Community Report, June 19th, 2024

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Call to Address Threats to Historic Black Cemeteries on Juneteenth

Press Conference

Date and Time: Wed, Jun 19, 2024; 11:00 AM (Eastern)

Location: Gaskin Cemetery (estimated pin location), use 7749 Wellington Rd to navigate. Enter the site from Wellington Rd. 

On this significant day of Juneteenth, Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare, the Prince William Conservation Alliance and Jermantown Cemetery, will address the recent reports of damage to two historic Black cemeteries due to data center expansion. This incident, reported in May, has raised serious concerns about the ongoing neglect and disregard for historic and sacred sites within Prince William County.



Frank Washington, spokesperson from Coalition for Save Historic Thoroughfare, stated “On Juneteenth, we need to reflect on the sacrifices made by our ancestors. Slavery was a brutal, painful, dehumanizing institution that stripped a people of their dignity, value, freedom and humanity. What is currently happening in our county to the Cemeteries and resting places of these very people is no less of an assault.” >> read full press release here

Upcoming Events

Water, water, will there be a drop to drink?

The science of groundwater and best practices to preserve our drinking water

Tuesday, Jun 25, 2024| 7pm

Free, Registration Required

Co-hosted by PWCA and Mid-county Civic Association

Event Description: Do you live on well water or drink water from the Occoquan Reservoir? If you live in Prince William County, it’s likely your drinking water comes from one of these sources. Did you also know that our groundwater is connected to our surface water? Often groundwater is overlooked and misunderstood.

The Prince William Conservation Alliance and Mid-county Civic Association present “Water, Water, Will There Be a Drop to Drink? The Science of Groundwater and Best Practices to Preserve Our Drinking Water Supply” with guest speakers Brad White from the Department of Environmental Quality and Sam Caldwell from the United States Geological Survey for an insightful community discussion on the complexities and critical importance of groundwater and the dynamics between groundwater and surface water for sustainable drinking water management. This panel discussion will provide us with an overview of groundwater in general and what we know about groundwater here in Prince William County and why monitoring our groundwater would be important.

Following the presentation will be a community discussion and Q&A. It’s an opportunity to ask experts in the field questions and learn more about our critical drinking water resources, how we’re all connected through the watershed and how water moves underground.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insights and practical knowledge about groundwater management and how land use decisions impact these sources for better or worse.



People who make a difference Awards



Sat. June 22nd | 2-4 pm

Member ticket $20 | Non-member ticket $30

Buy your ticket today!



One of the core tenets of our theory of change is that people who care make a difference. Prince William County is filled with inspiring examples of people making a difference in our community and we’re honoring four. Join us to recognize and celebrate:

1. Giuseppe’s Ristorante Italiano for being an incredible community partner over the years,
2. Judy Gallagher for her work to connect people to a world often overlooked – insects,
3. Joyce Hudson for her effort to protect The Settlement
4. Julie Flanagan for her work to preserve mature trees and reforest lands throughout the county

Volunteer Opportunities

click the button below or email us: [email protected]

NABA Butterfly Survey – Sunday, July 21st

Want to learn more about butterflies and spend a day collecting data for scientists? Join us for our annual “4th of July” North American Butterfly Association Butterfly Survey. Participate in an international effort to understand these vibrant fluttery and delicate critters better. You’ll be teamed up in groups led by an expert. Beginners are welcome.

Adopt a stream – Broad Run

We proudly support the adopt-a-stream program by being good stewards of a reach at Cedar Run, which flows through Merrimac Farm WMA.

Volunteers will participate in the annual clean-up and submit a report to Prince William Soil and Water District.



Tabling



Do you love our work and want to help us reach more people? Join our tabling team of dedicated volunteers who attend events in the community.

Tasks include helping us sign up for community events, setting up our table with materials and fun visuals, helping to design engaging materials, talking to event participants about us and our work, and helping us follow up with interested individuals.

We will provide onboarding and training and all the materials you need.

Wildlife garden

Are you passionate about the great outdoors? Do you have a soft spot for wildlife and want to make a meaningful impact on their habitat? If so, we invite you to be a part of our dedicated team of volunteers at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area’s enchanting wildlife garden!

Each year we manage the wildlife garden for creatures great and small so they can find nesting sites, food, and places to rest and hide among a wealth of Virginia’s native plants. We’re looking for volunteers who would like to join us most Saturdays around 9 am to noonish. That way you really get to know the garden and the people that care for it – the garden flourishes because of this connection and partnership.

Questions? Contact us: [email protected] or (703) 490-5200

Fill out the volunteer form below if you’re interested in any of the following opportunities.