Adventures in Conservation
Spring Series
Adventures in Conservation is a series of hands-on-events to improve our environment and provide an opportunity for Northern Virginia’s residents to learn more about and improve our natural surroundings. Adventures in Conservation consists of guided kayak trips, tree plantings, invasive species removals, trash clean-ups, and other volunteer opportunities. Questions about any of our events? Call the office any time: 703-354-5093 x25.
Call our 24-hr Hotline!
We have a hotline that is available during non-office hours: just call the regular office number, 703-354-5093, x30 as the voice-mail message indicates. You will hear an updated report on the status of any upcoming trips or events, especially regarding weather and whether there is still room to sign up.
Kayak Trip Policies
Kayak trips are open to participants age 16 and older.
All participants' boats are tandem kayaks, so bring a friend!
The fee is $35 per person to cover NVCT's costs, payable by check the morning of the trip.
You may use your own boat if you wish, but since NVCT's costs remain the same per trip, we are not able to offer a reduced fee.
Saturday, March 1st, 10am-12pm
Invasives removal and native planting
Battery Heights easement, Alexandria
Help NVCT remove English Ivy from an historic site in southern Alexandria! These vines cover trees and crowd out native plant species that animals depend on for food and shelter. Severe infestations drive out wildlife, kill trees, and degrade water quality as stream banks lose their protective shade.
Wear long pants and sleeves, and bring work gloves, clippers and/or loppers, and a shovel if you have one. A hat, sunblock, and water are also recommended. Please contact Whitney Bailey for more information, directions, and to sign up: 703-354-5093 x25 or wbailey@nvct.org. Thanks, and we'll see you there!
Saturday March 15th, 10am-12pm
Invasive Removal
Pimmit Run property, McLean
Join us for a morning of removing invasive species along Pimmit Run in McLean! We planted a bunch of native trees and shrubs last year and we need to clear room for more! Multiflora Rose, Honeysuckle, Wintercreeper, Porcelainberry and Tearthumb crowd out native plant species that animals depend on for food and shelter. Severe infestations drive out wildlife, kill trees, and degrade water quality as stream banks lose their protective shade.
Wear long pants and sleeves, and bring work gloves, clippers and/or loppers, and a shovel if you have one. A hat, sunblock, and water are also recommended. Please contact Whitney Bailey for more information, directions, and to sign up: 703-354-5093 x25 or wbailey@nvct.org. Thanks, and we'll see you there!
Saturday April 5th, 9am-12pm
Potomac River Watershed Clean-up
Little Hunting Creek Property, Alexandria
Once again NVCT will be partnering with the Friends of Little Hunting Creek and the Alice Ferguson Foundation to help clean up the Potomac River on Saturday, April 5th! We'll be removing trash and clearing invasive species (think of them as ecological trash that multiplies!) on an NVCT-owned property at the intersection of Stockton Parkway and Londonderry Road in southeastern Fairfax County, along Little Hunting Creek. To get there, take the George Washington Memorial Parkway south from Alexandria towards Mount Vernon. Turn right on Stratford, left on Camden, then right on Stockton. You will see the green NVCT truck by the site at the end of the road.
We'll be holding a raffle for all participants for free kayak trips with NVCT this summer!
To sign up or for more information contact Betsy Martin of Friends of Little Hunting Creek: betsy@folhc.org.
See you there!!
Saturday April 19th, time TBD
Birding & Ivy Removal
Kust Property, Alexandria
Join NVCT and fellow bird-watchers for a morning of birding and environmental restoration on the Kust Property, adjacent to Monticello Park in Alexandria! Monticello Park is listed by Cornell University as one of the top 50 birding locations in the U.S. It is one of the only green spaces in Alexandria suitable for migrating warblers who need to rest and recuperate during their 1000+ mile journeys each spring and fall. Several years ago the Kusts permanently protected their land next to the park, effectively increasing the warbler's permanent sanctuary by 3 acres. Every year since then they have generously opened their property to the public for everyone to enjoy the spring migrants.
We'll start off the morning looking for migrants, then get our tools out and set to work on the ivy. The Kusts have been fighing a severe English Ivy infestation for years, and they need our help to keep it from spreading into the park! Bring clippers work gloves, and wear long pants and long sleeves. This is an excellent volunteer and educational opportunity for high school kids!
Contact Whitney Bailey for directions and to sign up: 703-354-5093 x25 or wbailey@nvct.org. Come enjoy the warblers and help improve the habitat on which they depend!
Saturday, May 31st, 7am-10am
First Kayaking Trip of the Season--Birders' Special! Co-Sponsored by the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia.
Pohick Bay, Lorton
Attention Birders: Come out with the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and NVCT on our first kayak trip of the season! Saturday, May 31st we'll set paddle early to catch the last of the spring migrants through Pohick Bay!
NVCT kayaking trips are open to participants ages 16 and older. All our boats are tandem, so bring a friend! The fee is $35 per person to cover NVCT's costs, payable by check the morning of the trip. Wear clothes and shoes that can get wet, and a hat with a brim. Sunglasses, sunscreen, and a bottle of water are also highly recommended! Please call our hotline (703-354-5093, x30) in case of inclement weather.
Registration is required and seats fill up fast, so contact Elaine Franklin to sign up! 703-256-6895 or elaine@audubonva.org. We look forward to paddling with you!
