Activities and Volunteer Events
Parking Alert
The U.S. Park Police are ticketing vehicles parked on either side of the Marina Road. While the signage may be confusing, an officer on May 6, 2023, told us that except for the two marked handicapped parking spots near the Mount Vernon Trail, only vehicles with attached trailers can park on the sides of the Marina Road.
Bird Walks
Note: Due to the federal government shutdown, the birdwalks will be suspended until further notice.
As of October 20, NPS officials are informing friends' and other groups that no volunteer activities are allowed during the shutdown, whether supervised by NPS or not.
FODM hosts bird walks every Sunday at 8 a.m., except during the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. Meet in the Belle Haven Park south parking lot. We will cancel walks if weather conditions are unsafe, such as lightning, ice or heavy rain or snow.
Help Tackle Invasive Plants
As of October 20, NPS officials are informing friends' and other groups that no volunteer activities are allowed during the shutdown, whether supervised by NPS or not.
Help protect native plants by pulling and clipping invasive plants. We will train volunteers to identify the five or so target plants. We kindly ask that you not bring pets. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants.
Bring gloves, hand clippers and water. We will supply instructions, examples and trash bags. Wear long sleeves and pants and sun protection. We will have some tools to share. We will cancel if lightning or severe storms are anticipated.
Meet at the Haul Road trail entrance bench. If it is raining one hour before a scheduled session, we will cancel it.
Date(s):
November 8, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
November 22, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
December 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
December 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Beaver Business, October 22
To view a recording of the October 22, 2025, Zoom presentation by Alison Zak, the Human-Beaver Coexistence Fund, on beaver ecology, behavior and human interactions click on this link: Beaver Business Zoom Presentation.
Haul Road Trail directions and parking:
GPS coordinates: 38.777739, -77.050540 South of Alexandria off the GW Memorial Parkway at the sign for Dyke Marsh Nature Preserve and Belle Haven Marina, turn east onto the road toward the Potomac River. Take the first left and park in the Belle Haven Park lot. Walk back to the marina road and turn east, toward the river. Walk 30 yards. On your right is a Dyke Marsh sign and the entrance to the Haul Road trail.
