On December 2 at the Prince William County Animal Shelter Girl Scout Cadettes (6th-8th grade) from St. Francis of Assisi School in Triangle will volunteer at the Shelter’s holiday open house. The Cadettes will provide tours of the Shelter to visiting families and will run two craft booths to raise money.

Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) and Master Gardeners are offering a presentation on “Planting the Right Trees, Shrubs and Perennials next to Streams and Ponds” on Tuesday, August 15 at 6 pm under the pavilion at Rady Park, 725 Fauquier Road, Warrenton, VA.

Joyce Phillips, a former chairman of the Prince William Library Board of Trustees and a retired school teacher, was honored recently when the pavilion at Independent Hill Neighborhood Library in Manassas was named the Joyce Phillips Pavilion during the library's 30th anniversary celebration.

Interested in learning how to judge items at the county fair? Attend the upcoming workshop on Saturday, May 20, 2017, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., sponsored by the Veterans Farm Club.

Prince William Public Works Department, Prince William Trails and Streams Coalition, and Prince William Soil & Water Conservation District are teaming up to clean up a portion of Powell's Creek near Riverwoods at Woodbridge Apartments Feb. 25, and they are inviting the public to help. The event starts at 9 a.m.

I like to tell folks in discussing the services Keep Prince William Beautiful provides that we clean up not just for the sake of keeping things beautiful, but rather so our people can do beautiful things. When the park is clean, more kids will go. Home values are higher in clean neighborhoods; new businesses open on vibrant and clean streets; when we take pride and keep it beautiful, our communities are safer and stronger.

Who takes care of the trash in our streams? Where does this trash come from? Where does this trash end up? How does this trash impact water quality and aquatic life? What type of waterways and water quality will the next generation enjoy? How can residents help promote clean waterways? Take Action: Stop littering, recycle, promote programs to raise awareness about trash in the communities, and join those who are already volunteering with the District.

Birders and other volunteers can participate in the National Audubon Society’s 117th Christmas Bird Count, which is held annually by groups on any one day between Dec.14 and Jan. 5. The Nokesville Circle will take place on Mon., Dec. 26, starting at 7 a.m. at Merrimac Farm Wildlife Management Area.