Photo: Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Hannah Meddaugh/Audubon Photography Awards
Libby Lyons
Hope is winning out, even as I hear chainsaws and backhoes signal the demolition of yet another neighborhood house and all of its majestic oaks. I block out those sounds of destruction by recalling four hopeful ASNV sessions from the past few weeks.
First came a Stretch Our Parks event at Monticello Park in Alexandria. More than 35 folks showed up for a damp, Sunday morning work session, including a dozen Boy Scouts from Alexandria’s Troop 129 and their parents, scores of local residents alerted by their neighborhood’s citizens’ association, and a handful of birdwatchers who love the park for its springtime warblers. Working under the guidance of Rod Simmons from the City of Alexandria’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities, we spread mulch, planted native trees and shrubs, and erected natural barriers to guide people away from sensitive areas of the park. And, in keeping with Stretch Our Park’s aim to expand bird-friendly habitat beyond the park, we removed invasive plants from a neighboring property that is under a Northern Virginia Conservation Trust easement. What most struck me about that day was the volunteers’ enthusiasm and their strong connection to that tiny LOCAL park as a special place for neighbors, runners, dog walkers, and birdwatchers alike.
The following week I attended the Advocacy Workshop that ASNV cosponsored with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Faith Alliance for Climate Solutions. Close to 50 people devoted their Saturday afternoon to learning from experts how, as constituents, to be a powerful voice for protecting wildlife and nature when their elected representatives consider policy issues affecting their cities and counties. As was the case for the event in Monticello Park, the age of the participants spanned many generations, from Ken Plum, who was first elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in 1981, to the young audience and staff members. This intergenerational transfer of wisdom bodes well for our future because mounting environmental challenges will require political action at many levels, from neighborhood to city, county, and beyond.
The next day featured our first Volunteer Appreciation Event. As the 20 or so volunteers introduced themselves, I marveled at the different ways they had contributed to so many of our activities, from advocacy, citizen science, outreach, and bird walks, to Audubon at Home and Stretch Our Parks. A singular pleasure was presenting our first Volunteer of the Year award to Bill Young, who has generously provided us with many hours of educational and entertaining bird-related programs over the years. Bill’s optimistic and proactive philosophy embodies much of ASNV’s approach: first educate people about birds and nature so that they understand them. Fondness and passion will follow and will motivate action to protect that which they love.
I next joined our training session for new bird walk leaders where we welcomed more than a dozen folks, again with ages spanning five or six decades, who want to share their passion and knowledge about birds. This session covered how to manage bird walk logistics, and, equally important, it imparted ASNV’s values. Some discussions centered on ethical birdwatching , but many more focused on how to make participants from all parts of our diverse area and across the full spectrum of birding expertise feel welcome. It was heartening to meet these new leaders and know they will multiply our impact by their thoughtful teaching.
There are many battles to fight to protect birds and their habitats in northern Virginia. The last few weeks have given me tremendous optimism that ASNV is more and more tapping into local passion for northern Virginia and its birds, catalyzing action at many levels, and welcoming new allies young and old. Please come join us in these efforts– there is much to do and we need your help!