Rhonda Bitterli - Candidate for Soil and Water Board of Directors

01/12/2024

Young naturalist Alexandre Grimaldi Sotton tells us all about wood frogs here in Fairfax County in Kathy Pasternak’s 10-minute film “The Amazing Vernal Pool.” Kathy says this film is geared toward second-graders, but interest in this film extends well beyond those in the second grade. This film talks about the importance of vernal streams to the wood frog, and it shows the development of wood frogs from egg to adult frog. Watch it here and enjoy! https://vimeo.com/pasternakmedia/theamazingvernalpoolgrade2

11/07/2023

Democrats, Independents, and Republicans working together!

09/26/2023

Met some old friends and made some new ones at Sunday’s Candidates Night Dinner hosted by New Dominion PAC!

08/22/2023

Read for the latest on Lake Accotink. Task Force report expected in December.

The Task Force on the Future of Lake Accotink finalized the scope of work to be conducted by the consultant, LimnoTech.

08/19/2023

A rain barrel—full after the recent storm.

08/19/2023

John Wilson showing me some native species he has planted in his yard.

08/19/2023

A stormwater management pond under construction in Fairfax County.

08/19/2023

A wet pond in Fairfax County for managing stormwater.

08/19/2023

Last week, John and Patty Wilson showed me some stormwater management ponds in their neighborhood of Fairfax County. They showed me dry ponds, wet ponds, and a pond under construction. These ponds are part of a system of ponds helping to remove pollutants, reduce streambank erosion, and reduce flooding. Also, they are designed to help protect the Chesapeake Bay. Here’s John showing me a dry pond a couple days after a major storm.

08/10/2023

Fairfax County resident John Wilson showed me a stormwater pond at the Oak Marr Rec Center. The parking lot slopes downward. During storms, runoff from the parking lot enters the pond after being slowed down by piled rocks. The ponds help control excess stormwater runoff, improve water quality, and control erosion. Learn more about stormwater ponds: https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/understanding-stormwater-ponds

07/28/2023

The University of Arizona is rethinking water treatment as water sources dwindle and aren't adequate to meet demand. Decentralized treatment options are being investigated. We'll see a lot more of these innovative approaches in efforts to build resilience to the climate changes we're experiencing.

As traditional sources of water run low, UArizona researchers have been awarded $4 million for phase one of a project intended to improve water security and water reuse methods in the arid Southwest.