Text and photos by Devin Reese, except as noted. I joined a group of volunteers recently who were getting ready to attack exotic invasive plants on the banks of Lubber Run stream. The site—Woodlawn Park—is a small park tucked into a residential neighborhood in Arlington. Perhaps its diminutive size explains how well its invasive plantsContinue reading “Restoring Nature by Whittling Away at Woodlawn Park’s Invasive Plants”
Category Archives: Service Projects
The Grass Seeds, My Friend, Are Blowin’ In the Wind
Text and photos by Noreen Hannigan, unless otherwise noted. Yes, grass seeds are blowin’ in the wind, but they’re not necessarily producing a pretty song! The list of non-native invasive grasses that escape cultivation from yards and gardens keeps growing. The 2022 edition of Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas, Field Guide by Jil M.Continue reading “The Grass Seeds, My Friend, Are Blowin’ In the Wind”
English Ivy, a Deadly Invasive, is a Winter Target for Removal from Local Parks
Text and photos by Nancy Cleeland Like rust, English ivy never sleeps. It escapes yards and creeps down embankments and over rocks and up trees all year long. Planted by colonists in the 1700s and still sold in garden centers as a carefree ground cover, this ivy smothers the ground with dense mats and drapesContinue reading “English Ivy, a Deadly Invasive, is a Winter Target for Removal from Local Parks”
What is Killing Our Oak Trees and What Can We Do to Help?
By Colleen O’Hara Oak decline has been a growing concern in our region. In fact, many of us have experienced this outbreak firsthand in our own back yards or neighborhoods. But why are these oak trees dying and what can we do about it? How do we know that we have a problem with ourContinue reading “What is Killing Our Oak Trees and What Can We Do to Help?”
Harbingers of Spring
by Colleen O’Hara You could argue that no flowers are more patient than spring ephemerals—waiting all year to pop up for only a week or two when the weather starts to warm. Keep an eye (or an ear) out for spring peepers, wood frogs, and salamanders, too. As the weather warms and the rains fall,Continue reading “Harbingers of Spring”
Lacey Woods Park Grape Vine Discovery!
Text, photo, and video by Nora Palmatier In late January, ten volunteers met at Lacey Woods Park in Arlington to remove English ivy and porcelain berry vines from the edge of the managed area next to the forest. This is an area we’ve long neglected in favor of the natural area in middle of park.Continue reading “Lacey Woods Park Grape Vine Discovery!”
Martin Luther King, Jr., Weekend – Nature Volunteering Events
Come volunteer to help heal the environment on Martin Luther King, Jr., National Day of Service Weekend, Jan 14-16, 2023! You’re invited to join Arlington Regional Master Naturalist (ARMN) Park Stewards to remove non-native invasive plants and help restore the natural ecosystem, while enjoying time outdoors with community members in our area’s beautiful parks. WearContinue reading “Martin Luther King, Jr., Weekend – Nature Volunteering Events”
WHERE TO FIND WINTER’S WONDERS
Text and photos by Barbara J. Saffir Hibernation is for big, ol’ hairy bears—NOT humans. Bundle up and head outside to discover winter’s wonders! It’s downright easy to spy our hometown Bald Eagles nesting in leaf-bare sycamores and other mammoth trees. And you might catch a sly Red Fox prancing through your neighborhood searching for hisContinue reading “WHERE TO FIND WINTER’S WONDERS”
How Animals Survive in Winter
Text by Colleen O’Hara. Photos by Ken Rosenthal Have you ever wondered how a duck can tolerate swimming in icy water? Or what happens to wood frogs when the temperature drops and the cold winds blow? Animals have a variety of ways to survive the cold winter months when food sources are scarce and theContinue reading “How Animals Survive in Winter”
Trees Taking Root in Ben Brenman Park
Text and Images by Devin Reese Recently I participated as an ARMN volunteer for a tree planting event at the Ben Brenman Park in Alexandria. The event was hosted by the Tree Stewards of Arlington and Alexandria. When I arrived, an impressively large group of volunteers was watching a tree planting demonstration. D.C. area nativeContinue reading “Trees Taking Root in Ben Brenman Park“