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”
Category Archives: Service Projects
Status of Salt Management Strategy (SaMS) to Address Excessive Use of Road Salt
by Kasha Helget from SaMS webpage. Winter is here! And with the season comes snow, ice, and salt trucks on our roadways. Last month, Sarah Sivers from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) gave an update on the program to study winter salt use and how to reduce its unintended impacts and maintain publicContinueContinue reading “Status of Salt Management Strategy (SaMS) to Address Excessive Use of Road Salt”
Family Fun at the International Coastal Clean-up
Text by Kristin Bartschi and photos by George Sutherland On a sunny Saturday morning on September 21st, EcoAction Arlington hosted a stream clean-up in Barcroft Park as part of the International Coastal Clean-up. The International Coastal Clean-up (ICC) is part of the Ocean Conservancy’s Trash Free Seas program. Every September, over 100 countries take partContinueContinue reading “Family Fun at the International Coastal Clean-up”
Fall is a Great Time to Shop for and Plant Natives!
Text and photos by Kasha Helget There is a not-so-secret maxim among gardeners that autumn can be the best time to install new plants! The soil is well warmed, but the air is cooler, which provides less stress for transplants. And the native plant sellers are ready to provide you with the best choices ofContinueContinue reading “Fall is a Great Time to Shop for and Plant Natives!”
Getting Dirty and Keeping Our Rivers Clean
Text by Kristin Bartschi and photos by George Sutherland Recent ARMN Basic Training graduates Kristin Bartschi and George Sutherland joined in a very satisfying service activity on the Potomac River. Kristin’s observations demonstrate how they could get wet and dirty and provide a valuable service at the same time. There’s nothing I love more thanContinueContinue reading “Getting Dirty and Keeping Our Rivers Clean”
Outstanding Participation in the 2019 City Nature Challenge! What Are the Next Steps?
by Louis Harrell Citizen science activities are an important way for individuals to contribute to scientific knowledge and for members of the public to increase their knowledge of local natural resources. Currently, the largest citizen science project that ARMN supports is the City Nature Challenge. Read about the results of this year’s challenge and theContinueContinue reading “Outstanding Participation in the 2019 City Nature Challenge! What Are the Next Steps?”
2018 Bill Thomas Volunteer Award Highlights Bill Browning’s Role in Leading Important Changes in Powhatan Springs Park
By Bill Browning On April 25, 2019, ARMN member, Bill Browning, was honored with the 2018 Bill Thomas Outstanding Park Service Volunteer Award for his volunteer work for the parks in Arlington. This award was established to pay tribute to lifelong parks volunteer Bill Thomas and to honor and encourage residents with passionate dedication andContinueContinue reading “2018 Bill Thomas Volunteer Award Highlights Bill Browning’s Role in Leading Important Changes in Powhatan Springs Park”
Virginia State Symbol: The Northern Cardinal
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”
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”