Tag: nature
Native seedling sale starts today
The Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District’s annual native seedling sale opens today, Feb. 19, at 10 a.m. Customers need to open an account on the NVSWCD website to order seedlings. The seedlings and other pre-ordered items will be available for pickup at the Sleepy Hollow Bath and Racquet Club in Falls Church on … Continued
The Greening the Greenway initiative is growing
By James Albright The Greening the Greenway initiative is expanding its efforts to bring native plantings to Annandale. The project started last November with plantings in front of the ACCA Child Development Center on Columbia Pike. The organizers are now identifying new locations along Columbia Pike for a spring planting project. The goal of Greening … Continued
Viewpoint: Green Spring Gardens should focus on conservation
By Kathryn Cooper As a long-time resident of Mason District and dedicated volunteer at Green Spring Gardens, I urge the Fairfax County Park Authority to hire someone with conservation expertise as the new site manager at GSG. Mason District has fewer green spaces than almost any other district in the county, so GSG is a rare and … Continued
Viewpoint: In defense of natural resource conservation at Green Spring Gardens
By Kathryn Cooper I and many others in the community are opposed to the planned “education pavilion” at Green Spring Gardens. The nonprofit Friends of Green Spring Gardens (FROGS) has donated $250,000 for the project. We raised the following concerns at community meetings in February and July and on the Park Authority’s website: I … Continued
Invasive spotted lanternflies are spreading all over the county
By Shane Gomez Spotted lanternflies are booming this summer throughout the D.C. region, including Fairfax County. The species is native to East Asia, but is invasive here and is growing in number and range. Since the nymphs started maturing into adults in July, residents are spotting more of them. A prolific appetite, lack of enough … Continued
Culmore teens explore nature
Teens from Culmore got a chance to experience nature this summer thanks to volunteer Jo Doumbia, who organized weekly field trips for them. The teens went kayaking at Riverbend Park, took a nature walk at Huntley Meadows, went fishing at Lake Fairfax, and took part in a “forest bathing” exercise at Wolf Trap. Forest bathing … Continued
Watch out for turtles and bears
Wildlife experts warn the public to be aware of turtles on roadways. And if you see a bear in the area, stay calm and don’t bother it. May through July is nesting season for turtles, so it’s common to see male turtles out and about searching for a mate. As spring turns into summer, more … Continued
Lake Barcroft group supports sustainable habitats
As we approach Earth Day on April 22, it’s a good time to recognize the local residents who are working all year to improve their community’s natural environment. Lake Barcroft residents formed a group called SEED to support sustainable habitats for pollinators and other wildlife. SEED (Service, Education, Ecology, Discovery) is sponsored by Lake Barcroft’s … Continued
Health & Wellness: Nature walks
By Rachel Martin While the past couple of weeks have brought their fair share of unpredictable weather, the calendar officially says it’s spring. That means warmer days, a gentle breeze, green grass, and the beautiful return of life – in both people and plants. It’s the perfect time to step outside and enjoy everything Annandale … Continued
Bowhunting in parks starts tomorrow
Bowhunters will be allowed in Fairfax County parks to kill deer beginning on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Wonder Wagon takes nature on the road
The Fairfax County Park Authority has a new way to help residents experience nature in their communities and schools. The new Wonder Wagon is a mobile nature center that brings environmental and nature-based educational programs to underserved areas. The brightly painted Wonder Wagon van makes the rounds of afterschool programs, Head Start centers, and … Continued
White Gardens show signs of neglect
Over a year ago, the Fairfax County Park Authority dropped plans for a Resident Curator to maintain the John C. and Margaret K. White Gardens and agreed to preserve and enhance the park’s natural and horticultural resources. The White Gardens are a hidden oasis in the midst of the Falls Church area of Mason District. … Continued
The eclipse is coming on April 8
Are you ready for the eclipse? A nearly total solar eclipse will be visible in Fairfax County on April 8 – as long as it’s not too cloudy. The eclipse will start at around 2:04 p.m. and end around 4:32 p.m. The maximum eclipse – with about 87 percent of the sun blocked by the … Continued
New coalition focuses on invasive plants
A group of homeowner and community associations has come together to focus on removing invasive plants and supporting the planting of native species. The Fairfax Invasive Removal Alliance (FIRA), established on on Jan. 19, is sending letters to the Board of Supervisors and state legislators urging action to address the problem of invasive, non-native plant … Continued
Registration opens for summer camps at Hidden Oaks Nature Center
Despite the winter weather, it’s time to start thinking about summer camp. Registration for summer camps at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale opens Jan. 23 at 9 a.m. These sessions fill up quickly, so it’s best not to wait. To register for all camps, visit Parktakes online and search for the camp title or … Continued