Please join Arlington Regional Master Naturalists at the 2026 edition of “Barberry, Birds, and Beer.” (We hold this event annually.)
Saturday, March 7 at 1pm (to about 4:15 pm at the pub). Rain date of March 8
First, we will perform some habitat restoration work at the Nature Conservancy’s Fraser Preserve north of Great Falls. Our targets will be Japanese barberry and Multiflora rose. Why is barberry worth removing? 1: It’s an invasive the deer won’t eat. 2: It changes the soil chemistry to the disadvantage of native woodland plants. 3: It concentrates mice & therefore tick populations, leading to higher proportions of disease in larger numbers of ticks.
Second, as a reward for our habitat restoration work, we will do some brief birding along the Potomac River at Riverbend Park where some birders will be available with spotting scopes on the river.
Finally, those of us who are interested will adjourn to nearby Old Brogue Irish Pub. (Order and pay on your own.)
Please rsvp by emailing loribowes@gmail.com by 3/5 end of day
Notes:
Meeting spot – Please arrive by 1pm to 239 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA. We will park at the intersection of Springvale and Allenwood and enter the park together. Park on the road, not in a driveway. Be prepared for walking in the potentially wet woods.
Volunteer release – Volunteers need to sign a release beforehand unless one has been signed within 3 years. You need to handle the release form before with the Nature Conservancy beforehand. Email loribowes@gmail.com to get the form.
What to bring – Water, gloves, and binoculars if you have them. Boots are recommended due to mud and terrain. Please bring any tools that you might have such as loppers, clippers, garden forks, and weed wrenches.