Throughout the year, ARMN volunteers contribute to a myriad of service activities that benefit our neighborhoods and communities. For Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, ARMN inivites you to join our dedicated volunteers to honor Dr. King’s legacy by participating in two of our focus service projects to restore habitat in Barcroft Park and in Tuckahoe Park.
Barcroft Park
January 19th at 9:30 am
Our main focus will be to clear ivy off the trees so that IPC (Invasive Plant Control), Arlington County’s contractor, will be able to efficiently treat the ivy remaining on the ground. After the clearing, Jim Hurley, ARMN Vice President and Chair of the Service Committee, will lead a walk to view the new plantings done in December and results of work done over the past year.
We will meet at the picnic pavilion in Barcroft Park at 9:30 am. If you park in the Barcroft recreational area parking lot, walk past the soccer field, bear right and then cross the stream on the wood and steel bridge. Wear long pants and long sleeves. Bring gloves as well as handsaws and pruners if you have them. We will also supply gloves and tools, and garbage bags for trash pickup. If you are a little late and do not see us at the picnic pavilion, look for us near the bike path towards George Mason Drive past the power line.
This project needs you! Every pair of hands makes a difference for this valuable ecological site. Enjoy the satisfaction of clearing invasive plants to encourage growth of native plants which provide habitat for birds and other wildlife. Join us to see the park that has been designated as a top priority for Arlington due to its unique habitat.
If you have questions, please contact Marion Jordan.
Tuckahoe Park
Saturday Jan 19th, 10 am – noon
Meet in front of Tuckahoe Elementary School. Wear sturdy clothes and gloves. Those under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
We will start with a “Dangerous Plants” hike from 9:00 am to 9:45 am to discover the dangerous plants lurking in Tuckahoe Park. After the hike, we will work to remove the invasive plants that threaten the native plants and birds in the area.
The Tuckahoe Wildlife Habitat was identified as a priority area for habitat restoration because:
1) Native plants were planted there;
2) The habitat is visible to the school’s staff and students for teaching as well as to the general public visiting the park to enjoy its resources;
3) The school’s staff, students and PTA volunteers have worked to restore the habitat by returning native plants to the spot, maintaining those by removing harmful plants and provided financial support to both of these efforts;
4) The Virginia Master Naturalist with the cooperation of Arlington County use their training to assess, lead volunteers, and educate the public to benefit this wildlife habitat.
If you have questions or would like to register for this event, contact Mary McLean.