Adventures in Conservation
Summer Series
Birding by boat on Pohick Creek, 5/31/08
Adventures in Conservation is a series of hands-on-events to improve our environment and provide an opportunity for Northern Virginia’s residents to learn more about and improve our natural surroundings. Adventures in Conservation consists of guided kayak trips, tree plantings, invasive species removals, trash clean-ups, and other volunteer opportunities. Questions about any of our events? Call the office any time: 703-354-5093 x25.
Call our 24-hr Hotline!
We have a hotline that is available during non-office hours: just call the regular office number, 703-354-5093, x30 as the voice-mail message indicates. You will hear an updated report on the status of any upcoming trips or events, especially regarding weather and whether there is still room to sign up.
Kayak Trip Policies
Kayak trips are open to participants age 16 and older.
All participants' boats are tandem kayaks, so bring a friend!
The fee is $35 per person to cover NVCT's costs, payable by check the morning of the trip.
You may use your own boat if you wish, but since NVCT's costs remain the same per trip, we are not able to offer a reduced fee.
Reservations are only complete upon receipt of confirmation from NVCT.
Seats are still available on all trips unless otherwise indicated.
Hanging out by the Beaver Dam along Pohick Creek, 5/31/08
Relaxing on Kanes Creek off Belmont Bay, 6/7/08
Saturday, July 19th
Kayaking on Pohick Bay
Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton
We had a great trip on the 19th! The sun was rising over the Bay, and a Screech Owl called from the woods as we gathered to launch. The air and water was brimming with life: Ospreys carried off prize fish and a Northern Water Snake (non-poisonous!) swam gracefully past our kayaks. We paddled past acres of spadderdock and blooming pickerelweed, and admired Great Blue Herons and Great Egrets perched like sentinels in the trees. As we moved up Pohick Creek, the banks narrowed and we picked up a little current. The water ran crystal clear over rippled sand, and hatchling fish darted away from our paddles. As we passed under the overhanging boughs of a large sycamore, one of our kayakers called out in excitement and I saw a shadow in the water--a huge beaver was swimming right underneath my kayak!
We finished the trip with a pause in the shadow of a grand old sycamore, serenaded by the twitters of Tree Swallows and Barn Swallows, and the excited shrill of a Kingfisher. An Osprey called overhead as he flew by with a fish, and we smiled. It was a good morning to be on the water.
Watching an Osprey soar over Pohick Creek, and relaxing under the Sycamore, 7-19-08.
Saturday, August 2nd
Kayaking on Belmont Bay
Mason Neck State Park, Lorton
Join the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust on Saturday, August 2nd at Mason Neck State Park for a naturalist-guided kayak trip!
The trip will run from 7am-10am. We'll be paddling on Belmont Bay and up Kane's Creek, part of the Mason Neck State Park. Young Bald Eagles will be practicing their fishing, while fledgling Osprey and Great Blue Herons test their wings. As we make our way up Kane's Creek, we may catch a glimpse of Common Yellowthroats, Northern Parulas, and Prothonotory Warblers, known affectionately among birders as "little balls of sunshine." We may see iridescent blue Tree Swallows and brilliant orange Baltimore Orioles soar overhead, while all around us the marsh will be in bloom: purple Pickerelweed, orange Trumpet Creeper, and Yellow Iris. We'll also look for more unusual flowers, like the undulating white Lizard's Tail, yellow Fringed Loosestrife, and the elusive Green Dragon!
For fees, age limits, reservation requirements, and other policies, please see Kayak Trip Policies at the top of the page.
Reservations are required and seats fill up fast, so contact Whitney Bailey today to sign up: wbailey@nvct.org or 703-354-5093 x25. Additional information including directions will be sent before the trip. See you on the water!
Paddling up Pohick Creek 7-19-08
Saturday, August 16th
Kayaking on Belmont Bay
Mason Neck State Park, Lorton
Join the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust on Saturday, August 2nd at Mason Neck State Park for a naturalist-guided kayak trip!
The trip will run from 7am-10am. We'll be paddling on Belmont Bay and up Kane's Creek, part of the Mason Neck State Park. Young Bald Eagles will be practicing their fishing, while fledgling Osprey and Great Blue Herons test their wings. As we make our way up Kane's Creek, we may catch a glimpse of Common Yellowthroats, Northern Parulas, and Prothonotory Warblers, known affectionately among birders as "little balls of sunshine." We may see iridescent blue Tree Swallows and brilliant orange Baltimore Orioles soar overhead, while all around us the marsh will be in bloom: purple Pickerelweed, orange Trumpet Creeper, and Yellow Iris. We'll also look for more unusual flowers, like the undulating white Lizard's Tail, yellow Fringed Loosestrife, and the elusive Green Dragon!
For fees, age limits, reservation requirements, and other policies, please see Kayak Trip Policies at the top of the page.
Reservations are required and seats fill up fast, so contact Whitney Bailey today to sign up: wbailey@nvct.org or 703-354-5093 x25. Additional information including directions will be sent before the trip. See you on the water!
Pausing to enjoy the serene waters at the mouth of Pohick Creek, 7-19-08
Saturday, August 30th
Kayaking on Pohick Bay
Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton
PLEASE NOTE: THIS TRIP IS FULL
Join the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust on Saturday, July 5th at Pohick Bay Regional Park for a naturalist-guided kayak trip!
The trip will run from 7am-10am. We'll be paddling up Pohick Bay and into the tidal freshwater marsh that forms the mouth of Pohick Creek. Bald Eagles, Osprey, and Great Blue Herons will be fishing in the open waters of the bay, while farther up in the marsh we may catch a glimpse of Common Yellowthroats and Northern Parulas, and Prothonotory Warblers, known affectionately among birders as "little balls of sunshine." We may see iridescent blue Tree Swallows and brilliant orange Baltimore Orioles soar overhead, while all around us the marsh will be in bloom: purple Pickerelweed, orange Trumpet Creeper, and Yellow Iris. We'll also look for more unusual flowers, like the undulating white Lizard's Tail, yellow Fringed Loosestrife, and the elusive Green Dragon!
For fees, age limits, reservation requirements, and other policies, please see Kayak Trip Policies at the top of the page.
Reservations are required and seats fill up fast, so contact Whitney Bailey today to sign up: wbailey@nvct.org or 703-354-5093 x25. Additional information including directions will be sent before the trip. See you on the water!
Ready for our next Adventure! (Kayaks at Dawn, Pohick Bay 5/31/08)
