep. 21st and beyond

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Casey Trees Farm
2498 Briggs Rd., Berryville, VA 22611
Saturday, 21 September 2019
9am – 2pm

Casey Trees Farm is a non-profit organization dedicated to research, collaboration and environmental stewardship.  They are in the process of being certified organic and are opening up their fifth field this summer. The field is almost ready for production and they want to bring in volunteers for the final step towards production, planting over 2000 trees into their grow bags! This will be a tiring day of service, but will be followed by a picnic lunch. (Hotdogs, baked beans, and chips).

Visit this link to learn more about the event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/volunteer-september-casey-tree-farm-event-registration-69181661211 . The password VA is needed to access tickets.

In addition, Casey Trees is looking to start a corps of volunteers that are able to aid them in maintaining their tree farm in Berryville, VA year round with events and open volunteer hours, so if you are unable to join them for this event but are interested in learning more about the farm and helping out at a later date. let Chelsea MacCormack know and she will add you to the farm events newsletter.

Earth Sangha fall intern position open

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If you’re interested in learning more about native plant propagation from seed collecting, propagation, and restoration plantings, working with a vibrant group of volunteers, and want to meet other folks working in plant conservation this is a great opportunity. No relevant experience necessary, but strong candidates should have a strong interest in environmental conservation, public service, and the outdoors. Candidates must be able to work outdoors, lift heavy objects, work with and supervise volunteers across all ages, and have transportation to and from the Wild Plant Nursery. Pay is $15/hour with an estimated 15/hr a week schedule with the potential for extra hours. If you’re interested in applying, please email a CV and cover letter to [email protected].

Photo: Fairfax County Park Authority

Hidden Oaks 50th Anniversary Celebration, Oct. 19th

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Hidden Oaks Nature Center
7701 Royce St., Annandale VA
Saturday, 19 October 2019
11 am – 4 pm

Visit for a day of fun, music and special activities in honor of Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s 50th anniversary! Opened in 1969 as the first nature center in Fairfax County, Hidden Oaks now serves over 30,000 visitors a year. Enjoy a Reptiles Alive presentation, music from the School of Rock honoring Woodstock’s 50th year and other children’s music groups, go on a Hidden Treasures of Hidden Oaks hunt, see demonstrations of Monarch butterfly tagging and release and enjoy the new playground and chainsaw tree art. Fun for all ages!  Parking in Annandale Community Park except for special permit parking.  Free.

Have some natural knowledge and can assist with a learning station?  To volunteer, contact Suzanne Holland, [email protected]. Master naturalists, record your hours as E110: FCPA Nature Programs.

Earth Sangha plant grant application process simplified

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Earth Sangha revamped their Plant Grant to make it easier to apply and simpler to administer. You can now apply entirely online (you need a Google account) using this webform.
You can even upload photos of the site for us to review. We will be accepting applicants for Fall Plant Grants on a first-come, first-served basis with rolling applications. If you think your restoration project could benefit from this program, please click the link above and read the introductory information from the link above and send us an application to review. For more information on our Plant Grant Program visit www.earthsangha.org/plant-grant.

Birds, Blossoms, and the Bull Moose: A Natural History Hike of T.R.’s Memorial in the Potomac, Sep. 15th

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Theodore Roosevelt Island
Sunday, 15 September 2019
1-3 pm
Wear shoes that can handle mud
Free but registration required

Trek around Theodore Roosevelt Island, an 88-acre living memorial to the first president to make conservation a centerpiece of his presidency. Meet our 26th president — or rather a 17-ft. bronze statue of him — the rich Manhattanite who became known as the protector of more than 230 million acres of public land. Saunter around the island to sample its natural and not-so-natural history.  See the plants and critters that thrive on this 88-acre island in the Potomac River.

FMN quarterly chapter meeting Sept. 16th, Fairfax County recycling program

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Hidden Oaks Nature Center
7701 Royce St., Annadale VA
Monday, 16 September 2019
7:30 – 9 pm

Our chapter will have a brief meeting, enjoy some food and drink, and learn from a presentation on recycling in Fairfax County by Erica Carter, Fairfax County Solid Waste Management Program, Recycling Coordinator.

There’s been a lot of talk about recycling these days – what can we recycle? Where does it go? Is China still buying? More importantly, what can you do to minimize the amount of waste that you and your family create? We’ll take a quick look at the current state of waste management in Fairfax County and answer everyone’s questions about what they can and cannot recycle.

Fairfax Master Naturalists earn one hour of continuing education credit for this event.

Stiltgrass overwhelms natives! Help remove it Sep. 7th

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Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts
1551 Trap Rd., Vienna VA
Saturday, 7 September 2019
9 am – Noon

The meadow garden at the  Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts is in the one-acre circle (or “Dimple”) in front of the ticket windows. It is a vibrant pollinator habitat and nectar source but will not continue to thrive if the stiltgrass remains. Japanese stiltgrass is an aggressive invasive species that pushes out beneficial native plants. Late summer is the perfect time to pull it, right right before it flowers and re-seeds.

No experience necessary! Training on how to ID and remove stiltgrass will be provided at the event. Please bring water, garden gloves, insect repellent, and sun protection. Please RSVP here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20f0a45a5aa22a4f94-stiltgrass  

This volunteer event is organized by the Friends of Wolf Trap and Fairfax Master Naturalists. FMNs may record service hours to S263: Wolf Trap Stewardship Projects.

Celebrate the Diversity of the Piedmont: Virginia Native Plant Society Annual Conference

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Friday, Sept 27-Sunday, Sept 29, 2019 

Hikes, lectures, and classes are scheduled for all day Saturday and half day Sunday, with check-in, dinner, and speaker on Friday night.

One price for the whole weekend, to include meals from Friday dinner to Sunday lunch. This year, it is based in Front Royal.

Go to the VNPS website here for everything you want to know, and to register.

Questions? Contact:

Email [email protected]

Phone: 540-837-1600

Love to feed birds? Take The Cornell Lab feeder course

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Learning who’s who at your feeders will help reveal the fascinating dramas that unfold outside your window.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s online course covers orioles, flickers, finches, hummingbirds, and much more!

Enroll in Feeder Birds: Identification and Behavior.

Try Nest Quest Go to help the Cornell Lab

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In the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s new crowdsourcing project, you’re invited to delve into decades of handwritten nest data cards and the valuable information they hold.

You can help them digitize these cards while taking a trip back in time and peeking into the stories inside birds’ nests.

Just sign up for the project via Zooniverse—even a few minutes is really helpful. Our current project is on American Kestrels, with more species lined up for the future (we can even send you notifications about new projects).

Check out Nest Quest Go and start on your first nest card!