Merrimac Farm Chapter Background
Our chapter was founded in 2008 and is organized around the Prince William County region. While our members have diverse interests and backgrounds, we all share a commitment to support our natural world through education, stewardship, and research. We meet several times a year to work together on projects, expand our knowledge, and share our accomplishments.
Recent chapter accomplishments include being honored with Prince William County's 2019 Green Stewardship Award, PWC Ducks Unlimited 2019 Conservationist of the Year Award, and the Virginia Master Naturalist Chapter of the Year for 2019!
Our chapter is growing- and we're always looking for new members to join one of our upcoming class sessions, check out this page for steps to become a member.
Chapter Logo by Member Jim Gallagher
We are one of 30 Chapters that are part of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program.
These sponsoring agencies help to support the VMN Program:
The VMN program is also supported by: Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation within the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Tech.
We also greatly appreciate the support from our Chapter Partners.
Past Presidents Lisa and Rosemarie with Ducks Unlimited Conservationist of the Year Award
Native Plant Garden behind Merrimac's Stone House
Merrimac Farm Chapter's primary sponsoring agency is Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources, (VDWR). Many of our volunteer and training activities are held at VDWR's Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area (WMA), originally established by a partnership between VDWR, Prince William Conservation Alliance, and the United States Marine Corps.
Merrimac Farm connects Quantico Marine Corps forests and wetlands with the 300-acre Cedar Run wetland mitigation bank. This connectivity enhances the conservation value of all parcels.
Wetlands and vernal pools, upland fields and hardwood forests come together at the property, creating a diverse habitat mosaic that supports a variety of wildlife. It's a great place to explore nature all year round. In mid-April, the floodplain wetlands along Cedar Run are blanketed with Virginia Bluebells- celebrated annually with PWCA's Bluebell Festival.
Find out more about Merrimac Farm here from VA Dept of Wildlife Resources and here from the Prince William Conservation Alliance.
To access Merrimac Farm WMA (and other WMAs) outside of a Chapter or partner approved volunteer or training activity, you must have either an access permit, hunting or fishing license, or a Restore the Wild Membership. These can be purchased here.
For directions to the Stone House Visitor Center, use the address 15020 Deepwood Lane, Nokesville 20181. When you are on Deepwood Lane, drive past the North Entrance to the VERY END of the road. Deepwood Lane dead ends at the Stone House. Usually the gate is locked unless there is a scheduled event, a small parking lot is available before the gate.
Observing between Bluebells in Merrimac's wooded floodplain