Neighborhood news: Merrimac Farm offers field-to-forest tour

Join Prince William Conservation Alliance Chairman Charlie Grymes for a tour of Merrimac Farm, from field to forest. Check out birds, butterflies and other wildlife that frequent Merrimac, and learn about the value of edge habitats on Sept. 5 from 9 to 11 a.m.

Preferred attire includes sturdy hiking shoes, long socks, long pants and hats. Bring drinking water, binoculars and cameras.

This event is open to the public and free of charge. For more information, e-mail alliance@pwconserve.org, or call 703-499-4954. RSVPs are appreciated.

Merrimac Farm is located at 15020 Deepwood Lane.

Methodist church seeks tournament sponsors

Nokesville United Methodist Church is seeking sponsors for a charity golf tournament Oct. 15 at Stonewall Golf Club at Lake Manassas. Proceeds will benefit American Cancer Society research.

Golfers paying the $150 fee will enjoy a continental breakfast, a four-person team-scramble format and an elegant buffet. In addition to prizes and awards, the 17th hole will feature a chance to win a $20,000 cash prize for a hole-in-one.

Those who wish to honor a cancer survivor or list a memorial in the tournament program may do so for a small donation.

For registration and tournament information, players and sponsors may look online at nokesvilleumc.org /page/golf. Deadline for entry is Sept. 20.

Soil and Water District begins seedling sale

The Prince William Soil and Water Conservation District’s 2009 fall tree seedling sale is here, and you can take advantage of three “treeffic” bundles:

- Wildlife Friendly/Deer Resistant: Red Maple, Red-Osier Dogwood, Virginia Pine and Winterberry Holly;

- Fantastic Fall Foliage: Arrowwood Viburnum, Red Maple, Spicebush and White Oak;

- Wet Soil Lovers: Inkberry Holly, River Birch, Sweetbay Magnolia and Willow Oak.

Each bundle is composed of two seedlings each of the four species and costs $15.

The Conservation District is also selling blueberry seedlings in bundles of four at $8 per bundle.

Pre-order by Sept. 23, and then seedlings will be available for pickup Oct. 3.

For more information and an order form, see the “Home Owners” button on the agency’s Web site, pwswcd.org, call 703-594-3621 or e-mail nicoleethier@pwswcd.org.

LLI-Manassas members learn about “green” homes

Lifelong Learning Institute-Manassas continued learning about “greening the nation” when 39 members attended a lecture and tour of a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified “green” home.

Jay and Tom Swigart of High Ridge Custom Homes brought members through a green home they built in Aldie.

The guides explained that an environmentally friendly building requires consideration of energy efficiency, indoor air quality, materials selection, site management and water conservation.

Proper attention to these elements and a third-party-verified inspection by a certified Home Energy Rater results in a government-backed label that the home is LEED-certified.

Members also learned how and why a LEED home is cost-effective.

LLI-Manassas will continue to explore the national greening process during the fall semester with “The Many Ways to Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency” and “Governmental Programs at the Local Level to Increase More Efficient Use of Energy.”

To learn more, e-mail lli manassas@gmail.com, or call E. Perley Eaton at 703-795-1923.