2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Environmental Events

Posted byARMNedPosted inEvents, News, Service Projects, Stewardship

Please join your friends, neighbors, and fellow environmental stewards in participating in the following habitat restoration events during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. Enjoy the satisfaction of helping to restore these natural areas. Dress in layers for cold weather, bring work gloves, your own tools, if possible, your own water, and face mask. Please also follow COVID guidelines for each event.
NOTE: Check the event description or its registration page for inclement weather guidelines.

SATURDAY, JANUARY 15, 2022

Lacey Woods Park

  • Saturday, Jan. 15, 10 am–Noon
  • Meet in the park field across street from 1126 N. Frederick St, Arlington. Street parking is available.
  • Site Leader:  Nora Palmatier
  • Please register at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084BA5AE23A1FF2-jan
  • Novice volunteers: Take out your pandemic frustrations by removing invasive ivy to rescue trees and give the native wildflowers space to grow this spring! 
  • Experienced volunteers familiar with invasive plant identification: You will be protecting the forested area by walking through and removing any isolated privet, bush honeysuckle, and other emerging invasives. Please wear a mask during sign-in and if working within 6 feet of another volunteer. Bring gloves, clippers, and hand tools if you have them. Gloves, tools, and instruction will be cheerfully provided to new volunteers. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times; volunteers under 18 must be signed in by an adult.

Charles A. Stewart Park Invasive Plant Removal

  • Saturday, January 15, 10 am–Noon
  • Meet at Charles A. Stewart Park, 2400 N. Underwood St. Arlington, VA 22213. 
  • Pre-registration required at: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f44acae22a7fa7-tuckahoe 
  • Site leader:  Mary McLean
  • This is a continuing project on the third Saturday of each month to reclaim the natural area near Tuckahoe Park from invasive plants. (Because of the frozen conditions, the group is meeting at Stewart Park instead to tackle ivy on trees.) Please bring your own gloves if you have them. If not, gloves are provided along with training and additional tools. Be sure to come dressed for work, wear a mask, long pants, and perhaps bring a hat and water.
  • These events are for volunteers ages 9 to adult. If you are under 18 years old, a parent or guardian will have to sign our volunteer sign-in sheet before you can participate. Training will be provided at the events. 
  • View COVID Safety Guidelines for Volunteering.

Jones Point Park Cleanup with Potomac Conservancy

Roaches Run Cleanup with Potomac Conservancy

Lake Accotink cleanup with Fairfax County Park Authority

  • Saturday, Jan 15, 9–11 am
  • Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Rd, Springfield, VA 22150
  • For details, map to the Park, Covid information, and to register (“I Want to Help”) click: here.

SUNDAY, JANUARY 16, 2022

Long Branch Nature Center and Glencarlyn Park
CANCELLED BECAUSE OF WEATHER EVENT

  • Sunday, January 16, 2–4 pm
  • 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA 22204. Meet in Long Branch Nature Center parking lot.
  • Site leader:  Steve Young
  • Pre-registration is required. https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080f44acae22a7fa7-long
  • There is a 20-person signup limit but if the slots fill, there can be more than one group if needed. 
  • This is a continuing project on the third Sunday of each month to reclaim the natural area near Long Branch Nature Center from invasive plants. Please bring your own gloves if you have them. If not, gloves are provided along with training and additional tools. Be sure to come dressed for work, wear a mask, long pants, and perhaps bring a hat and water. 
  • These events are for volunteers ages 9 to adult. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at all times; volunteers under 18 must be signed in by an adult.
  • View COVID Safety Guidelines for Volunteering.

Theodore Roosevelt Island

  • Sunday, January 16, 9:30 am–Noon NEW START TIME
  • For directions to the Island click: here. Meet at the stone wall on the parking lot side of the footbridge.  
  • Site Leaders:  Stephanie Martin, Heidi Moyer, Erica Shifflett
  • Pre-registration is required: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4aa8ab23a0f85-theodore
  • Join Arlington Regional Master Naturalist Park Stewards and National Park Service Weed Warriors to snip non-native vines such as English Ivy and Japanese Honeysuckle from TRI trees.
  • Wear gloves and sturdy shoes (be prepared for mud), and a mask. Bring pruners and hand saws if you have them. (Limited extras will be available.) Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; volunteers under 18 must be signed in by an adult.
  • COVID Safety:
    • We will follow CDC protocols and practice six-feet social distancing.
    • Do not attend if you have any COVID-19 indicative symptoms (e.g., dry cough, fever, body aches, sore throat, or rashes).
    • Do not attend if you have had any known exposures (or likely exposures) to individuals positive for COVID-19 in the past 14 days.
    • Maintain 6 feet social distance between you and other individuals. 
    • Wear a face mask for the duration of the event, unless you are outdoors with seven or more feet between you and other individuals.
    • Cover any cough or sneeze with the inside of your elbow or a tissue which you then discard.

MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2022

Woodlawn Park
CANCELLED BECAUSE OF WEATHER EVENT

  • Monday, January 17, 9:30–11:30 am
  • 1325 N Buchanan St, Arlington, VA. Meet at the benches on the west side of the park between N. 13th and N. 14th St. Look for the green “Volunteers at Work” sign and sign-in on the clipboard.
  • Site Leader:  Beth Kiser
  • To register, click: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/5080e49aaa92da2f58-mlkday 
  • Join Arlington Regional Master Naturalist Park Stewards and community volunteers to preserve and restore the natural areas in the park. No experience necessary. We will focus on removing invasive plants so native plants can regrow and support native pollinators, birds, fireflies, and bats. Wear gloves, long pants, and sturdy shoes, and please bring a mask. Bring tools like weeders and pruners if you have them. (Extras will be available.) This event is for volunteers ages 9+. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; volunteers under 18 must be signed in by an adult.
  • View COVID Safety Guidelines for Volunteering.

Four Mile Run Park
POSTPONED TILL NEXT SATURDAY

  • Monday, January 17, 10 am–Noon
  • 3700 Commonwealth Avenue and 4131 Mount Vernon Avenue (map). Meet at the trail Kiosk near the playground and MOM’s Organic Market (MOM’s is at 3831 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22305). If parking in the MOM’s parking lot, please park at the far side of the parking lot near the futsal court.
  • Site Leader:  Kurt Moser
  • Advance registration is requested and face masks are required during arrival. Even though everyone will be outdoors, social distancing is recommended.
  • Come out for a land-based litter clean-up at Four Mile Run. The effort will focus on litter in the restoration meadow area and the Sunnyside tributary stream, both of which are in much need of attention. Sturdy shoes with good traction are recommended. The streamside area is steep-sloped and muddy; hip boots will be available in a range of sizes for volunteers to use in this area. The restoration meadow area is vegetated and may be muddy.
  • Please note:
    • Snacks, trash grabbers, bags, & gloves will be provided 
    • Please bring your own water in a reusable bottle
    • Dress for warmth, with clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty
    • Other helpful items: hat, multi-tool, or pocketknife

Belle Haven/Dyke Marsh Cleanup and Invasives Removal with National Park Service

  • Monday, January 17, 10 am–Noon 
  • George Washington Pkwy (Belle Haven Rd), Alexandria, VA 22307. See: map. Meet at the Belle Haven Park south parking lot near the restrooms. 
  • For details and to register (“I Want to Help”), click: here.
  • Please join the National Park Service for a Potomac River shoreline trash cleanup and removal of invasive English ivy from trees. You can choose either activity. Social distancing protocols will be followed. Wear sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves, gloves, and sun protection. Bring your own drinking water. Gloves, if needed, and tools, trash bags, and hand sanitizer will be provided. No prior plant identification experience is required. 
  • Participants will be notified 24 hours ahead of time if cancellation in needed due to inclement weather.

Idylwood Park, Falls Church cleanup with Fairfax County Park Authority 

  • Monday, January 17, 10 am–1 pm
  • 7709 Virginia Ln, Pimmit, VA 22043.
  • For details, map, and to register (“I Want to Help”) click: here. 
  • Inclement weather information for FCPA events will be noted on the Fairfax County Parks website.

Lakeside Park cleanup with Fairfax County Park Authority (two sessions)

  • Monday, January 17, 12–3 pm (first session)
  • 5216 Pommeroy Dr, Fairfax, VA 22032
  • For details, map, and to register (“I Want to Help”) click: here. 
  • Inclement weather information for FCPA events will be noted on the Fairfax County Parks website.

Lakeside Park cleanup with Fairfax County Park Authority 

  • Monday, January 17, 1–4 pm (second session)
  • 5216 Pommeroy Dr, Fairfax, VA 22032
  • For details, map, and to register (“I Want to Help”) click: here.
  • Inclement weather information for FCPA events will be noted on the Fairfax County Parks website.

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