Green Open Spaces Close to Home

The Coronavirus pandemic has clearly demonstrated how important green open spaces close to home are to people’s health and well-being. Here in Prince William, natural area parks are attracting unprecedented numbers of visitors. It's easy to understand why.

Trees have many benefits, including helping us feel less stressed. Their calming effect can lower blood pressure and help us be happier, along with the obvious environmental benefits. Trees are essential for healthy communities and people. This pandemic has reinforced that truth.

Prince William’s draft Parks Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan recognizes that green open space and passive-use parkland is important. That’s a good step in the right direction. However, we still need a road map that shows the path to success - the way we’re actually going to achieve our goals. Together we can make this happen.

With all in-person programs canceled for the foreseeable future, PWCA is shifting to online activities to foster support for green open space advocacy initiatives. We’re planning virtual meetings, webinars, and online documents to share information and ideas with you. As always, we’re focused on building support for the acquisition of green open spaces close to home and better stormwater rules to protect local rivers and streams. 

PWCA’s cancelled forum Black and Brown Faces in America’s Wild Places with Dudley Edmondson will be rescheduled as soon as conditions allow. And our Annual Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area will be back in 2021. The first Bluebell Festival in 2008 celebrated the acquisition of Merrimac Farm for wildlife watching, hunting, and fishing. We’ll be back next year! 

We’re continuing to work hard and maintain hope for the future. We are creating some great opportunities for you to join us and share ideas about trees, backyard habitats and open space - ways to green our communities and expand our parkland. We wish you well during this difficult time and hope to 'see' you soon!

Rain Barrel Raffle - Buy tickets here!

While we missed the beauty and camaraderie of the Bluebell Festival at Merrimac Farm, we don't want to lose sight of our annual Rain Barrel raffle. Hand-painted by award winning artist James Gallagher, this year he's outdone himself with the best art ever.

Normally we spin the raffle barrel and randomly select the winning ticket at the Bluebell Festival, which was not an option this year. So in the spirit of perseverance, we're going to host the raffle online.

Tickets are sold in groups of 5 for $20. This beautiful rain barrel would add a new dimension to your personal landscape! Proceeds benefit outdoor programs at Merrimac Farm, including the Wildlife Garden, Annual Butterfly Count, and Bluebell Festival. Please visit our raffle website to purchase tickets today. 

Beauty and the Bees

Thursday, April 23, 6:30pm - Join us for a virtual get together and short presentation by Judy Gallagher, followed by questions and comments!

Click here to register and receive a link to join the meeting.

After a long winter, it is so inspiring to see spring wildflowers.  Here's a story about a spring flower and the insects that both depend on it and benefit it.

Trees on Tap, BYPB*

Re-thinking the Suburban Stormwater Model  
A virtual meeting with Jake Hosen, Assistant Professor, Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Purdue University

Part 1 - Thursday, April 30, 6:30pm, click here to RSVP (required)

Part 2 - Thursday, May 7, 6:30pm, click here to RSVP (required)
Q&A follows each 30-minute presentation

Solving stormwater quality in suburbanized areas is challenging. Using fundamental research from ecology and hydrology, scientists are working with stormwater managers to rethink how suburban stormwater is managed. 

Each year, billions of dollars are spent to reduce the impacts of stormwater from suburban developments, but many restoration designs are in need of updating. Dr. Hosen will discuss current research, the design principles behind distributed stormwater infrastructure and survey results from localities that have implemented integrated stormwater management plans.

* Waters End Brewery, location of previous Trees on Tap programs, is offering a pre-order pick up service. They are donating $6 from every six-pack sold to the Inova COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness Fund.