Goose Control
in Fairfax County

The Natural Resources Management and Protection Branch (NRMP) coordinates the management of resident Canada Geese for the Park Authority. Resident (non-migratory) Canada Geese fall under the jurisdiction of the US Fish and Wildlife Service. Public and private landowners are authorized to destroy goose nests and eggs under the resident Canada goose nest and egg depredation order, issued on August 10, 2006, as codified in Title 50 of the Code of Federal Regulations, part 21, section 21.50 (50 CFR 21.50).

Missing even a few nests can result in whole new flocks of goslings.

The Park Authority follows the protocol of Geese Peace, a program developed to address the growing population of resident Canada Geese humanely and effectively. Goose eggs are oiled during April at numerous FCPA parks, including at most of the lakefront and golf locations. The NRMP branch offers Geese Peace training each spring to new staff and sites wishing to participate. The methodology is on the website below under the “Egg Oiling Field Guide”. Staff are prohibited from harming the adult geese.

Videos provided on the Geese Peace website (http://www.geesepeace.com/home.html) show exactly how the activity is performed and are very informative

Following the nesting season, all FCPA egg oiling totals are reported to the US Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2014, 29 nests and 110 eggs were from Lake Accotink Park.