Text and photos by Toni Genberg What a wild ride. The past eight months have been a roller coaster of unprecedented challenges—seemingly insurmountable ones at that. I think I can state with a fair amount of confidence that we’ve collectively experienced anxiety, frustration, and also heartbreak. Maybe a bit of anger too. These have beenContinue reading “How Your Very Own Wildlife Habitat Can Bring Ahhhhhh to These Troubling Times”
Category Archives: Education
Living in the Fall Zone
by Rosemary Jann Although we may not be aware of it, we live in a region of borderlands. Of course, our area is politically shaped by the explicit borders of the District, Maryland, and Virginia. But the diversity of our plant and animal life derives in part from the fact that the southern limit forContinue reading “Living in the Fall Zone”
ARMN: Blog Getting to Know Beth Kiser
By Alison Sheahan I’d be hard-pressed to think of a more terrific way to spend a wintry afternoon than my (pre-pandemic) tea (& goodies!) at Silver Diner with Beth Kiser early this year. I knew of Beth from her efforts to organize the Park Stewards program (Adopt-a-Park leaders who oversee volunteer stewardship work in Arlington,Continue reading “ARMN: Blog Getting to Know Beth Kiser”
Roaming Charges: The Environmental Costs of Outdoor Cats
by Rosemary Jann Domesticated cats have lived in human communities for so long that they may seem like an integral part of our natural landscape. However, cats are non-native animals that can pose a significant threat to native wildlife, in the process undermining biodiversity and disrupting the balance of our natural environment. At least inContinue reading “Roaming Charges: The Environmental Costs of Outdoor Cats”
Birds of A Feather: The Making of a Video on How to Identify Local Birds
by Joan Haffey (ARMN), with input from Charlie Haffey (helpful brother) When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, the programming coordinator for a senior services center near me asked if I would do some “Bird Zooms” for isolated seniors. Their clients are often locked down in their apartments or worse, in their room, with few, if any,Continue reading “Birds of A Feather: The Making of a Video on How to Identify Local Birds”
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 a talk by entomology researcherContinue reading “My Little [Carolina] Chickadees”
The 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 the urge to declare war.Continue reading “The Secret Lives of Chipmunks”
Why 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 yard, especially for their firstContinue reading “Why Do the Mockingbirds Rage? And Other Backyard Mysteries”
Virtually 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 few weeks obsessively reading newsContinue reading “Virtually Exploring Virginia’s Flora and Fauna”
White-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 species, degrading our forests, andContinue reading “White-tailed Deer and Forest Health in Northern Virginia”