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.
Bird Walks
FODM hosts bird walks every Sunday at 8 a.m. Meet in the Belle Haven Park south parking lot. We will cancel walks if weather conditions are unsafe, such as lightning, ice or heavy rain or snow.
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.
Date(s):
February 14, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
February 28, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
March 14, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
March 28, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 25, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
May 9, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
May 23, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Virginia’s Amazing Vultures - March 8, 3 p.m.
On Sunday, March 8, 3 p.m., wildlife rehabilitator Heather Shank Givens will make a presentation on Virginia’s fascinating vultures and bring her black vulture, Dusty.
Vultures are a critical component of the ecosystem but are often misunderstood and maligned. The speaker will explore the natural history of vultures, their unique biology, global conservation concerns and human–vulture conflicts and mitigation strategies.
The sponsors are the Friends of Dyke Marsh, the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and the Northern Virginia Bird Club.
The talk and annual meeting and election (see below) will be at the Mount Vernon Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22306.
Annual Meeting and Election - March 8, 3 p.m.
FODM will hold its annual meeting and election for officers and the Board of Directors before the presentation on vultures. The proposed nominees, all of whom have agreed to serve, are listed below. Other nominations can be considered at the meeting. The meeting and election will be at 3 p.m. at the Mount Vernon Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA, 22306.
Nominees
Glenda Booth, President
Vice President, Stacy Langsdale
Katya Wanzer, Secretary
Charles Jackson, Treasurer
Carolyn Gamble
Jim Gearing
Deborah Hammer
Edie Juno
Dorothy McManus
Clarence Monteiro
Randy Myers
Ed Eder, Past President
All of the candidates are incumbents except Edie Juno.
Nature’s Puzzle -- May 13
On May 13 at 7 p.m., in a Zoom meeting, environmental educator Alonso Abugattas will explore how pieces of “nature’s puzzle” fit together, the interdependence of natural resources, including humans. Information on registration will show here when available.
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.
