Contributed by Reston Environmental Advisory Committee
In April 2018, Reston became part of the exclusive international Biophilic Cities Network that recognizes communities that prioritize nature in their design, planning, and management processes, and the benefits a healthy environment brings to the community. One of Reston’s treasures is its wetlands, consisting of non-tidal marshes, vernal pools, and occasionally beaver ponds. They are found along many of Reston’s trails, streams, lakes, and ponds.
Wetland ecosystems protect and improve water quality, provide flood protection and erosion control, maintain surface water flow during dry periods, present opportunities for recreation and aesthetic appreciation, and offer critical habitats for many birds and wildlife. Vernal pools, which are typically wet in the spring but dry out in the summer, are especially important breeding habitats for amphibians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders.
Wetlands are also effective at capturing and storing carbon (storing an estimated 20 to 30 percent of global soil carbon), and play a critical role in managing climate change. Sunrise Valley Park wetlands, one of Reston’s more well-known wetlands, offers a range of habitats for birds and wildlife; its boardwalk and trails are great for bird watching, dog walking, and other passive recreation. Visit www.fairfaxcounty.gov/plan2build/mapping-applications for some of the potential wetland sites (excluding vernal pools) in and around Reston. Here are some ways everyone can help conserve wetlands:
• Implement sustainable erosion control practices for your lakefront or streamside property by installing a living shoreline which uses plant roots to stabilize the soil and flowers for landscaping.
• Reduce and pick up litter whenever possible to limit waste from ending up on our wetlands and waterways.
• Reduce chemical pollution from entering the waterways by limiting the use of pesticides and fertilizers, choosing non-toxic household cleaning products like phosphate-free detergents (phosphates encourage algae growth which can suffocate aquatic life).
• Plant native species on your property. Native species need less maintenance and help preserve the ecological balance of nearby wetlands.
For more information, check out the 2022 Reston State of the Environment Report (2022 RASER) which contains a comprehensive chapter dedicated to wetlands at www.reston.org/nature-environmental-overview.
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