Habitat Heroes - Purple Beech Tot Lot

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HABITAT HEROES

Our native trees, ferns and wildflowers are under attack by invasive plants like English ivy, Japanese honeysuckle and bamboo. These plants are fast-growing and threaten the local habitat and wildlife. We need heroes like you to join us in preserving Reston’s ecosystem.

Purple Beech Tot Lot

Saturday, Mach 28th

10 a.m. - Noon

Site Location : Various Locations around Reston

Volunteers will work with Reston Association environmental staff to remove honeysuckle vines and burning bush that have taken over the natural areas. These fast growing, aggressive plants escape from people's yards and threaten local ecosystems, taking away vital food and habitat from already stressed wildlife. This involves pulling the vines by hand and using weed wrenches, shovels, and hand saws to remove the shrubs.

For your safety: Please wear long sleeves and long pants to protect you from biting insects, thorns and poison ivy. There is poison ivy at almost all sites. Bring gardening gloves if you have them. RA will provide some tools, gloves, snacks and water.

Key Responsibilities:

· Removing invasive, exotic plants from our community

· Identifying whether plants are native vegetation or invasive

· Replanting natural areas with attractive and important native ferns, wildflowers, shrubs or trees

Age Requirement: All ages are welcome. Children under 13 must be accompanied by an adult. Parents must complete a Volunteer Minor Application for each child participating.

Please note: You are not officially registered as a volunteer for this event until you schedule yourself in Volgistics (www.volgistics.com).

HOW TO SIGN UP

If you are already a registered volunteer, please go to Step 3 to sign up.

APPLICATIONS & INSTRUCTIONS

Step 1 : NEW VOLUNTEER - Complete a ONE-TIME Application

• Adult/Group Volunteer Application
• Volunteer Minor Application - Parent must consent with their email address

After you submit your application, you will receive an email from Reston Association to go into VicNet to set up your volunteer account.

Step 2 : Create Your VicNet Account

Go to http://bit.ly/VRVicNet, click on the "need a password" link.

• Enter your email address (the email you submitted on your volunteer application) and click the"Go" button.
• Follow the prompts on the screen to create your password. (Check junk/spam folder if you don’t receive an email.)

Step 3 : EXISTING OR RETURNING VOLUNTEERS - How To Sign Up For A Volunteer Shift In VicNet

Log in and schedule yourself in VicNet: http://bit.ly/VRVicNet

• Your email address is your login name.
• Once you are logged into VicNet, click on the "My Schedule" tab.
• In the blue box, use the dropdown menu to select any assignment(s) that you want to review or where you want to volunteer.
• Scroll down to see the calendar, which will display "Help Wanted" icons for opportunities where volunteers are needed.
• Click "Schedule Me" for the shift for which you would like to volunteer.
• Click "Yes" to confirm your shift.
• Click "Continue" to go back to the monthly calendar or click "Exit" to log off of your account.
• Bookmark or save VicNet on your desktop or mobile device.

Visit often as we frequently update our assignments.

To volunteer please contact Ha Brock, Volunteer Reston Manager, at 703-435-7986 or habrock@reston.org. Diana Stefaniak, Volunteer Reston Assistant at volunteerassistant@reston.org