Virginia Bluebells at Merrimac Farm WMA

Although the annual Bluebell Festival is sadly canceled again this year due to the pandemic, you are welcome to check out bluebell blooms with friends and family.

We’ll be at the Stone House April 9-11. We have a self-guided tour set up for you and bingo cards for fun with the kids. 

One sure sign that Spring has officially arrived in the Commonwealth are the beautiful blossoms of Virginia Bluebells blanketing floodplain habitats, where they attract butterflies and bees. 

Virginia Bluebells (Mertensia virginica) are native perennial wildflowers that thrive in floodplain habitats, where they attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. They are the official flower of Prince William County.  

Rain Barrel Raffle
Add a new dimension to your personal landscape!

Hand-painted 60-gallon rain barrel hand-painted by award winning artist James Gallagher. Tickets are 5 for $20, available online here!

While we miss the 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, once again he's outdone himself with the best art ever.

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

Add a new dimension to your backyard landscape! Tickets are sold 5 for $20. We'll pick the winner on Saturday, May 1, at 11am. Join us on Facebook Live!

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.

Meet Virginia's Bats! 
Monday, April 26, 7 pm
RSVP required, click here to register

"It's a bat!" The very word elicits an emotional response from most people whether apprehension and nervousness or fascination and awe.

These flying mammals are often associated with vampires like Count Dracula or that dark brooding superhero. But bats are so much more than their pop culture depictions. They, like all wildlife in Virginia, are an important natural resource and a valuable asset.

Join us for a conversation with Wildlife Information Biologist, Susan Watson from the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to learn about bats including species that may occur in the Prince William area.

We'll explore bats, their ecology, and their importance globally down to species you might see in your backyard! Bat conservation is becoming more and more important, learn what resources are available and how you can help.