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.ContinueContinue reading “The Secret Lives of Chipmunks”
Category Archives: Service Projects
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 Mockingbird, copyright David Howell. Northern Mockingbirds are fond of the native honeysuckle (Lonicera sempervirens) in ourContinueContinue 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 newsContinueContinue 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, andContinueContinue reading “White-tailed Deer and Forest Health in Northern Virginia”
Flying Squirrels—They’re Still Here!
by Kasha Helget A couple of years ago, I shared a story about a wonderful program that Long Branch Nature Center runs each year about our local flying squirrel population. Among other things, we learned that these are southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans), 8-10 inches long (including their tails), and weighing on average a coupleContinueContinue reading “Flying Squirrels—They’re Still Here!”
Spring Ephemerals Are Blooming Now. Enjoy Them Before They’re Gone!
Text and photos by Caroline Haynes. In this time of “physical distancing,” while on a solitary walk in a natural area or in your own native plant garden, keep an eye out for some of Virginia’s beautiful spring ephemerals. Ephemerals bloom for a fairly short time early in the spring and take advantage of theContinueContinue reading “Spring Ephemerals Are Blooming Now. Enjoy Them Before They’re Gone!”
When Nature Takes Charge and We Get Teachable Moments
By Steve Young Sparrow Pond is an artificial wetland and stormwater remediation complex along the Washington and Old Dominion (W&OD) Trail between Route 50 and Columbia Pike in Arlington. Built circa 2000-2001, the pond has been very successful in capturing sediment that otherwise would have flowed into Four Mile Run, then the Potomac River, andContinueContinue reading “When Nature Takes Charge and We Get Teachable Moments”
Martin Luther King, Jr. and Teddy Roosevelt, A Great Match for a Day of Service!
By Caroline Haynes Over 100 individuals gathered on Theodore Roosevelt Island to participate in a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 20th. Despite the chilly 24 degrees, it was an otherwise sunny day, and enthusiastic volunteers warmed to the task of cutting non-native invasive plants that have overrun many parts of theContinueContinue reading “Martin Luther King, Jr. and Teddy Roosevelt, A Great Match for a Day of Service!”
Deep Dive Recap: Dabbling and Diving Ducks
Text by Kristin Bartschi. Photos by George Sutherland. Ducks. They’re cute, they paddle around in parks. Some ducks are so commonplace that we don’t really think twice about them (i.e. the quintessential mallard). But, as with all animals, there is a lot to learn and every duck has a unique story. Recently, I decided toContinueContinue reading “Deep Dive Recap: Dabbling and Diving Ducks”
ARMN: Getting to Know Paul Gibson
by Alison Sheahan Paul Gibson has been a stalwart volunteer ever since joining the ARMN program in Spring 2013, especially in the areas of citizen science. I was able to interview him online and then finally got to meet him at the ARMN Annual Chapter meeting in December 2019. Here are some fascinating things IContinueContinue reading “ARMN: Getting to Know Paul Gibson”