Volunteer Activities: November 2026
Table of Contents
Return to November Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/fe854bc2a616/monthly-news-november-2026
Continuing Education Corner
By Susan D. Howell, Continuing Education Chair
"The thinnest yellow light of November is more warming and exhilarating than any wine they tell of." — Henry David Thoreau
The Continuing Education Team is looking for volunteers. If you have event planning, advertising & marketing skills, we want you! Also seeking a Continuing Education Chair to serve for 2027 and beyond. Join the board! Team members are also needed to assist with set up, clean up, hospitality, and people. We always need light refreshments. Please fill out this form. Please fill out this form.
Merrimac Farm 2027 Chapter Continuing Education Event Series
Members! What do you want to learn about? Please let the Continuing Education team know. Please fill out this brief survey. Fill out our brief form.
"I love the month of November: when the trees are standing all sticks and bones. Without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers." — Cynthia Rylant
Please see the website for more on-going, online continuing education classes, and webinars and CE offerings from our partners.
Continuing Education Activities
Chapter Meeting & Fall Social
Date: Saturday, November 7th, 10:30 AM
Location: Prince William Forest Park, Triangle (park fee waived)
Description: Join us starting at 10:30 AM for our annual elections, BTC graduation, potluck lunch, and our November chapter hike.
How to Register: using this google form - https://forms.gle/QCgxXCVUN5SLJitG8
BetterImpact Category: CE - Chapter Meeting Attendance
Beyond the Storm Drain: Lecture Series #WOW
Dates: Tuesday Nov. 3 & 10, 6:30 PM
Location: City of Manassas Community Center, 8750 Sudley Rd, Manassas
Description: a free stormwater educational series. Our own Sarah Coradetti and Susan Howell will be presenting the lecture on November 10th about water quality. Other topics include Water Stewardship.
How to Register: via SignUpGenius, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0E48A8AE2DA1F49-64955086-look#/
BetterImpact Category: CE - Lectures, Talks, Interpretive Walks, Classes, Workshops
Other Than Oak - VMN CE Webinar Series
Date: Monday, November 9th, 12 PM - 1 PM
Location: online/zoom
Description: What’s so great about Oak? Are there other trees in Virginia that are as awesome? Oak, rightly so, has garnered much attention, however, there may be more to the story than you know. This webinar will cover the history of oak in our region, the unique qualities of Quercus species for humans and the ecosystem and take-home action steps.
How to Register: with the VMN state office - https://pears.io/events/vce/11218/
BetterImpact Category: CE - VMN Webinars
Fall Forest Bathing
Date: Sunday, November 15th, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Location: Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center, Triangle
Description: Forest Bathing, also known as Forest Therapy, is a slow, mindful immersion in nature that originated in Japan. The guide suggests voluntary activities called invitations that help participants let go of the busyness of everyday life and immerse themselves in the soothing sensuality of nature. This program is led by our own Emily Hampton.
How to Register: email Emily at emily.p.hampton@gmail.com to sign up.
BetterImpact Category: CE - Forest Bathing
Citizen Science Activities
Water Quality Monitoring #WOW
Date: Thursday, November 5, 10 AM - 1 PM
Location: Prince William Forest Park, Triangle
Description: Join us in gathering, identifying and counting the aquatic macroinvertebrates in our local bodies of water in Prince William County. No experience required - team leaders will explain the Rocky Bottom Protocol and provide directions on how to identify the macroinvertebrates.
How to Register: sign up here - https://app.unison.io/schedules/5ahtMznDaa0SbNZMEDe919
BetterImpact Category: CS - WQM, SOS - Water Quality Monitoring
Bird Walk at Clifton Institute
Date: Wednesday, November 4th, 8 AM - 10 PM
Location: The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Rd, Warrenton
Description: Watch birds around the Institute's field station with their staff team. Registration is strictly required.
How to Register: via the Clifton Institute website, https://cliftoninstitute.org/event/bird-walk-108/
BetterImpact Category: CS - eBird
Natural Resource Survey
Dates: Wednesday, November 25th, 7:30 AM - 12 PM
Location: Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 13950 Dawson Beach Road, Woodbridge
Description: discover native birds, other fauna and flora in the company of dedicated citizen scientists. Organized by Northern Virginia Bird Alliance.
How to Register: contact Jim Waggoner, jwagge3093@aol.com, with the date and location of the survey you plan to join.
BetterImpact Category: CS - NVBA Wildlife Surveys
PWCA's Last Sunday Bird Walk
Dates: Sunday, November 29th, 8 AM - 11 AM
Location: Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, 14712 Deepwood Ln, Nokesville
Description: look for birds in the property's open fields and woodland edges. Everyone is welcome.
How to Register: contact Prince William Conservation Alliance alliance@pwconserve.org.
BetterImpact Category: CS - eBird
Education/Outreach Activities
Leesylvania State Park Front Desk Support
Date: Flexible
Location: Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K Ludwig Dr, Woodbridge
Description: The park is seeking volunteers to support their front desk and clerical duties, including greeting visitors, sharing information about the park, and making photocopies.
How to Register: email merrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com with subject line "Leesylvania Front Desk” for the full role description and to be connected with the volunteer coordinator.
BetterImpact Category: E/O - State Parks-front desk support and other volunteer activities
Stewardship Activities
Chapter Stream Cleanup #WOW
Date: Saturday, November 14th, 9 AM - 11 AM
Location: near Walgreens, 10671 Sudley Manor Dr, Manassas
Description: Our chapter adopted this urbanized stream many years ago, so it's our responsibility to keep it free of trash and invasive plants. We need all hands on deck for our last cleanup of the year. Families and friends welcome!
How to Register: via SignUpGenius, tinyurl.com/CleanupNov2026
BetterImpact Category: S - Adopt A Stream (near Manassas Costco & Bull Run watershed)
Upper Marumsco Creek Cleanup #WOW
Date: Saturday, November 14th, 10 AM - 12 PM
Location: 13455 Millwood Drive, Woodbridge
Description: The Marumsco Creek Conservancy is hosting this cleanup to prepare for construction of the Marumsco Creek trail.
How to Register: contact info@marumsco.org to register.
BetterImpact Category: S - Other Public Lands Support
Neabsco Bandalong Cleanup #WOW
Date: Wednesday, November 18th, 10 AM
Location: near Neabsco Creek Ct, Woodbridge (RSVP for detailed directions)
Description: The Neabsco Bandalong is Prince William County’s premier floatable trash capture device spanning Neabsco Creek. Join the team to clean out the metal traps that intercept and filter out litter, debris, and pollutants before they reach the bay. Training and gloves provided.
How to Register: contact Drew Uglow at AUglow@pwcgov.org
BetterImpact Category: S - Other Public Lands Support
Friday Conservation Corps
Dates: Fridays in November, 8:30 AM - 12 PM (6th, 13th, 20th)
Location: Leopold's Preserve, 16290 Thoroughfare Road, Broad Run
Description: support land management at this publicly-accessible preserve, including trail maintenance, habitat restoration, and invasive plant management. Drop in for an hour or stay for the full workday.
How to Register: on the Leopold's Preserve website, https://www.leopoldspreserve.com/calendar
BetterImpact Category: S - Leopold's Preserve Workdays
Administration Activities
Diversity Committee
Date: Wednesday, November 11th, 7 PM - 8:30 PM
Location: Zoom meeting, https://zoom.us/j/93542004323?pwd=lb9yto5Q7VfQg0yZpWyIU6vu8g1ilm.1
Description: We will be making plans to implement our 2027 goals.
BetterImpact Category: A - Chapter Management
Outreach Committee
Date: Tuesday, November 3rd, 7 PM
Location: Zoom meeting
Description: We'll be planning outreach activities and logistics for 2027.
How to Register: email merrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com with subject line "Outreach Committee"
BetterImpact Category: A - Outreach Planning (Committee meetings and prep)
Basic Training Committee
Date: Monday, November 9th, 7 PM - 9 PM
Location: Zoom meeting
Description: We will be finalizing plans for the 2027 BTC and coordinating logistics for interest meetings & interviews.
How to Register: email trainingmerrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com with subject line "Committee Meeting"
BetterImpact Category: A - A-Basic Training Course logistics/BTC Committee work
Impactful Happy Hour
Date: Monday, November 30th, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Zoom meeting, https://zoom.us/j/94651649746?pwd=iTQ8XUihyQ2Fj76260UpgZq3FsKf6R.1
Description: chat with the presidents, get help with BetterImpact, or discuss other administrative issues/ideas.
How to Register: on our website, https://www.merrimacfarmvmn.com/event-details-registration/impactful-happy-hours-2026-11-30-18-30
BetterImpact Category: A - BetterImpact Data Entry and Admin Help
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