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!”
Category Archives: Stewardship
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”
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”
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”
ARMN Celebrates 10 Years Serving Community and Launches Facebook Page
by Kasha Helget The Arlington Regional Master Naturalists have reached a major milestone and expands its public outreach to the community in new ways. Ten Years of Service, Growth, and Outreach The Arlington Regional Master Naturalists group just finished its 10th year as a Virginia Master Naturalist chapter, and over 70 members celebrated the milestoneContinueContinue reading “ARMN Celebrates 10 Years Serving Community and Launches Facebook Page”
How to make your winter more interesting, help birds, and give a second purpose to your holiday tree!
Many people have mixed feelings about taking down the Christmas tree each year: Glad to have it out of the house when it starts to drop needles, relieved that the county or city tree pick-up program makes for easy disposal, but sorry that the short-lived but valued purpose is gone. You may want to waitContinueContinue reading “How to make your winter more interesting, help birds, and give a second purpose to your holiday tree!”
ARMN: Getting to Know Phil Klingelhofer
By Bill Browning and Phil Klingelhofer Phil Klingelhofer is the Vice President, Service Committee Chair, and an active member for ARMN. I was lucky enough to interview Phil for this series over a cup of coffee at Northside Social on Wilson Boulevard. I learned that he does a lot more with ARMN than his jobContinueContinue reading “ARMN: Getting to Know Phil Klingelhofer”
Add Native Plants to Your Fall Garden and enjoy them again next Spring and Summer!
Text and photos by Kasha Helget Fall is the BEST time to install native plants. The cooler air temperatures are less stressful to stems and foliage, and the still-warm soil gives roots a great head start to become established before winter. So, consider choosing a few—or several native plants to brighten your yard, patio, orContinueContinue reading “Add Native Plants to Your Fall Garden and enjoy them again next Spring and Summer!”
Getting Involved in the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists Program: Why Mentoring Benefits Both Mentor and Student
By Susan Berry If you have ever thought you might want to get involved in the conservation and stewardship of our local natural resources, then the Arlington Regional Master Naturalist (ARMN) program is for you! ARMN conducts a 3 ½ month basic training course for new volunteers in ecology, botany, herpetology, ornithology, forest and aquaticContinueContinue reading “Getting Involved in the Arlington Regional Master Naturalists Program: Why Mentoring Benefits Both Mentor and Student”
ARMN: Getting to Know Yolanda Villacampa
Photos courtesy of Yolanda Villacampa unless otherwise noted. ARMN’s Membership Committee occasionally posts profiles of our members, including how they came to be master naturalists, which parts of nature they most enjoy, and how they affect their environment. This latest biography features ARMN Member Yolanda Villacampa, who graduated from our training class in Spring 2011.ContinueContinue reading “ARMN: Getting to Know Yolanda Villacampa”