Text and photos by Jackie Rivas Our natural world is under siege by invasive plant species that outcompete native species for sunlight and water, quickly overwhelming the native habitat and eliminating food and shelter for birds, butterflies, and other pollinators. We have a biodiversity crisis, and these invasive species are part of the problem. Fortunately,Continue reading “It Takes a Community to Nurture a Habitat”
Category Archives: Stewardship
Bluebirds Find New Homes in Barcroft Park
By Liz Macklin Early this spring in Arlington’s Barcroft Park, in clearings far from busy athletic fields, volunteers installed two boxes for nesting Eastern Bluebirds (Sialia sialis). Painted white to minimize heat from the sun, the boxes sat atop tall metal poles with baffles attached to prevent hungry snakes and other predators from climbing. WireContinue reading “Bluebirds Find New Homes in Barcroft Park”
ARMN and the Alexandria Library System Enjoy a Tidy Collaboration at Four Mile Run Park
Text and photos by Susan Berry, except as noted. On Saturday June 3, 2023, ARMN co-hosted a successful tour and clean-up of Four Mile Run Park in Alexandria. This was the second time in 2023 that ARMN partnered with the Alexandria Library system to host a nature-based event. And we’re confident there will be opportunitiesContinue reading “ARMN and the Alexandria Library System Enjoy a Tidy Collaboration at Four Mile Run Park”
Fighting a “New” Non-Native Invasive in Town: Reports from the Front Line on Removing Italian Arum
Text by Kit Britton; photos by Jim Bly, unless otherwise noted. The February 26 Italian arum eradication event at the grounds of Culpepper Garden senior living community was the kickoff of a stewardship activity to last one year. A plant that was likely spread to the site as an escaped houseplant, in the root ballContinue reading “Fighting a “New” Non-Native Invasive in Town: Reports from the Front Line on Removing Italian Arum”
Restoring Nature by Whittling Away at Woodlawn Park’s Invasive Plants
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”
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?”
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!”
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“