Activities and Volunteer Events
Parking Alert
The U.S. Park Police are ticketing vehicles parked on either side of the Marina Road. While the signage may be confusing, an officer on May 6, 2023, told us that except for the two marked handicapped parking spots near the Mount Vernon Trail, only vehicles with attached trailers can park on the sides of the Marina Road.
Birding Led by Experts
FODM hosts birding led by experts every Sunday at 8 a.m. Meet in the Belle Haven Park south parking lot. We will cancel if weather conditions are unsafe, such as lightning, ice or heavy rain or snow. Because of the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count, we will not have Sunday walks on December 20 and 27, 2026, and January 3, 2027.
Help Tackle Invasive Plants
Help protect native plants by pulling and clipping invasive plants. We will train volunteers to identify the five or so target plants. We kindly ask that you not bring pets. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants.
Bring gloves, hand clippers and water. We will supply instructions, examples and trash bags. Wear long sleeves and pants and sun protection. We will have some tools to share. We will cancel if lightning or severe storms are anticipated.
Meet at the Haul Road trail entrance bench. If it is raining one hour before a scheduled session, we will cancel it.
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Date(s):
October 31, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
November 14, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
November 28, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
December 12, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
December 26, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Trash Cleanup, January 18, 2027
Bring the family and help clean up trash along the Potomac River shoreline and in Dyke Marsh at 10 a.m. on January 18, Martin Luther King Day.
Check in that day at one of two stations: one near the Belle Haven Park south parking lot and one at the Haul Road Trail bulletin board. The National Park Service and FODM will provide some gloves, tools, trash bags and hand sanitizer.
Wear sturdy shoes, long pants and sleeves and gloves. Bring water.
To register, visit https://www.volunteer.gov/s/volopprecord?listing=a09SJ00000S5p1lYAB.
Haul Road Trail directions and parking:
GPS coordinates: 38.777739, -77.050540 South of Alexandria off the GW Memorial Parkway at the sign for Dyke Marsh Nature Preserve and Belle Haven Marina, turn east onto the road toward the Potomac River. Take the first left and park in the Belle Haven Park lot. Walk back to the marina road and turn east, toward the river. Walk 30 yards. On your right is a Dyke Marsh sign and the entrance to the Haul Road trail.
