My Little [Carolina] Chickadees
Text and photos by Noreen Hannigan I learned from renowned entomology professor and author, Doug Tallamy, that native host plants are critical sources of insects for birds to feed their young. One of the earliest Continuing Education events I can remember attending after I graduated ARMN training in 2015 was…
Keep readingThe Secret Lives of Chipmunks
By Rosemary Jann We have always lived peaceably with our backyard chipmunks. I knew that they had burrows under the cement pad for the AC and behind the garden shed. But when I found a new burrow hole right up against the foundation of our house, I confess I had…
Keep readingWhy Do the Mockingbirds Rage? And Other Backyard Mysteries
by Rosemary Jann It must be an indication of how preoccupied I’ve been lately: I didn’t realize the mockingbirds were nesting again until their scratchy chat call exploded over my head as one buzzed me crossing the yard. Northern Mockingbirds are fond of the native honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) in our…
Keep readingVirtually Exploring Virginia’s Flora and Fauna
Text by Kristin Bartschi; Logo collage by George Sutherland I don’t enjoy being inside. Getting out in the open air and enjoying nature with my husband and a few friends brings me true joy, so adjusting to quarantine was challenging. Outside of walks around the neighborhood, I spent the first…
Keep readingWhite-tailed Deer and Forest Health in Northern Virginia
by Bill Browning Deer are a natural and beautiful part of our forest. They are Virginia’s largest herbivore, and despite their size, they are fast, agile, and graceful. They are an integral part of our ecosystem. However, their population has grown to the point where they unfortunately are overwhelming other…
Keep readingFlying Squirrels—They’re Still Here!
by Kasha Helget A couple of years ago, I shared a story about a wonderful program that Long Branch Nature Center runs each year about our local flying squirrel population. Among other things, we learned that these are southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans), 8-10 inches long (including their tails), and…
Keep readingSpring Ephemerals Are Blooming Now. Enjoy Them Before They’re Gone!
Text and photos by Caroline Haynes. In this time of “physical distancing,” while on a solitary walk in a natural area or in your own native plant garden, keep an eye out for some of Virginia’s beautiful spring ephemerals. Ephemerals bloom for a fairly short time early in the spring…
Keep readingIt’s Springtime . . . Shop for and Plant Natives!
Text and photos by Kasha Helget Note: After this was posted, most plant sales were cancelled with the coronavirus. But some individual sellers continue to operate. For example, Nature by Design and Earth Sangha are selling native plants with special distancing/handling precautions. So, don’t give up on planting natives! But…
Keep readingWhen Nature Takes Charge and We Get Teachable Moments
By Steve Young Sparrow Pond is an artificial wetland and stormwater remediation complex along the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail between Route 50 and Columbia Pike in Arlington. Built circa 2000-2001, the pond has been very successful in capturing sediment that otherwise would have flowed into Four Mile Run,…
Keep readingMartin Luther King, Jr. and Teddy Roosevelt, A Great Match for a Day of Service!
By Caroline Haynes Over 100 individuals gathered on Theodore Roosevelt Island to participate in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 20th. Despite the chilly 24 degrees, it was an otherwise sunny day, and enthusiastic volunteers warmed to the task of cutting non-native invasive plants that have…
Keep readingDeep Dive Recap: Dabbling and Diving Ducks
Text by Kristin Bartschi. Photos by George Sutherland. Ducks. They’re cute, they paddle around in parks. Some ducks are so commonplace that we don’t really think twice about them (i.e. the quintessential mallard). But, as with all animals, there is a lot to learn and every duck has a unique…
Keep readingARMN: Getting to Know Paul Gibson
by Alison Sheahan Paul Gibson has been a stalwart volunteer ever since joining the ARMN program in Spring 2013, especially in the areas of citizen science. I was able to interview him online and then finally got to meet him at the ARMN Annual Chapter meeting in December 2019. Here…
Keep readingStatus of Salt Management Strategy (SaMS) to Address Excessive Use of Road Salt
by Kasha Helget Winter is here! And with the season comes snow, ice, and salt trucks on our roadways. Last month, Sarah Sivers from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) gave an update on the program to study winter salt use and how to reduce its unintended impacts and…
Keep readingFamily Fun at the International Coastal Clean-up
Text by Kristin Bartschi and photos by George Sutherland On a sunny Saturday morning on September 21st, EcoAction Arlington hosted a stream clean-up in Barcroft Park as part of the International Coastal Clean-up. The International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas program. Every September,…
Keep readingFall is a Great Time to Shop for and Plant Natives!
Text and photos by Kasha Helget There is a not-so-secret maxim among gardeners that autumn can be the best time to install new plants! The soil is well warmed, but the air is cooler, which provides less stress for transplants. And the native plant sellers are ready to provide you…
Keep readingGetting Dirty and Keeping Our Rivers Clean
Text by Kristin Bartschi and photos by George Sutherland Recent ARMN Basic Training graduates Kristin Bartschi and George Sutherland joined in a very satisfying service activity on the Potomac River. Kristin’s observations demonstrate how they could get wet and dirty and provide a valuable service at the same time. There’s…
Keep readingOutstanding Participation in the 2019 City Nature Challenge! What Are the Next Steps?
by Louis Harrell Citizen science activities are an important way for individuals to contribute to scientific knowledge and for members of the public to increase their knowledge of local natural resources. Currently, the largest citizen science project that ARMN supports is the City Nature Challenge. Read about the results of…
Keep reading2018 Bill Thomas Volunteer Award Highlights Bill Browning’s Role in Leading Important Changes in Powhatan Springs Park
By Bill Browning On April 25, 2019, ARMN member, Bill Browning, was honored with the 2018 Bill Thomas Outstanding Park Service Volunteer Award for his volunteer work for the parks in Arlington. This award was established to pay tribute to lifelong parks volunteer Bill Thomas and to honor and encourage…
Keep readingVirginia State Symbol: The Northern Cardinal
Text and Photos by Ames Bowman With its distinct red feathers, or plumage, its deep orange beak, and a crest that resembles a well-groomed mohawk, the presence of the Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) in Northern Virginia is unmistakable. The Northern Cardinal is Virginia’s state bird. I tagged along with part-time…
Keep readingSky Dancer: The American Woodcock
Sky Dancer: The American Woodcock Text and photo by Ames Bowman Chances are you have heard the familiar “peent” call of the male American Woodcock (Scolopax minor) if you have ever ventured near a meadow at the edge of the forest on a spring or summer evening. From early March…
Keep readingBringing Back Wild Bees, Wild Flowers, and Wildlife to Local Backyards
Text and photos by Gigi Charters, unless otherwise noted Last month, I had the opportunity to listen to USGS Wildlife Researcher, Sam Droege, and Arlington County Parks and Recreation Natural Resource Manager, Alonso Abugattas, in the exciting event, “Morph Your Yard into a Bee Grocery Store—Not a Bee Fast Food…
Keep readingIt’s Springtime . . . Plant Natives!
Text and photos by Kasha Helget With longer daylight hours, warming soils, and the return of bird, bees, and butterflies, get ready to roll up your sleeves and install some native plants. Our local animals depend on them, AND they provide beautiful enhancements to our landscapes. So, please consider a…
Keep readingARMN: Getting to Know Peter Hansen
By Bill Browning and Peter Hansen Peter Hansen is a recent graduate of the ARMN training class (Fall 2017). He became a Certified Master Naturalist the first year he was eligible and will receive this certificate at our upcoming March chapter meeting. I was able to sit down with Peter…
Keep readingARMN Celebrates 10 Years Serving Community and Launches Facebook Page
by Kasha Helget The Arlington Regional Master Naturalists have reached a major milestone and expands its public outreach to the community in new ways. Ten Years of Service, Growth, and Outreach The Arlington Regional Master Naturalists group just finished its 10th year as a Virginia Master Naturalist chapter, and over…
Keep readingHow to make your winter more interesting, help birds, and give a second purpose to your holiday tree!
Many people have mixed feelings about taking down the Christmas tree each year: Glad to have it out of the house when it starts to drop needles, relieved that the county or city tree pick-up program makes for easy disposal, but sorry that the short-lived but valued purpose is gone.…
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ARMN: Getting to Know Phil Klingelhofer
By Bill Browning and Phil Klingelhofer Phil Klingelhofer is the Vice President, Service Committee Chair, and an active member for ARMN. I was lucky enough to interview Phil for this series over a cup of coffee at Northside Social on Wilson Boulevard. I learned that he does a lot more…
Keep readingNoVA PRISM- A New Partnership with ARMN
by Alex Sanders In 2017, Arlington County sought and was awarded a matching grant to create a new multi-jurisdictional partnership. Known as the NoVA PRISM (Northern Virginia Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management), this effort is bringing together government agencies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), volunteer groups, for-profit organizations, and individuals to…
Keep readingARMN: Getting to Know Mary McLean
By Alison Sheahan Mary McLean’s name is well known among ARMN members and many others interested in our local natural areas. She has been a force for environmental education generally, and for stewardship of Tuckahoe Park particularly, for many years! It was a pleasure to get to know her further…
Keep reading2018 Arlington BioBlitz is September 15th!
Arlington will be conducting its second Bioblitz, and this year it will take place at only one site: Glencarlyn Park. This is a wonderful opportunity for individuals to participate in a valuable citizen science inventory of plants, wildlife, and other living organisms in the community. What is a BioBlitz? It…
Keep readingAdd Native Plants to Your Fall Garden and enjoy them again next Spring and Summer!
Text and photos by Kasha Helget Fall is the BEST time to install native plants. The cooler air temperatures are less stressful to stems and foliage, and the still-warm soil gives roots a great head start to become established before winter. So, consider choosing a few—or several native plants to…
Keep readingAn Ode, Or Of Skunks in Arlington
By Steve Young and Lisa Stern What happened to Arlington’s skunks? A tale of elusive skunks in Arlington: What happened to Arlington’s skunks? A few years ago, when now-retired Arlington County Natural Resource Specialist Greg Zell conducted the first natural resources inventory of Arlington County, I recall that his nemesis…
Keep readingArlington Discovery: Intriguing Screech Owls at Home in Suburbia
By Mary McLean Mary McLean recounts a series of fascinating encounters with a family of Eastern Screech Owls (Megascops asio) in early May 2018 at Tuckahoe Park in North Arlington. Mary and fellow master naturalists, park experts, and even animal welfare professionals provided thoughts and assistance to protect the offspring,…
Keep readingFirefly Fest – Fun for all Ages!
Text and photos by Jo Allen On June 24, 2018, the 10th annual Firefly Festival was held at Fort C.F. Smith Park. This very popular event was scheduled to run from 7:00–9:30 p.m. but was cut short by a cloudburst around 9:10. Still, it was really a great time, especially…
Keep readingGetting Involved in the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists Program: Why Mentoring Benefits Both Mentor and Student
By Susan Berry If you have ever thought you might want to get involved in the conservation and stewardship of our local natural resources, then the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist (ARMN) program is for you! ARMN conducts a 3 ½ month basic training course for new volunteers in ecology, botany,…
Keep readingSummer Chapter Meeting Kicks off ARMN’s 10 Year Celebration
ARMN members met on the evening of June 21st to celebrate the first day of summer and the official start to our 10-year anniversary festivities. While ARMN members are known for their industrious volunteer work, we also know how to have a good time! ARMN’s Summer Chapter meeting was preceded…
Keep readingARMN: Getting to Know Yolanda Villacampa
Photos courtesy of Yolanda Villacampa unless otherwise noted. ARMN’s Membership Committee occasionally posts profiles of our members, including how they came to be master naturalists, which parts of nature they most enjoy, and how they affect their environment. This latest biography features ARMN Member Yolanda Villacampa, who graduated from our…
Keep readingThe Importance of Citizen Scientists: Using iNaturalist to Create an Inventory of Natural Resources
By Louis Harrell The recent City Nature Challenge, held 27-30 April 2018, exemplifies the important role that the general public plays by providing professional scientists with valuable data on biodiversity. Anyone can become a “citizen scientist” by going out and collecting data related to the natural world – made even…
Keep readingARMN Helps DC Area Place 5th Worldwide in City Nature Challenge
By Rosemary Jann During the weekend of 27-30 April 2018, 180 ARMN members and other area residents answered the call to participate in the third annual City Nature Challenge. The Nature Challenge seeks to encourage interest in urban nature by having groups compete to record and identify the nature around…
Keep readingARMN Member Joanne Hutton Receives Bill Thomas Outstanding Park Service Volunteer Award
(Based on article in Arlington County’s Environment webpage.) Photos courtesy of Bill Browning. On April 24, 2018, ARMN member, Joanne Hutton, was honored with a Bill Thomas Outstanding Park Service Volunteer Award for her volunteer work in Arlington last year. This award was established to pay tribute to lifelong parks…
Keep readingARMN: Getting to Know Emily Ferguson
ARMN’s Membership Committee posts occasional profiles of our members, including how they came to be master naturalists, which parts of nature they most enjoy, and how they affect their environment. This latest biography features ARMN Member Emily Ferguson, who graduated from our training class in Spring 2010. Many of our…
Keep readingJoin the City Nature Challenge: April 27 to 30!
Join the City Nature Challenge Now! Select from many local events on April 27–30 and sign up. For the list of local events and sign-up information, click: HERE By Louis Harrell, Caroline Haynes, and Phil Klingelhofer What is the City Nature Challenge? Mark your calendars for April 27-30 to participate…
Keep readingIt’s Time to Plant Natives!
Text and photos by Kasha Helget With longer daylight hours, warming soils, and the return of birds and butterflies, we want to spend more time outdoors. It’s a perfect time to install beautiful native plants that also benefit the critters that depend on them. So, please consider a few—or several…
Keep readingARMN: Getting to Know Susan Berry
By Alison Sheahan and Susan Berry. Photos courtesy of Pablo Nuesch ARMN’s Membership Committee posts occasional profiles of our members, including how they came to be master naturalists, which parts of nature they most enjoy, and how they affect their environment. This latest biography features ARMN Member Susan Berry, who…
Keep readingARMN Winter Book Share: Good food for the body, mind, and spirit!
by Carol Mullen, with photos by Rodney Olsen A few times a year, folks who enjoy nature literature meet at a local restaurant for a Book Share event. Participants enjoy good food as they provide a brief overview of a book or other material that they found inspiring and useful. The…
Keep readingFlying Squirrels: Adorable Little Gliders in our Trees
by Kasha Helget On a recent evening, adults and families gathered for a flying squirrel program at Long Branch Nature Center in Arlington. Naturalist Rachael Tolman shared some interesting facts about these little charmers and then led us outside to witness them in action. There was a palpable sense of…
Keep readingSalt Management Strategy (SaMS) to Address Impacts of Road Salt in Our Region
by Kasha Helget Many people have noticed the increased use of road salt and deicing materials in our area in recent years. These products don’t just land on roadways, parking lots, and sidewalks; they also affect the landscape, and seep into the soil, groundwater, storm drains, and surface waters with…
Keep readingWhat’s Out There in My Yard? How to Use Camera “Trapping” for Citizen Science
Have you ever wished you could photograph animals in your yard during the day when you’re not there? Have you wondered which types of animals might be visiting your yard at night? Learn how you can capture images of elusive creatures when you’re not around. Text and images by Louis…
Keep reading2018 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Opportunities
The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday is a nationally recognized day of service. ARMN welcomes members of the public to join master naturalists for various earth-friendly projects in the area to honor the spirit of Dr. King. Here is a list of habitat restoration and invasive removal activities on the…
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Active Shooter Awareness Training for Master Naturalists and Master Gardeners
Arlington County police officers recently provided active shooter training for ARMN and Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia to help volunteers plan and react to an emergency. by Bill Browning and Kasha Helget It is an unfortunate sign of the times that we have to be alert to possible active shooters…
Keep readingARMN Board Members Join Other Master Naturalist Boards for Leadership Day
by Kasha Helget ARMN Board Members enjoy a day of leadership training hosted by the State’s Master Naturalist Program staff. Members of the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists board attended an annual Leadership Day training in Gainesville on November 3rd. The event, which was hosted by the State’s Master Naturalist program…
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