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FMN Volunteers Recognized in Hidden Oaks’ 2020 Heart of Oaks Awards

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Hidden Oaks Nature Center recently recognized six Fairfax Master Naturalists, all recurring volunteers that help with Meaningful Watershed Educational Experiences (MWEEs): Val Bertha, Bob Dinse, Kevin Holland, Harry Iredale, Marilyn Schroeder, and Tom Washburn. MWEEs are learner-centered experiences that actively engage students in building knowledge and meaning through hands-on investigation of local environmental issues.

These folks have taught hundreds of 7th graders about watersheds, pollution, benthic macroinvertebrates, and stewardship, among other topics. The MWEE programs are about 3 hours long (which is a long time to keep a 13-year-old’s attention), but this crew always powers through and manages to keep things fun and interesting. Hidden Oaks staff know they can count on these volunteers for scheduling purposes and that they are competent and engaging with the kids. It also does not hurt that they are all exceptionally pleasant people to be around and they help with other programs throughout the year.

Scott’s Run Service Opportunities and a Kudo

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Scott’s Run Cleanups! 8-10 AM every weekend. Sign up here.

Note: 1-2 Cleanup Lead(s) needed for Saturday 8/22! Please email Valeria Espinosa if you are interested [email protected]

Invasive Removal Tuesday evening, July 27, 6-7:30 PM. Sign up here. If you are interested in leading an invasive removal project, please contact Valeria: [email protected]

Natural Resource Projects at Scott’s Run every Wednesday. Sign up here.

Kudos to Nancy Yinger: This July, Riverbend, which manages Scott’s Run, recognized one of its committed volunteers: Nancy Yinger. Nancy, a Master Naturalist, has participated in the wildflower survey for over a year. Last year, she also partook in the Caterpillars Count! Arthropod Survey. This year, she has continued surveying the park’s wildflowers while supporting trail monitoring efforts. She has also “adopted” a pollinator garden by the Visitor Center. Riverbend is very lucky to have Nancy as part of its volunteer community.