DEVELOPMENT CONSUMING FOREST LAND IN BAY AREA
Report Says 100 Acres Disappear Each Day
October 5, 2006 - THE WASHINGTON POST
The Chesapeake Bay watershed is losing 100 acres of forest every day as development eats away at that crucial natural pollution filter, and more than a third of its wooded land could be gone by 2030, according to a new report.  The report, "The State of Chesapeake Forests," was issued Sept. 22 by the U.S. Forest Service and the Conservation Fund, an Arlington-based environmental group. Promoted as the first such look at woods across the huge watershed, from southern Virginia to central New York, the report found that 58 percent was forested land. - BY DAVID A. FAHRENTHOLD

Gaia Theory Conference
On October 14 and 15, 2006, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority presents a conference about the Gaia Theory at George Mason University’s Arlington Campus in Arlington, Virginia. Lynn Margulis, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Geosciences, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, and long-time advocate of the Gaia Theory, is a keynote speaker.  Other speakers include Tyler Volk, Co-director of the Program in Earth and Environmental Science at New York University; Dr. Donald Aitken, Principal of Donald Aitken Associates; Dr. Thomas Lovejoy, President of the Heinz Center for Science, Economics and the Environment; and noted environmental ethicist, J. Baird Callicott. James Lovelock, the theory’s progenitor, will participate via a video prepared for the event.  The Gaia Theory is a way of understanding life on our planet; an interdisciplinary context that is enriching science at every level. 

Visit http://www.gaiatheory.org for more information and to register for the conference. 

AARP Mobility Forum
October 30-31 in Richmond
This forum will explore the mobility needs of older citizens in Virginia. The Forum is sponsored by AARP Virginia, the Virginia Secretary of Transportation, and the Virginia Commissioner of Aging.
When: Monday, October 30 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: Sheraton Richmond West Hotel (6624 West Broad Street, Richmond)
For information call: (888) 687-2277
To register: www.acteva.com/booking.cfm?bevaid=117760. 

Global Warming in the Chesapeake Bay
Wednesdays, October 18 - November 1, 2006
7:00 - 9:00 pm in the IMAX®DOME at the Science Museum of Virginia

During this four-week mini-school, speakers from the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Office in Virginia will explore the causes and potential consequences of global change in Chesapeake Bay, with particular attention to the effects of increased temperatures, sea-level rise and excessive nutrients. The series will conclude with a discussion of ways citizens can help restore bay health.

Complete Information and online registration may be found at:  http://www.smv.org/education/mini-marine.html

The Potomac Watershed Partnership is seeking thousands of volunteers who can spend a little time this fall gathering hardwood nuts and seeds for clean water.  It’s part of Growing Native, an annual program to help restore the Potomac River and its tributary streams.  Aimed at protecting local rivers and streams, Growing Native has helped restore nearly 800 miles of streamside land in the Potomac Watershed since 2001. Collected seeds will be transported to state nurseries, where they are grown into seedlings. In spring, volunteers plant the tree seedlings along streams and rivers in their communities.  We are seeking assistance from organizations like the Virginia Conservation Network to help us spread the word about Growing Native

Visit: www.growingnative.org for more information.
Register your project with Stewardship Virginia at
www.dcr.virginia.gov/stewardship and receive certificates of
appreciation signed by Secretary Bryant and Governor Kaine.  

Fall is also a great time to establish native plants in your home, school or church yard. Native plants generally require less care once they are established, and cut down on the need for fertilizing and watering. Native wildflowers drop seeds in the fall when songbirds are fattening for the autumn migration. Plants and animals evolve together to create unique natural communities. Flowers often bloom and fruits ripen in synchrony with the needs of the animals that pollinate the flowers and disperse the seeds. Check with your local nurseries to see what types of native plants they carry. Rudeckia hirta (black eyed Susan), Lobelia cardinalis (cardinal flower), and Lobelia siphilitica
(great blue lobelia) are just a few of the beautiful wildflowers that are commonly found in local nurseries. Plan a wildflower planting and educate others about the benefits of planting native.

For a free list of native plants by region, habitat, type and recommended use,
call (804) 786-7951 or visit http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/dnh/native.htm

CLEAN VIRGINIA WATERWAYS
Is your group or class looking for way to contribute to cleaning up the waters of Virginia? 

Last fall, more than 4,500 volunteers helped clean Virginia's rivers, streams and beaches as part of the VA Waterways Cleanup Day (part of the International Coastal Cleanup). From Virginia's beaches to its mountains, cleanup events are scheduled throughout October 2006.
To find a cleanup site near you visit: http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/iccsitesva06.htm
Register a cleanup event by filling out a registration form available at this website: http://www.longwood.edu/cleanva/images/icc_virginia_signup_form.htm or call CVW at 434-395-2602

LET YOUR LEGISLATORS KNOW HOW IMPORTANT CONSERVATION IS TO YOU AND YOUR COMMUNITY!
Join other individuals as citizen lobbyists and convey key conservation issues to your representative.
If you are interested in building a relationship with your legislators and learning how to make sure conservation is their priority--then join a Legislative Contact Team!
For More Information Contact:
Mike Kaestner, Program Coordinator
Virginia League of Conservation Voters – Education Fund
Phone: (804) 225-1902
Email: mkaestner@valcv.org
or
Suzanne Ankrum, Program Coordinator
Virginia Conservation Network
Phone: (804) 644-0283
Email: suzanne@vcnva.org