by Barbara Hoffheins, Todd Minners, Terri McPalmer, and Jon Bell In 2020, Arlington Regional Master Naturalist (ARMN) volunteers initiated the Ozone Garden with the cooperation and support of Arlington County Parks at Walter Reed Community Center (WRCC) located at 2909 16th St S, Arlington, VA 22204. (The beginnings of this project were reported in anContinue reading "ARMN Ozone Garden Work Continues at Walter Reed Community Center"
Habitat Restoration at the Fairlington United Methodist Church
Text and images by Leslie Cameron, unless otherwise noted. On a recent sunny workday in October, volunteers worked to remove invasive plants and plant native shrubs in a habitat restoration area adjacent to the Fairlington United Methodist Church (FUMC), at 3900 King Street in Alexandria. FUMC Habitat Coordinator and Extension Master Gardener Anne Wilson, withContinue reading "Habitat Restoration at the Fairlington United Methodist Church"
On-going LDS Volunteering Having a Huge Impact in Five Arlington Parks
By Tina Dudley Since October 2020, Cindy Lund has been assigning young men and women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to work with ARMN Park Stewards for on-going, weekly volunteer service. Master Naturalist Glenn Tobin first met the LDS missionaries and Cindy, an LDS coordinator, through Trudy Roth of NationalContinue reading "On-going LDS Volunteering Having a Huge Impact in Five Arlington Parks"
Restoration for the Ages – RiP in Arlington’s Haley Park
Text and images by Devin Reese, unless otherwise noted. Arlington Regional Master Naturalist and Haley Park Steward Jennifer Frum sitting on invasive Creeping Jenny (Lysimachia numularia) that spread from a house plant discarded in the park. Bill McLaughlin removing invasive Porcelain berry from the park. A decade ago, the five-acre James W. Haley Park aboveContinue reading "Restoration for the Ages – RiP in Arlington’s Haley Park"
ARMN at the Arlington County Fair!
By Devin Reese Arlington County resident “Ace” visiting the ARMN table. Photo by Devin Reese. During the weekend of Aug. 21-22, ARMN volunteers staffed an information table at the Arlington County Fair. Adjacent to the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) and 4-H Youth Development tables, we were in a great spot for collaboration and outreach withContinue reading "ARMN at the Arlington County Fair!"
Battling Invasives at Glencarlyn Park
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 withContinue reading "Battling Invasives at Glencarlyn Park"
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),Continue 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 gettingContinue 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.Continue 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 andContinue 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"