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Community Champion - Betsy Martin
The Mount Vernon District is filled with natural beauty—streams, forests and wetlands. In honor of Earth Month, this month's Community Champion, Betsy Martin, has spent more than two decades working to protect and restore those special places, one trail, cleanup and native plant at a time.
Betsy and her husband Paul have lived along Little Hunting Creek for over 30 years. In 2002, they helped co-found the Friends of Little Hunting Creek and she now serves as President. The Friends organize annual cleanups (most recently they held their annual Earth Month Cleanup on April 5) to remove debris from the creek and raise awareness about watershed health. With support from neighbors and volunteers, the Friends have become a steady force for positive environmental change.
Among her many accomplishments, Betsy’s favorite is the preservation and restoration of the Little Hunting Creek Preserve, a nearly two-acre wetland site off Stockton Parkway that she helped transform from neglected land into a thriving preserve. Working with local residents, the Friends, Northern Virginia Conservation Trust and Stratford Landing Citizens Association, the area now features a trail, benches, educational signage and bird boxes and is regularly maintained by volunteers. “The preserve is becoming really lovely,” she says, “and it’s full of birds!” As someone who walks and runs along this section of Stockton Parkway, along with dozens of community members a day, its calming, natural wetlands, creek and minipark areas help center me.
In addition to her work with the Friends, Betsy is a certified Fairfax Master Naturalist and serves on the Board of Directors of the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance as co-director of the Wildlife Sanctuary Program. Whether she’s pulling invasive weeds, planting natives or tending to her own garden, Betsy’s dedication continues to inspire all of us to make a difference. Thank you, Betsy, for helping make the Mount Vernon District a greener and cleaner place for us all.
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As Chair of the Board’s Economic Initiatives Committee, I led a discussion last week focused on the continuing economic impacts of recent federal workforce reductions. These cuts, stemming from the Trump Administration’s disruptive actions, pose serious risks to our employment levels, wage growth, local revenue across Northern Virginia and our residents wellbeing. The meeting provided a deeper understanding of its long-term implications and underscored the urgent need for state support and regional collaboration. While our ability to directly counteract federal cuts at the local level is limited, I assure you that the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors remains committed to supporting our federal employees and contractors.
Fairfax County is taking proactive steps to support those affected through our newly launched Federal Workforce Resource HUB which connects impacted residents with job assistance, retraining programs and other vital services. We're also working closely with regional partners and our Congressional representatives to identify both immediate and long-term job opportunities.
The Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) is actively recruiting experienced professionals, including displaced federal workers. FCPD is offering a $15,000 hiring bonus for new police officers and has several other professional staff positions available. This is a great opportunity for a stable and rewarding career with top-tier training and advancement opportunities. Learn more.
Work in Northern Virginia is another a great resource for job seekers and has about 47,000 open positions in a variety of fields and experience levels. Coming up, Virginia Career Works Northern and Fairfax County Department of Family Services’ Employment and Training division are teaming up for the Virginia Career Works Northern Regional Job Fair on Friday, May 9 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Fairfax County Government Center (12000 Government Center Pkwy). This event will have 70 employers who are ready to hire. Register here.
For those that want to make your side “gig” permanent or start a new business, Fairfax County has resources tailored just for you through the "Fed to Founder" page on Fairfax CORE. Fed to Founder offers valuable guidance, support and connections to help you turn your expertise into a thriving enterprise.
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National Drug Take-Back Day is Saturday, April 26!
Safely dispose of unused, unwanted or expired medications at your local police station between 10 a.m.–2 p.m. You can drop off your unwanted medications for free at the Mount Vernon, Franconia and West Springfield District Police Stations. Learn more.
Walk & Win
Join the 2025 Walk & Win Challenge through April 30 and boost your health while earning chances to win weekly prizes! Walk a designated route, snap a photo or route screenshot and share with #WalkWinFX or submit online. The more you walk, the more chances to win! Learn more.
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Protect Your Child From Lead Poisoning
Learn how to prevent lead exposure in your home. Download pamphlets on reducing risks from lead-based paint, dust, drinking water and soil, and find out how to get your child tested for lead. Starting May 21, the Fairfax County Health Department is holding monthly lead testing events at the MV Farmers Market. Bring your household items for lead testing for free. Appointments are not required. Learn more.
Summer Speech Therapy Program Now Open for Registration
The Health Department’s Summer Speech Therapy Program is designed to help school-aged children continue building their communication skills, so they don’t lose momentum during the break. Learn more.
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Fresh World International
Fresh World International (7451 Richmond Highway) is getting ready to open to the community on May 1! This new store will be selling fresh produce, meats, seafood, local bakery items and will even have a food court with four restaurants! Fresh World will be open daily from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. This will be a wonderful new addition to the Richmond Highway corridor.
If you have a local business you would like to see featured here, please email mtvernon@fairfaxcounty.gov and tell us about it.
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The Board of Supervisors will hold public hearings on the proposed Fiscal Year 2026 Advertised Budget Plan on April 22-24. You are encouraged to participate through various channels to help shape the County's financial priorities and decisions.
We have known, based on budget projections, that this was going to be a tough budget year and the County Executive's Proposed Budget reflects that. The County Executive proposes a $60M budget reduction, including 208 positions and a 1.5-cent increase in the Real Estate tax rate from $1.125 to $1.14 per $100 assessed value, to balance the proposed budget.
There are cuts in the County Executive’s Proposed Budget that I do not support and am fighting to restore, for example, the reductions in Fire and Rescue services in South County and middle school after school programming. As Board Audit Chair, I have also seen other revenue opportunities and efficiencies, including more aggressively pursuing collections from insurance companies and out-of-county residents to pay for their use of Fire and Rescue services.
The public hearings will be held at the Fairfax County Government Center on:
These hearings are open to all residents to provide testimony or express their views on the County Executive's proposal. To testify in-person, by video or by phone, sign up here. You must sign up to speak in-person by April 22 at noon. Call the Clerk to the Board’s Office at 703-324-3151 (TTY 711) or email clerktothebos@fairfaxcounty.gov for questions or more information. If you don’t register in advance, you will still have the opportunity to speak in-person or over the phone on April 24 after the registered speakers. To offer written testimony, submit it online, here.
Residents can also share feedback about the FY 2026 budget proposal by:
Learn more.
| | Community Information & Events | | |
Celebrate Earth Day by Protecting Our Waterways
This year, take action to protect our waterways. Try this Earth Day Challenge from DPWES and commit to at least ONE of these stormwater-friendly habits:
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Skip the chemicals – Use natural fertilizers & pesticides
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Wash your car the right way – At a car wash or on grass/gravel
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Scoop the poop – Pet waste left on the ground washes into our water
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Adopt a storm drain – Keep it free of leaves, trash and debris
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Connect Fairfax County: Enhancing Safety Through Collaboration
FCPD launched Connect Fairfax County, a new program aimed at improving public safety by allowing participants to register their security cameras with FCPD’s Real-Time Crime Center via an online portal. Law enforcement can quickly use this information to reference a map of relevant cameras that may contain actionable evidence that can be reviewed by detectives. Learn more. View the program flyer here.
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Seeking EQAC Student Member for 2025-26 Term
Do you know a high school sophomore or junior in the County interested in environmental science or policy? Encourage them to apply as the next student member on the Fairfax County Environmental Quality Advisory Council by May 5. Learn more and application materials. Contact John Silcox with questions.
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Live, Eat, Grow Arcadia Summer Internship
Are you or your child interested in food, gardening, agriculture and environment? The Live, Eat, Grow Internship is an 80-hour summer program starting in June for high school students who are 14 years or older. The internship is a hands-on program that includes training and community service hours devoted to a community garden project. Applications are due Thursday, May 15. Learn more.
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Pollinator Gardens Webinar
Tuesday, April 22, 7-8 p.m.
Zoom
The Friends of Dyke Marsh are partnering with the Friends of Mason Neck State Park for a webinar titled "The Inner Workings of a Pollinator". Speaker Stephanie Johnson of Green Steeze will describe projects at Mason Neck State Park, how to manage a pollinator garden and how this gardening is perceived by the pollinator, the gardener and the public. Register today.
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‘April Showers Bring Tiny MEOWers’: Kitten Spring Fling
Saturday, April 26, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Fairfax County Animal Shelter, Lorton Campus, 8875 Lorton Road
Join the Fairfax County Animal Shelter for a fun-filled day of kittens, crafts and community! Whether you are looking to cuddle kittens, get creative at the craft stations or simply learn how to support shelter pets, there's something for everyone at this springtime celebration! Learn more.
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Help Shape the Future of Fairfax County Parks - Online Survey
The Fairfax County Park Authority has launched the Parks Count! 2026 Parks Needs Assessment to evaluate park and recreation needs across the County. This community-driven initiative will help shape the future of the park system, ensuring that it continues to meet the evolving needs and priorities of all Fairfax County residents. Your feedback will help guide improvements to amenities, facilities and programs for the next five years. Take the survey!
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FCPD Implements Foot Pursuit Policy and Creates Public-Facing Dashboard
FCPD has released General Order 614 – Foot Pursuits, a newly created agency policy that focuses on the department’s commitment to safe and innovative apprehension tactics with the goal of both officer and public safety. As part of this effort, the Department has also launched a public-facing dashboard that tracks foot pursuit data in real time. Learn more.
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Wetlands Awareness Day
Sunday, May 4, 12-4 p.m.
Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria
Bring the whole family for an afternoon celebrating Huntley Meadows’ wetlands. Get up close with raptors, reptiles and amphibians, and collect stamps for a prize as you explore interactive exhibits. No registration is needed and the event is rain or shine. Learn more.
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Mount Vernon Rec Center Updates
The Mount Vernon Rec Center renovation and expansion project is continuing on schedule with completion scheduled for the end of May. For project updates, the Park Authority has a Winter 2025 renovation status report up on their website. The development team is currently working to complete all remaining inspections so that furniture and equipment can be delivered to the building. Learn more about the project.
The Park Authority is holding two more open hire events to fill over 290 part-time positions at the Rec Center. Don't miss out on this great opportunity!
- Saturday, April 19, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Martha Washington Library
- Monday, April 21, 5 - 7 p.m. at Martha Washington Library
Learn more.
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The Commons, Mount Vernon Project Updates
The Commons, Mount Vernon renovation and adaptive reuse project is continuing on schedule with an anticipated completion of Summer 2026. This week, the construction team has continued making progress on key site improvements. Interior demolition is ongoing, along with interior and exterior window and door restoration. Crews have also begun preparing for structural steel installation at the gym and mezzanine, and are moving forward with slate roof removal and new roof construction. For additional work being done this month, the construction update can be viewed here.
| | JOIN US - Friday, May 2 for the 7th Annual Senior Summit! | | | | |
