Friends of the Occoquan is a non-profit organization of local citizens who preserve and maintain the natural integrity of the Occoquan River and other Virginia watersheds by promoting community awareness through public and private partnerships.
Vision of the Friends
To energize individuals, community and business groups to take on the challenge of keeping Northern Virginia’s Reservoirs clean, by controlling excessive sedimentation and pollution. This message will be brought to schools, civic groups and community organizations, as well as local and federal government agencies.
Goals
Coordinate watershed management efforts and programs.
Open communications and develop cooperation among intergovernmental jurisdictions regarding the watersheds.
Provide decision makers, policy makers, and citizens with accurate information.
Develop public and private partnerships focused on maintaining the natural integrity of drinking water sources.
Engage the community, including the Spanish speaking population, to become stakeholders of our rivers and streams.
Education and Coordination FOTO is working with community groups, schools, state and local governments to promote Northern Virginia's watershed preservation.
FOTO continues to expand contacts with other groups to enlarge watershed stakeholders. Installation of international signs along the watershed is one of our projects.
FOTO is proceeding to engage the Spanish speaking community of Northern Virginia to become stakeholders of our watersheds and become active in maintaining clean and safe our rivers. In addition to the bilingual signs described below, we will be installing other bilingual signs in Fairfax and PrinceWilliamCounties. Also we are preparing videos, literature and some TV programs.
Rain barrels will be available at the workshop on Saturday, 7/12/14 at the Lake Jackson Fire Station. ONLY A FEW BARRELS WILL BE AVAILABLE . MAXIMUN OF TWO BARRELS PER PERSON. Barrels can be prepaid using PayPal or pay the day of the workshop.
OWL RIVER FEST
On Saturday, May 17, 2014, the Occoquan Watertrail League (OWL) together with more than 20 Conservation and Outdoor Recreation groups celebrated life on the Occoquan River. FOTO, NVRPA, GMU and PEREC, PWCPR, LL Bean/Free Fly Casting Clinic, The Coast Guard Auxilliary, Potomac Trails Auxilliary, Rapture Conservatory and Turning Point showed their exhibits..
Rob Hartwell of Mason Neck Refuge discussed the proposed enormous expansion of the Lorton Landfill presently up for debate by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. Plans of hazardous soils from other regions and spoiled concrete will be buried there and will have a direct impact on the wildlife and human habitat in both Fairfax and Prince William County. He encouraged everyone to write letters to our Board of Supervisors about such concerns.
A Suffragist Memorial honoring all the women who were imprisoned, beaten and living under inhumane conditions at the Occoquan Workhouse back in 1917 will be erected in our area. Their sin was that they blocked traffic in front of Woodrow Wilson's White House to stand up for women rights to vote.
Special fun times included the Mayor's Paddle with Earnie Porta, a Kiddie Train and Activity Tent for youngsters, Fishing with OWL and free boat rides on Ms Rivershore.
Image:
Next Cleanup: Saturday, April 18, 2015
Make a Contribution or Donation:
Please send a check or money order payable to FOTO to the address below:
or pay with credit card using paypal by clicking the link below:
Contact Information
Friends of the Occoquan P.O. Box 1452 Woodbridge, VA 22195-1452 Tel. (703)624-7124
