Much to See, Hear and Feel on Ecology Walk
Nature enthusiasts engaged all of their senses on the June 29, 2024, ecology walk led by Charles Smith along the Haul Road trail.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Sad Story of “Our” Beloved Haul Road Trail Bald Eagles
In early May, 2026, our dedicated bird observers discovered that the Haul Road Trail bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nest, which had two eaglets this spring, had partially collapsed.
Beavers Building a Dam in Dyke Marsh
On June 7, 2026, around 6:35 a.m., near low tide, FODMer Todd Kiraly observed two beavers approaching a dam in Dyke Marsh south of the Haul Road Trail. From a kayak positioned roughly 30 feet from the dam, he watched the beavers for about 10 minutes as they engaged in maintenance behavior, transporting mud and woody material to reinforce the structure.
Taking Action: Addressing the Potomac Sewage Spill
On March 2, 2026, the Washington, D.C., Department of Health lifted the recreational advisory for the Potomac River. The announcement said, “Consistent water quality testing shows bacterial levels are now within safe ranges for recreation.” For more information, visit doee.dc.gov. For DC Health’s health advisories, visit doh.dc.gov. For information on DC Water’s progress on the Potomac Interceptor repair, visit dcwater.com.
February 26, 2026
On January 19, 2026, a sewer line in Maryland, the Potomac interceptor, ruptured and sent up to 300,000 gallons of raw sewage into the Potomac River. FODM joined 20 other organizations on February 9 on a letter to DC Water asking for answers and accountability.
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.
Walk Highlights Plants at Summer’s Height
On August 19, 2025, Brent Steury with the National Park Service led a walk in Dyke Marsh for 17 adults and ten youngsters. Steury is the Natural Resources Program Manager for the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
Buddhist Monks Walked through Dyke Marsh
On February 9, 2026, 19 Venerable Buddhist monks walked through the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve north on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
