Activities and Volunteer Events
Parking Alert
The U.S. Park Police are ticketing vehicles parked on either side of the Marina Road. While the signage may be confusing, an officer on May 6, 2023, told us that except for the two marked handicapped parking spots near the Mount Vernon Trail, only vehicles with attached trailers can park on the sides of the Marina Road.
Bird Walks
FODM hosts bird walks every Sunday at 8 a.m., except during the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count. We will not hold bird walks on December 14, 21, 28 or January 4. Meet in the Belle Haven Park south parking lot. We will cancel walks if weather conditions are unsafe, such as lightning, ice or heavy rain or snow.
Help Tackle Invasive Plants
Help protect native plants by pulling and clipping invasive plants. We will train volunteers to identify the five or so target plants. We kindly ask that you not bring pets. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants.
Bring gloves, hand clippers and water. We will supply instructions, examples and trash bags. Wear long sleeves and pants and sun protection. We will have some tools to share. We will cancel if lightning or severe storms are anticipated.
Meet at the Haul Road trail entrance bench. If it is raining one hour before a scheduled session, we will cancel it.
Date(s):
January 3, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
January 17, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
February 14, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
February 28, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
March 14, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
March 28, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 11, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
April 25, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
May 9, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
May 23, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 6, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
June 20, 2026 10 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Virginia’s Amazing Vultures - March 8, 3 p.m.
On Sunday, March 8, 3 p.m., wildlife rehabilitator Heather Shank Givens will make a presentation on Virginia’s fascinating vultures and bring her black vulture, Dusty.
Vultures are a critical component of the ecosystem but are often misunderstood and maligned. The speaker will explore the natural history of vultures, their unique biology, global conservation concerns and human–vulture conflicts and mitigation strategies.
The sponsors are the Friends of Dyke Marsh, the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park, the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance and the Northern Virginia Bird Club.
FODM will hold an election at this annual meeting to elect officers and members of the Board of Directors.
The talk and meeting will be at the Mount Vernon Government Center, 2511 Parkers Lane, Alexandria, VA 22307.
Haul Road Trail directions and parking:
GPS coordinates: 38.777739, -77.050540 South of Alexandria off the GW Memorial Parkway at the sign for Dyke Marsh Nature Preserve and Belle Haven Marina, turn east onto the road toward the Potomac River. Take the first left and park in the Belle Haven Park lot. Walk back to the marina road and turn east, toward the river. Walk 30 yards. On your right is a Dyke Marsh sign and the entrance to the Haul Road trail.
