Text and photos by Devin Reese The nearly complete retaining wall brings a smile to the face of Master Naturalist Adam Vogel (right). Explains Master Naturalist Valerie LaTortue who stewards the Pollinator Garden at the Jerome Buddie Ford Nature Center, “Today, we are working on a teaching area and rainwater garden. When it rains hard,ContinueContinue reading “Stemming Erosion and Shoring Up a Learning Space in the Jerome Buddie Ford Nature Center Pollinator Garden”
Category Archives: Stewardship
When Gardening for Wildlife, Pick Local Natives Over Cultivars Every Time
By Nancy Cleeland and Kasha Helget. Photos by Toni Genberg unless otherwise noted. Looking to attract more insects, birds, and other wildlife to your garden by planting native species? Bravo! With only about 10 percent of our region dedicated to conservation lands, private native gardens are essential for maintaining healthy biodiversity. But not all “native”ContinueContinue reading “When Gardening for Wildlife, Pick Local Natives Over Cultivars Every Time”
Transforming Upton Hill Regional Park
Text and photos by Devin Reese unless otherwise noted. Many people know Upton Hill Regional Park for its popular recreational facilities—batting cages, mini golf, water park, and new climbing structure. The Park has its share of history, too, as a strategic vantage point used by both the Union and Confederate armies during the Civil War.ContinueContinue reading “Transforming Upton Hill Regional Park”
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: “A Day On, Not a Day Off” in Potomac Overlook Regional Park
Text and photos Leslie Cameron unless otherwise noted. Created in 1994 through federal legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Harris Wolford and U.S. Rep. John Lewis, the National Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is observed across the country each year and is referred to as “A Day On, Not a Day Off.” The ArlingtonContinueContinue reading “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service: “A Day On, Not a Day Off” in Potomac Overlook Regional Park”
2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Environmental Events
Please join your friends, neighbors, and fellow environmental stewards in participating in the following habitat restoration events during Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend. Enjoy the satisfaction of helping to restore these natural areas. Dress in layers for cold weather, bring work gloves, your own tools, if possible, your own water, and face mask. Please alsoContinueContinue reading “2022 Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service Environmental Events”
Habitat Restoration at the Fairlington United Methodist Church
Text and images by Leslie Cameron, unless otherwise noted. On a recent sunny workday in October, volunteers worked to remove invasive plants and plant native shrubs in a habitat restoration area adjacent to the Fairlington United Methodist Church (FUMC), at 3900 King Street in Alexandria. FUMC Habitat Coordinator and Extension Master Gardener Anne Wilson, withContinueContinue reading “Habitat Restoration at the Fairlington United Methodist Church”
On-going LDS Volunteering Having a Huge Impact in Five Arlington Parks
By Tina Dudley Since October 2020, Cindy Lund has been assigning young men and women from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) to work with ARMN Park Stewards for on-going, weekly volunteer service. Master Naturalist Glenn Tobin first met the LDS missionaries and Cindy, an LDS coordinator, through Trudy Roth of NationalContinueContinue reading “On-going LDS Volunteering Having a Huge Impact in Five Arlington Parks”
Battling Invasives at Glencarlyn Park
Text and Photos by Devin Reese, except as noted. Arlington Regional Master Naturalists have a vendetta against invasive plants because of the damage these invaders do to ecosystems. Invasive plants outcompete native plants, disrupting age-old relationships with insect pollinators and typically reducing the biodiversity of an area. Go on an invasives removal field trip withContinueContinue reading “Battling Invasives at Glencarlyn Park”
Revitalizing the Pollinator Garden at the Buddie Ford Nature Center
Text and photos by Leslie Cameron Arlington Regional Master Naturalists joined Extension Master Gardeners and community volunteers on July 17th in an ongoing effort to revitalize the pollinator garden next to the Jerome “Buddie” Ford Nature Center in Alexandria. This hillside pollinator garden contains native plants local to the area, including Upland Ironweed (Vernonia glauca),ContinueContinue reading “Revitalizing the Pollinator Garden at the Buddie Ford Nature Center”
Paddling for Litter on Four Mile Run Stream
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 gettingContinueContinue reading “Paddling for Litter on Four Mile Run Stream”