April 19th (Wednesday)
Climate Change: What You Can Do to Turn Down the Heat
George Mason University Earth Day Events - open to the public
Renowned environmental author Bill McKibben will speak at George Mason University, Fairfax Campus for Earth Day 2006
10:30-noon: "The Environment as a Moral Issue: How Big Should People Be?"
Location: SUB II Ballroom, GMU Fairfax Campus
7-10pm: Keynote Address: "Deep Economy: A Slightly Hopeful Version of What Might Come Next."
Location: SUB II Ballroom, GMU Fairfax Campus
For more information, contact Susie Crate scrate1@gmu.edu or Dave Kuebrich dkuebric@gmu.edu
April 20, 2006
Enviroscape Model Training Program
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Location: Fairfax County Government Center
Learn how to demonstrate the watershed model to school-aged kids and adults. This program will introduce you to leading a program with the model. To learn more about the model visit: www.enviroscapes.com You can later use these skills at community programs or be “the cool parent” at your child’s school…
RSVP to jcornell@gmu.edu. WE NEED MORE PEOPLE TO HOLD THIS PROGRAM – IF YOU ARE THINKING OF ATTENDING, PLEASE EMAIL ME.
Sat April 22 1PM or Sun April 23 10AM or Sun April 30 10 AM
Monitoring of Elklick Run (Prabhakar Bhogaraju’s site)
Location: western edge of Fairfax County
This is a lovely site located on Park Authority property. It requires a hike of about 15 minutes through “wild nature.” We are looking for several experienced monitors and new monitors to assist at this site. The date & time will be chosen based on the number of people interested – the dates are listed in order of Prab’s preference (i.e. he would rather monitor on the 22nd than the 30th). If you are interested in helping, please email Prabhakar at prabhakar_bhogaraju@yahoo.com and let him know if you have monitored before or not. He will coordinate the details about the date/time. Monitoring this site is a bit of an adventure. You need to be able to easily walk off trail and be adventurous.
April 22, 2006
Monitoring of Accotink Creek (Steve Reynolds’ and Duane Murphy’s site)
Time: 1:30
Location: Lake Accotink Park
We are looking for one certified monitor to join this group and a few additional helpers to monitor this pretty section of Accotink – downstream from the lake. This site requires a walk of about 10 minutes on a wide trail. If you are able to help out, please RSVP to jcornell@gmu.edu
April 23, 2006 (Sunday)
Monitoring of Courthouse Spring Branch (Nancy Shipman’s and Karen Waltman’s site)
Time: 10:00 AM.
Location: Tyson’s Corner area
Volunteers are needed to assist with monitoring at this location. The site requires a short walk and is very pretty – especially considering how close you are to shopping bliss. Please RSVP to Nancy at: nancy.shipman@verizon.net
April 23, 2006 (Sunday)
Explore Turkey Run
1 – 3 p.m.
One of the healthiest streams in the Mclean area, Turkey Run runs to the Potomac through a thickly wooded valley. We’ll walk upstream from Turkey Run Park on the GW Parkway in search of migratory songbirds, spring wildflowers, and early butterflies. This is a moderate walk with some rough terrain. RSVP to jcornell@gmu.edu Co-sponsored with Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Soil and Water Conservation District, Audubon Naturalist Society, and Northern Virginia Conservation District.
April 29 or 30, 2006
Volunteer Stream Monitoring of Burke Spring Branch (Cathy Saunders’ site)
Volunteers are needed to assist with the monitoring of Burke Spring Branch. The date and time will be decided based on volunteer availability – please contact Cathy if you are interested in helping out. If you have been waiting to get out into a stream, then please RSVP to Cathy at cathy.saunders@gmail.com.
April 29, 2006
Green Breakfast
8:30 a.m. sharp! Breakfast
8:45 Power Point presentation on Low
Impact Development strategies
9:30 Tour of the certified gold LEED “green building”
10:00 Adjourn
We will go “on site” for the next Green Breakfast on Saturday, April 29. Mike Rolband of WSSI has invited us to visit his new office building in Gainesville for breakfast, an LID presentation, and a tour of his “green building” that is the first to receive Gold LEED certification in Virginia! Congratulations to Mike. RSVP not required.
The WSSI office is located at 5300 Wellington Branch Drive in Gainesville. Driving directions can be found online at http://www.wetlandstudies.com/WSSI_Directions.pdf.
Saturday, April 29
Field Trip of watershed projects in the Difficult Run Watershed – as proposed in the watershed plan
Meet at: SAIC Office in Reston: go inside for a brief overview of the sites. We will leave directly afterwards (at 9:30 a.m.).
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
If you live in the Difficult Run Watershed, you may be interested in touring a few of the candidate sites that illustrate the types of projects being proposed in the Difficult Run watershed plan. This tour will be cancelled if enough steering committee members do not sign up. But, if the tour will be held, then stream monitors and residents of the watershed are welcome to participate. They will know by 4/21 if the tour will be held. To sign up, email Mary at mary_reilly@comcast.net. Please let her know if you monitor a site in the watershed or if you live in the watershed – or both.
April 29, 2006 (rain date: May 6, 2006)
First Annual “Making the Link between health and your environment” walkathon
Time: 9:30 AM
Place: C & O Canal, Georgetown
Help raise awareness about "the link" between health and your environment by walking in our beautiful 5K "Making the Link" Walkathon!
More information at: www.chej.org/walkathon
April 29, 2006
Quander Brook Cleanup
9:00 am – Noon
Location: 6303 Richmond Highway, meet in the parking lot of the former Michaels (now a National Wholesale Liquidators)
Volunteer some time in cleaning up a stream that needs some love.
Questions? Email: friendsofquanderbrook@yahoo.com or call Nancy Dale at 703-765-8247
Sponsored by: Friends of Quander Brook and Belle Haven Watersheds
April 30, 2006
Monitoring of Barnyard Run (Anita Pease’s site)
No helpers needed at this time.
May 6, 2006
Cross Country Trail Opening Event!
More information at: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/trailfest/
If you can help by volunteering for a few hours and demonstrating stream monitoring then please contact me at jcornell@gmu.edu
May 13, 2006
Explore Holmes Run
10 a.m. – noon
We’ll explore the Holmes Run Stream Valley Park between Annandale Rd. and Sleepy Hollow Rd. to see how stream corridors can provide a haven for wildlife even in urbanized areas. Easy walking. RSVP to jcornell@gmu.edu Co-sponsored with Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Soil and Water Conservation District, Audubon Naturalist Society, and Northern Virginia Conservation District.
May 19-21
Potomac River Rambles
Traveling down the river, camping on its banks, sitting by a fire at night, and learning about the river’s ecology, history, geology, and environmental issues are all on the agenda for this year’s two Potomac River Rambles. The Rambles are organized to encourage stewardship and build comradery among participants as well as bring paddlers closer to the nature of the Potomac River. American shad will be the topic of discussion and culinary delight during the spring Ramble on the tidal Potomac from May 19-21. Organized by the The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB), the Potomac River Rambles are a series of weekend river journeys focused on environmental education and river restoration opportunities designed to bring the people of the region together to learn about the Potomac’s value as a natural resource. The events bring up to 100 participants together to enjoy relaxing, yet educational adventures. The voyages create bonds of friendship between fellow participants and with the river itself through hands-on restoration projects and exciting historical, cultural, and environmental programs. The Potomac River Rambles are a unique and powerful tool for promoting environmental stewardship and inspiring conservation of our natural resources. For more information, contact Steve Saari, (301) 984-1908 x103 or ssaari@icprb.org or visit their website: www.potomacriver.org
Conservation Currents
Conservation Currents is the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District's quarterly newsletter devoted to providing environmental stewardship information to Fairfax County's citizens. From county-based environmental initiatives to water quality protection tips, the newsletter will help you learn more about what is going on with environmental protection in Fairfax County and how you can help preserve soil and water resources. The newsletter is free and I encourage you all to subscribe. If you would like to receive the printed newsletter, please email your mailing address and request to: Nicholas.Kokales@fairfaxcounty.gov
2006 Fairfax County Environmental Excellence Award
Fairfax County is accepting nominations between March 1 and May 31 for the seventh annual Environmental Excellence Awards Program. Residents, community groups, environmental organizations and local businesses are encouraged to submit nominations. Anyone can submit a nomination - take the time to acknowledge dedication. More information: http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpz/eqac/awards.htm
One or more awards may be given in each of the following categories:
• Fairfax County residents
• Organizations
• Businesses
• Fairfax County government employees
The Environmental Excellence Awards Program is designed to recognize individuals, organizations and businesses who/that unselfishly dedicate time, energy and expertise for the betterment of the environment in support of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors environmental goals. The awards program is administered by the Environmental Quality Advisory Council and is supported by the Fairfax County environmental coordinator and the Department of Planning and Zoning. Award recipients will be notified by Aug. 31.
Virginia Environmental Stewardship Awards
The Secretary of Natural Resources and the Virginia Petroleum Council (VPC) are accepting nominations for the 2006 Virginia Environmental Stewardship Awards. The environmental recognition program is sponsored by the Virginia Petroleum Council and the Commonwealth. This is the eleventh year of the Awards program. They are seeking nominations that exemplify innovative and effective stewardship initiatives and educational approaches to help enhance Virginia’s attractive natural resources. The program is open to any individual, class or school, public/private partnership, business or community demonstrating outstanding contributions for a single project or over a period of time. Anyone can submit a nomination - take the time to acknowledge dedication. The deadline is April 30, 2006. If you have questions, call Mike Ward at VPC (804) 225-8248. More information: http://www.deq.state.va.us/info/vpcaward.html
