Spring is For Hope - Photo Contest
Submit your photos until May 20! Contestants must register, see details here.

Do you feel like you're finally beginning to emerge after a year-long hibernation at home?  Capture the magic of spring with your camera and enter Prince William Conservation Alliance's inaugural photo contest "Spring is for Hope." 

The Prince William Conservation Alliance (PWCA) 2021 photo contest is open to all photographers. Grab your camera and submit your photos of how spring is a time of hope. Photos must be taken within Prince William County, Virginia.

Each of the finalists will receive a free PWCA membership and have his/her work featured in upcoming PWCA publications. The winners of the “Landscapes and Waterscapes,” “Native Plants and Wildlife” and “People in Nature” categories will each receive Butterflies of the Mid-Atlantic:  A Field Guide and Northern Virginia Dragonflies and Damselflies:  A Field Guide and a commemorative t-shirt.

Click here for details. Photo submissions are open from now until May 20, 2021.

Thoroughfare: A Town Under Siege with Frank Washington
Monday, May 3, 7 pm
Online, RSVP required, click here to register

Thoroughfare, established as a self-sufficient standalone farming community by freed slaves and Native Americans, has deep roots in our history including the civil war, and that history is being threatened by land encroachment.

Join us for another installment of places worth protecting for a conversation with Frank Washington, resident and organizer of the Coalition to Save Historic Thoroughfare, to discuss the history of perseverance and hope and learn how that legacy continues today as the community faces new challenges and threats.

Opening remarks from Supervisor Pete Candland and Prince William County Archaeologist Justin Patton will also be present to answer questions.

The freed slaves and Native Americans of Thoroughfare endured hardships, pain, and suffering. That legacy is coupled with a legacy of pride, love, and faith in God that a better life could be created for their families.

The story of Thoroughfare is our collective shared history. It deserves to be preserved for generations to come.

Meet Virginia's Bats
Monday, April 26, 7 pm
RSVP required, click here to register

"It's a bat!" The very word elicits an emotional response from most people whether apprehension and nervousness or fascination and awe.

These flying mammals are often associated with vampires like Count Dracula or that dark brooding superhero. But bats are so much more than their pop culture depictions. They, like all wildlife in Virginia, are an important natural resource and a valuable asset.

Join us for a conversation with Wildlife Information Biologist, Susan Watson from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to learn about bats including species that may occur in the Prince William area.

We'll explore bats, their ecology, and their importance globally down to species you might see in your backyard! Bat conservation is becoming more and more important, learn what resources are available and how you can help.

Rain Barrel Raffle
Add a new dimension to your personal landscape!

Hand-painted 60-gallon rain barrel hand-painted by award winning artist James Gallagher. Tickets are 5 for $20, available online here.

While we miss the camaraderie of the Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm, we don't want to lose sight of our annual Rain Barrel raffle. Hand-painted  by award winning artist James Gallagher, once again he's outdone himself with the best art ever!

So in the spirit of perseverance, we're going to host the raffle online. Normally  we spin the raffle barrel and randomly select the winning ticket at the Bluebell Festival, which was not an option this year.

Add a new dimension to your backyard landscape! Tickets are sold 5 for $20. We'll pick the winner on Saturday, May 1, at 11am. Join us on Facebook Live!

Proceeds benefit outdoor programs at Merrimac Farm, including the Wildlife Garden, Annual Butterfly Count, and Bluebell Festival. Please visit our raffle website to purchase tickets today. 

Free Redbud and Dogwood Seedlings

Our tree giveaway event on April 3rd was a great success! All 400 seedlings found new homes.

If you missed out or wished you had a few more, you're in luck! We unintentionally received 100 more seedlings.

Swing by our office at Tackett's Mill to pick-up redbud or dogwood while supplies lasts. Please give us a call at 703.490.5200 to make sure we're at the office. This is an exclusive offer to you and will be on a first come first served basis.