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 Arlington County Park Naturalist YolandaContinueContinue reading “Virginia State Symbol: The Northern Cardinal”
Category Archives: Education
Sky 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 until early May, Huntley MeadowsContinueContinue reading “Sky Dancer: The American Woodcock”
Bringing Back Wild Bees, Wild Flowers, and Wildlife to Local Backyards
Text and photos by Gigi Charters, unless otherwise noted Example of a pre-made bee house structure, set up at the event. 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 aContinueContinue reading “Bringing Back Wild Bees, Wild Flowers, and Wildlife to Local Backyards”
ARMN: 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 for conversation over a cupContinueContinue reading “ARMN: Getting to Know Peter Hansen”
ARMN 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 70 members celebrated the milestoneContinueContinue reading “ARMN Celebrates 10 Years Serving Community and Launches Facebook Page”
How 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. You may want to waitContinueContinue reading “How to make your winter more interesting, help birds, and give a second purpose to your holiday tree!”
NoVA 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 coordinate their work on invasiveContinueContinue reading “NoVA PRISM- A New Partnership with ARMN”
ARMN: 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 for this interview. TellContinueContinue reading “ARMN: Getting to Know Mary McLean”
Add 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 brighten your yard, patio, orContinueContinue reading “Add Native Plants to Your Fall Garden and enjoy them again next Spring and Summer!”
An 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 mammal was the familiar stripedContinueContinue reading “An Ode, Or Of Skunks in Arlington”