Neighborhood Ecological Stewardship Training (NEST) Program
Do you enjoy being outdoors? Do you wish you knew more about local streams, plants, and soil? Do you want to get more involved in your community? Then participate in the free Neighborhood Ecological Stewardship Training (NEST) program. Explore your NEST! Adults are invited to learn about natural resources through a series of free hands-on workshops and outings that will be held at various locations around Northern Virginia on weekends and some weeknights from March - June, 2006. These include:
  1. classes about streams, soil, native and invasive plants, stewardship programs;
  2. land-based exploration including walks, hikes, and bike rides;
  3. water-based exploration including kayaking, canoeing, and boating;
  4. outdoor arts including photography, music, drawing, and journaling; and
  5. optional presentations about stewardship programs and volunteer opportunities.

You have many options for participation. Participants that commit to the entire series will be given priority in class choice and will receive various incentives like park passes and more. As part of the NEST program, participants will be asked to complete two surveys about stewardship. No prior experience is needed. The surveys are the basis for a dissertation project at George Mason University.

For more information and to register, check out mason.gmu.edu/~jcornell/NEST and e-mail Joanna Cornell or call her at 703-324-1425. Register early as the program will fill quickly.

Does this all sound wonderful but you just don't have the time to participate? Then we invite you to take part in one or two surveys about stewardship. Your responses on the survey will greatly assist a doctoral student at George Mason University and local agencies and organizations. No experience or background is needed to participate in the surveys. If you participate in the survey, you will be eligible to win free recreation center passes and many other items. For more details on incentives, see our Website at mason.gmu.edu/~jcornell/NEST.

Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District is coordinating the NEST program. Partners include: Fairfax County Park Authority, Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, City of Fairfax, Clean Fairfax Council, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Master Gardeners Programs, National Wildlife Federation, Friends of Little Rocky Run, Earth Sangha, Audubon at Home in Northern Virginia (sponsored by The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia), Audubon Naturalist Society, George Mason University's Hemlock Overlook Center for Outdoor Education, and Adventure Links.