Supporting Friends; Informing the Public

In May 2025, FODMers joined our “sister” groups and a number of government agencies at two events:

Huntley Meadows Park’s 50^th Anniversary and Wetlands Awareness Day on May 4 and Mason Neck State Park’s 27^th annual Eagle Festival on May 10. We spread the good word about Dyke Marsh, its value and the need for environmental stewardship.

We encouraged youngsters to color birds at both events. All photos by Glenda Booth except where noted

At Huntley Meadows, youngsters enjoyed a taxidermied gray fox and animal pelts. 

Many people were curious about these samples of wildlife scat.

A big “frog” and “owl” visited our tent.  Photo by Deborah Hammer

At the Eagle Festival, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) biologists discussed two  live albino snakes. One was also axanthic, meaning without yellow color.

Our friends at Secret Gardens Birds and Bees brought Hodor, a great horned owl that had suffered an eye injury from a vehicle collision.

FWS law enforcement staff brought examples of illegally seized animals, including a cheetah and a tiger.

Joannie Millward with the Osprey Foundation told visitors that osprey chick hatching numbers in the Chesapeake Bay are troubling.