Environmental Quality Committee Report

Earth Day planning is proceeding at lightning speed!  We have two new programs just confirmed this week.

  • Our Mason District Urban Forester, Nick Drunasky, will have a table and will be available to talk about the County's Urban Tree regeneration program, RPA issues, and tree issues in Lake Barcroft.
  • Children's Education Coordinator, Mary McLean, will be doing a Children's Pollination Station which will be an activity and movement filled program. 
  • We have 24 programs and events scheduled for Earth Day so please come join us. We always need volunteers.

Beavers:  I continue to work with the Humane Society, residents, and with the ARC Committee on protecting residential properties from beaver damage.  The beavers have been very active this year and there are a number of reports of damage and reports of beavers moving farther from the lake.

A new handout on Rabies has been sent to be posted on the LBA Website with useful information for residents.

Geesepeace:  We have found two volunteer Coordinators for the Geesepeace Program this year and have a full corps of volunteers trained and ready for patrols plus some new volunteers ready for training. With Holly Hazard's help, we are actively looking for another trained Geesepeace Border Collie to replace Dakota. We have a neighborhood dog on standby to help out in the interim.

Invasive Plant Program: Thanks in part to Kay Cooper, our Invasive Management Plan has been  renewed for 2013. Weed warrior volunteers have already begun weeding and removing invasives in the Beach 5 area and RPA garden, and plan to have regular invasive removal workdays this spring and summer. We hope to work with WID and Delfino on handling some of the heavier vines and shrubs along the Beach 5 peninsula. 

By Fairfax County RPA requirements, all invasive plant material removed in an RPA (most of our Common Area properties) must be replaced with an equal amount of native vegetation that is equally or more effective in retarding runoff and sedimentation in the lake. I have authorized $200.00 from current Environmental Committee funds for this purpose over the next month or so, and hope to raise some more money in the Earth Day raffle, however, I am giving a heads up that if we remove all of the massive vines that WID has begun to cut this past winter in the RPA garden, we will need additional funds, perhaps in collaboration with M & I.

Tree Replacement Program: Although we have not officially started the season, we already have several neighbors signed up for a new tree to replace those that they have lost this past year. We should kick off the program in earnest in June.

Community Garden: I continue to advise on plant selection, review planting plans, and stormwater/RPA issues for the new Community Garden, as needed.

Environmental Questions: I continue to advise residents on a regular basis about Environmental questions and issues such as proper lawn care, fertilizer issues, deterring beavers, tree issues and plant pests and diseases, controlling erosion, etc. and try and answer commonly asked questions on Lakelink or in the Newsletter.

 

Come Celebrate Earth Day and Discover Many New Programs! 

By Betsy Washington

Environmental Committee Chairman

Save the date: April 21 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Beach 5 (Rain Date: April 28). Bring the whole family to celebrate Earth Day in Lake Barcroft. In addition to our ever popular Eco-barge tours and live Raptor program, we have a number of new and exciting events lined up this year. Enjoy live bluegrass music, great food, and learn loads of tips and activities for all ages to celebrate our Lake and Earth Day. Here is the Schedule.

Wildlife Programs: 

  • Raptor Program: Don't miss Kent Knowles, Director of the Raptor Conservancy of VA and his live Raptor Program! He will be bringing screech, barred and barn owls, hawks, and even a peregrine falcon up close and personal. You definitely don't want to miss this. 3:00 - 3:55
  • Beaver and Wildlife Solutions: John Griffin and Stephanie Boyles Griffin, wildlife biologists with the U.S. Humane Society will introduce the new program on Wildlife Services Program, "Living with Wildlife, Conflict Resolution and Solutions" designed especially for Lake Barcroft residents. Join a workshop and demonstration. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Fish of Lake Barcroft: Come learn about and see the many fish that call Lake Barcroft home up close and personal with fishing expert Mike Korin w/ Warren Russell. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Pollinator Table - Learn all about our native pollinators, see pollinator art, and sign up for a beautiful new Pollinator license plate. 2:00 - 5:00
  • City Wildlife Anne Lewis of City Wildlife and Lights out D.C. will demonstrate ecosavvy ways to protect birds and raptors attracted to city lights and tall buildings and your windows. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Children's Nature Program - Pollination Station. Join an exciting hands on discovery program about pollination with Green Spring's Children's Educator and Naturalist, Mary McLean. 2:00 - 2: 45Bird Walk with local birding expert Nolan Stokes - Take a walk on the wild side and discover some of the fascinating birds that call Lake Barcroft Home.2: 15p.m.
  • Eco-Barge Tours - Join Kevin Howe and George McLennan for a delightful tour of the lake and see and learn about our fabulous wildlife. 2:00 - 3:00 and 4:00 - 5 & 5:00 - 6:00. We want to get everyone out on the lake to enjoy Earth Day!

Art and Photography:  

  • Lake Barcroft Photography Show - Professional photographer Larry Golfer is organizing an incredible show featuring scenic photographs of Lake Barcroft and our extraordinary wildlife. See historic photos of Hurricane Agnes and shop for prints, notecards, and more. Larry will share experts tips and advice on photography. 
  • The Washington Post's 'Urban Jungle' columnist and artist, Patterson Clark demonstrates how to make beautiful art prints with noxious invasive plants from 2:00 - 3:00 only. Don't miss this fabulous opportunity. 2:00 - 3:00 only
  • The Ultimate Art: Recycling Nature's Bounty - Come watch Bob the Woodturner demonstrate the fine art of woodworking by recycling fallen trees into incredible works of art. He will be making beautiful children's spinning tops. 
  • Lake Barcroft and visiting Artists display Lake Barcroft,  nature, and pollinator art. Some original art will be raffled off to lucky winners! 2:00 - 5:00
  • Children's Art workshop: - Artist and Teacher, Mert Cook will return to lead an exciting hands on workshop for our young artists. Make a a beautiful flowering garden from recycled materials in this creative hands-on workshop. 2:00 - 5:00

Plants, Plant Sale, and Landscaping:

  • Shop for stunning native plants at the Hillhouse Nursery Plant Sale. Owner Janet Davis will help you select the perfect plants for your garden. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Betsy Washington and fellow landscape designers will be on hand in the RPA garden to help you with design tips to turn your garden into a beautiful oasis for humans and wildlife. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Learn to identify and safely remove noxious invasive plants. Join Kay Cooper and Fred Abbey in an invasive plant workshop and demonstration. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Virginia Native Plant Society will have loads of information on great programs, field trips, landscaping with native plants. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Learn about our imperiled Pollinators and walk you can do to help them with Darlene Robbins, Xerces Society member and Ecological Consultant. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Audubon at Home and Master Naturalists will show you how to enhance and attract wildlife to your own garden and create your own urban sanctuary. 2:00 - 3:00
  • Mason District Urban Forester, Nick Drunasky, will be on hand to answer all of your questions about trees, RPA issues involving trees, and share the Urban Forestry goals and concerns with you.

Earth Science, Climate Change, and Our Watershed

  • Join Alan Ladwig of NASA for loads of information and hand outs on climate change and our changing earth. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Join Davis Grant and Watershed specialist Stephanie Perez at the WID tent and learn about our watershed and all that WID does for the lake. 2:00 - 5:00
  • Don't miss Jeff Moeller of Watershed Environment Research Foundation with a new watershed program for families and children. Test your knowledge about our watershed and win prizes, explore a stormwater drain and find out what is going on! 2:00 - 5:00

Food and Entertainment & More Enjoy dinner with grilled hotdogs, hamburgers and drinks prepared and sold by the J.E.B. Stuart High School Crew Team. 

  • Enjoy live Zydeco/Cajun music with The Wild Anacostias
  • Raffle Drawing for fabulous works of art by Lake Barcroft own artists, beautiful plants for your garden, a rain barrel, fabulous Art by Lake Barcroft artists and photographers, books and other eco-friendly prizes. Don't miss the fabulous assortment of one of a kind works of art and eco-friendly prizes, all while supporting the Environmental Committees and Earth Day programs! Winners will be announced at 5:00.