Volunteers Needed!
There is hope if people will begin to awaken that spiritual part of themselves that heartfelt knowledge that we are caretakers of this planet. ~Brooke Medicine Eagle
To truly see improvement, every citizen of the Prince William County needs to commit and participate as caretakers of our part of this planet. We hope you will join us in our effort to bring the community together.
When one tugs at a single thing in nature he finds it attached to the rest of the world. ~John Muir
As we begin to nurture and protect one aspect of our natural world it helps to improve other parts of the environment. Improvements continue to build upon one another until we realize a real benefit to our community and the planet. Read more about ongoing opportunities for you to help improve various components of our natural world.
Spring 2012 Conservation Projects
March 24 AND March 31 from 9 a.m. to noon: Conservation Landscape at Merrimac Farm Work Days at the Merrimac Farm Stone House visitor center, 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville
Saturday, March 24 - Tasks include a second sweep to remove invasives, installing rain barrels, continue removing old gutter on house and replace with new, cut grass, place stepping stones around water feature, spread compost.
Saturday, March 31 - Tasks include laying stone around the perimeter of the Stone House, mulching the garden path, continue planting, spread compost.
For all work days, bring a smile and a shovel, we appreciate your help! For more information and to RSVP, please contact alliance @pwconserve.org or 703-499-4954
March 31 from 8 a.m. to noon -- Annual Park Clean Up Day at Bristoe Station Battlefield. Join the staff at Bristoe Station Battlefield and the Civil War Preservation Trust at History for Park Day 2012. Park Day is a nationwide event that encourages Civil War enthusiasts to help maintain, restore and preserve Civil War sites through volunteerism. Come out and join us for a fun and rewarding day of work at Bristoe Battlefield. Projects will include litter pick up, cleaning cemeteries and trail maintenance throughout the 133-acre park. Wear sturdy work shoes, bring gloves and remember sunscreen. Tools and snacks will be provided. Meet in the parking lot off Iron Brigade Avenue. Please no pets.
Bristoe Station Battlefield Heritage Park, The parking lot is located off of Iron Brigade Unit Ave., Bristow, VA 20136, (703) 366-3049
April 14, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- Stewardship Virginia Shoreline Cleanup. Join us at the Visitor Center at Leesylvania State Park to cleanup the northern shore to protect wildlife hamitat and improve the water quality of the Potomac River. Be sure to wear close-toed shoes and long pants. Also please bring a pair of work gloves. For more information, email leesylvaniavc@dcr.virginia.gov or call 703-583-6904.
April 14, 2012 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. -- Occoquan River Clean Up. Experienced kayaker and canoeist volunteers needed to clean up this critical waterway. Trash bags, gloves, refreshments provided. Dumpsters and toilet facilities available. For more information and details, go to www.pwtsc.org or email efdandar@comcast.net.
Occoquan River Spring Cleanup Day—Saturday, April 14, 2012 9 am to 12 noon*
Make a difference and help preserve one of our region’s most important natural resources! Come meet other volunteers at one of five sites:
Bull Run Marina—12619 Old Yates Ford Rd., Clifton, VA 20124 John Rothrock 703-887-1124
Fountainhead Park—10875 Hampton Rd., Fairfax Station, VA 22039 Bob Lerch 703-489-0127
Lake Ridge Marina—12350 Cotton Mill Drive, Lake Ridge, VA 22192 Renate G. Vanegas 703-674-6659
Occoquan Regional Park— 9751 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079 Alex Vanegas 703-674-7847
Town of Occoquan— 314 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA 22125 Claudia A. Cruise 703-491-1918
Rain Date: Sunday, April 15, 2012
*Between 12 to 3pm, PWTSC will continue with the cleanup. For more information call 703-791-6158.
BIG LEEP (Businesses, Individuals, and Government as Local Environmental Education Partners)
Community groups throughout Prince William County provide youth groups, scouts, business teams, organizations, families, and individuals with a variety of opportunities to help enhance and improve our natural resources. There is something for everyone at a time that works for your schedule.
Partners sponsor fall and spring clean ups to make our world a cleaner and greener place. Together, we can undertake volunteer projects, help our planet, and guide our children to make better choices and improve their habits. We can all take the BIG LEEP to make a difference!
If your team is working on a project to benefit our natural environment and needs volunteers, call the Department of Public Works at 703-792-6819. We will try to help you find others to help.
Trails: Visit, Maintain and Construct
Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition - 703-785-5785 or visit the
website. The coalition offers monthly volunteer opportunities on projects to help support trails and streams. It also offers fun family events along the many trails and streams in our community!
Adopt-A-Trail with the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy - 703-753-2631 or
http://www.brmconservancy.org/. Take responsibility for one of the trails at the conservancy for the year. Your team of volunteers will keep the trail clear of fallen trees and branches pick up litter and notify the BRMC managers of any issues.
Volunteer with Bull Run Mountains Conservancy - 703-753-2631 or
http://www.brmconservancy.org/. Weekend Trail Volunteers are needed to hike on the preserve and assist other hikers with questions and directions as well as ensuring everyone follows the guidelines for this beautiful space. Call to volunteer today! The Conservancy also need other volunteers to assist with office tasks database management trail maintenance gardening education programs and other special projects. The Conservancy has special opportunities for students to assist with animal exhibits and habitat restoration. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the Halloween Safari as trail guides face painters musicians crews and other tasks.
Streams: Clean, Preserve and Protect
Adopt-a-stream cleanups every spring (starting in late April) and fall (ending in early November) sponsored by the Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District at (571) 379-7514.
Save Our Streams monitoring program. Call 703-792-7747 for information.
Stream Clean Up Projects with the Prince William Service Authority at 703-335-7900
Trash Reduction: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Check out other opportunities online!
National Trails Day and National Public Lands Day at Prince William Forest ParkVolunteers are needed to spruce up the park buildings and trails. Come out ready to work and get your hands dirty to help protect this beautiful park! For details call Jenn Kays at 703-221-7181 or visit
www.nps.gov/prwi.
Ongoing programs sponsored by Community Organizations
The Prince William Conservation Alliance offers families a variety of opportunities to explore Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area and other local natural areas. PWCA activities include family-friendly nature tours youth workshops wildlife surveys and a monthly speaker series on local nature. For more information call 703-499-4954 or check online at http://pwconserve.org/.
Bluebird Trail Monitoring at Merrimac Farm and Chinn Park - Help keep bluebirds common and collect data on successes by helping monitor nesting boxes at Merrimac Farm and Chinn Park.
Visitor Greeters at the Stone House Center at Merrimac Farm - Volunteers are needed to help staff the Stone House on Fridays Saturdays and Sundays to greet visitors and help develop educational displays. Qualifications include a cheery personality and an interest in developing a working knowledge of local habitats and wildlife.
Plant and Wildlife Surveys at Merrimac Farm- Help develop species lists for Merrimac Farm by leading or participating in a survey covering a defined area. Current lists under development include birds butterflies and plants. Volunteers should have a good working knowledge of the plants/animals being surveyed.
4th of July Nokesville Butterfly Count - Participate in the first annual Nokesville Butterfly Count. This one-day survey is part of the North American Butterfly Association's ongoing program to census the butterflies of North America and publish the results.
Nokesville Christmas Bird Count
Nearby Nature Online Resource - To help highlight the diversity of wildlife that still frequents Northern Virginia habitats – and to help narrow the search for cool critters close to home – the Alliance has created an online resource for Northern Virginia wildlife. You can help complete brief write-ups for wildlife found in Northern Virginia especially bird species. No previous knowledge is required; you may complete the write ups by using print and online resources describing characteristics and cool facts about each species.
Volunteer Opportunities with the Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District
Call 571-379-7514, e-mail pwswcd@pwswcd.org or visit http://www.pwswcd.org.
Farm Field Days is a field trip for 1600 fourth graders each October at the Prince William Fairgrounds. The students visit stations and participate in activities to learn more about agriculture and natural resources. This event supports the fourth grade science Standards of Learning. The event is held for two days so that 800 different students attend each day. Volunteers may lead or assist with an activity area. Estimate five hours of service per day for day-only volunteers. Additional hours may be required if developing curriculum.
Adopt A Stream is a program that is available year-round. Volunteers organize and conduct a stream clean-up with materials and guidance from our agency. Estimate approximately five hours of service per clean up.
“Soil & Water with Kids” - youth environmental education programs are offered that reach 10000 plus students per year. All programs are correlated to the Virginia Standards of Learning. Volunteers may assist with program development expansion or delivery. Service hours vary.