Tag: nature
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
Green Springs Garden is one of Annandale’s best parks
The weather was perfect for the Green Spring Gardens Festival in Annandale earlier today. Among the nurseries and organizations with plants on sale were Morningside Farm, Hillhouse Farm and Nursery, and the Virginia Native Plant Society. Live music in the gazebo, craft vendors, a tea tasting in the Historic House, a bake sale, and children’s … Continued
Draft Accotink Creek Watershed Management Plan proposed many projects in Annandale
The public is invited to a forum to review a draft plan for preserving and restoring the Accotink watershed Sept. 21 at Fairfax High School, 7-9 p.m. Accotink Creek The Accotink Creek Watershed Management Plan, prepared by KCI Technologies Inc. for the Stormwater Planning Division of the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental … Continued
Annandale children say ‘adios,’ as monarchs begin long journey to Mexico
About half a dozen monarch butterflies got a fond farewell as they headed off to Mexico from Annandale’s Hidden Oaks Nature Center Sunday afternoon. Before they flew away, Assistant Manager Suzanne Holland attached tiny stickers to their wings to help biologists track their journey. Monarch butterflies eat milkweed leaves, and Hidden Oaks’ butterfly garden is … Continued
Long-range park planning document addresses park issues in Annandale
Among the Fairfax County Park Authority’s long-range plans for Annandale are recommendations for new trails and new connections between existing trails, upgraded facilities at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center and Audrey Moore RECenter, the preservation of historic sites, and much more. These proposals are included in the draft report, Great Parks, Great Communities. This project was initiated … Continued
Contest recognizes landscapes pleasing to the environment as well as the eye
Is your home landscape not only beautiful but environmentally friendly? If the answer is Yes, you might want to enter it in the 2010 Conservation Landscaping Contest sponsored by the Chesapeake Conservation Landscaping Council. Novice gardeners, students, schools, businesses, and professionals are all invited to enter. The deadline for applications is Sept. 1. Applicants will … Continued
Kiwanis members fix up Nature Playce at Hidden Oaks
ature Playce, the outdoor play area at the Hidden Oaks Nature Center, is a lot nicer, thanks to the efforts of the Kiwanis Club of Annandale. About 25 members of the volunteer service organization spent several hours this morning repairing the fence and doing other work. They replaced more than 120 rotting fence rails, fixed … Continued