Newsletter


	Looking east toward the river from the bike path bridge, featuring the zonation of plants and the Gut. Photo by Elizabeth Wells.

The Friends of Dyke Marsh and co-host Virginia Native Plant Society met May 13, 7:30 p.m., at the Huntley Meadows Park Visitor Center, 3701 Lockheed Boulevard, Alexandria, VA 22306, for our quarterly membership meeting. The meeting was free and all were welcome.

TOPIC:	The Plants of the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve
SPEAKER:	Dr. Elizabeth Wells - Botanist, George Washington University, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Wells presented an illustrated talk on the plants of the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve, as seen from the George Washington Memorial Parkway and the bike path that crosses the gut nearby during the late summer, showing photographs she took last August.

Dr. Wells is Associate Professor of Botany at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., and has studied the plants at Dyke Marsh with Field Botany and Plant Ecology students for 30 years. During this time she has resided in Wellington in Fairfax County. She received a B.A. from Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in botany from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She grew up spending days at a family fishing camp near a bald-cypress wetland and lake in northwest Louisiana and loves wetlands.

We were pleased to have as a cosponsor of Dr. Wells’ talk the Potowmack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society (www.vnps.org). VNPS is a statewide organization with 2,000 members and thirteen chapters. Its purpose is to further appreciation and conservation of Virginia's native plants and habitats. The Society's programs emphasize public education, protection of endangered species, habitat preservation and encouragement of appropriate landscape use of native plants. The Potowmack Chapter covers Fairfax County, Arlington County and the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria.

Moths Featured: FODMer and past president Ed Eder has a photography show featuring his photos of many species of moths between June 3 and July 31 at Huntley Meadows Park Visitor Center. On July 26, 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, Ed will make a presentation and Huntley Meadows Park will host a reception.

Plants of the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve (DMWP): Following up on our May FODM meeting, Dr. Elizabeth Wells will lead a plant walk at DMWP on Saturday, August 15, at 10:00 am (rain date, Sunday August 16, at 2:00 pm). Wear walking shoes and a sun hat (we won't get in the mud). Meet at the parking lot on George Washington Parkway across from Tulane Drive. As the lot on the Parkway is very small, parking is available just west of the parkway adjacent to the intersection of Tulane Drive and Park Terrace Drive. This walk is also sponsored by the Powtomack Chapter of the Virginia Native Plant Society.

50th Anniversary Celebration: In 1959, Congress passed and the President signed the bill putting DMWP in the National Park Service system. FODM will celebrate the 50th anniversary of DMWP on October 4, 2009 with an afternoon reception. Please save this date! Details to follow.

Weed Warriors: Members of FODM volunteer under National Park Service auspices to remove some of the exotic invasive plant species in the DMWP. At present, we are removing bush honeysuckle, Asian bittersweet, and multi-flora rose from a section of the Haul Road where the view of the marsh will be substantially improved. Invasive plants can out-compete native plants. We hope that by controlling more non-natives, native plants that provide food and shelter for native birds and other animals will thrive. These efforts usually occur on Friday or Saturday mornings. Join us. We can train you. It's easy and fun. To participate, contact Ned Stone at nedstone@verizon.net.

Sunday Bird Walks: FODM bird walks continue on Sunday mornings throughout the summer. Meet at 8:00 am at the south parking lot of the Belle Haven Park picnic area.

Nature has brought us highs and lows this spring, with one bald eagle nest succeeding (so far) and one nearby failing. As spring gets into full swing, the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve blossoms in every sense of the word – in, under and on the water; in, under and on the ground and in the air.

Two recent reports brought troubling news. One study found that coastal wetlands in the eastern United States continue to decline, even though nationally, there was a gain in wetlands, over the time period studied, 1998 to 2004. "This is a troubling report because coastal wetlands provide flood protection as well as vital habitat for many species of fish and wildlife," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. These losses are concentrated in coastal watersheds because of the large numbers of people living in and moving to coastal areas and to land use changes associated with higher population densities. The study was done by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The second report, by the National Audubon Society, documented that nearly 60 percent of the 305 species of birds found in North America in winter are shifting their ranges northward by an average of 35 miles because of warmer winters. “The northward and inland movement of North American birds provides new and powerful evidence that global warming is having a serious impact on natural systems in the USA,” said NAS’s press release. Among the “big movers” are the Purple Finch, Pine Siskin and Boreal Chickadee. You can find the report at http://stateofthebirds.audubon.org/. This study follows an earlier Audubon report that found many birds in decline. Visit http://stateofthebirds.audubon.org/cbid/.

Invasive Plants: The “Weed Warriors” continue to work on invasive plants so thank them when you see them out there. Our hope is that by removing non-native vegetation, more native vegetation will return and with it, more native wildlife. Please explain to visitors that invasive plants often out-compete native plants, reduce biodiversity and disrupt the natural environment. Be sure to notice the “bonsai” cedar and sycamore near the wooden bridge. Their contorted shape shows how destructive invasive vines can be when they weigh down a young tree.

Restoration EIS: The science team helping prepare the environmental impact statement (EIS) on restoration has been meeting and hopes to have a draft of the first two chapters by the end of the year. The draft EIS will be out next year for public review, say NPS officials.

Waterfowl Hunting: Despite our and others’ efforts and over 250 comments, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries decided not to change the regulations addressing waterfowl hunting on the boundaries of DMWP and along the Potomac River generally for now. In addition, bills requiring a state study of urban hunting passed in the Virginia Senate, but died in the House of Delegates (along with all study bills). FODM thanks these elected officials for their help: Mount Vernon Supervisor Gerry Hyland, Alexandria Councilman Rob Krupicka; former Fairfax County Board Chairman Gerry Connolly (now a U. S. Congressman, 11th district); former Alexandria Vice-Mayor Andrew Macdonald; Virginia Senators Toddy Puller and Patsy Ticer; and Delegates Kris Amundson and David Englin. We will now pursue other strategies.

Belle Haven Watershed Plan: I am serving on a Belle Haven Watershed Plan Advisory Group that is preparing a plan to restore streams and other water resources. The watershed is 2.8 square miles in size and has 32 percent impervious area. Studies show the following stream habitat condition: fair, 26%; poor, 46%; and very poor, 28%. Like those in most Northern Virginia watersheds, the streams in the Dyke Marsh area suffer from years of changes in land cover and stormwater runoff that have had detrimental impacts. Since many of the watershed’s streams flow into Dyke Marsh, this plan, when completed, can impact the health of the wetland for years to come. If you would like to help, contact me. Hope to see you in the DMWP soon. I learn something new on every visit. During one of our “weed whacking” sessions, we were mesmerized by a five-foot long black rat snake that emerged from underground when we cleared away some vines. In April, I joined Dr. Edd Barrows’ forest ecology class in DMWP and learned that one of his students has documented 20 species of bees in the preserve. Also, we were wowed at the marina by three fishermen who brought 1,500 pounds of carp and catfish from the Potomac River that they caught with a net in three hours. Some fish were three feet long.

FODM member Don Robinson identifies and removes invasive plants in the marsh. Photo by Ned Stone.

Take a walk out the Haul Road in Dyke Marsh, and when you round the bend you will be treated to an open view of the Potomac River on your right, thanks to Don Robinson (pictured), Ned Stone and Mary Jo Detweiler. The three meet Friday mornings to remove Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle and other invasive plants from Dyke Marsh. After they cut invasives to the ground and flag the cut stems, National Park Service personnel selectively apply herbicides to the flagged plants. Stone and Robinson have been trained by NPS to identify and remove invasives. To join this volunteer effort, please contact either Ned Stone, 703-765-5441 or nedstone@verizon.net, or contact Elizabeth Ketz-Robinson or Don Robinson at 703-768-1344.

The Friends of Dyke Marsh lost a valued member on February 12. Valerie Gregg passed away at age 56 after a valiant fight against breast cancer. Valerie was a frequent visitor to Dyke Marsh, particularly by kayak, and loved to photograph the wetland. A Mount Vernon-area resident, she served as President of the Tauxemont Community Association from April 2007 until her diagnosis in November 2008. At the Web site, www.lotsahelpinghands.com/c/608740/, Valerie’s friends wrote, “Valerie was a life force in her own right. She approached both work and play with a deep passion, endearing her to so many. With generosity of spirit and creative vision, Valerie took up many causes.” The Friends of Dyke Marsh greatly appreciate two donations given in Valerie’s honor, one from Katherine Ward and another from the Wellington Civic Association.

George Makrinos is a new FODM life member who decided that the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve would be his “local cause” in support of nature and the environment. He lives nearby in River Towers overlooking Dyke Marsh and he jogs and canoes in the marsh regularly. George spent last summer biking across the U. S. from San Francisco to Delaware. He raised money along the way and selected four groups to receive donations, one of which was the Friends of Dyke Marsh. You can read about this trip here: www.bicycle-across-america.blogspot.com. Welcome Mr. Makrinos and thank you.

On November 3, Virginians will elect a governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general and members of the House of Delegates. (Party primaries may be held on June 9.)

Voters will elect the city council in Alexandria and the town council in Vienna on May 5, 2009. To see the full election schedule in all jurisdictions, visit the following web site: http://www.sbe.virginia.gov/cms/Election_Information/Election_Calendar_Schedule.html and click on the five-year calendar.

For state positions, the November election is critical because the next Virginia General Assembly, to meet in 2010, will map new districts for state delegates, state senators and members of the U. S. House of Representatives. The new districts will be in effect for at least 10 years, until the next decennial census requires redistricting again. Designing districts is often a partisan process, by whatever party is in control.

As we go to press, it appears that the General Assembly will not pass a bill to create a nonpartisan redistricting process in Virginia. The Virginia Conservation Network supports legislation to establish a bipartisan commission to draw new district maps. For more information, visit:

The On-Line Marsh Wren

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