Text and Photos by Devin Reese, except as noted. Arlington Regional Master Naturalists have a vendetta against invasive plants because of the damage these invaders do to ecosystems. Invasive plants outcompete native plants, disrupting age-old relationships with insect pollinators and typically reducing the biodiversity of an area. Go on an invasives removal field trip withContinueContinue reading “Battling Invasives at Glencarlyn Park”
Author Archives: ARMNed
Revitalizing the Pollinator Garden at the Buddie Ford Nature Center
Text and photos by Leslie Cameron Arlington Regional Master Naturalists joined Extension Master Gardeners and community volunteers on July 17th in an ongoing effort to revitalize the pollinator garden next to the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center in Alexandria. This hillside pollinator garden contains native plants local to the area, including Upland Ironweed (Vernonia glauca),ContinueContinue reading “Revitalizing the Pollinator Garden at the Buddie Ford Nature Center”
Paddling for Litter on Four Mile Run Stream
by Devin Reese Arlington Regional Master Naturalists find ways to improve their local ecosystems not only on land, but also on the water. The Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation hosts regular stream clean-ups by kayak. All you need to bring is yourself, your enthusiasm for a cleaner stream, and a sense of humor about gettingContinueContinue reading “Paddling for Litter on Four Mile Run Stream”
Periodical Cicadas! What You Should Know About Them and More
The periodical (17-year) cicadas are most definitely here. And there has been a lot of information floating around about them. If you’re confused about where to get the most accurate details, look no further than here! Exit holes left by nymphs emerging from the soil. Image by: Lacy L. Hyche, Auburn University, Bugwood.org. Emerging cicada.ContinueContinue reading “Periodical Cicadas! What You Should Know About Them and More”
Two Honors! Glenn Tobin Earned the 2020 Bill Thomas Volunteer Award, and ARMN is presented the Virginia Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s 2021 A. Willis Robertson Award
Glenn Tobin is the 2020 Bill Thomas Park Volunteer Award Winner Glenn conquering invasive kudzu from Windy Run Park. Photo courtesy of Toni Genberg. On April 20, 2021, Glenn Tobin received Arlington County’s Bill Thomas Park Volunteer Award for the year 2020. The award recognizes an individual or group whose efforts show ongoing dedication andContinueContinue reading “Two Honors! Glenn Tobin Earned the 2020 Bill Thomas Volunteer Award, and ARMN is presented the Virginia Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s 2021 A. Willis Robertson Award”
The Ozone Bio-indicator Garden Project: A Cooperative Effort Between ARMN, Arlington County, NASA, and Harvard
By Jane Metcalfe, Louis Harrell, Nicolasa Hernandez, and Barbara Hoffheins ARMN has been working with Arlington County, NASA, and the Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics Science Education to build and maintain a “bio-indicator” garden as part of a project to monitor the impact of ozone air pollution on plants. Bio-indicator gardens consist of plants thatContinueContinue reading “The Ozone Bio-indicator Garden Project: A Cooperative Effort Between ARMN, Arlington County, NASA, and Harvard”
The Virginia Opossum: An Extraordinary Marsupial in Our Own Backyards
by Sandy Sohns The Virginia opossum is much maligned, and has a reputation as being a repulsive, aggressive, dirty, garbage-eating pest that should be avoided or killed. Sadly, it is misunderstood and is unappreciated for its contribution to the environment, public health, and science. The Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana) is one of the oldest survivingContinueContinue reading “The Virginia Opossum: An Extraordinary Marsupial in Our Own Backyards”
Sometimes the Small Things Tell the Real Story: Windy Run Park
Text and photos by Glenn Tobin I was Zoom talking with a small group of ARMN Park Stewards the other day about what inspires us as we help restore ecosystems in our parks. (ARMN Park Stewards are volunteer leaders who work with local park management and staff to help preserve, enhance, restore, and potentially expandContinueContinue reading “Sometimes the Small Things Tell the Real Story: Windy Run Park”
2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Environmental Events
Please join your friends, neighbors, and fellow environmental stewards in participating in the following habitat restoration events during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. Enjoy the satisfaction of helping to restore these natural areas. Dress in layers for cold weather, bring work gloves, your own tools, filled reusable water bottle, and face mask. Please also followContinueContinue reading “2021 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Environmental Events”
Yellow-rumps: A Bird Watcher’s Delight in the Winter, Spring, and Fall
Text and photos by Ginger Hays (except as noted) Yellow-rumped “Myrtle” warbler. Yellow-rumped warblers ((Setophaga coronate) are a very abundant species of the Wood Warbler family—those small, often brightly colored birds that bird watchers go crazy about during spring and fall migration. Bird watchers affectionately call them “butter butts.” There are two primary subspecies of yellow-rumped warblers:ContinueContinue reading “Yellow-rumps: A Bird Watcher’s Delight in the Winter, Spring, and Fall”