Volunteer Activities: September 2026
Table of Contents
Continuing Education Corner
By Susan D. Howell, Continuing Education Chair
"Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." — F. Scott Fitzgerald
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 the chapter in 2028 and beyond. Join the board! Team members are also needed to assist with set up, clean up, hospitality, and people. Please fill out this form.
Merrimac Farm 2026 Chapter Continuing Education Lecture & Event Series
Join the chapter for our very last LOCAL Event and lecture of 2026. The Continuing Education Team has provided the unique educational opportunity, (to our chapter), to get all of your continuing education hours locally this year. We hope it’s been educational and fun! We will be following up in 2027 with four local events, one per quarter. Please let the chapter know what educational opportunities you would like to see offered locally in 2027.
We are winding down our year. We have all had a lot of fun bringing these events to the Merrimac Farm Virginia Master Naturalists and the greater Prince William community this year! We hope you have enjoyed them too! Thanks! - Susan, Elena, Elliot, Judy, Lyn, Marie & Janine. Join us for our last CE event of 2026! Don’t miss out on this fun and educational opportunity. September 26, 2026 10 AM - 12 Noon, Join local fungi expert, Robin Firth on a mushroom walk & talk at Conway Robinson State Forest Gainesville, Virginia. “The Fungus Among Us” Please share the ride. This event is a mushroom/fungi walk. Dress appropriately. Ride sharing is encouraged. https://www.merrimacfarmvmn.com/event-details-registration/the-fungus-among-us
Upcoming events (Please direct questions to the organizers.)
September 10 - Milkweeds and their Insects zoom lecture by MFVMN Member Judy Gallagher
September 19 - Leopold's Preserve Fall Festival supporting healthy ecosystems
September 19 - Remnant Prairie Tour at the Clifton Institute
September 27 – Open House at JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary. Enjoy self-guided tours and learn about how this unique natural preserve is threatened by the Rt. 15 Lucketts bypass.
Please see the Merrimac Farm VMN website for more on-going, online continuing education classes and webinars and also offerings from our partners.
“All the months are crude experiments, out of which the perfect September is made.” - Virginia Woolf
Citizen Science Activities
Nitrate, Phosphorus, & Salt Testing
Date: Flexible schedule, September through December
Location: Multiple stream locations available throughout the region
Description: The Prince William Regional Pet Waste Coalition needs your help to monitor the effects of pet waste on stream health! Volunteers will use test strips to measure nitrogen, phosphorus, and salt levels in assigned local waterways once per month. No experience required - training provided.
How to Register: contact becooltrashthestool@kpwb.org
BetterImpact Category: CS - WQM, SOS - Water Quality Monitoring
Bird Walk at Clifton Institute
Date: Wednesday, September 9th, 7 AM - 9 AM
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-102/
BetterImpact Category: CS - eBird
NVBA Butterfly & Dragonfly Surveys
Dates: Fridays, September 11th & 25th , 8 AM - 11:30
Location: Metz Wetlands (11th) and Occoquan Bay NWR (25th), Woodbridge
Description: Join fellow citizen scientists to tally butterflies and dragonflies as part of NVBA's ongoing survey program. Volunteers are welcome to attend one or both events.
How to Register: via the NVBA website, https://www.nvbirdalliance.org/nvba-classes-events
BetterImpact Category: CS - NVBA Wildlife Surveys
Water Quality Monitoring
Date: Thursday, September 24th, 10 AM
Location: Prince William Forest Park, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle
Description: Team WQC will be conducting third quarter stream monitoring at their site on Quantico Creek. Trainees are welcome! No experience is needed.
How to Register: contact Susan Howell, howell.susand@gmail.com, for questions, concerns, park entrance, & more information.
BetterImpact Category: CS - WQM, SOS - Water Quality Monitoring
Education/Outreach Activities
Tabling - Fall Festival at Leopold’s Preserve
Date: Saturday, September 19th, 10 AM - 2 PM
Location: Leopold’s Preserve, 16290 Thoroughfare Road, Broad Run
Description: We need volunteers to staff our chapter’s outreach table at this event. Volunteers will be trained on how to set up the booth and run the children’s activities.
How to Register: via our website, https://www.merrimacfarmvmn.com/event-details-registration/leopolds-preserve-fall-festival-2026
BetterImpact Category: E/O - Community Outreach - Leopold’s Preserve Fall Festival
Tabling - Butterfly Day at Prince William Forest Park
Date: Sunday, September 6th, 9 AM - 1 PM
Location: Prince William Forest Park Visitor Center, 18170 Park Entrance Rd, Triangle
Description: Volunteers needed to run crafts and other activities for children at this popular event. RSVP required - registered volunteers receive free entry into the park.
How to Register: via our website, https://www.merrimacfarmvmn.com/event-details-registration/butterfly-day-prince-william-forest-park
BetterImpact Category: E/O - Community Outreach - Butterfly Day at Prince William Forest Park
Tabling - STEM Night
Date: Tuesday, September 15th, 5 PM
Location: Woodbridge Elementary School, 1550 Prince William Pkwy, Woodbridge
Description: Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District is seeking volunteers to support educational activities at this event. Activities include enviroscape, soil filtration demonstration, incredible journey, and cloud observer. Training will be provided.
How to Register: contact Josie Anderson at education@pwswcd.org
BetterImpact Category: E/O - Community Outreach - Presentations, Lectures and Booth staffing, interpretative walks, caboose
Robotics Team Project Advisor Role
Date: Flexible, two meetings with students over the next two months
Location: Piney Branch Elementary School, 8301 Linton Hall Rd, Bristow (meetings can also be conducted by zoom)
Description: The Piney Branch Robotics teams are seeking subject matter experts in ecology, wildlife biology, and conservation to interview as part of their project this year. Volunteers would answer questions and offer feedback to the students at two meetings in September and October.
How to Register: contact merrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com with subject line "Robotics" to be connected with the teacher.
BetterImpact Category: E/O - Community Outreach - Presentations, Lectures and Booth staffing, interpretative walks, caboose
Stewardship Activities
Merrimac Farm Wildlife Garden Days
Dates: Saturday, September 12th, 19th, and 26th, 8 AM - 11 AM
Location: Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area, 15014 Deepwood Ln, Nokesville
Description: Our friends at the Prince William Conservation Alliance need our help. Work in the garden to promote growth of native plants and support local pollinator species.
How to Register: contact alliance@pwconserve.org to register.
BetterImpact Category: S - Merrimac Farm WMA Wildlife Garden Maintenance
Brentsville Courthouse Fall Cleanup
Date: Thursday, September 10th, 9 AM
Location: Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre, 12229 Bristow Road, Bristow
Description: Join staff and volunteers along the hiking trail and around the grounds at Brentsville Courthouse Historic Centre to remove a variety of invasive plants. No experience or knowledge needed.
How to Register: via Volunteer Prince William, https://volunteers.volunteerprincewilliam.org/need/detail/?need_id=1296531
BetterImpact Category: S - Invasive Plant Removal Projects (other)
Bamboo Removal Day
Date: Thursday, September 10th, 9 AM
Location: Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge
Description: Park staff are seeking volunteers to help physically remove bamboo as part of their invasive plant management strategy. This event is open to the public, RSVP required.
How to Register: contact merrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com with subject line "Bamboo" to be connected with a park ranger.
BetterImpact Category: S - State Park Stewardship Support
Native Plant Protection Day
Date: Sunday, September 13th, 9 AM - 12 PM
Location: Veterans Memorial Park,
Description: PWCA needs help removing invasive plants from an area where native trees were planted in 2024. Invasive plants are threatening the young trees and other native vegetation at the park. No experience needed.
How to Register: register through PWCA's Eventbrite page, https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vets-park-native-plant-protection-daydia-de-proteccion-de-plantas-nativas-tickets-1994074903716
BetterImpact Category: S - Invasive Plant Removal Projects (other)
Neabsco Bandalong Cleanup
Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 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 provided.
How to Register: contact Drew Uglow at AUglow@pwcgov.org
BetterImpact Category: S - Other Public Lands Support
17th Annual Upper Occoquan River Cleanup
Date: Saturday, September 26th, 9 AM - 12 PM
Location: nine locations along the Occoquan, from Cedar Run/Broad Run through Lake Jackson, from the base of Lake Jackson Dam to Hooes Run (south of Lake Ridge Marina), and to Belmont Bay Community.
Description: Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition is seeking volunteers to support this cleanup on land and on the water. On-land volunteers will collect trash from storm drains and dry ponds. Experienced kayakers, canoeists, Jon boaters, and pontoon boaters are requested for the on-water portion. Free t-shirts and refreshments provided.
How to Register: more details and RSVP at https://pwtsc.org/event/17th-annual-upper-occoquan-river-cleanup-saturday-september-26-2026/.
BetterImpact Category: S - Watershed Cleanup & Invasive Plant Removal - Annual Upper Occoquan River Cleanup
Friends of the Occoquan Cleanup
Date: Saturday, October 3rd, 9 AM - 12 PM
Location: multiple locations; Lake Ridge Marina, Town of Occoquan, Occoquan Regional Park, Fountainhead Regional Park, Bull Run Marina
Description: FOTO's semi-annual cleanup focuses on the Occoquan River. Refreshments provided, please bring your own water bottle.
How to Register: email foto@friendsoftheoccoquan.org with your desired location & time slot, names of all volunteers in your group, and your contact details.
BetterImpact Category: S - Other Public Lands Support
Multiple Open Volunteer Roles at Leesylvania
Date: Flexible scheduling
Location: Leesylvania State Park, 2001 Daniel K. Ludwig Dr., Woodbridge
Description: Park staff are seeking volunteers for multiple long-term roles with the park. Job titles include Invasive Plant Monitor, Native Gardens Volunteer, Trail Monitor, Visitor Center/Office Assistant, Volunteer Program Assistant, and Wildlife Monitor. Interested volunteers will apply through the Virginia State Parks system and receive an orientation from staff.
How to Register: contact merrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com with subject line "Leesylvania", and we'll send you the role descriptions and application form.
BetterImpact Category: S - State Park Stewardship Support
Administration Activities
Chapter Meeting Planning
Date: TBD based on availability of interested volunteers
Location: Zoom meeting, link will be shared with interested volunteers
Description: We need help to plan our November Chapter Meeting. We want this meeting to be fun, educational, and interactive. We also want to plan activities that are inclusive of friends & family who will be attending the BTC graduation.
How to Register: contact merrimacfarmvmn@gmail.com with subject line "Chapter Meeting Planning".
BetterImpact Category: A - Chapter Meeting Planning
Bylaws & Handbook Review Committee
Date: Wednesday, September 2nd, 6 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Zoom meeting, https://zoom.us/j/98467483404?pwd=9gxaHRlBT7nS5LbKMaamIpHOkoq1HF.1
Description: We will be reviewing and finalizing all proposed changes to the bylaws. Then, we will start our review of the chapter handbook.
How to Register: no registration
BetterImpact Category: A - Chapter Management
Diversity Committee
Date: Tuesday, September 8th, 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Zoom meeting, https://zoom.us/j/98474377599?pwd=exbdjhjFRaqMl9C39DaFaPpklDwZvC.1
Description: We will be reviewing and finalizing our proposed committee goals.
How to Register: no registration
BetterImpact Category: A - Chapter Management
BetterImpact Review Session
Date: Wednesday, September 9th, 7 PM - 9 PM
Location: Zoom meeting, https://zoom.us/j/93857714208?pwd=kbn4GfgWPacZ5wcxZfxxWjDcxGiz0T.1
Description: We will be reviewing and finalizing proposed changes to the activities list in BetterImpact, with a focus on stewardship and education activities.
How to Register: no registration
BetterImpact Category: A - BetterImpact Data Entry and Admin Help
Communications Committee Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 16th, 7 PM - 7:30 PM
Location: Zoom meeting, https://zoom.us/j/96023113939?pwd=h9aY0Dz3NSyk2LUBubOSyJXX6wDdtf.1
Description: We will discuss the October newsletter and fall quarterly journal.
How to Register: no registration
BetterImpact Category: A - Communications Team - Admin
Impactful Happy Hour
Date: Monday, September 28th, 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-2026-09-28-18-30
BetterImpact Category: A - BetterImpact Data Entry and Admin Help
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