August 2018

Watershed Calendar


In this issue
August Events
August 2nd - 5th
Frying Pan Farm Park, Herndon
Saturday, August 4th, 10am, Triangle, VA
Sunday, August 5th, 8am
Springfield, VA
Saturday, August 5th,
9am - 12pm
Falls Church, VA
Monday, August 6th and Tuesday, August 7th, 10am-11am,  Reston, VA
Wednesday, August,8th, 10am-11am, Windy Run, VA
Friday, August, 10th, 7pm, Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, VA
Sunday, August, 12th, 1pm, Vienna 
Saturday, August, 18th, 9am-3pm, Manassas Battlefield National Park, VA
Tuesday, August 21th,
7:05pm - 10:05pm
Nationals Park, DC
Sunday, August, 25th, 9am-11:30am, Centerville, VA
Saturday, August, 25th, 3pm-8pm, Windy Knoll Farm, VA

Happy August! Make sure to spend your last month of summer in a stream. Check out this month's stream monitoring and other events below.
August Stream Monitoring Events
Stream Monitoring Session: Prince William Forest Park/Quantico Creek 
Date: Saturday, August 4th, 10am-12:30pm
Location: Triangle, VA

        Date: Sunday, August 5th, 9am-12pm
        Location: Falls Church, VA
  
Date: Sunday, August 12th, 1pm - 4pm
Location: Vienna, VA

       Date: Saturday, August 18th, 9am-3pm
       Location: Manassas, VA

Stream Monitoring Workshop: Reston
Date: Sunday, August 19th, 1 - 4pm
Location: Reston, VA

Stream Monitoring Workshop: Cub Run
Date: Sunday, August 25th, 9am-11:30am
Location: Centerville, VA
Stream Monitoring News
Monitors: Get Your Certification on August 18th!!
Have you attended a few monitoring events, but want to volunteer at a higher level? Think about becoming certified! Certified monitors adopt their own stream site and monitor it quarterly. Their data is submitted to the Virginia Dept. of Enviromental Quality. To sit for the certification test, you must first attend 3-4 workshops or sessions (or have equivalent prior experience). The test will next be offered at our Certification Workshop, August 18th in Manassas. The workshop will include an indoor review presentation and a full outdoor stream monitoring. All are welcome to attend, even if you are not  yet ready to become certified!
Other Water Quality News
Need New Stream Monitoring Equipment?
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is planning to purchase new stream monitoring equipment with grant money. If you are a certified monitor and need new equipment--such as nets, boots, or anything else that helps with your stream monitoring experience--let the NVSWCD know. Please contact Dan Schwartz.
 
Register Now for Fall Litter Cleanups!
It's still summer, but fall is sneaking up, and the Clean Virginia Waterways/International Coastal Cleanup is just around the corner. From September 1st through October 31st, help out at a local litter cleanup or register your own!
NVSWCD Initiatives and Program Updates
Conservation Assistance Program Now Accepting Site Visit Requests
We are happy to announce that NVSWCD is now accepting site visit requests for both the Conservation Assistance Program (CAP) and the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program (VCAP). Do you have a drainage and erosion problem? Are you interested in improving water quality in local watersheds and the Chesapeake Bay? Funding may be available for you to pursue these types of environmental projects at your home, HOA, or place of worship. See details here to see if you qualify for either the Conservation Assistance Program or the Virginia Conservation Assistance Program.
7 Myth About Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a great way to handle runoff on your property, but it is important to do it right. Rain gardens serve the dual purpose of improving landscape aesthetics and draining stormwater in an environmentally friendly and natural way. Whether you are planning to install a rain garden at home or simply curious about the process, read on to learn about some common myths and misconceptions about rain gardens.
Storm Drain Education
Volunteering to lead a storm drain labeling project is a fun way to give back to the community and help protect our natural world. Each project focuses on a neighborhood, informing people who live there about the dangers of dumping anything but rain down a storm drain. Storm drain labeling is an effective, low-cost method of educating residents about water quality problems in our streams, lakes, rivers and the Bay. NVSWCD is currently recruiting volunteers to lead storm drain labeling projects. Find more information online.
Local News and Programs
Five Reasons to Know the Health of Your Local Stream
Many think of spring and summer as the time the birds start singing, flowers start blooming, and the weather warms up. In the water monitoring world, the warm temperatures mean a new sampling season! The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay has 5 good reasons why you should monitor the health of your local stream.
Alliance and Partners Plant Over 87,000 Trees
The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay teamed up with partners to plant over 87,000 trees in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed this spring! The simple act of planting a tree is one of the most effective ways to improve local water quality. Read more abut the partnership  here .
Teacher's Professional Development Chesapeake Summer Courses
Join the Chesapeake Bay Foundation for a five-day summer professional learning adventure on the Bay or one of its tributaries. More than 30 courses are offered that will explore the mountains of Virginia, the rivers of Pennsylvania, the islands of the Bay, and many places in between. Learn how to integrate the environment into your classroom and to help your students achieve environmental literacy success. More information  online .
August Event Details
70th Annual Fairfax County 4H Fairfourh
Date: Thursday, August 2nd - Sunday, August 5th
Location: Frying Pan Farm Park, Herndon
Bring the whole crew out for the 70th annual 4-H Fair and Carnival. Watch livestock and see 4-H exhibits, enjoy delicious fair food, enter your creation in the fair and try your hand at milking a cow or goat. Don't miss the carnival rides, games and live entertainment. Event schedules, contest instruction, ride tickets and other information is available online.
Stream Monitoring Session: Prince William Forest Park/Quantico CreekprincewilliamSM
Date: Saturday, August 4th, 10am - 12:30pm
Location: 18100 Park Headquarters Road, Triangle, VA 22172
Prince William Forest Park protects a large portion of the Quantico Creek; a watershed which scientists use as the water quality benchmark in Prince William County.  join Certified Volunteer Monitor Larry Heath and learn more about benthic macroinvertebrates and how they determine the water quality of a stream.  Please RVSP to Larry for instructions a directions.
Kayak the Marsh at Lake Accotink kayak
Date: Sunday, August 5th, 8:00am - 10:00am
Location: Lake Accotink, 7500 Accotink Pak Road, Springfield VA
Paddle Lake Accotink's tranquil waters with a naturalist guide for an early morning view of wildlife. Glide past bald eagle nests on a single-seat kayak. Cancelled in the event of rain or unfavorable water levels. $30 per person. For more information, call 703-569-3464. Register online.
Stream Monitoring Session: Holmes RunholmesrunSM
Date: Sunday, August 5th, 9am - Noon
Location: Falls Church, VA
Join Certified Volunteer Monitor Valerie Bertha at her adopted site on Holmes Run in Falls Church. Collect macroinvertebrates and  learn how they determine the water quality of a stream. RSVP to Valerie for directions and instructions.
Critters in the Creek crittersincreek
Date: Monday, August 6th, and Tuesday, August 7th, 10am-11am
Location: WNC Fire Ring on Soapstone Dr between Glade Dr and Lawyers Rd, VA
Explore The Glade Stream looking for frogs, tadpoles, minnows and other aquatic creatures. Wear your wading shoes and clothes than can get dirty. Nets and buckets will be provided. Register by August 3rd, more information here.
Cool Creek Critters creekctitters
Date: Wednesday, August 8th, 10:00am - 11:00am
Location: Windy Run, Arlington VA 
Dress to get wet as we spend some time exploring waterfalls, trying to catch water striders, and taking a closer look at some creek critters. Must wear closed-toe shoes in water. Register here. For information: 703- 228-3403.
Creek Adventure Wagon Ride creekadventure
Date: Friday, August 10th, 7pm - 8pm
Location: Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, Chantilly VA
Bring an adventurous spirit and shoes that can get wet to explore Rocky Run on this wagon ride at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. For more information, call 703-631-0013. Register online.
Stream Monitoring Workshop: Wolftrap Creekwolf
Date: Sunday, August 12th, 1pm - 4pm
Location: Vienna, VA
Join Certified Volunteer Monitor Ho Yeon Jeong and the Conservation District at Ho Yeon's adopted site along Wolftrap Creek in the Town of Vienna. Help monitor the health of this restored urban stream, a few miles upstream of its namesake performing arts center. Please RSVP to Dan Schwartz for directions and instructions.
Paddle the Potomac paddletheP
Date: Wednesday, August 15th, 6pm - 8pm
Location: Key Bridge Boathouse, 3500 Water Street Northwest, Washington DC
Join Potomac Conservancy and Rock Creek Conservancy for their last paddle of the summer!
Each $10 ticket comes with one boat rental and two hours of paddling. Ditch your regular Wednesday happy hour and celebrate on the river! Register here.
Stream Monitoring Certification Workshop SMcertification
Date: Saturday, August 18th, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Location: Manassas Battlefield National Park, Manassas, VA
Want to take your stream monitoring to the next level? Become a Certified Stream Monitor and adopt your own site to monitor quarterly! Candidates for certification must have attended at least 3-4 monitoring workshops/sessions or have other prior experience. The workshop will consist of a morning review of invertebrates and watersheds, followed by time for the written portion of the test. In the afternoon, certification candidates will be observed as they perform a stream monitoring at Young's Branch. Those not seeking certification are welcome to attend as well. Other activities and a lunch break will be offered while the certification test is underway. To RSVP and for more information, please contact Dan Schwartz or Veronica Tangiri.
Stream Monitoring Workshop: Restonrestonmon
Date: Sunday, August 19th, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Reston, VA
Join Will Peterson of the Reston Association as he guides you through the monitoring protocol on one of the many beautiful streams that flows through Reston Association's natural areas. For more information and to RSVP, please contact Will.
Greenslam: Support Clean Water at a Nationals Baseball Game natsgame
Date: Tuesday, August, 21, 7:00pm
Location: Nationals Park, Washington DC
Enjoy a night at the ballpark while supporting clean water in the Potomac River!
Buy a special discounted ticket, select the Potomac Conservancy at checkout, and a portion of your purchase will be donated to fund local clean water initiatives! More information here.
Stream Monitoring Workshop: Cub RuncubrunSM
Date: Sunday, August, 25th, 9am-11:30am
Location: Cub Run, Centerville VA
Come out to Cub Run in Centerville, VA to learn more about benthic macro invertebrates and how they can be used to determine the water quality of a stream. RSVP to Dan Schwartz or register through the county's Volunteer Management System.
3rd Annual Farm to Table Fundraiser Dinner fundraiserdinner
Date: Saturday, August 25th, 3:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Windy Knoll Farm, 11602 Kettle Run Rd., Nokesville, VA
The Prince William Environmental Excellence Foundation will be hosting their 3rd annual Farm to Table fundraiser dinner to support environmental education. The first seating will be from 3:30 to 5:30 and the second seating will be 5:30 to 7:30. Tickets ae $40 for adults, $20 for children ages 13 - 18, and free for children under 12. There will also be opportunities to meet local artisans & farm sponsors and view vendor displays and antique equipment. A silent auction and raffle ticket sales will be held until 7 p.m. at which time winners will be announced. Hay rides of the farm will be available. More information here.
September Sneak Peak
Virginia Waterways Cleanup - International Coastal CleaupCVW
Date: September 1st - October 31st
Location: Many local streams, rivers and parks!
Join Clean Virginia Waterways for the 24th Virginia Waterways Cleanup. This annual events is an affiliate of the global International Coastal Cleanup. Local community groups will be cleaning up local parks, streams and rivers throughout the state, including many locations in and around Fairfax County. Consider hosting your own site or volunteer at someone else's!  More information and a list of sites already registered and looking for volunteers can be found on the Clean Virginia Waterways website.
NoVa Soil & Water Conservation District | 703-324-1460 | dan.schwartz@fairfaxcounty.gov |
12055 Government Center Parkway, Suite 905
Fairfax, VA 22035