Certifying Your Backyard as a Wildlife Habitat (NWF)
GFCA sponsors and has won awards for its massive National Wildlife Federation Certification project through which about 220 Great Falls homes, schools, and churches have been designated backyard Wildlife Habitat (NWF).  Great Falls became the 23rd community in the United States to earn that distinction and also received a commendation from the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Fairax is one of only four counties in the USA to achieve NWF Wildlife Habitat status. The GFCA Environment Committee is continuing NWF annual maintenance requirements, including adding households, etc.

If you would like some assistance, a NWF Habitat Steward will be happy to visit your property and help identify the sources of “Food, Water, Shelter and Places to Raise Young” that qualify your property for certification. This is educational and fun for families. For more information and to get started, click here

Getting Involved in the Great Falls "Cool Community"
Key "green" goals are to raise awareness of our carbon footprint, to promote carbon reduction and cleaner air, and to help develop a pilot program for Fairfax County. For more information and to be part of the Great Falls "Cool Community" click here

Using Eco-friendly Lawn Maintenance
The Environment Committee's program at a GFCA Town Meeting focused on healthy lawns. The valuable and practical information from these presentations are recommended reading for anyone concerned about the environmental impact of pesticides and fertilizers, including alternative solutions for maintaining healthy yards. To view presentations:
- Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation presentation, click here
- Healthy Great Falls - Your Lawn, click here

Raising Awareness of Lyme Disease
Lyme disease in certain parts of Fairfax and Loudoun counties, including Great Falls, has reached the same dangerous levels as in many parts of New England and New York. It is an illness caused by bacteria transmitted to people by the bite of a tick that has fed on white-footed mice carrying the bacteria. Deer do not carry Lyme but are one of the blood meals that allow the tick to develop. Untreated early Lyme disease often has serious consequences. Ways to control the deer populations, via contraceptives being tested, archery, police sharpshooters after hours on large public parks, highly experienced and controlled shotgun experts on certain tracts in excess of 20 acres, etc., are being discussed. For more information, click here

Cleaning Up Area Streams
An ongoing program to ensure clean streams by debris and garbage removal, like Difficult Run and other local tributaries, often is undertaken in conjunction with the Alice Ferguson Foundation.   

Parks and Removing Invasive Plants from Parkland
Worked at rescuing trees planted in the riparian buffer, behind the riding area at Turner Farm, from non-native honeysuckle vines and “Mile-a-minute invasives. The result of 2.5 hours work by 5 people was a complete unwinding of the vines that had attached to the trees and removals of piles of the invasive plants. At various times,  volunteers are organized to beautify or repair a park section damaged by storm, etc.

Supports activities at River Bend Park, Great Falls National Park, Northern Virginia Regional Park located in the Great Falls area, Colvin Run Mill, Turner Farm Equestrian Center and Astronomy Observatory, including working in liaison with the Friends supporting any of the aforementioned. 

Building and Expanding Local Trails
Works cooperatively with and supports activities of Great Falls Trail Blazers, including their trail network and hiking programs. If you live along a planned trail or are interested in providing a trail easement, or desire any info concerning trail programs, e-mail greatfallstrailblazers@yahoo.com for more information.

Co-Chairs:
Bill Canis	bcanis@yahoo.com
Stella Koch	smkoch@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current News and Activities