The Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) and the Fairfax County Park Foundation (FCPF) are grateful to Nodal Exchange employees for their monetary donation to help parks and volunteer time spent removing invasive plants from Nottoway Park in Vienna.

Approximately 75 Nodal team members learned how invasive species reduce native plant and wildlife habitat, threatening parks with trees, understory, and other environmental losses. They also heard about the impact of increased heat and drought conditions on the Nottoway forests. Volunteers removed invasive Japanese stilt grass and oriental bittersweet vines to create space for native plants.

Volunteers left Nottoway that day knowing that their efforts would help protect trees and enhance the natural environment of the park. Park Authority staff are grateful for the contributions of the Nodal Exchange volunteers.

Volunteers are critical in helping the Park Authority manage invasive species. Donations support the IMA program (purchase of tools and supplies) and future volunteer activities. Donations further protect parks by providing contractor support where volunteers may not be able to work. Groups and individuals may contribute directly to the IMA Program through the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Interested groups may reach out to the IMA Program to request volunteer opportunities.

Volunteers honed their building skills while constructing six large, tall wire enclosures for plant communities. [The IMA team reused fencing removed from an earlier DPWES (Department of Public Works and Environmental Services) storm water rehabilitation project at the park.] Instead of using individual plant housings, this new strategy offers better protection for young native species from wildlife damage. Nodal volunteers learned proper techniques for transplanting tree and shrub seedlings and other site-specific native plants selected by Earth Sangha and IMA staff for the workday.