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.
Birding Led by Experts
FODM hosts birding led by experts every Sunday at 8 a.m. Meet in the Belle Haven Park south parking lot. We will cancel if weather conditions are unsafe, such as lightning, ice or heavy rain or snow.
Help Tackle Invasive Plants
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):
March 28, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 11, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 25, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
May 9, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
May 23, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 6, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 20, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Help Test Water Quality, April 9, 1:30 p.m.
Help FODM test the water quality of a stream flowing into Dyke Marsh on April 9, 1:30 p.m. No knowledge required.
Rain date is May 7.
Date(s):
April 9, 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Sign Up
Restore Native Plants, April 18, 10 a.m.
FODM needs volunteers on April 18 (rain date May 2), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., to plant native plants and restore biodiversity along the Haul Road Trail.
Date(s):
April 18, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Sign Up
Nature’s Puzzle -- May 13
On May 13 at 7 p.m., in a Zoom meeting, environmental educator Alonso Abugattas will explore how pieces of “nature’s puzzle” fit together, the interdependence of natural resources, including humans. Information on registration will show here when available.
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.
