Volunteer
To volunteer, contact our officers or committee chairs or let us know your interests by filling out and mailing Volunteer / Donation Acknowledgement and Control Form
Board Openings
Conservation Pillar Chair
Responsibilities:
- Opportunity Development: seeks opportunities to collaborate on viable conservation initiatives in the region.
- Project Coordination: supports and maintains established and new project teaming arrangements. Supports development of new project implementation plans.
- Issue Awareness: includes maintaining an awareness of local, state, regional, and national environmental and conservation issues
Membership Chair
Responsibilities:
-Tracks chapter membership (new and current member lists provided by National)
- Sends out a letter (usually monthly) to those who joined our chapter during the prior month.
- Updates the mailing list for our Constant Contact service
* No high‑tech skills are necessary, but familiarity with MS Word and Excel (or similar programs) can prove helpful in generating the letters.
If you have an interest in filling these openings, please email us at: contact@novatu.org.
Future Events
Past Events
What: 6 to 8 volunteers needed to help stock Conewago Creek near Biglerville, Pennsylvania.
When: 25 February 2023, meet between noon and 12:30
Where: Russell Tavern Rd Bridge near the intersection of Ziegler Mill Road and Russell Tavern Road (see photo map).
Description: NVATU will be joining Adam’s County TU to float-stock Conewago Creek. It’s our first joint workday in our 41st year of partnership on the Conewago. If interested, please contact Bob Krieger at bkrieger@novatu.org
Palomino Trout. This looks really big.
Accotink Trout Stocking November 2021
Several members came out on a beautiful fall day to bucket brigade over three hundred brown and rainbow trout to Accotink Stream with the help of John Odinkerk. Volunteers followed the truck down the paved trail and transported trout to the stream. Some took advantage of the open tailgate and rode down the trail.
If you can find the blue chair hole you will find a lot of trout. There isn’t much current here and not much other than minnows. I would suggest a small zonked or marabou leech, bead head nymphs, eggs, and a small bugger. ~ Snowhite
The Walker Nature Center invites you to participate in our annual Spring Festival. This rain or shine event will take place on Saturday, May 4, 2019 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at 11450 Glade Drive in Reston, Virginia. The festival will include entertainment, animals, children’s activities, a native plant sale, displays from environmental groups, and canoe/kayak rentals on Lake Audubon.
Spring Festival is the Nature Center’s largest event and an over 30-year tradition in the community. The festival draws a diverse population of 750-1,500 people of all ages and interests. Many local environmental organizations, community clubs, and performers have already expressed an interest in participating. We hope you can join us by hosting a booth of your own.
If you have questions, you can reach Abby Stocking at (703) 435-6509 or astocking@reston.org.
2019 Stream Restoration Work Day
Volunteers needed to keep nearby fishing spot up and running. There will be a "Stream Restoration Work Day" with our "Fishin' Cousins”, the Adams County TU Chapter. NVATU has historically enjoyed an active program of stream maintenance and restoration as well as stocking.
When: Saturday 20 July 2019.
Where: Conewago Creek, Pennsylvania, just North of Gettysburg
Meet: Parking lot of Rockwell Lanes, 2855 Biglerville Rd, Gettysburg, PA 17325
Arrive by 8:00 am, suggest arriving early to gear up and get work guidance
Restoration Goals: Install mudsills and log deflectors. Cut back weeds small brush. Machinery will do the heavy lifting
Work Attire: Hip waders or chest wader and boots, work gloves
Hand Tools: Whatever you may have for clearing weeds (weed whackers, etc.) and small brush
Lunch will be provided by our gracious hosts.
NVATU Coordinator for this activity is Daniel Lazenby (dlazenby4@gmail.com). Please contact Daniel if you have questions.
FWAM Yellow Breeches April 27
Makes sure your PA fishing license is visible on the exterior of your vest or hat when fishing in PA. Meet at 09:30 AM in the parking lot to the left of Boiling Springs location of TCO Fly Shop:
Based on foretasted rain, day/night temperatures, and general weather prior to Saturday the 27th, I suggest we drop in at the TCO Fly Shop to get an update on fishing conditions and any last minute recommendations they may have to offer.
Fishing Overview: Recent rain has made fishing difficult on lower sections of the stream. A slight stain to the creek.
Specifics and Tips: Nymphing is still the most productive way to fish, however we are starting to see signs of spring with Hendricksons and Grannoms starting to come off.
Hatches:
Scuds sz. 12-20
Midges sz. 18-20
Grannoms sz. 14
Hot Patterns:
Near Nuff Sculpin sz. 6-8
Fire hole Soft Hackle sz. 16
Elk Hair Caddis Black sz. 14
TCO Fly Shop stream report: http://www.streamconditions.com/StreamConditions_Fishing_Report.cfm?stream=Yellow%20Breeches
Rod: Some suggested line weights are 3, 4, 5, and 6wt. The fly fishing only catch and release section can be up to 60 feet wide at Boiling Springs, I'll be taking my 9' 5wt for this section. The creek gets narrower the farther upstream of the catch and release area you go, If we have to go upstream, I'll be taking a 7.5' 4wt in case the upstream section is too small for the 5wt rod. You may want to consider a 6wt rod if you're going to toss streamers and the water is high.
Conventional PA wisdom: In the early season use darker colors. When the dogwoods blossom - lighten up.
Travel distance & time:
Approx. 109-113 miles from Vienna / Tysons area
Drive time is approx. 2 1/4 hours (113 miles) via Route 7 to Leesburg & up Route 15 to Boiling Springs
Drive time is approx. 2 hours (109 miles) via 495 to I-270 and up Route 15 to Boiling Springs.
Please be prepared to satisfy your hydration and dietary needs.
Past Events
NVATU FWAM Conewago Fishing Trip
Another chance to join us to Fish Conewago Creek.
This FWAM trip is scheduled for April 16, 2019
All are welcomed.
Contact Daniel Lazenby (dlazenby4@gmail.com).
NOTE: You will need a 2019 PA freshwater and trout fishing licenses.
Licenses may be purchased at http://www.pa.wildlifelicense.com/.
TU FAMILY DAY
When: April 14, 209. 11 AM – 4 PM
Where: FAIRFAX ROD & GUN CLUB 7039 Signal Hill Rd Manassas, VA 20111
Fishing, casting, tying lessons. Stocked fish can be taken home.
Follow parking signs to park. A shuttle will take you down to the pond due to limited parking.
RSVP to LUV2AT8@verizon.net
SUBJECT: TU FAMILY DAY with number you will a/end with.
Fairfax Rod & Gun Club members also invited if you RSVP.