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Strong community support for conservation easement at Dove's Landing
About 70 residents, in-person and online, attended the Dove's Landing Master Plan community meeting hosted by the county's Parks, Recreation and Tourism Department on April 21, 2022. Staff presented ideas for future uses in the park, including floating docks, removing trees to improve vistas of airplanes at Manassas Airport, and constructing a mountain bike pumptrack.
However, preserving the current character of the park was at the forefront of the conversation. The community was unified in supporting passive recreation with additional park monitoring and maintenance to protect wildlife and maintain trails.
There was strong support for a conservation easement, which would permanently protect 100% of Dove's Landing. | continue reading
This was an inspiring start to the process. Share your views by emailing [email protected]. Read more about the park here.
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Data Centers in the Rural Crescent? An overview of potential impacts
The National Parks Conservation Association (NCPA) has published a virtual briefing that examines the potential detrimental impacts the proposed data centers, Potomac Technology Park and Prince William Digital Gateway, would have on water quality in Prince William County, Northern Virginia, and the Chesapeake Bay.
This excellent video is specific to Prince William, comprehensive and easy to understand. NPCA worked with Kevin Draganchuk P.E., BCEE, of CEA Engineers P.C., to conduct a comprehensive review of the ways in which these developments would impact at Prince William Forest Park, Manassas National Battlefield Park, and beyond.
Click here to view the webinar recording.
Click here to read the full technical report from NPCA and CEA Engineers
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It's all about water: Land uses can protect the Occoquan Reservoir
Land use decisions impact water quality for better or worse. In order to protect the Occoquan Reservoir, Fairfax County preserved 5,000 acres of parkland along the reservoir and down-zoned another 41,000 acres.
During our program on source water protection with Fairfax Water, Greg Prelewicz explained, "Streams in the down-zoned area are amongst the most pristine in the county. So it is a protection strategy." | Watch the clip
Prince William County's primary strategy to protect the reservoir is to limit development in the upper reaches of the watershed, via the smart growth tool we call the Rural Crescent. But now the Board of County Supervisors is considering proposals that would significantly increase development, and impervious surfaces, in the Rural Crescent, diminishing its ability.
Fairfax Water is urging the Prince William Planning Department to conduct a water study to assist with land-use decisions that would alter the Rural Crescent | Read their full letter here.
A comprehensive study, before decisions are made, showing how proposed land uses may impact our water supply is a key part of sound planning practices. Read our letter of support here, where we additionally recommend that the Board of County Supervisors extend an invitation to Fairfax Water to discuss their concerns. The BOCS agreed and Fairfax Water will be at the 2pm meeting on June 7. Read the full story here.
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Volunteer: Merrimac Farm WMA Wildlife Garden
Saturday mornings
To Register email Ashley at [email protected]
The Wildlife Garden at Merrimac Farm WMA has been a huge success thanks to the volunteers who meet on Saturday mornings to maintain a high-quality habitat.
This year we're opening a new section of the garden, and beginning to add new native plants on Saturday, May 7. It's a great way to spend a Saturday morning - support high quality habitats, meet new friends, watch wildlife, and learn about native plants.
Please contact Ashley at [email protected] for more information and to register.
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Caring for Trees at Silver Lake!
Sunday, May 22 at 2 pm
RSPV to Ashley at [email protected]
We planted 158 native trees at Silver Lake with the help of nearly 100 volunteers over two years ago. Now it is time to return and do a little maintenance to ensure these plants keep growing strong.
Join us Sunday, May 22 from 2-4 pm to hack back encroaching invasive plants and provide some care to the diverse set of trees we planted. Read more about the planting and the species list here.
RSVP to Ashley at [email protected] or call (703) 490-5200
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Bluebell Festival! A special day of bluebells and more
April 10 marked the return of our annual Bluebell Festival. Approximately 1,200 visitors and 14 conservation-minded organizations joined us to celebrate bluebells and their ephemeral blooms that blanket the floodplain along Cedar Run for nearly a mile.
The Bluebells were the headliners of the day, but not the only spring favorite to make an appearance. During tours guided by local experts, visitors saw Falcate Orangetip butterflies and Trout lilies, albeit not in the numbers typically seen in warmer temperatures.
Exhibits included interactive displays to learn more about nearby nature and special places that protect it. Visitors could sneak a peek into a bluebird nest with the Va Bluebird Society, engage in a treasure hunt for Falcate Orangetip with PWCA, or bring home bluebells for their garden from the PW Wildflower Society.
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