| Merrimac Farm Volunteer Work Day |
WHEN: Saturday, Aug. 2. from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Merrimac Farm, 14712 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville. Meet at the Cedar Run Parking Lot (travel to the very end of Deepwood Lane), directions |
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 The Stone House needs some TLC, including minor household repairs such as replacing faucets, patching a couple walls, replacing light fixtures, cleaning and painting.
We will be starting this work on August 2 and hope you will join us. There is plenty to do for people of all skill levels! We have some tools that are useful for household repairs and cleaning supplies... if you have supplies to share, we would appreciate the extras!
We need help with a variety of projects, including plant and wildlife surveys, leading community tours, trail maintenance as well as completing minor repairs to the Stone House community center. Click here for more information...
Questions? Please call us at 703.499.4954 or email alliance@pwconserve.org. No registration is required but we appreciate knowing if you're planning to attend. |
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 Route 234 Wetland Bank Birding Tour |
WHEN: Saturday, June 14, at 7:30 a.m.
WHERE: Route 234 Wetlands Bank by Manassas Regional Airport. For meeting location, please email us or call 703.499.4954. |
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 Please join us for a field trip to the VDOT wetland bank, a seldom visited area in our own backyard, led by NoVA birding enthusiast Kurt Gaskill. This extensive wetlands may be home to a wide range of breeding birds such as Eastern Kingbird, White-eyed Vireo, Tree and Barn Swallows, Eastern Bluebird, Willow Flycatcher, Prairie Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, and Yellow-breasted Chat. And maybe more that have yet to be discovered!
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| Take a Hike - Occoquan Reservoir Shoreline |
WHEN: Sunday, June 22, from 1:00 p.m. to Noon
WHERE: Merrimac Farm,
meet at the Cedar Run Parking Lot (past the first entrance to Merrimac Farm to the very end of Deepwood Lane), click here for directions.
Questions: Email us or call 703.499.4954 |
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 Join us for this four mile hike on the southern side of the Occoquan River. Although we will encounter some sidewalks, most of this hike will be on natural surface tails. There are some hills to climb, stream crossings, areas than could be a little muddy and lots of beautiful scenery!
Transportation back to the starting point is provided at the end of the hike. Group size is capped at 25 participants, so register early! Preferred attire includes sturdy hiking shoes, long socks, long pants, and hat. Bring a bag lunch, water to drink, bug spray, binoculars and cameras.
Click here to view a map showing the approximate route of the hike, click here to read about our spring 2007 hike along the Occoquan!
For questions and to register, call us at 703.499.4954 or email alliance(at)pwconserve.org. |
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| Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area Tour & Volunteer Schedule |
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All Merrimac Farm WMA tours & stewardship activities meet at 14710 Deepwood Lane, directions
Virginia Bluebell Tours
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Nature Tours
Join us as we explore Merrimac Farm! Spring is fast approaching and there's nothing more exciting than spotting the first signs of renewed growth as the days grow longer and warmer.
Spring has arrived! Spring peepers are calling, the Virginia Bluebells are up and spring migration has begun.
Merrimac Farm is home to one of the largest colonies of Virginia Bluebells in Northern Virginia. In mid-April, the floodplain along Cedar Run is literally carpeted with these beautiful plants. It is a spectacular sight that you don't want to miss!
All tours involve an easy hike and are suitable for children of all ages. Preferred attire includes sturdy hiking shoes, long socks, long pants, and hat. Bring water to drink, bug spray, binoculars and cameras.
Tours are open to the public and free of charge. For more information and to register, email us at alliance@pwconserve.org or call 703.499.4954.
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Stone House |
Stone House backyard |
 The Barn |
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| Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area Dedication & Grand Opening Celebration! |
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WHEN:
Thursday, April 10 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE:
Merrimac Farm, Stone House
14712 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, directions
QUESTIONS?
Call us at 703.499.4954 or email alliance@pwconserve.org |
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A Virginia Conservation Partnership
You are cordially invited to a
Dedication and Opening Ceremony
Merrimac Farm
Wildlife Management Area
Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 10:00 a.m.
Read more... |
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| Silver Lake - Board Vote on April 8! |
WHEN:
Tuesday, April 8
at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: McCoart Government Center, Board Chambers,
Prince William Parkway, directions
Although no public hearing is required, the Board has said they will provide a comment period, same rules for speaking as public hearings. |
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Which would you choose? 500 acres of public parks at no cost to taxpayers OR 230 acres of public parks at an initial investment of $1.6 million + $255,000* tax dollars each year.
Supervisors who are concerned about fiscal impacts should welcome the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy's (BRMC) proposal to double the acreage at Silver Lake and manage the site for public uses at no expense to taxpayers...which would allow the PWC Park Authority to use the Dominion Valley proffered contributions for other needed parkland improvements (such as the construction of equestrian facilities on the 20+ acres excluded from the BRMC proposal at Silver Lake).
Comment early and often! Click here to email the PWC Board of Supervisors ... view contact information...read more about Silver Lake...read more about Open Space Planning in PWC...
* Park Authority estimates for Silver Lake operating costs fluctuate within this range. |
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Parks Trails & Open Space - New Parkland Inventory Unveiled
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WHEN:
Tuesday, April 8
at 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: McCoart Government Center, Board Chambers,
Prince William Parkway, directions |
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When the Board of Supervisors voted to adopt a new standard of 70 acres per 1,000 residents of parkland generally accessible to the public, the Supervisors had no inventory to assess the impact of their decision. The tricky loophole is that the standard includes private parks, including golf courses and other private parks where the County has no opportunity to control public uses or access.
The devil is in the details. On April 8 at the 2:00 p.m. Board meeting, Planning Director Steve Griffin will present the County's parkland inventory as defined by the Board's newly adopted parkland standard.
Comment early and often! Click here to email the PWC Board of Supervisors ... view contact information... read more about Open Space Planning in PWC... |
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| Nokesville Christmas Bird Count |
WHEN:
Friday, January 4,
6:30 a.m.
WHERE: Please contact us at 703.499.4954 or alliance@pwconserve.org for meeting location and directions. |
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For more than 100 years, citizen scientists throughout the United States have volunteered their time to count birds for the Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Their efforts provide important information about wintering bird populations, distribution, and changes over time. Read more...
The Nokesville area, last surveyed in 1995, includes unique habitats that are important to a variety of birds. Sites in the Nokesville survey include Merrimac Farm, Dove's Landing, the Prince William County landfill, portions of Prince William Forest Park, Manassas Airport and others.
Beginning birders are welcome to participate. A $5 fee, payable to the Audubon Society, is required for all participants.
Please contact us at 703.499.4954 or alliance@pwconserve.org if you can help with this years survey! |
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| PWCA Community Meeting |
WHEN:
Saturday, January 12,
9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: McCoart Government Center, Board Chambers
Prince William Parkway between Hoadley Road and Ridgefield Road, directions |
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SPECIAL SPEAKER: Bull Run Mountain Conservancy on their Silver Lake proposal
OTHER TOPICS: January 15, 2:00 p.m. Board worksession on Parks, Trails & Open Space
Free of charge and open to the public. Questions? Call 703.499.4954 or email alliance@pwconserve.org .
Welcome to 2008! We're starting the year with high hopes that the outcome for outstanding open space issues will create a positive framework and set a positive tone for Prince William County's public dialogue on conservation, parks and open space. Despite budget shortfalls, Prince William has outstanding opportunities to take a significant step forward in efforts to increase both open space and public parkland in 2008.
In the coming months we hope to see the "Public Land No Trespassing" sign at Dove's Landing replaced with a sign that says "Public Land Enjoy Your Hike." This site, already owned by the county, could be placed into a conservation easement and opened to public uses at virtually no cost. It is currently being degraded by ATVs, which has been difficult for government to control. Dove's Landing needs the type of TLC that comes with hikers, birders and families looking for a place to explore nature close to home.
Also without a need for taxpayer dollars, the Silver Lake property plus an additional 270 adjacent acres could be opened for public uses through Board approval of the Bull Run Mountain Conservancy's proposal for this site. With budget shortfalls looming, a transfer of this property to the Prince William County Park Authority seems guaranteed to add yet another "Public Land No Trespassing" sign to Prince William's reputation (not to mention the loss of 270 acres of additional parkland open to the public).
And the long-awaited decision on new Parks, Trails and Open Space policies for Prince William is moving toward a Board decision, beginning with the Board's January 15 worksession. Again, establishing new policies is free of charge and, by establishing high standards now, the Board would set the stage for government staff, nonprofits, landowners and others to access alternative funding sources and partnerships aimed at preserving parkland and open space until budget issues stabilize in future years.
Parkland, trails, open space and land conservation are all community choices. The County's citizen surveys, Park Authority surveys and now the latest survey for the coming Strategic Plan all show that Prince William citizens want increased environmental protection, open space, trails and public parkland. We hope you engage in Prince William's public conservation dialogue in 2008!
Read more about our community programs:
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Take a Hike - Dove's Landing on the Occoquan River |
WHEN: Saturday, September 22
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Dove's Landing Public Land, upstream from Lake Jackson
RSVP: Email alliance(at)pwconserve.org or call 703.499.4954 to register and receive information on meeting location |
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 Join the Prince William Conservation Alliance and the Prince William County Park Authority on September 22 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 Prince William County Board of Supervisors acquired the property in March 2006 but has not yet opened the site to public uses.
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. |
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