PWCACommunity Report
April 3, 2015
Newsletter Archive
Bluebell Festival Fun
 
8th Annual Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm
Sponsored by Prince William Conservation Alliance and Virginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries with support from Marine Corps Base Quantico
 

Fun for everyoneApril 12, 2015, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, at the Stone House at Merrimac Farm, 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville, directions

Please join us to welcome spring, celebrate nature close to home, and view the spectacular display of Virginia Bluebells that carpet the floodplain along Cedar Run for nearly a mile.

With some of the best Northern Virginia naturalists leading tours and activities, we're looking forward to a special day at an outstanding natural area. We hope you can join us.

Schedule of Events
Ongoing activities shown on right column, nature tours below

Tours last about 90 minutes and take an easy one-mile walk through the floodplain. Each tour has a special focus, although leaders will cover other interesting sights you encounter along the way. Bring binoculars, cameras and the kids!

10:30 am Dave Larson
NoVA Birder		 Birding the Bluebell Trail
10:50 am Ernie Sears
PWCA		 Visit the best places for photos with camera and guide
11:10 am Charlie Grymes
PWCA		 The story of Merrimac Farm
11:30 PM Charles Smith
PWCA, PWWS		 Native plants, interaction with wildlife, role in the floodplain environment
11:20 PM Harry Glasgow
PWCA, PWSWCD		 Birding the Bluebell Trail
11:40 PM Jeff Irwin, Bill Olson & Robert Moser
PWCA, Historic PW		 History in the woods at the Green Level Cemetery
12:00 PM Larry Meade 
NoVA Bird Club		 Things that fly -- Birds, butterflies and dragonflies
12:20 PM Kevin Rose
VA Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries		 Managing habitats for wildlife diversity
12:30 PM Julie Flanagan
PWC Arborist
Native trees and forest ecosystems
12:50 PM Kevin Parker
PWCA		 A home for every bird
1:15 PM Jim McGlone
VA Dept. of Forestry		 Why urban forests matter
1:35 PM Missy Hawkins
PhD Candidate, GMU		 Scat, Tracks and Other Signs of Mammals
1:55 PM Dr. Larry Underwood
GMU 		Forest Ecosystems
2:15 PM Randy Streufert, Friends of Potomac River Refuges Photographing Wildlife in the Wetlands
2:35 PM Jeff Irwin, Bill Olson & Robert Moser
PWCA, Historic PW		 History in the woods at the Green Level Cemetery
2:55 PM Nancy Vehrs Woodland wildflowers and other native plants
3:15 PM Judy Gallagher
PWCA, VA Master Naturalists		 Bees & other pollinators that make wildflowers possible

Bluebell Festival

IN THIS NEWSLETTER
Good Grubbin Food Truck
Excellent food truck opens at 11am. Check out the menu here.
Lou Rosgen
11am to 2pm - Enjoy music by country singer Lou Rosgen
HAND-PAINTED
60-GAL. RAIN BARREL RAFFLE!
2015 Rain Barrel Raffle!
Thanks to local artist James Gallagher.
Tickets are $5/each or 5 for $20, click HERE to purchase tickets. Proceeds benefit locally grown stewardship programs.

ACTIVITIES & DISPLAYS
Art for sale by local photographer
Julia Flanagan

PWCAPrince William Conservation Alliance
Find out who's living in nearby ponds. Discover local aquatic critters, from insects to frogs.

DGIFVirginia Dept. of Game & Inland Fisheries
Discover mammal characteristics with skulls and pelts.
FoPRRFriends of Potomac River Refuges
Learn about plants and animals along the Potomac River shoreline.
MCB QuanticoMCB Quantico Natural Resources
With about 7,000 acres in the Coastal Plain and 52,000 acres in the Piedmont, Quantico covers diverse habitats. Meet some stuffed specimens and learn more about efforts to protect natural resources.
Chapman MillChapman Mill Historic Site
Learn more about this historic grist mill located at the border of PW and Fauquier Counties.
Discovery JunctionDiscovery Junction Children's Museum
Create your own bluebell fairy and bring the magic of Merrimac's enchanted forest home.
Bull Run Mountain ConservancyBull Run Mountain Conservancy
Discover mountain ecosystems and meet local wildlife, from insects to mammals
Virginia Native Plant SocietyPrince William Wildflower Society
Learn about native plants in Northern Virginia
PWSWCDPrince William Soil & Water Conservation District
Hands on activities show how water flows to streams and rivers.
Potomac RiverkeeperPotomac Riverkeeper Network
Learn how PRKN is working to protect clean water in the Potomac River
Historic Prince WilliamHistoric Prince William
Learn about historic sites and cemeteries close to home.
PWC Forest Pest Mgt.PWC Forest Pest Management
Learn about insects that threaten local forests and how you can help