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TextVolunteer Opportunities
Numerous volunteer opportunities exist for participating in both watershed planning and watershed stewardship in Fairfax County.
Watershed Planning
A watershed is an area of land that drains to a particular water body, such as a lake or river. No matter where you live, work or play, you are within a watershed. In 2003, Fairfax County initiated a process to develop comprehensive watershed management plans for each of the county's 30 watersheds. Today, more than half of the county has plans that have been adopted by the Board of Supervisors; the remaining land area should have completed plans by 2010. A watershed management plan initially serves as a tool to identify and address the issues impacting our environment, with the ultimate goal being the protection and restoration of county streams and other water resources.
Why should you participate?
There are numerous reasons why you should participate in the development of the management plan for your local watershed, such as:
- Improving and maintaining watershed functions in Fairfax County, including water quality, habitat and hydrology.
- Protecting human health, safety and property by reducing stormwater impacts.
- Protecting, maintaining and restoring county watersheds.
How can you participate?
There will be two public forums during the development of each watershed plan to provide education on watershed topics, seek input on stream and watershed-related concerns and review the draft plan.
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Introductory and Issue Scoping Forum
The first forum will present the planning process to the community, develop a list of watershed issues and concerns, prepare the community for informed input on development of the watershed plan and solicit individuals for the Watershed Advisory Group. -
Draft Plan Review Workshop
The second forum will provide the community with an opportunity to review the first draft of the watershed plan and to provide input.
For more information concerning the watershed management planning effort, completed plans, the current plans under development and upcoming events, please visit Watershed Planning or contact the Stormwater Planning Division, Watershed Planning and Assessment Branch, via e-mail or by calling 703-324-5500, TTY 711.
Watershed Stewardship
The goal of watershed stewardship is to improve the health of Fairfax County's streams by promoting watershed awareness through positive actions and advocacy. These actions may include conducting a stream cleanup in your neighborhood, stenciling a storm drain or constructing a rain garden in your community.
How can you participate?
Numerous opportunities exist for residents interested in improving the water quality of our streams throughout Fairfax County and the other aquatic environments downstream, including:
Volunteer Biological Stream Monitoring
Aquatic forms of insects (called "benthic macroinvertebrates") live on the bottom of rocks and debris lying in the stream bed. These small organisms play a big role in helping us determine the health of a stream. Data collected by volunteers is incorporated into a number of different water quality reports, including the Stream Protection Strategy Baseline Study. Join the hundreds of existing volunteers in collecting this important information and make a difference in the health of Fairfax County's streams!
Storm Drain Labeling
Storm drain inlets are located at low spots along most of the roads in Fairfax County to reduce flooding. A common mistake is to think that the water entering the storm drain goes to a treatment plant. This network of storm drains actually empties stormwater directly to our streams. Therefore, pet waste, trash, paint, motor oil or any other substance dumped into them is carried along with stormwater. Marking our storm drains with markers that state, "No Dumping, Drains to Our Streams," is a great option for engaging students, scouts or concerned homeowners, and educating our neighbors.
Stream Cleanups
Floatable trash, such as styrofoam cups, aluminum cans, plastic bottles and plastic grocery bags, is commonly caught on the banks of our streams and the land next to them. This trash is not only unsightly but is also a hazard to the animals that make this area their home. These are some of the organizations in Northern Virginia involved with stream cleanups, helping reduce the amount of trash in our stream valleys and preventing it from continuing downstream:
- Volunteers Needed for the Virginia Waterways Cleanup (Sept. 1 - Oct. 31)
- Clean Fairfax Council
- Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District
- Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (Adopt-A-Stream Program)
For more information about stream cleanup opportunities in Fairfax County, please contact the Stormwater Planning Division at 703-324-5500, TTY 711 or via e-mail.
Other Watershed Stewardship Events in Fairfax County
Contact the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District at 703-324-1425, TTY 711 or via e-mail, to receive a semi-monthly watershed events calendar by e-mail. The extensive calendar includes opportunities for volunteer stream monitoring, stream cleanups, tree plantings, watershed walks, water treatment facility tours, storm drain marking and many other exciting events.
Community Watershed Organizations
There are many groups of residents who are taking active steps toward improving the water quality of their streams through organized efforts. For information on existing groups, please contact the Stormwater Planning Division at 703-324-5500, TTY 711 or via e-mail. For ideas on how to organize a watershed group, visit the Environmental Protection Agency's watersheds page.
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