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FT #9 -
Huntley Meadows Park and Proposed
Wetland Restoration Project
Leader:
Michael Fishman (msfishman@stearnswheeler.com)
Trip departs at 12:15
PM from the circular drive at the rear entrance to the
Wardman Park Hotel
Anticipated return at 6:00 PM
Limited to 50 participants
Fairfax County's Huntley
Meadows park is a 1500 acre (607 ha) park located just south
of Washington D.C. in Alexandria, Virginia, The park
is a natural habitat island in the suburban sea of northern
Virginia. Huntley Meadows park consists of mature
hardwood forests, vast wetland complexes and managed meadows
to provide a broad range of habitats for many species of
wildlife. The central wetland is the heart of the park
with ½ mile (0.8 km) boardwalk meandering through the
wetland and two wildlife observation platforms. Urban
development has left 3-18 in (8-46 cm) of sediment from
neighboring construction projects in the wetland and beavers
have maintained a nearly static water level in the central
wetland for the past 10-15 years. This has resulted in
the loss of important animal and plant species due to the
lack of water level pulsing usually seen in natural
wetlands. Natural pulsing typically promotes
germination of plants and varied habitat for many species of
wildlife and invertebrates. The loss of habitat and
important species in the park has prompted the Fairfax
County Park Authority to initiate a wetland restoration
project. The project will include a water control
device, a berm, and several deep water pools. a water
control device will allow park staff to manipulate water
levels, which will promote specific types of habitat and
eventually attract a wide diversity of wildlife species.
Park staff will provide a presentation on the proposed
wetland restoration project, and visitors will then be free
to visit the wetland via the boardwalk. Bring your
binoculars and cameras - this is a beautiful site with lots
of wildlife watching opportunities.
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Photo from Mike Fishman |
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