Conservation is an important component of chapter programming and outreach. The chapter promotes conservation through maintaining existing, and establishing new, state, regional, and local complementary conservation organization partnerships. Chapter members are encouraged to provide their time and apply their talents to help conserve our fisheries and watershed. By thinking regionally and acting locally, we provide awareness, understanding, and the means to protect and improve our home waters and the cold-water fisheries throughout our region.
We are constantly working to improve and expand conservation opportunities to members and conservation partners regardless of affiliation. As a result, we are constantly looking for stream monitors both for chemical and macroinvertebrate monitoring. To get involved please contact Bob Krieger bkrieger@novatu.org
NVATU Conservation Events
ONGOING - STREAM MONITORING - CHEMICAL, MACRO INVERTEBRATES
ENGAGEMENTS WITH OTHER CONSERVATION ORGANIZATIONS
NVATU uses two protocols selected from partner conservation organizations known for their expertise in different areas of specialization. Anyone can volunteer to help and are welcome (!). Both protocols require training and testing to achieve certification and with it, the ability to train others and enter data into the systems that flow into Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality databases.
We use the Alliance for Chesapeake Bay “RiverTrends” protocol for chemical monitoring. Chemical monitoring is conducted once per month on sites selected from the RiverTrends chemical sampling network. We are currently focused on training sites in Reston, Virginia but look forward to expanding our chemical sampling network as we add members from across our home waters.
We use the Isaac Walton League of America’s (IWLA) Save our Streams protocols for macroinvertebrate monitoring. This monitoring protocol calls for bi-annual monitoring in streams identified by individuals or conservation organizations collaborating with IWLA. Like our chemical monitoring program, we are focused on training in Reston but will soon expand into additional home waters as we add volunteers.
Past Events
October 7, 3PM-5PM Accotink Stream Cleanup At Americana Park
October 14, 9AM-1PM Tree Planting At Flat Lick II, Chantilly
October 22, 10AM-4PM Tree Planting: Piedmont Environmental Council, Remington, Fauquier County, Vienna
November 18, 9AM-1PM Tree Planting Location
Historic Events With pictures : NVATU Engagement in 2023
March 31 | 1PM to 3PM, Stream Stocking (Trophy Trout), Conewago Creek, PA, Russell Road Bridge 10 June, 7:30AM to 6PM, eDNA Collection Event, Shenandoah National Park.
April 5 | 10:15 to noon, Stream Stocking Accotink Creek, Wakefield Park Access
Past Engagement with Other Conservation Organizations
Engagements with Other Conservation Organizations:
November 4, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Clean Up Ponds at Merkle
Wildlife Refuge - 11704 Fenno Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772 -
Chesapeake Women Anglers
March 24 & 25 | 9AM to 3:30PM, Tree Planting: Piedmont Environmental Council, Berryville
March 25 | 10AM to 4PM, Tree Planting: Friends of the Rappahannock, Stevensburg, VA
March 30 | 10AM to 4PM, Tree Planting: Friends of the Rappahannock, Flint Hill
April 5 | 10AM to 4PM, Tree Planting: Piedmont Environmental Council, Racoon Ford, Orange County
March 31 | 1PM to 3PM, Stream Stocking (Trophy Trout), Conewago
Creek, PA, Russell Road Bridge 10 June, 7:30AM to 6PM, eDNA
Collection Event, Shenandoah National Park
April 18, 10AM to 4PM, Tree Planting: Piedmont Environmental Council, Boston, Culpeper County
April 22, 10AM to 4PM, Tree Planting: Piedmont Environmental Council, Amissville, Rappahannock
STREAM RESTORATION
Northern Virginia lacks cold water streams. We assist stocking of local streams during cold weather months. Additionally, NVATU works with TU chapters from Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania to assist in their cold water conservation projects.
TROUT STOCKING
NVATU members assist in local trout stocking.
July 31, 2021, Conewago Restoration Workday
NVATU Chapter members Carl Jordan, Jay Lovering, Matt Kozak, Bob Krieger, Don Grattan, Chris Rich, Scott Russel, Daniel Lazenby, and two non-member volunteers Marcus Jackson and Bill Lottins gathered at the Rockwell Lanes parking lot. There we met up with 27 Adams Count TU (ACTU) volunteers and three Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) staff.
Introductions were made then Gary Perry and Dave Swope gave a quick briefing about the days’ work which included repairing a mudsill and preparing the ground for planting the riparian buffer; PFBC installation of a new habitat improvement device; installing a toe wall above the gazebo; cutting back weeds and invasive rose bushes along the creek banks; grooming social trails to the creek along the 1-mile-long access road; cutting a new social trail from the road’s terminus towards the cable marking the start of the catch and release fly fishing only section. Dave announced Bobcat of Adams County donated the use of a Bobcat front loader and digger for the day’s restoration work.
NVATU Feats Of Strength
Gary and Dave broke the 37 volunteers into land-based and water-based work teams, assigned tasks, and distributed tools.
Work teams began arriving at the gazebo around noon and took the opportunity to meet, chat with other volunteers, and gain a new fishing partner. At about 12:30 PM all work teams had arrived. Dave took a few moments before the cold lunch was served to update everyone on the Conewago Access Project and there will be a 40th ACTU-NVATU Partnership Anniversary in 2022. In the shade of the gazebo and trees people gathered, chatted, and enjoyed their lunch. Jay shared with NVATU non-members, visiting Conewago for the first time, the history of the gazebo, the memorial bench, and the NVATU-ACTU partnership.
A big shout-out goes to Bobcat of Adams County. Without their support, we could not have accomplished our restoration workday goals.A special thank you to our first-time restoration volunteers Marcus, Matt, Bill, Chris, and Bob.
Japanese Knot Weed
Conewago Creek Restoration
Northern Virginia TU (NVATU) Chapter members John Dudzinsky, Paul Freeborne, Don Grattan, Jon Johnson, and Daniel Lazenby gathered at the Rockwell Bowling Alley parking lot. There we met up with members of Adams County TU; Tyler Neimond, Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) staff; and the backhoe operator.
Introductions were made then Dave Swope gave a quick briefing about the days’ work, which included removing a windfall tree blocking the flow of the creek; filling in an eroded area with brush and using rocks to hold the fill in place; building a mudsill; cutting back weeds and invasive rose bushes along the creek banks; restringing the cable marking start of the special regulations area; grooming social trails between the farm road and the creek.
The morning heat was slowly moving towards oppressive. Thankfully most all of the described work was shaded by the tree canopy.NVATU and ACTU members broke into groups of 2 or 3 and began tackling the various tasks beginning at the creek entrance near Rockwell Lanes and working their way to the gazebo. A couple of people went with Dave and Tyler to build the mudsill infrastructure. Others fired up weed whackers and began eliminating tall grass and weeds.
Others took lopping shears and a pitchfork and began removing invasive rose bushes along the social trails. Two other people went in search of cable remains and, if possible, restring the existing cable. An ACTU member went with the backhoe operator to take on what looked like a 40-foot windfall tree blocking the farm road and creek flow.
It was not all work and no play. Along the way to the gazebo, there was time to chat with Dave and Tyler about stream restorations. Dave shared restoration information specific to Conewago Creek. He described the creek easement established by the landowner. Tyler is deeply involved in several large Pennsylvania stream restorations on behalf of PFBC. Tyler freely shared information and answered general stream restoration technique/technology questions from first-timers.
Chapter members began arriving at the gazebo around 11:45 AM. We were visited by Richard Lewis of PFCB. Around Noon a cold lunch with chilled beverages arrived, a perfect meal for such a hot day.
In the shade of the gazebo, we gathered around the picnic tables chatted and enjoyed our lunch. After lunch Dave shared with NVATU members, visiting Conewago for the first time, history of the gazebo, the memorial bench, and NVATU-ACTU partnership.”
The day ended with presenting April Swope, President Adams County TU a symbol of our appreciation for their dedication to a stream loved by many of our NVATU members.
FLATLICK FISHING DAY
John Davey and Carl Jordan represented the chapter at the first Flatlick Fishing Day. John Odenkirk managed the stocking and Justin Pistore with Fairfax Storm Planning Division organized the event. Video