All Arlington County/APS parks are closed due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Trails and community gardens are closed to groups. Please exercise and garden alone. Thus, ARMN must suspend habitat restoration and other work in Arlington County parks until this restriction is lifted. For more information, see: the Arlington Parks and Recreation site.
Please use “Contact Us” on the Navigation Bar above for any additional questions about ARMN activities.
Members of the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist (ARMN) chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program:
provide, promote, and facilitate volunteer service to sustain natural areas in our communities using sound natural resource management and conservation practices,
offer and support environmental education and outreach to encourage understanding and respect for our natural environment, and
engage in a wide range of citizen science activities that contribute to greater knowledge of local streams, plants, animals, and local habitat.
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There will be no ARMN Spring Basic Training Class in 2020. The next training will not be before Fall 2020. We’ll have more information on dates and time of day by late Spring or Summer.
To learn more about the ARMN training and how to sign up, click HERE. And please visit this site for upcoming events and volunteer opportunities. Stay up-to date on what we do with the ARMN Blog. Sign up to receive it now!
With longer daylight hours, warming soils, and the return of bird, bees, and butterflies, it’s ready to think about gardening, and in particular, installing native plants in your pots or yards. Our local animals depend on them, AND they provide beauty to our landscapes. So, please consider a few—or several native plants to brighten your yard, patio or deck. The native wildlife will appreciate it!
Blue false indigo (Baptisia australis)
Christmas fern (Polistichum acrostichoides)
Why Choose Native Plants?
Because they are “from here,” natives are adapted to our climate and soil conditions. They are often the only or most healthful source of nectar, pollen, seeds, and leaves for local butterflies, insects, birds, and other animals. Other benefits of native plants are that they:
do not require fertilizers and few if any pesticides,
need less water than lawns, and help prevent erosion,
help reduce air pollution,
provide both shelter and food for wildlife,
promote biodiversity and stewardship of our natural spaces, and
are beautiful and increase landscape values!
How to Choose the Right Natives for Your Yard or Pots?
It’s important to install the right plants for your conditions (wet, dry, shade, sun, slope, soil type, etc.). How do you know what’s right for you? One of the best sources is the Plant Nova Natives website: http://www.plantnovanatives.org/, with easy-to-follow tips, dozens of photos, and additional links to learn what will work best for your situation.
Where Can You Buy Natives?
Most commercial nurseries do not carry many native plants. If you have a favorite place that has a weak selection, tell them to please stock more. But there is a wonderful solution in the coming weeks: visit the increasing number of native plant sales in the area (many of which provide food, entertainment, and fun for kids, too). Below is information on several sales in Northern Virginia. Happy shopping and planting!
Woodland sunflower (Helianthus strumosus)
2020 Spring Native Plant Sales
NOTE: Please check sale sites for information on any changes due to COVID-19.
Friends of the National Arboretum, Lahr Symposium and Native Plant Sale 03/28/2020 CANCELLED. Visit the sale site.
Potowmack Chapter Weekly Plant Sale From April 1st through October is a low-key plant sale on the first Wednesday of each month at the propagation beds behind the main building at Green Springs Garden. 10am to 1pm 4603 Green Spring Rd Alexandria, VA 22312 Visit the sale site.
Walker Nature Center Pre-order through 5pm on 04/03/2020. Order online for pick up April 18, 2020 from 10am–1pm at the Nature Center. Walker Nature Center: 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191 Click here for: Online form
Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Native Plant Sale 04/04/2020 9am to 3pm Right BEFORE main parking lot at Morven Park: 17263 Southern Planter Ln, Leesburg, VA Spring and fall sales. Visit the sale site.
American Horticulture Society, Spring Garden Market 04/17-18/2020 10am to 4pm River Farm: 7931 E. Boulevard Dr., Alexandria, VA Includes some native plant vendors. Visit the sale site.
NOVA Soil & Water Conservation District, Native Seedling Sale Online orders are sold out. However, there are often extra seedlings for sale on the pick-up days (April 17 and 18) and will sell for $2 a “stem” on a first-come, first-served basis. The pick-up begins at 9:00 am on Friday, April 17, and this time will give you the best selection. Sleepy Hollow Bath & Racquet Club, 3516 Sleepy Hollow Rd, Falls Church, VA 22044. Visit the sale site.
Prince William Wildflower Society Annual Wildflower and Native Plant Sale 04/19/2020 9am–12pm Bethel Evangelical Lutheran Church picnic area, 8712 Plantation Lane, Manassas, VA Visit the sale site.
Long Branch Nature Center Pre-order through 4pm on 04/15/2020. Order online for pick up Fri., April 24 from 3-6pm and Sat., April 25 from 10am–3pm On site sale 04/25/2020 1 to 4pm Long Branch Nature Center 625 S. Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA 22204 Spring and fall sales. Click here for: Online form and sale site.
Northern Alexandria Native Plant Sale 04/25/2020 9am to 2pm The Church of St. Clement: 1701 N. Quaker Ln, Alexandria, VA Spring and fall sales. Visit the sale site.
Rappahannock Plant Sale at Waterpenny Farm 04/25/2020 8am to 2pm 53 Waterpenny Lane Sperryville, VA 22740 Visit the sale site.
Friends of Riverbend Park Native Plant Sale 04/25/2020 8 to 11am Riverbend Park Outdoor Classroom/Picnic Shelter on Potomac Hills Street in Great Falls. Pre-order through March 21. Pick up pre-ordered plants Friday, April 24 at the Riverbend Park Outdoor Classroom/Picnic Shelter. Click here for: Online form and sale site.
Earth Sangha Plant Sale 05/03/2020 10am to 2pm 6100 Cloud Drive, Springfield, VA Visit the sale site.
Friends of Runnymede Park 05/03/2020 10am to 3pm 195 Herndon Parkway, Herndon VA Spring and fall sales. Visit the sale site.
Green Springs Garden Day Plant Sale Potowmack Chapter native plants and other native vendors 05/16/2020 9am to 3pm Green Spring Gardens: 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria, VA Visit the sale site.
