GWAPA & JRAS Collecting Trip Adventure!

August 29th

Ready to get your feet wet and spend a day exploring nature with fellow aquatic hobbyists? Join GWAPA and our friends from JRAS for a fun-filled collecting trip at the Mattaponi River as we search for native aquatic plants, fish, and other fascinating freshwater critters! Whether you’re a seasoned collector or trying it for the first time, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn, share techniques, and enjoy a day outdoors with great company.

Don’t Forget to Bring:
• A valid Virginia fishing license (required for all participants)
• Sunscreen
• A hat
• Plenty of fluids to stay hydrated
• Snacks
• Collection containers, buckets, or bags for your finds
• A change of clothes
• A towel
• Shoes you don’t mind getting wet and muddy

Expect to get a little muddy, discover some hidden aquatic treasures, and have plenty of laughs along the way. Whether you come home with a few new plants or simply great memories, it’s always a fun day in the field.

Come join us for an adventure—you never know what we’ll find!

Keep coming back for exact meeting location closer to the trip!

Join us for the GWAPA Annual Picnic on Saturday, June 27th at 1:00 PM.

Whether you’re a long-time member or brand new to the club, this is one of the most relaxed and fun events of the year. Come hang out with fellow plant geeks, fish keepers, aquascapers, and aquarium enthusiasts while enjoying an afternoon outdoors. Tim Koles is our host.

GWAPA will be firing up the grill and providing burgers and hot dogs. We ask everyone to bring their favorite side dish or dessert to share. It’s always fun to see what everyone brings, and somehow the food is almost as impressive as the aquariums we talk about!

We’ll have plenty of time to talk tanks, swap stories, share tips, and maybe even debate the best way to grow that “easy” plant that refuses to cooperate. Bring a lawn chair, your appetite, and your latest aquarium adventures.

This is a great chance to meet members outside of our regular meetings and connect with the amazing community that makes GWAPA such a great club.

Come hungry, bring a side dish or dessert, and get ready for a fun afternoon with your GWAPA friends! 

May 16th, 10:30 am at Longwood Gardens (meet outside of the entrance gate). Tour starts at 11am sharp.

• Please note that the meeting is one week earlier than our usual meeting to accommodate for the Memorial Day Weekend. *

Join us for the May GWAPA meeting as we head out for a fun guided tour at Longwood Gardens! This month we’re doing things a little differently and getting together for an outing where we can explore, hang out, and talk all things aquatic plants with fellow members.

We’ll meet up at a designated spot before heading in together, so nobody has to wander around looking for the group. The guided tour cost is $38 (must be pre-ordered when we get our tour time). It’ll be a great chance to see something new while spending time with other hobbyists.

Need a ride or want to share gas? Carpool plans can be organized through our Discord channel, so be sure to hop in there and coordinate with other members.

Come out, bring your aquatic questions, and enjoy a relaxed day with the GWAPA crew!

Buy your tickets for 11am here: https://visit.longwoodgardens.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx?cg=1&c=59