Prince William Conservation Alliance
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Prince William Conservation Alliance
Explore, Enjoy & Protect Local Natural Areas

Community Report
August 20, 2009
Newsletter Archive

IN THIS ISSUE
 
Sept. 3 - Black Bears
Oct. 1- Beekeeping

 
 
 
Monkey Flower
 
Conservation is a state of harmony between men and land.
—Aldo Leopold
 
 
Your support is critical to our efforts to conserve important natural areas, provide stewardship and education opportunities for people of all ages, online resources and this e-newsletter.
 
In the News
 
 
CHESAPEAKE BAY EXECUTIVE ORDER
 
On May 12, 2009, President Obama signed an Executive Order that calls on the federal government to lead a renewed effort to restore and protect the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
 
Click here to view the new Executive Order website. If you want to know where pollution problems are coming from, this is the website for you.
 
Lancaster Newspapers; August 21 2009
 
Fredericksburg Free Lance Star; August 20 2009
 
Virginian Pilot; August 21 2009
 
Daily Press; August 19 2009
 
EPA gunning for fewer pollutants seeping into Bay
Worcester County Times; August 20 2009
 
 
Daily Press; August 20 2009
   Tour Dove's Landing
Daisey
When: Saturday, August 29 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.
 
Where: RSVP to [email protected] or 703.499.4954 for directions to the meeting location.
 
Join PWCA for an easy hike through this beautiful property that is generally closed to the public. Dove's Landing is a 235-acre natural area with one mile of frontage along the Occoquan River. The gently sloping landscape, open forest and scenic appearance create inviting and accessible conditions for all ages.
 
During previous tours, plants and butterflies have been especially interesting so we'll look for these and other wildlife as we walk the Occoquan River shoreline.
 
This program is free of charge and open to the public. Read more...
  1st Thursday Nature Tales - Black Bears in NoVA
Black Bear
When:  Thursday, Sept. 3 from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. 
 
Where:  Bull Run Unitarian Universalist Church, 9350 Main Street, Manassas
 
Black bears have recently been sighted in several Prince William locations. Is this just a few bears coming in from the mountains or are bears expanding their territory? Please join us on the 1st Thursday in September when VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries biologist John Rohm will share information about black bears, their Northern Virginia habitats and what you should do if one is spotted in your neighborhood.

Next month, on October 1, the Prince William Regional Beekeepers will present information and answer questions about Sustainable Beekeeping in Northern Virginia. Mark  your calendar for this exciting presentation!

These program is open to the public and free of charge. For more information on this and other programs, email PWCA at [email protected], call 703.499.4954 or check our website at pwconseve.org.
   Merrimac Farm Tour - From Field to Forest
White-breasted Nuthatch by Julia FlanaganWhen: Saturday, Sept. 5, 9:00 to 11:00 a.m.

Where: Merrimac Farm Stone House Visitor Center, 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville
 
From field to forest, natural areas undergo predictable changes over time. The structure and plant composition associated with different successional stages creates habitats for different species, which rely on the presence of specific conditions to meet their basic needs.
 
Join PWCA Chairman Charlie Grymes for a tour of Merrimac Farm habitats, from field to forests. Along the way we'll look for the birds, butterflies and other wildlife that frequent these habitats, and talk about the value of edge habitats. Read more...
   Butterfly Tour at Merrimac Farm
American Snout
When: Sunday, Sept. 6, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

Where: Merrimac Farm Stone House Visitor Center, 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville
 
Butterflies are fun and easy to observe. They can be found everywhere from your back yard to stream banks, forests and fields.
 
Merrimac Farm is a great place to watch butterflies. To date we've sighted two species that are seldom seen in Prince William -the American Snout and Carolina Satyr. Click here to view the entire list.
 
Join us for this tour to learn more about the butterflies that live in Northern Virginia... then start looking in your own backyard!

This program is open to the public and free of charge. For more information and to register, please email us at [email protected] or call 703.499.4954.
  Master Planning Meetings Begin for 2 New Parks
Parks
Wiita Property
Approximately 70-acres located just south of Lake Manassas between Glenkirk Road and Vint Hill Road adjacent to the western border of Rollins Ford Road
 
When: Wednesday Sept. 16 AND Tuesday Sept. 29, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
 
Where:  PWC Park Authority Headquarters, George Hellwig Memorial Park, 14420 Bristow Road, Manassas
 
Click here for more information about the Wiita property.
 
 
Silver Lake
Approximately 233-acres located on Antioch Road west of the Town of Haymarket slated to open to the public on October 1.
When: Tuesday Oct. 6 AND Tuesday Oct. 27, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m.
 
Where: Mountain View Elementary School, 5600 McLeod Way, Haymarket
Click here for more information about Silver Lake.
  PW Forest Park Seeks Volunteers for Heritage Festival
PWFP Festival
When: Saturday, Sept. 12, from 10 am to 4 pm
 
Where: Prince William Forest Park, click here for directions.
 
Prince William Forest Park is looking for volunteers to help out with their Heritage Festival. Volunteer tasks include parking cars, providing directions and general assistance. Lunch will be provided and you'll get a really cool t-shirt!
 
If you and your family, or anyone else you know is interested in a really fun opportunity, please contact Park Ranger Jen Kays at 703.221.7181 or [email protected].  Click here for more information about the Heritage Festival.
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