May 2026 Stream Monitoring, Community Science Events, and Learning Opportunities

May 2026

Watershed Calendar

We hope you are enjoying the beautiful spring weather! And surviving the pollen counts that come with it. This month we are holding our first veggie seedling giveaway. We will be distributing seedlings including tomatoes, peppers, onions and more at five locations across the county on Friday, May 8 and Saturday, May 9. Our May Green Breakfast will be held virtually on Microsoft Teams on Saturday, May 9 starting at 9am. Read on for details about these programs

We are also sharing a request for public comment from the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services on their Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan:

Public Comment Open: Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan

Fairfax County is inviting the public to review and comment on the draft Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) Action Plan. The plan explains how the County will reduce nutrient pollution in local waterways that ultimately flow to the Chesapeake Bay.

Excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, can enter waterways from stormwater runoff, fertilizers, and other sources. These pollutants can contribute to algae blooms, reduce oxygen levels in the water, and harm aquatic life. Reducing these pollutants helps improve local stream health and supports restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay.

What is a TMDL

A Total Maximum Daily Load, or TMDL, sets the maximum amount of pollutants a water body can receive and still meet water quality standards. TMDLs guide long-term efforts to restore and protect local waterways.

Fairfax County’s Chesapeake Bay TMDL Action Plan outlines the strategies and practices the County will implement to reduce pollutants in stormwater discharges from the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4). The MS4 is the County’s storm drain system, which collects rainwater from streets, parking lots, and neighborhoods and carries it directly to local streams and rivers.

Why public input matters

Public input is required under the County’s stormwater permit and helps strengthen the final plan. Residents, businesses, and other interested parties are encouraged to review the plan and share comments.

How to review the plan

The plan can be viewed using this link. Hard copies are available at the Virginia Room of the City of Fairfax Regional Library and at the Information Desk at the Fairfax County Government Center.

For more information about the County’s stormwater program and MS4 permit, visit the MS4 Program webpage.

Submit your comments to Fairfax County using this link.

All comments must be received by 4:00 p.m. EST on May 29, 2026.

We'd love to hear from you (and share more cool content) on our Facebook and Instagram. Thanks for supporting environmental stewardship in Fairfax County!

Yours in conservation,

The NVSWCD Communications Team

Stream Monitoring

Citizen Science & Training Opportunities

Accotink Creek Stream Monitoring Workshop

When: Tuesday, May 19, 3:00-6:00 pm

Where: Long Branch Stream Valley Park, Fairfax

Adopted last spring, this stream is tiny but mighty. We found a lot of diverse macroinvertebrate populations the last time we visited this site! This site is located within a short walk from the parking area over a paved trail. Please email grace.murdoch@fairfaxcounty.gov to register.

Friends of Accotink Creek Stream Monitoring

Friends of Accotink Creek are holding three stream monitoring sessions in 2026. This monitoring helps keep an eye on water quality in and around Lake Accotink! Three dates are currently announced:

June 13, 2026
September 12, 2026
December 12, 2026

For more information, and to register, please visit the Friends of Lake Accotink calendar. Please note that these are not NVSWCD sponsored events, so you cannot register with us. Register directly with Friends of Accotink Creek!

We're very excited to contribute our stream data to state and national datasets. If you'd like to see data from all the NVSWCD regional stream monitoring team's active sites, you can find our organization on the Clean Water Hub.

Youth and Student Programs

Conservation Poster Contest – Entries due June 30, 2026

Calling all student artists! The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is seeking students to design posters to submit to the 2026 Youth Poster Contest. The theme for this year is ‘Soil. Where it all Begins.’ This contest is open to all K-12 students in Fairfax County, and scouts are eligible to earn a poster contest patch. Additional poster contest format categories include digital art, braille, and additional assist. Learn more about our poster contest categories and guidelines and download your entry form: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/conservation-poster-contest

Upcoming Conservation District Events

May Virtual Green Breakfast

When: Saturday, May 9, 9:00 am

Where: Virtual

Join us for a virtual discussion of the changing conditions (climate change, industrial uses) that increase uncertainty in water demand forecasting. Greg Prelewicz, Director of Planning and Water Resources with Fairfax Water, will discuss Fairfax Water’s water supply forecast and resources, results of the recent regional water reliability study, and the important role of the Occoquan indirect potable reuse system in meeting the region’s current and future water supply needs.

Virtual Green Breakfast programs begin at 9:00am and are hosted on Teams. Click here to join the Green Breakfast.

Veggie Seedling Giveaway

When: Friday, May 8 and Saturday May 9

Where: Various locations

Join NVSWCD for our first Veggie Seedling Giveaway! We'll be distributing ready-to-plant vegetable seedlings at multiple community hubs across the county. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just getting started, this is a great opportunity to grow your own fresh food at home.

Free and open to the public, a per person limit will be in place to ensure fair distribution. Visit our webpage for specific times and locations.

May NVSWCD Board Meeting

When: Tuesday, May 26, 9:30 am

Where: NVSWCD Office/Herrity Building, Fairfax

The NVSWCD Board of Directors meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month (except for August and December.) The meetings are usually held in a hybrid format virtually on Teams and in-person in the Herrity Building, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax VA 22035. Meetings begin at 9:30am (unless announced otherwise) and are open to the public. Learn more about our board meetings here.