Tag: nature
Park users unaware FXCO is using bowhunters to reduce deer population
Deer on the Cross County Trail in Annandale, Oct. 4 It’s deer hunting season in Fairfax County parks, but most park users don’t seem to know much about it. All but one person the Annandale blogger encountered while on a walk along the Accotink Stream Valley were unaware that the county has authorized a group … Continued
Friends of Accotink Creek seeks new leadership
Sediment from the beltway HOT lanes project is clogging the Accotink watershed The Friends of Accotink Creek (FACC) has been keeping watch on Annandale’s major watershed since 2004, organizing clean-up and monitoring actitivies. The group also educates the public on watershed protection and takes part in environmental advocacy. But now that the founders of the group, … Continued
Earthquake caused minimal structural damage in FXCO
Tuesday’s earthquake caused structural damage to an apartment building in Dunn Loring, forcing the evacuation of seven people from four units. All were provided emergency housing in the same complex, reports Renee Stillwell of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. Other than that, “there were no major issues,” Stillwell says. During the four-hour period … Continued
Yep, that was an earthquake
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake alarmed people around the D.C. area this afternoon but the Fairfax County government reports there was no damage. Buildings throughout the area were evacuated. The epicenter was at Mineral, Virginia, north of Richmond, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. Did you feel the earthquake? We were sitting out in the backyard and heard a loud rumbling … Continued
Venomous wildlife can be annoying but won’t kill you
Copperhead We’ve got some dangerous wildlife around Annandale, but not as much as you might think, says Suzanne Holland, director of the Hidden Oaks Nature Center. Holland always has local children enthralled when she teaches them about the natural world, and her presentation on venomous snakes and poisonous plants Saturday afternoon was no exception. The … Continued
Snapping turtle babies released to the wild
Janis Jeffers, naturalist and volunteer coordinator at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale, sent us some photos of the baby snapping turtles released at Lake Accotink:
Hidden Oaks naturalists release snapping turtle hatchlings
Naturalists from the Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale released a group of snapping turtle hatchlings into Lake Accotink on Friday, Aug. 12. The baby turtles were the first to emerge from a clutch of 35 eggs rescued from a local resident’s flower garden. The next group of turtles will be released into the lake … Continued
Park Board honors Annandale volunteers
Hidden Oaks Nature Center Two of the three recipients of the Fairfax County Park Authority Board’s 2011 Elly Doyle Park Service Awards are based in Annandale—the Friends of Hidden Oaks Nature Center and dog park activist Chris Robichaux. The other award recipients are Charles and Jacque Olin, founders of the Analemma Society, who were instrumental … Continued
Annual plant sale at Green Spring Gardens this Saturday
More than 40 vendors will on hand at Green Spring Gardens’ plant sale Saturday, offering native plants, trees, shrubs, flowers, herbs, including rare and usual varieties, and many native plants. The sale takes place 9-3 p.m., May 14. Green Spring Gardens is 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. The nearby Pinecrest Office Park has agreed to … Continued
Park Authority Board Member Update, April 2011
Observatory at Turner Park By Marie Reinsdorf This is the second in my new series of brief news pieces to let you know what’s happening at the Fairfax County Park Authority Board. At our most recent meeting, April 13, the board voted to approve three Mastenbrook matching-fund grant applications. Mastenbrook funds come from previously … Continued
Classes for kids at Hidden Oaks on nature and science
Hidden Oaks Nature Center, Annandale’s best spot for kids to experience and learn about nature, is starting a series of classes for kids next week. The classes are these topics: Meteorology—starts Monday, March 28, 3 p.m.; ages 5-10; program code 308 271 6401. Zoology (Science behind Animals)—starts Wednesday, March 30, 4 p.m.; ages 6-10; program code 308 … Continued
Families invited to Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Hidden Oaks
Naturalist Jessica Miller portrays Alice Parents and their children are invited to join Alice and her Wonderland friends at the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at Hidden Oaks Nature Center in Annandale Sunday, March 20, at 1:30 p.m. Enjoy butterfly-shaped sandwiches and meet a live creature from the story. Children must be at least 5 years … Continued
Holmes Run orange color – could be harmless bacteria
Russ Smith, an engineer with the Fairfax County stormwater planning department, says the bright orange color in Holmes Run is most likely caused by “iron fixing bacteria,” which shows up when the weather gets warmer. He says it is “totally inert” and is not harmful to people or wildlife. The hazardous materials department has also … Continued
What is this mess?
Holmes Run at Rose Lane Park in Annandale is bright orange. Is it mud or pollution? I’ve seen muddy streams before but not like this. It is coming out of the storm drain.
Take your family on a nighttime nature hike with ‘wildlife’ at Hidden Oaks
Ever wonder what goes on in the woods when the sun goes down? Creatures of the night (actually naturalists in costume) will dispel some myths about themselves during “Fear-less Fest,” Hidden Oaks Nature Center’s biggest event of the year. Fear-less Fest takes place Oct. 23, 7-9 p.m. at Hidden Oaks, 7701 Royce St., Annandale. The … Continued