News

Nature’s Puzzle Talk Inspires Attendees

Eighty FODMers and friends learned how many “pieces” of nature are interconnected in a Zoom talk titled “Nature’s Puzzle” by Alfonso Abugattas on May 13, 2026.

With this display, FODM urged people to pick up small trash items, like straws and pieces of Styrofoam.

Taking on Never-ending Trash, Again

The Friends of Dyke Marsh partnered with the National Park Service and participated in Clean the Bay Day, on May 2, 2026, a day when over 2,300 volunteers collected trash from the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. 

Virginia Legislature Recognizes FODM’s 50th Anniversary

       The Virginia General Assembly in its 2026 session approved two resolutions honoring the Friends of Dyke Marsh’s 50th anniversary. Senator Scott A. Surovell introduced SJ37 and Delegate Paul Krizek introduced HJ84, identical bills. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is in their districts.

Restoring Dyke Marsh by Planting Native Plants

On April 18, 2026, 25 volunteers planted around 200 native plants in Dyke Marsh, a joint project of the Friends of Dyke Marsh and the Sierra Club Great Falls Group. The two organizations partnered and successfully received a grant from the national Sierra Club to fund the project.

FODM Volunteers Tested Water Quality

On April 8, 2026, FODM volunteers again conducted biological water quality sampling in an unnamed creek, nicknamed “Quander Creek,” that flows into Dyke Marsh from the west, the organization’s eleventh year of this project.

Virginia’s Amazing Vultures

Contrary to the image in many Americans’ minds, vultures are beautiful, social, curious birds, Heather Shank-Givens told a 70-person, overflow crowd on March 8, 2026, at the Huntley Meadows Park Visitor Center.