Text and photos by Jackie Rivas Our natural world is under siege by invasive plant species that outcompete native species for sunlight and water, quickly overwhelming the native habitat and eliminating food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. We have a biodiversity crisis, and these invasive species are part of the problem. Fortunately,Continue reading “It Takes a Community to Nurture a Habitat”
Category Archives: Service Projects
Nature’s Notebook Recognizes ARMN Citizen Scientists
By Rosemary Jann, Phenology Program Leader For the second year in a row, ARMN’s phenology project has been recognized as a top contributor of observations for Nature’s Notebook’s “Nectar Connectors” campaign. Nature’s Notebook, the database tool of the USA National Phenology Network, enables volunteer citizen scientists to submit observations that chart the timing and intensityContinue reading “Nature’s Notebook Recognizes ARMN Citizen Scientists”
Bluebirds Find New Homes in Barcroft Park
By Liz Macklin Early this spring in Arlington’s Barcroft Park, in clearings far from busy athletic fields, volunteers installed two boxes for nesting Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis). Painted white to minimize heat from the sun, the boxes sat atop tall metal poles with baffles attached to prevent hungry snakes and other predators from climbing. WireContinue reading “Bluebirds Find New Homes in Barcroft Park”
Volunteers Share the Joy of Local Nature at the Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market
By Eric Weyer It is tempting to think of nature as something that exists only in wild, untouched places: the forests of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the salt marshes of the Eastern Shore, or the flood-swept islands of the Potomac. But the wondrous beauty of nature can be found even in the most developed ofContinue reading “Volunteers Share the Joy of Local Nature at the Four Mile Run Farmers and Artisans Market”
Wasps and Beetles and Flies (Oh My!): They’re Pollinators and Much More
Text by Becky Hamm; images by Kent Anderson (aka “surfman”) in his iNaturalist entries, except as noted. Ah, summer: Warm breezes, colorful flowers, and lots of pollinating butterflies, bees, and … beetles? Oh yes, and flies and wasps too. While they might be overshadowed by pollinating insects that are cuter and more colorful, these lessContinue reading “Wasps and Beetles and Flies (Oh My!): They’re Pollinators and Much More”
ARMN and the Alexandria Library System Enjoy a Tidy Collaboration at Four Mile Run Park
Text and photos by Susan Berry, except as noted. On Saturday June 3, 2023, ARMN co-hosted a successful tour and clean-up of Four Mile Run Park in Alexandria. This was the second time in 2023 that ARMN partnered with the Alexandria Library system to host a nature-based event. And we’re confident there will be opportunitiesContinue reading “ARMN and the Alexandria Library System Enjoy a Tidy Collaboration at Four Mile Run Park”
Stream Monitoring Volunteers Track the Health of Arlington’s Streams
Text by Shay Pratt; photos by Colleen O’Hara How can you tell if a stream is healthy? One of the best ways is to look at the tiny organisms that live in it. The flies, larvae, and worms found there can tell the story of a stream’s overall health, if you know how to readContinue reading “Stream Monitoring Volunteers Track the Health of Arlington’s Streams”
Teaching Children About Nature Through the Magic of a Loupe
Text and photos by Eric Weyer Nature is a never-ending source of wonder, offering an abundance of intricate details, some so tiny they can barely be seen with the naked eye. That makes “loupes” (or hand lenses) one of the most important tools in any naturalist’s arsenal. During a recent training exercise for ARMN volunteersContinue reading “Teaching Children About Nature Through the Magic of a Loupe”
The Call of the Wild—Knowing When an Animal Needs Our Help
By Colleen O’Hara This is the time of year when baby animals make their entrance into the world, and often times, into our hearts. Who can resist a fluffy baby bunny? Or a sweet, speckled fawn? Very often we see baby animals on their own in the wild and wonder: Does it need help? ShouldContinue reading “The Call of the Wild—Knowing When an Animal Needs Our Help “
Join the 2023 City Nature Challenge, April 28-May 1!
by Caroline Haynes Mark your calendars for April 28 through May 1 to participate in the 2023 City Nature Challenge (CNC). Join your friends, family, and neighbors in this fun annual nature event. What is the City Nature Challenge? The CNC encourages interest in discovering urban nature by having individuals observe, record, and identify theContinue reading “Join the 2023 City Nature Challenge, April 28-May 1!”