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Green Spring Gardens

Green Spring Garden Seeking Gardeners

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Photo: Courtesy of Green Springs Garden

Join the Green Spring Gardeners to help keep them growing and enhance garden grounds for visitor enjoyment and education. Additional volunteer gardeners are welcome to help the horticulture teams. As a volunteer gardener, you will assist with all phases of gardening including propagation, transplanting, mulching, weeding, watering and harvesting.

Qualifications:

  • Basic horticulture knowledge
  • Previous hands-on gardening experience
  • Interest in the stewardship of the county’s natural and cultural resources
  • Gardening requires lifting, bending, and stooping (you should be able to lift 25-30 lbs)
  • You will work in teams, so it is important that you work well with others and maintain a positive attitude
  • Minimum age: 18

If selected as a volunteer, you will be required to attend a site orientation and on-the-job training as required. Mandatory Volunteer Outdoor Safety and Power Tools/Equipment Training will be provided.

Hours of operation are on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings. Volunteer gardeners would commit to three hours per week for a period of four months.

Location: 4603 Green Spring Rd, Alexandria, VA 22312

You can sign up through the Volunteer Fairfax Site: https://volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/opp_details/187124

For more information about Green Spring Gardens: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/green-spring

Native Plants of Freshwater Tidal Communities, March 3

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Photo of Wild Rice by Mr. Nelson DeBarros

Sunday, March 3, 2023
3:00 PM

No registration is required.
This is an in-person program (no remote option).

Join this presentation on the native plants of Northern Virginia’s freshwater tidal marshes by Nelson DeBarros, a vegetation ecologist with the Fairfax County Park Authority.  The talk will cover several area marshes and their plants, like wild rice, spatterdock and cattails.

The meeting is in person at the Huntley Meadows Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria (Fairfax County) (https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/huntley-meadows).

The cosponsors of the program are Plant NOVA Natives, Northern Virginia Trout Unlimited, Virginia Native Plant Society, Potowmack Chapter, Friends of Little Hunting Creek, Friends of Accotink Creek and the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park.

Jerry Nissley

FCPA Is Hiring Roving Naturalists for Fall and Spring Programs

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Photo: By FMN Jerry Nissley, Hidden Oaks Nature Center

FCPA is hiring Roving Naturalists for fall and spring programs. See the job details below and send a resume to [email protected]

If you would rather volunteer than work for FCPA we have opportunities to support this program as a volunteer as well.  Click this link to sign up as a volunteer https://volunteer.fairfaxcounty.gov/custom/1380/#/opp_details/188975

 

Position Title: Roving Park Naturalist

ROVING PARK Naturalist is responsible for teaching children Environmental Education and historical programs. Rovers work with Fairfax County Public Schools (FCPS) and the general public. Position is under the general direction of the Manager of Education and Outreach and the specific program directors at work sites. Some program research, planning, and development may be required.

Job Description: Roving Park Naturalist (Rovers) teach a wide variety of education programs. Main duties include Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE) for 7th grade FCPS. Other duties include 4th grade MWEE offered at various elementary schools which focuses on invasive plants. Rovers will also lead programs, teach camps, work events and other activities with scout groups and the general public. Uniform shirts and name tags provided.

Location: Work will require travel to various Fairfax County Park Authority sites/schools. Occasionally attend outreach events and staff a booth as a representative of FCPA and interact with the public to inform them of FCPA resources and programs.

Qualifications: Applicants should have some course work in nature/history, education, interpretation, or outdoor recreation. These would be beneficial but are not required. Applicants should have the ability to work with all age groups. Communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Be able to walk long distances over various types of terrain and stand for long periods of time.
 
Salary: Starting at $14 to $18 hr. based on experience, no benefits. This position cannot exceed 980 hours per calendar year.

Hours: Weekday mornings (8:30m-1:30pm) Sept-Oct and April-May is required. Training offered in spring and fall semesters. After the 7th grade MWEE program is completed, additional work may be available afternoons, weekends and evenings.

To Apply: Applicants should send a current resume and cover letter to: [email protected] OR

Fairfax County Park Authority Suite 936
12055 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA. 22035
Resource Management Division Education & Outreach

Necessary Special Requirements: 

  • The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check to the satisfaction of the employer.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected] or visit us online.

Reasonable accommodations are available to persons with disabilities during application and/or interview processes per the Americans with Disabilities Act. Contact 703-324-4900 for assistance. TTY 703-222-7314. EEO/AA/TTY. 

Fairfax County Park Authority prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions, age, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetics, political affiliation, or military status in the recruitment, selection, and hiring of its workforce.  

 

 

Tammy Schwab
Manager, Education & Outreach
Resource Management Division
Fairfax County Park Authority
12055 Government Center Parkway
Phone (703) 324-8750

Welcome to the Fairfax County Park Authority Latino Conservation Week, July 15th

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Welcome to the Fairfax County Park Authority Latino Conservation Week, a celebration of the community’s profound connection to nature and their contributions to conservation efforts. This week-long event invites you to embark on a journey of exploration, education, and engagement, honoring the rich heritage and environmental stewardship of Latino individuals. Join the celebration with these fun-filled, family programs!

Downloadable Flyers:

In Spanish: SEMANA LATINA DE LA CONSERVACIÓN (fairfaxcounty.gov)
In English: Latino Conservation Week (fairfaxcounty.gov)

Here are some featured events:

Free Fishing at Lake Fairfax
Saturday, July 22, 2023
8:00 AM -12:00 PM

LAKE FAIRFAX LOCATION
1400 Lake Fairfax Drive
Reston, VA, 20190
Map of Lake Fairfax Park

Join our expert staff to guide fun fishing adventures. Our bilingual staff will help answer questions about rules, regulations and fishing advice. The free event includes all equipment, tackle, and bait.

Conservation Day at Frying Pan Farm Park
Saturday, July 15, 2023
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM

FRYING PAN FARM PARK LOCATION
2709 West Ox Road
Herndon, VA, 20171
Map of Park

Head on down to the farm for wagon rides, tours and fun at Frying Pan Farm Park. This free event will feature wagon rides and tours of the farm in Spanish.
Wagon Rides at 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12 p.m.
Tours of the Farm at 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.

Native Plant Seminar
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
7-8 PM

Register today at www.plantnovatrees.org/zooms-en-espano

Explore native plants with a free Zoom seminar in Spanish. Learn how to identify and remove invasive plants with expert, Patricia Greenberg, Invasive Management Area Program Manager for the Fairfax County Park Authority.
Register today at www.plantnovatrees.org/zooms-en-espano

Farmers Markets Set To Open for 2023 Season

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It’s a new season and there is going to be a lot of fresh and healthy foods waiting for you at the famers’ markets. The Fairfax County Park Authority hosts 10 markets at locations throughout Fairfax County, where residents can find a variety of fresh and locally grown produce, delicious baked goods, prepared foods and family-friendly market activities, including live musical performances.

The 2023 season begins April 19 with the McCutcheon/Mount Vernon market. Check out the full market schedule below for the latest times and locations.

WEDNESDAYS

McCutcheon/Mount Vernon

April 19 to Dec. 20, from 8 a.m. to noon
Sherwood Library, 2501 Sherwood Hall Lane

Oak Marr

May 3 to Nov. 8, from 8 a.m. to noon
Oak Marr Recreation Center, 3200 Jermantown Road

Wakefield

May 3 to Oct. 25, from 2 to 6 p.m.
Wakefield Park, 8100 Braddock Road

THURSDAYS

Annandale

May 4 to Nov. 2, from 8 a.m. to noon
Mason District Park, 6621 Columbia Pike

Herndon

May 4 to Nov. 9, from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Old Town Herndon, 700 Block of Lynn St., by the Red Caboose

FRIDAYS

McLean

May 5 to Nov. 17, from 8 a.m. to noon
Lewinsville Park, 1659 Chain Bridge Road

Kingstowne

May 5 to Oct. 27, from 3 to 7 p.m.
In the Giant parking lot, 5870 Kingstowne Towne Center

SATURDAYS

Burke

April 22 to Dec. 16, from 8 a.m. to noon
VRE parking Lot, 5671 Roberts Parkway

Reston

April 30 to Dec. 3, from 8 a.m. to noon
Lake Anne Village Center, 1609-A Washington Plaza

SUNDAYS

Lorton

May 7 to Nov. 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
VRE parking lot, 8990 Lorton Station Blvd.

Please visit the Farmers Market website for a complete list of market times and locations. If you have any questions, please contact the Community Horticulture Office at 702-642-0128.

Invite Flying Squirrels to Your Backyard with a Feeding Box, October 23rd

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Photo: Fairfax County Park Authority, Flying Squirrel in feeding box

Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Hidden Oaks Nature Center
7701 Royce St., Annandale, Virginia

Program fee for two people: $15.00
Extra supply fee: $25.00

Click here for more information and registration details. 

Flying squirrels are just as common as grey squirrels in our area. As they are nocturnal, flying squirrels often glide under our radar. From November through March, they are easy to welcome to backyards with large trees.

Families can learn proven strategies to encourage these amazing native flying squirrels to your treed backyard. A naturalist will show you how to recognize their presence and guide you in assembling a feeding box to take home. Two attendees are permitted per registration (one adult and one child over age 4 or two adults). This is an outdoor program. Please bring your own hammer and Phillips-head screwdriver. A $25 supply cost will be included at check out. The program fee for two people is $15.

“Make Your Own Flying Squirrel Feeding Box” is on Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, from 1 to 2 p.m. at Hidden Oaks.

Crawl Into Fall With Bug Fest at Lewinsville Historic House – now on October 22nd

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Photo: FMN Kate Luisa

Saturday, Oct. 22, 2022 (rain date due to Hurricane Ian)
10:00AM – 2:00PM

Lewinsville Park
1659 Chain Bridge Road
McLean, Virginia 22101

Click here for registration details.

Lewinsville Park is featuring Bug Fest on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Come celebrate all things bugs with a creepy-crawly adventure! This event is fun for the whole family Play games and activities including insect safaris, explore live insects, inspect insect collections, log rolling, soil stations, bug walks, critter talks, bug experiments, and make your own bug. Use technology to explore the world of insects. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

 

Fairfax Parks Joins 2022 Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz, September 16th through September 25th

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Photo: National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA)

Article from the Fairfax County Park Authority, Park News September 7, 2022

The Fairfax County Park Authority is taking part in this year’s Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz and is actively looking for volunteers to participate. Parks for Pollinators is a national campaign focused on raising public awareness of the diversity and importance of pollinators as part of our ecosystem.

This volunteer event takes place Friday, Sept. 16 and runs through Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. Participation in the BioBlitz is as easy as going outdoors in your neighborhood, backyard or local Fairfax County park, and snapping pictures of wild pants, insects, bats and hummingbirds using the iNaturalist app. iNaturalist is totally free and available as both a phone app and internet-based web app.

Volunteers can sign up on the Park Authority’s website and log observations in any of the 429 Fairfax County Park Authority parks. Registrants will receive links to virtual trainings and may log their volunteer hours through the Park Authority’s system. For more information about participation in this fun and engaging volunteer opportunity, visit the Fairfax County volunteer website.

The Parks for Pollinator BioBlitz is organized by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA). For more information about pollinators and current threats facing them, please visit the National Recreation and Park Association’s Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz website.

Kite Flyers Reminded of Dangers of String, Filament Left Behind

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Photo: FCPA, Susan Laume

Article from the Fairfax County Park Authority, Park News September 7, 2022

Flying a kite seems simple, but there are strings attached to this fun activity. If you fly a kite and leave behind kite string filament, you may be responsible for injuring or trapping wildlife. You may also impede park maintenance and damage equipment, and you may even potentially injure people who get tangled in kite string.

This summer, there have been groups and individuals flying kites above Laurel Hill Park, the Central Green and Laurel Hill Golf Club. Generally, kite flying is a welcomed activity and fairly benign; however, over the past few months, several incidents have occurred that cause concern.

Kite string filament is being found in trees and on the ground. Park patrons, wildlife managers and Park Authority staff are regularly documenting harm to birds, reptiles and other wildlife caught in kite line. FCPA site maintenance expenditures are rising due to kite string being wrapped up in mowers and other site-specific vehicles. Animal Control has been called on occasion to free animals trapped by the line and tend to their injuries. Even people can be at risk of injury while pulling the string out of trees or running into kite filament dangling from trees.

So how can you assist in solving this problem? The Fairfax County Park Authority is in the process of developing signage to communicate kite-flying rules and safety information, providing more trash cans in the area, and trying to contact any groups or individuals who may be flying kites at Laurel Hill Park.

Signage will remind groups or individuals flying kites that they cannot undertake this activity in any park if it is going to cause littering or damage to county property. Those with kites need to fly them in open areas only. They should fly them no closer than 75 feet to trees, power lines, light poles, parking, people or facilities. The use of monofilament line for kite string is prohibited. And, they must dispose of all kites or kite string if not taking it with them when they leave the park.

Once signs are in place, those witnessing violations of the kite-flying rules will be asked to contact police at the non-emergency number 703-691-2131.

For more information, call the Park Authority Public Information Office at 703-324-8662.

Do Your Part! Sign Up for a Watershed Cleanup Day

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Photo: Fairfax County Park Authority

Grab a bag and go on a trash scavenger hunt as the Fairfax County Park Authority hosts Watershed Cleanup Days once again this fall.

Join with family, friends, neighbors or colleagues to lend a hand to the Earth. We need your help to remove tires, bottles, cans and other debris from local waterways. Helping to clear the Earth’s vital arteries is a great community volunteer project for service groups and students. All ages are welcome.

Cleanup events kick off on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022, at Lake Fairfax Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and runs throughout October at a variety of Fairfax County locations. The sites include:

  • Sunday, Sept. 18, 2022 at Lake Fairfax Park from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022 at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park from 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022 at Oak Marr Rec Center from 9:30 to 11 a.m.
  • Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022 at Lake Accotink Park from 9 to 11 a.m.
  • Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022 at Scott’s Run Nature Preserve from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m.
  • Thursday, Oct. 20, 2022 at Providence Rec Center from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Additional sites may still be added. For a complete listing and to sign up as an individual volunteer, visit the Volunteer in Parks webpage. Groups, please call the site of your choice directly.

For general information, contact the Public Information Office at 703-324-8700 or via email at [email protected].