Stewardship Opportunities

Friends of Holmes Run links volunteers with site leaders for habitat restoration. Targeted removal of invasive species helps break the chokehold on native plants, which do a better job of sustaining native wildlife, shoring up stream banks and absorbing storm runoff.

Join our 'Ivy League'

Non-native vines such as English Ivy and Porcelain berry undermine a native tree's ability to fulfill its role in the ecosystem and eventually cause it to fall. Friends of Holmes Run has teamed up with Plant NOVA Natives,  FCPA and others on a five-year campaign to train community volunteers to identify at-risk trees in parks and neighborhoods and free them from invasive vines. Take the free online training to become a Tree Rescuer, and then join our team targeting the Holmes Run watershed! For more information, contact our Tree Rescue trainer.

Get into the Weeds

Multiflora rose. Japanese honeysuckle. Bamboo. Stiltgrass....  It takes a lot of hands to make a dent in the overgrowth of invasive weeds that are crowding out beneficial native plants in our yards and public places. Here are tips for backyard stewardship to protect the watershed. If you are a site leader for an invasive management area (IMA) site within the Holmes Run watershed, let us know! We can connect you with more volunteers. If you are a citizen looking for an opportunity to get into the weeds, visit our calendar


Fairfax County offers a free downloadable guide to identifying and controlling invasive plants and vines on your property. Access the PDF here