by Devin Reese Arlington Regional Master Naturalists find ways to improve their local ecosystems not only on land, but also on the water. The Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation hosts regular stream clean-ups by kayak. All you need to bring is yourself, your enthusiasm for a cleaner stream, and a sense of humor about gettingContinue reading “Paddling for Litter on Four Mile Run Stream”
Category Archives: Stewardship
Two Honors! Glenn Tobin Earned the 2020 Bill Thomas Volunteer Award, and ARMN is presented the Virginia Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s 2021 A. Willis Robertson Award
Glenn Tobin is the 2020 Bill Thomas Park Volunteer Award Winner On April 20, 2021, Glenn Tobin received Arlington County’s Bill Thomas Park Volunteer Award for the year 2020. The award recognizes an individual or group whose efforts show ongoing dedication and tangible benefit to Arlington’s natural resources, parks, and public open spaces. Glenn hasContinue reading “Two Honors! Glenn Tobin Earned the 2020 Bill Thomas Volunteer Award, and ARMN is presented the Virginia Chapter of the Wildlife Society’s 2021 A. Willis Robertson Award”
Sometimes the Small Things Tell the Real Story: Windy Run Park
Text and photos by Glenn Tobin I was Zoom talking with a small group of ARMN Park Stewards the other day about what inspires us as we help restore ecosystems in our parks. (ARMN Park Stewards are volunteer leaders who work with local park management and staff to help preserve, enhance, restore, and potentially expandContinue reading “Sometimes the Small Things Tell the Real Story: Windy Run Park”
How Your Very Own Wildlife Habitat Can Bring Ahhhhhh to These Troubling Times
Text and photos by Toni Genberg What a wild ride. The past eight months have been a roller coaster of unprecedented challenges—seemingly insurmountable ones at that. I think I can state with a fair amount of confidence that we’ve collectively experienced anxiety, frustration, and also heartbreak. Maybe a bit of anger too. These have beenContinue reading “How Your Very Own Wildlife Habitat Can Bring Ahhhhhh to These Troubling Times”
ARMN: Blog Getting to Know Beth Kiser
By Alison Sheahan I’d be hard-pressed to think of a more terrific way to spend a wintry afternoon than my (pre-pandemic) tea (& goodies!) at Silver Diner with Beth Kiser early this year. I knew of Beth from her efforts to organize the Park Stewards program (Adopt-a-Park leaders who oversee volunteer stewardship work in Arlington,Continue reading “ARMN: Blog Getting to Know Beth Kiser”
My Little [Carolina] Chickadees
Text and photos by Noreen Hannigan I learned from renowned entomology professor and author, Doug Tallamy, that native host plants are critical sources of insects for birds to feed their young. One of the earliest Continuing Education events I can remember attending after I graduated ARMN training in 2015 was a talk by entomology researcherContinue reading “My Little [Carolina] Chickadees”
The Secret Lives of Chipmunks
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.Continue reading “The Secret Lives of Chipmunks”
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, andContinue reading “White-tailed Deer and Forest Health in Northern Virginia”
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 theContinue reading “Martin Luther King, Jr. and Teddy Roosevelt, A Great Match for a Day of Service!”
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 IContinue reading “ARMN: Getting to Know Paul Gibson”