The Mid-Atlantic is the last region of the continental United States to be colonized by coyotes, which began arriving in the 1980s. Where did they come from? What routes did they take to get here? Does their behavior here differ from other regions? What are they eating? How are they dividing food resources with the Mid-Atlantic’s other long-established canid species, red fox and gray fox?

Kristi J.K. Robinson did the first major scientific study of coyotes in the Mid-Atlantic, from 2001-2005, as part of a Master’s thesis. Methodology included scat identification, tracking, and DNA analysis of the coyotes of Quantico Marine Corps Base. Her presention will include the basics of coyote ecology and then go on to discuss how coyotes came to arrive in the Mid-Atlantic and right here in Prince William County. Kristi will also discuss the basics of red fox and gray fox ecology, as time allows.

Please join us on May 7 to learn more about these fascinating mammals that live in Northern Virginia! This program is open to the public and free of charge. For more information please contact the Prince William Conservation Alliance at alliance@pwconserve.org or 703.499.4954.

Join Prince William Conservation Alliance naturalists on Saturday, March 21, for a guided tour of the Featherstone National Wildlife Refuge.

The Featherstone Refuge is generally closed to public uses and many people do not even know it exists. Now is you chance to visit this fabulous natural area along Prince William's Potomac River shoreline!

The Featherstone Refuge is located at the confluence of Neabsco Creek flows and the Potomac River. With 325 acres of bottomland forests and freshwater tidal marshes, the Refuge attracts waterfowl, wading birds and migratory songbirds. Bald eagles and other raptors perch along the Potomac River shoreline. This is a great spot to watch wildlife! 

Preferred attire includes sturdy hiking shoes, long socks, long pants, hat and light colors. Bring water to drink, binoculars and cameras. We have some binoculars to share.

Open to the public and free of charge. For more information please email us at alliance(at)pwconserve.org or call 703.499.4954.

Click here to read more about the Featherstone Refuge.

We have a preliminary bird list for Merrimac and are scheduling regular birding tours to help fill in the blanks. We want to publish a seasonal bird list, including information on populations and associated habitats, to help Northern Virginia wildlife watchers appreciate and explore Merrimac Farm.

Birders will depart from the Stone House Nature Center and travel through a variety of habitats, including open fields, woodland edges and bottomland forest. Everyone is welcome! We hope you can join us for an exciting morning discovering more about the birds that visit and live at Merrimac Farm.

Dress for the weather, bring binoculars and cameras.

In case of rain (not a drizzle), the count will be cancelled and rescheduled. Questions? Contact Kim Hosen at 703.499.4954 or alliance(at)pwconserve.org.

Open to the public and free of charge. For more information please email us at alliance(at)pwconserve.org or call 703.499.4954.

Join the Prince William Conservation Alliance on May 16 for an easy hike through this beautiful property!

Dove's Landing is a 235-acre undeveloped property with one mile of frontage along the Occoquan River, upstream from Lake Jackson. The gently sloping landscape, open forest and scenic appearance create inviting and accessible conditions for residents of all ages. Dove's Landing is a high quality site for walking in the woods on natural trails, wildlife watching and other passive recreation opportunities. Read more about Dove's Landing...

Group size is capped at 30 participants, so register early! Preferred attire includes sturdy hiking shoes, long socks, long pants, hat and light colors. Bring a bag lunch, water to drink, bug spray, binoculars and cameras.

This program is open to the public and free of charge. For more information and to register, email us at alliance(at)pwconserve.org or call 703.499.4954. Click here to print a postcard for this program.

Are you interested in learning how to improve habitat for wildlife in your community? Then this is the workshop for you!

This hands-on training will focus on how to design a habitat that attracts butterflies, birds and other wildlife. During the training participants will work in teams to draw a habitat site plan to scale and develop a plant list using native species. Afterwards, everyone will have the opportunity to sign up for a planting day at Merrimac Farm to install the garden designed during the workshop, scheduled for this coming fall.

In addition, teachers and others interested in learning how to plan a schoolyard habitat or demonstration garden will benefit from discussion and activities that illustrate how these design features can be maximized for their eduational value.

Participants will receive a certificate upon completing the training. If you are a member of a professional organization, the certificate may be submitted to that organization for six Continuing Education Units (contact your organization for specific details). If you are a teacher, please request permission from your school administration in advance of the training.

This workshop is being offered by the Virginia Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries in cooperation with the Prince William Conservation Alliance, thanks to the generous support of the Virginia Resource-Use Education Council.

Climate change poses an unprecedented threat to the future of human communities, fish and wildlife habitat, and the natural communities we depend on for our food, our drinking water, our recreational opportunities (such as fishing, hunting, and bird watching), the strength of our local economies, and our quality of life. 

Natural systems are experiencing major changes from global warming, which serves as an additional stressor on Virginia’s already threatened species and habitats. 

The pressure that global warming will put on the state’s habitats may also make it harder to reach the state’s existing and future conservation goals.  From sea-level rise to warming air and water temperatures, many of Virginia’s cherished wildlife species will be significantly affected by global warming.

Please join us on June 4 when Ausin Kane, National Wildlife Federation, will share information about the impacts global climate change will have on wildlife and habitats in Virginia and Prince William County. Presentation followed by Q&A. .

Butterflies are fun and easy to observe. They can be found everywhere from your back yard to stream banks, forests and fields. Warm sunny days are especially good times to hunt for butterflies. The flight periods of some species last only a few weeks, so it helps to look often.

Merrimac Farm is a great place to watch butterflies. We'll explore some likely spots, considering what most butterflies like: sunshine and flowers. We'll visit open areas with many types of plants and wander through the dappled light along forest edges, especially where flowers are in bloom. The variety of butterflies increases with the size and diversity of the habitat. Join us and learn more about butterflies that live in Northern Virginia... then start looking in your own backyard!

Open to the public and free of charge. For more information please email us at alliance(at)pwconserve.org or call 703.499.4954.