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The BIG Picture: Eastern Deciduous Forests

Wed, 8 Feb 2012 12:21:06 -0500

The eastern US is home to a temperate deciduous forest ecosystem that stretches from Florida to New England and southern Canada and extends as far west as Louisiana and Minnesota. These forests are dominated by broad-leafed deciduous trees, but conifers, such as pines and hemlocks, are common in some areas as well.

One might assume that forests in National Capital Region Network (NCRN) parks, and the eastern US in general, are unimportant for conservation. Most of the land has been logged or cultivated at some point in the recent past and the remaining forests are often fragmented. Yet, according to Olson and Dinerstein (2002) who created a list of important areas for global conservation called the “Global 200,” parks in the NCRN fall into two areas listed as important due to their high biodiversity and their large area compared to other similar forests worldwide.

To learn how forests in NCRN parks fit in to the bigger picture, check out this new resource brief: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/briefs/NCRN_Forest_Veg_Regional_RB_2012.pdf

Spring wildflower teaser alert!

Mon, 6 Feb 2012 14:35:42 -0500

In the woods of Fort Dupont last week, NCRN Botanist John Parrish found an uncommon gem of a plant—trailing arbutus (Epigaea repens L.). These photos from a different site along the Appalachian Trail show the plant’s delicate white or pink flowers that won’t be out until March. Right now though, the leaves are soaking up sunlight in preparation for the springtime show. So keep your eyes open as you walk through the woods…

Warm Winter Days

Fri, 3 Feb 2012 14:05:07 -0500

Unseasonably warm lately isn’t it? Want to know if we’re breaking any records? Search NOAA weather data at
http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/extremes/records/

New Freshwater Sponge Species Found!

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:48:07 -0500

Another species of freshwater sponge was recently discovered in the National Capital Region! At the end of 2011, freshwater sponges of the species Dosilia radiospiculata were found in the Potomac River on the Maryland side near Washington, D.C.
Freshwater sponges attracted the attention of water monitoring field crews in 2007 when several colonies of the species Ephydatia muelleri were found in the streams of Prince William Forest Park. Sponges can only be identified at the species level by examining reproductive structures called gemmules under a microscope. Historic reports of freshwater sponges in the region from the 1970s were not identified by species.
To learn more about freshwater sponges in the region, visit: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/briefs/Freshwater_Sponge_RB.pdf
Sightings of new communities can be reported to Tonya Watts at 202-342-1443 x227.

Whatever Happened to Acid Rain?

Mon, 9 Jan 2012 12:25:19 -0500

Ever wondered what happened to acid rain? If it’s still around?
The answer is both good and bad. It is still around, but while it hasn’t gone away, it has gotten a little better in the national capital area. But even with improvements over the last 10 years, we’re still well over the level considered to be “of significant concern” when it comes to the deposition of sulfur and nitrogen compounds in the air (major players in creating acid rain). To learn more, read the new Wet Deposition/Acid Rain Resource Brief posted at:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/outreach_communication.cfm AND
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/monitoring_wetdep.cfm

2012 Wildflower Walks Scheduled

Fri, 6 Jan 2012 11:24:06 -0500

NCRN Botanist John Parrish will lead spring wildflower walks this coming April at Turkey Run in George Washington Memorial Parkway (on the 13th), and along Antietam Creek at Antietam National Battlefield (on the 20th).
John will share his expertise with spring wildflowers as well as trees, ferns, geology & soils, and much more. All are welcome but space is limited. Walks run 9:15-2:45 at GWMP and 9:30-2:30 at ANTI.
For details or to sign up, contact John by email @nps.gov.

A Different Kind of Turkey Tail

Thu, 5 Jan 2012 15:58:14 -0500

Beautiful examples of turkey tail fungus at Manassas National Battlefield Park

A 2012 Resolution

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 14:29:54 -0500

Hey DC, Maryland, and Virginia! This year, resolve to grow native plants and avoid invasives!
Learn more about invasives at http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/factmain.htm and how they’re showing up in our national parks at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/briefs/NCRN_Invasive_Exotic_Plants_Brief_2010.pdf

Who's #1?

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 15:31:47 -0500

What’s the most common tree in capital region National Parks? Hint: some say its leaves have a T-shirt shape. Learn more in our upcoming forest report…

Oh Virginia pine, oh Virginia pine...

Fri, 9 Dec 2011 15:03:43 -0500

Virginia pine is the most common conifer of national parks in the DC area. With needles in bundles of 2 and scaly reddish brown bark, it wouldn’t make a good National Christmas Tree, but it is an important part of our region’s forests. Especially in parks like Prince William Forest Park. To learn about other capital region trees, check out the NPS’s 2009 Forest Vegetation report at http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/monitoring_veg.cfm

Winter NCRN Natural Resource Quarterly is Out!

Thu, 1 Dec 2011 13:15:29 -0500

The winter edition of the NCRN Natural Resource Quarterly is now available! A publication about the "nature" in National Parks in the DC region, this issue features articles about Capital Region Conifers, A Step Toward Restoring the American Chestnut, Regional Ozone Levels, and more. It is posted on the NCRN website at:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/outreach_communication.cfm

Wild Turkey Surprise

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 13:05:08 -0500

A favorite food of wild turkeys? Acorns! And there must be plenty of acorns because the number of wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) in the capital region is robust.
Lots of great information on turkey populations in Maryland is available at: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/wildturk/index.asp

Love Your Leaves!

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 16:21:28 -0500

Love your leaves! They provide nest material to birds and other creatures and they release nutrients to feed plants and provide a foothold for plant roots!

How Many Deer per Square Mile Versus Deer per Acre?

Thu, 3 Nov 2011 14:33:47 -0400

It’s white-tailed deer monitoring time of year again. And we usually report count results as deer per square mile or square kilometer. But what does that look like? How much bigger is a square mile than say, an acre? This figure should help shed some light…

Tonight! TV show featuring Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 13:26:46 -0400

A wildlife preserve near Washington, DC? Dyke Marsh provides valuable tidal wetland habitat on the Potomac River close to Alexandria, Virginia. Learn a little about this special place tonight on the program “This American Land” on TV Channel 26 at 10:30PM

Ozone Levels Affect People AND Plants...

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 13:34:11 -0400

Ozone in DC area’s national parks is declining but almost all parks still exceed EPA human health standard. Ozone-sensitive plants are at risk too. To learn more visit:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/briefs/NCRN_Ozone_RB.pdf

An ozone damaged ash leaf.

Autumn Showers Bring ..... ?

Tue, 4 Oct 2011 12:11:53 -0400

Did you notice all the rain we had this September? The annual cycle of precipitation in the NCRN is shifting and a rainier fall is actually becoming more typical. Historically there was less rain in the fall (than there is now) and when there was more rain in August, now there is slightly less. Historic patterns of seasonal variations in precipitation are leveling out. And where that water goes- into rivers and streams- it’s having an effect on stream discharge rates (the amount of water passing a given spot at a given time). But these new precipitation patterns change streams in different ways depending on the condition of the watershed where the precipitation landed. Streams in urban areas react differently than streams in more rural areas.
To read more about these changes, visit http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/briefs/NCRN_Precip_and_Discharge_RB_2011.pdf

Small Mammals of Monocacy National Battlefield Grasslands

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:02:56 -0400

Watch a video starring the mice, voles, and shrews of Monocacy National Battlefield’s grasslands! Autumn monitoring of small mammals supports park management of resources.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_JxYy8WAIU

Praise for A Photographers Path

Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:04:14 -0400

Kudos for “A Photographers Path: Images of National Parks Near the Nation’s Capital” just in from National Parks Traveler website.
Read the review at http://www.nationalparkstraveler.com/review/2011/photographers-path-images-national-parks-near-nations-capital8751

Algae not Oil on Anacostia River

Fri, 9 Sep 2011 14:08:23 -0400

Remember the mysterious Anacostia River “oil spill” a few weeks back? Lab results show it was instead a rare algal bloom of dinoflagellates!

http://yosemite.epa.gov/opa/admpress.nsf/90829d899627a1d98525735900400c2b/976f8226118b57a785257906004c6444!OpenDocument

Fall NCRN Natural Resource Quarterly is Out!

Thu, 1 Sep 2011 09:52:41 -0400

The fall edition of the NCRN Natural Resource Quarterly, featuring articles about 2011 Bird Monitoring, Animal Research in Parks, Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine Expanded, and the new NPScape Data Viewer, is now posted on the NCRN website at:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/ncr_nr_quarterly/NCRN_NR_Quarterly_Fall_2011.pdf

Summer Rain Brings Mushrooms

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 15:02:25 -0400

Summer rain brings mushrooms! They’re beautiful to see but don’t eat them!
To learn more about mushrooms in the National Parks of the National Capital Region go to:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/inventories_fungi.cfm

genus Hygrophorous

Climate Change Means More Autumn Rain

Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:29:07 -0400

Local climate change trend -- it’s raining more in the fall according to 100 years of NOAA data.
http://www.nps.gov/cue/climate/NCR_Precip_and_Discharge_Brief_Redesign.pdf

Bird in an Oven?

Fri, 5 Aug 2011 09:58:36 -0400

What bird nests on the forest floor in a dutch oven shaped home? The Ovenbird of course! I&M bird monitoring crew member Liz Tymkiw found this Ovenbird nest at Prince William Forest Park this summer. Great work Liz!

To learn more about I&M bird monitoring at Prince William, visit http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/briefs/PRWI_Bird_RB.pdf

Walnut Tree Disease Found in Virginia - Thousand Cankers Disease

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:20:32 -0400

A disease that afflicts walnut trees called Thousand Cankers Disease, has been detected in Virginia. The VA Department of Agriculture has established a quarantine prohibiting movement of walnut material from the counties of Chesterfield and Henrico and the city of Richmond. A press release on the discovery and quarantine is available at:
http://www.vdacs.virginia.gov/news/releases-b/072111tcd.shtml

For more information on Thousand Cankers Disease, go to:
http://na.fs.fed.us/pubs/palerts/cankers_disease/thousand_cankers_disease_print_res.pdf

Lichens & Air: New Resource Brief Available

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:22:59 -0400

What does the presence or absence of different lichen species say about a park’s air quality?
Which parks have lichens with higher or lower levels of pollutants stored in their bodies?
A new resource brief on lichens and air quality explains:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/briefs/NCRN_Lichen_Air_RB_2011.pdf

Eastern Red Bat Rescued

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 09:45:12 -0400

While working at Frederick Douglass House last Thursday, Ranger Paul Gross found a juvenile eastern red bat (Lasiurus borealis) that couldn’t fly, under one of the entrance doors. Gross moved the bat out of harm’s way and alerted the park’s natural resource staff members Steve Syphax and Mikaila Milton. Milton, with the help of Regional Wildlife Biologist Scott Bates transported the bat to Locust Grove Nature Center where they met with bat rehabilitator Leslie Sturges.

Sturges identified the bat as a male who was most likely placed under the door by its mother, who may have been attacked by a predator. The bat’s wings were not fully developed enough for flight.

Sturges will feed the bat coyote milk formula mixed with mealworms until it can catch insects during flight. Eastern red bats prefer to roost in trees rather than caves and as a result are not at heightened risk for the bat disease, white-nose syndrome.

For more on bats in the National Capital Region and the region’s 2003-2005 bat inventory, visit http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/inventories_mammals.cfm.

Battlefield Natural Resource Condition Assessments Now Available!

Fri, 8 Jul 2011 09:51:41 -0400

What’s the state of natural resources in the National Capital Region’s battlefield parks? Natural Resource Condition Assessments are now available for Monocacy National Battlefield, Manassas National Battlefield Park, and Antietam National Battlefield at:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/nrca.cfm

Video of Water Striders

Fri, 1 Jul 2011 11:00:43 -0400

Watch as water striders (Gerridae) skim across the surface of Henson Creek in the Suitland Parkway in Maryland (you can hear traffic in the background). Suitland Parkway is a National Park Service (NPS) site cared for by National Capital Parks - East.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laHchXqjZa8
This short video was taken during a routine water-monitoring visit by NPS Inventory & Monitoring staff. For more information about water monitoring in parks of the DC area, visit
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/monitoring_water.cfm

What Lichens Tell us About Air Quality

Fri, 24 Jun 2011 12:11:38 -0400

Lichens, despite being durable enough to grow on tree bark and bare rock, are sensitive to pollution and can tell us a lot about air quality. A recent study in the National Capital Region (NCR) looking at the presence or absence of certain lichen species and the chemicals absorbed into their bodies, shows that nitrogen-loving, relatively pollution-tolerant lichen communities have developed over time in the region, probably the result of poor air quality in the past century and only slight improvement since. To see the full report visit
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/network_products.cfm#Articles

Sea Lamprey

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 10:03:41 -0400

You saw a what?!
On May 29, a park visitor at the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), reported seeing a sea lamprey in a stream called Difficult Run. Though this sighting is unconfirmed, sea lampreys are not uncommon to National Capital Region waters.
Sea lampreys are long eel-shaped fish with a round, suckerlike mouth, lined with rings of teeth. They are native to the Mid-Atlantic region. Much like herring and salmon, they spend most of their lives in the ocean, but swim to freshwaters to spawn during the springtime.
While in the ocean (and where they occur in the Great Lakes), sea lampreys are parasitic and use their special mouths to attach themselves to a prey fish and feed on its blood and body fluids, often killing it. Typically in this region they are not a threat to inland fishes.
Confirmed records of sea lampreys already exist for GWMP as well as nearby C&O Canal National Historical Park, National Capital Parks – East, and Rock Creek Park.
Information about fish monitoring in the National Capital Region can be found at: http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/monitoring_fish.cfm

Video of Children Fishing on National Mall

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 09:31:47 -0400

Watch a video of children fishing in the National Mall’s Congressional Gardens Lake this past weekend as part of National Fishing & Boating Week: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KRzxUcezLY
Information about fishing in the waters of the National Mall can be found at http://www.nps.gov/nama/naturescience/fishing.htm
This weekend, June 11 and 12, are “free fishing days” in Washington, DC where citizens may fish in district waters without a fishing license. The practice of catch and release is encouraged.

Summer Edition of the Quarterly is Now Available!

Wed, 1 Jun 2011 11:01:46 -0400

The summer edition of the NCRN Natural Resource Quarterly, featuring articles about Birch Family Natives, the State of the Birds Report, a new Fish Resource Brief and other materials available, is now posted on the NCRN website at:
http://science.nature.nps.gov/im/units/ncrn/products/ncr_nr_quarterly/NCRN_NR_Quarterly_Summer_2011.pdf

Osprey Nest on Crane

Tue, 10 May 2011 14:30:54 -0400

Osprey nest built on construction crane in Anacostia Park halts construction on Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. Photos from District Dept of Transportation are available at www.flickr.com/photos/ddotphotos.

Tree ID application

Fri, 6 May 2011 10:10:11 -0400

New free smart phone app identifies tree leaves in DC with facial recognition technology. The application was developed by the Smithsonian Institute, University of Maryland, and Columbia University.
http://leafsnap.com/

Shooting Stars Surprise Manassas

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 09:41:24 -0400

NPS photos courtesy of John Parrish and Courtney Asher

Delicate shooting stars (Dodecatheon meadia) were recently discovered at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Shooting stars, named for their pendulous cone-shaped flowers that resemble pink badminton birdies, are part of the primrose family. They have never previously been recorded in the park, or the county of Prince William, Virginia. The flowers were found during a wildflower walk sponsored by the National Capital Region Inventory & Monitoring Network (NCRN I&M).

For more information about wildflowers at Manassas visit http://www.nps.gov/mana/naturescience/wildflowers.htm.

Look now for Dogwood Anthracnose

Wed, 27 Apr 2011 17:31:46 -0400

Late April is the time to keep an eye on our native flowering dogwoods, and not only for their beautiful blooms. It’s now that signs of dogwood anthracnose, a disease that causes leaf spots, branch dieback, and eventually death, can show up in dogwoods of the National Capital Region.

A great short news column on dogwood anthracnose was published in the Washington Post yesterday at (choose April, week 4):
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/special/metro/urban-jungle/spring-2011/index.html

And for more information from the USDA, visit:
http://www.na.fs.fed.us/spfo/pubs/howtos/ht_dogwd/ht_dog.htm

Swimming up Rock Creek’s Fish Ladder

Tue, 19 Apr 2011 14:46:18 -0400

Gizzard Shad, a species of herring, were spotted this morning swimming up Rock Creek’s fish ladder that leads around the 12-foot high, historic Pierce Mill dam. Flow in the creek was high and waters were murky due to recent heavy rains, but this video captures the fish starting their climb through the “ladder” on their annual springtime journey to upstream spawning areas.

Watch today's fish ladder video

For more information on fish migration in Rock Creek see:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/30 AR2007033002430.html

Maryland Invasive Species Bill Becomes Law

Thu, 14 Apr 2011 14:16:50 -0400

Maryland bill HB 831, concerning the nursery trade of invasive plants, was signed into law April 12, 2011.

http://mlis.state.md.us/2011rs/bills/hb/hb0831t.pdf

Brush up on Herp Identifications

Mon, 11 Apr 2011 16:10:11 -0400

Brush up on herp IDs with the Key to Amphibians and Reptiles of Maryland at:
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/pdfs/HerpKeyForWeb.pdf

Photo: Crotalus horridus, a rattlesnake native to the northeast US.

Video onTicks and Lyme Disease

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 09:36:13 -0400

A new video from Greenbelt Park to educate visitors about ticks and Lyme disease is now available at
http://www.nps.gov/gree/parkmgmt/tick-and-lyme-disease-information.htm

Muskrat Love Doesn't Include Cherry Trees

Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:35:18 -0400

A muskrat was seen swimming in the Washington Channel just behind the headquarters of the National Mall & Memorial Parks (NAMA) on March 14, 2011.

With the blossoming of cherry trees on the National Mall fast approaching, at about the same time of year that juvenile beavers leave their families in search of new homes, aquatic mammals near the Tidal Basin don’t go unnoticed. But luckily, muskrats pose no threat to the nation’s treasured cherry trees.

There are three aquatic mammals found in NAMA. Native muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) are the smallest (10-14 inches excluding tail length and up to 4 pounds) and have a vertically flattened tail. The much larger nutria (Myocaster coypus), an introduced species from South America, has a rounded, almost rat-like tail, a 24-inch body (tail length excluded) and can weigh up to 20 pounds. The beaver has a horizontally flattened paddle tail, 25- to 30-inch adult body length (tail length excluded) and weigh up to 60 pounds. The head of a beaver appears more squarish than a muskrat or nutria.

Eastern cougar declared extinct

Fri, 4 Mar 2011 12:40:26 -0500

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) issued a report March 2, 2011, concluding the eastern cougar is extinct and recommending the subspecies be removed from the endangered species list. The existence of the eastern cougar, on the endangered species list since 1973, has long been questioned. According to Dr. Mark McCollough, lead FWS scientist for the eastern cougar, it has likely been extinct since the 1930s.

FWS reviewed reports of cougars observed in the wild that described cougars of other subspecies, often South American subspecies, that had been held in captivity and had escaped or been released to the wild, as well as wild cougars of the western United States subspecies that had migrated eastward to the Midwest.

A full FWS press release is available at http://www.fws.gov/northeast/ecougar/newsreleasefinal.html

The National Park Service endangered species database allows you to search for threatened and endangered species by the park in which they occur, by common name, or by scientific name.

Additional information about eastern cougars, including frequently asked questions and cougar sightings, is at: http://www.fws.gov/northeast/ecougar. Find information about endangered species at http://www.fws.gov/endangered.

Chronic Wasting Disease Found in a White-tailed Deer in Maryland

Fri, 11 Feb 2011 13:45:51 -0500

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) received laboratory confirmation February 10, 2011, that a white-tailed deer harvested in Maryland tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD). This is the first confirmed case of CWD in Maryland. A hunter in Allegany County reported killing the deer on November 27, 2010, in Green Ridge State Forest. Maryland now joins 20 other states and Canadian provinces with CWD documented in deer, elk, or moose.

A press release on this new finding of CWD is online at
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/pressrelease2011/021011a.asp.
Information on the Maryland DNR’s CWD response plan is online at
http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/wildlife/Hunt_Trap/deer/disease/cwdinformation.asp.

North Atlantic coastal climate change monitoring

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 09:41:30 -0500

A final workplan for coastal climate change monitoring along the North Atlantic coast, is now available on the NPS NRInfo website (the Natural Resource Information Portal) at:

http://nrinfo.nps.gov/Reference.mvc/Profile?code=2166645

The document sets out the strategy for enhanced monitoring of natural resource conditions in North Atlantic coastal parks to address the effects of rapid climate change. These monitoring efforts will be lead by the regional Inventory & Monitoring (I&M) Programs: the Northeast Coastal and Barrier Network, the Northeast Temperate Network, and the National Capital Region Network.

NCRN Natural Resource Quarterly

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 1 Dec 2010 12:21:55 -0500

The Winter NCRN Natural Resource Quarterly Newsletter is now available on the NCRN website.. Featuring articles about the oaks of the NCRN, the Chesapeake Watershed CESU, a summary of 2010 publications on NCRN natural resources, and more!

NCR Natural Resources Quarterly Newsletter

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 5 Mar 2010 09:20:14 -0500

The first edition of the NCR Natural Resource Quarterly Newsletter is now available on the NCRN website.. Get the latest information on I&M monitoring activities in NCR parks, Spring wildflower walks, freshwater sponges, and more!

NCRN 2008 Deer Monitoring Report Available

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 8 Dec 2009 08:52:23 -0500

The 2008 NCRN white-tailed deer monitoring report is now available on the NCRN website.

Remains of Civil War soldier found at Antetam National Battlefield

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 08:12:31 -0400

The remains of a young Union soldier were discovered on the Davide R. Miller Farm at Antietam National Battlefeld. The initial find was made by a park visitor which prompted park and regional staff to conduct an excavation of the site. Numerous artifacts were discovered that indicated that the soldier was a verteran fighting with the New York State regiment. The soldiers remains were returned to New York for internment in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

Rock Creek Park Natural Resource Condition Assessment Released

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 13:12:45 -0400

The Rock Creek Park Natural Resource Condition Assessment was completed in May of 2009 and is available on the NCRN web site.

Bobcat photographed along C&O Canal

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 4 Aug 2009 08:15:03 -0400

Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are not considered rare in the region but are rarely seen. NCR Wildlife Biologist, Scott Bates, was able to capture a photograph of this bobcat using a remote, trip camera near milepost 140 along the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal NHP.

NCRN Forest Bird Monitoring Resource Brief Available

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Mon, 6 Jul 2009 08:24:49 -0400

The NCRN Forest Bird Monitoring Resource Brief is now available. The document describes the importance of the resource and provides some summary findings.

Great Eastern Phoebe Pics Taken at the Center for Urban Ecology

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 09:16:53 -0400

NCRN I&M photographer Tom Paradis captured these pictures of an Eastern Phoebe grabbing a quick bite right outside our window at the Center for Urban Ecology in Washington, DC.

Land Donation Will Add 176 Acres to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:13:56 -0400

The Civil War Preservation Trust will donate 176 acres of land that make up a key part of the battlefield to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park during a ceremony on School House Ridge. The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, June 25, 2009.

Secretary Salazar Announces Economic Stimulus Projects in the National Capital Region

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 08:21:05 -0400

Interior Secretary Ken Salazar announced the DOI projects taking place in Maryland, and in the District of Columbia under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA).

Cannons Fire at Monocacy National Battlefield

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:22:30 -0400

Almost 145 years after the Battle of Monocacy cannons were fired at Monocacy National Battlefield during an artillery demonstration.

Memorial Day Weekend Events in DC

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Thu, 21 May 2009 08:47:15 -0400

There will be a number of events taking place this Memorial Day weekend in DC including a rare opportunity for visitors to enjoy the view from the top of the Netherlands Carillon located along the George Washington Memorial Parkway.

Secretary Salazar Presents Potomac Gorge Partnership with Award

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 13 May 2009 08:22:52 -0400

DOI Secretary Ken Salazar presented a Partners in Conservation award to Brent Steury, of the George Washington Mem. Pkwy, and Scott Bell, of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, for the restoration work they have done with the Nature Conservancy in the Potomac Gorge.

National Mall to Start Recycling Program

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 1 May 2009 09:27:16 -0400

A $1.1 million gift from Coca-Cola Co. will jump start the effort and help the National Mall catch up with other urban parks across the country. This summer, the National Park Service and its fundraising partners will study the waste generated to see how many and where recycling bins are needed. They hope to begin putting out bins by October.

Chesapeake & Ohio Canal to Receive Stimulus Funds to Repair Tow Path

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:54:57 -0400

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park is scheduled to receive over $12 million to repair a large, washed-out gap in the towpath around the are of Big Slackwater. The 2.7 mile section of the towpath has been closed for over 12 years.

National Capital Region Parks in Virginia Receive Stimulus Funds

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 10:35:26 -0400

Prince William Forest Park, Manassas National Battlefield, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and the George Washington Memorial Parkway are all slated to receive stimulus funds. Prince William Forest Park will receive the most funds, over $5.5 million, for a number of rehabilitation projects.

First Annual Tree Report Card for DC Released

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 09:53:41 -0400

Casey Trees just released the first Annual Tree Report Card for Washington, DC. The City received an overal grade of a B based on the combined score of these metrics: Coverage, Health, Planting, Protection and Awareness.

Bill to Block Incinerator Construction is Rejected

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 7 Apr 2009 15:58:54 -0400

A committee in the Maryland State Senate has rejected a bill that would have blocked the construction of a trash incinerator near Monocacy National Battlefield.

NCRN 2007 Deer Monitoring Report Published

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 08:33:19 -0400

The National Capital Region I&M Network's 2007 Deer Monitoring Report has just been published and is available on the Network website.

DOI Announces Release of Report Showing Declines in Bird Populations

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 08:31:58 -0400

DOI Secretary Ken Salazar released the first ever comprehensive report on bird populations in the United States today. The State of the Birds Report, which was a the product of partnerships between governement agencies and NGOs, shows that nearly one third of the nation's bird species are either endangered, threatened or declining.

Designation of National Park Units Can Be Confusing

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 08:03:48 -0400

The National Park Service claims to manage 391 units or areas but when examined more closely, the manner in which these units are designated and managed can be confusing.

Rock Creek Park - The Only Planetarium in the NPS

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 07:05:21 -0400

Located in the middle of Washington, DC, Rock Creek Park does not offer the best views of the night sky but it does offier the only planetarium in that National Park System.

NCRN 2008 Forest Vegetation Monitoring Report Published

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 09:06:28 -0400

The National Capital Region I&M Network's 2008 Forest Vegetation Monitoring Report has just been published and is available on the Network website.

Cherry Blossoms to Arrive Late This Year

Thu, 5 Mar 2009 11:52:12 -0400

The National Capital Region Chief Hoticulturalist, Robert DeFeo has predicted that the cherry blossom blooms will occur later this year due to the colder than normal winter temperatures and the late winter snow fall in the DC area. He estimates that optimal bloom dates will be between April 3 to April 9.

White Nosed Bat Syndrome found in VA

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Mon, 9 Mar 2009 10:56:52 -0500

White nosed bat syndrome has been found in PA, WV, NY, CT, VT and now it appears VA as well. All surveys of bats for the disease in NCR parks have been negative so far. NPS employees can find out more information about the disease by following this intranet link: http://www1.nrintra.nps.gov/brmd/nativespecies/wildlifehealth/White_Nose_Syndrome.cfm

NCRN/IAN Data Portal Goes Live

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Tue, 3 Mar 2009 09:54:19 -0500

The NCRN has been working with the University of Maryland's Integration and Application Network to develop a vital signs data portal to provide access to vital signs data. The site allows users to query data through multiple data pathways and download query results to an Excel spreadsheet.

MD Bill Would Ban Incinerator Near Monocacy

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Mon, 2 Mar 2009 10:49:22 -0400

Maryland State Senator Alex Mooney introduced legislation that would stop the development of a waste-to-energy plant near Monocacy National Battlefield. The development is planned to take place within one mile of the park.

Court Finds Air Pollution Rules Inadequate

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 09:01:23 -0500

The United States Court of Appeals in DC found that federal standards for particulate air pollution are not adequate to protect health and safeguard visibility based on the requirements established by the Clean Air Act. The EPA has been directed to revise the federal standards.

2009 UERLA Internships

Giselle_Mora-Bourgeois@nps.gov — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 09:04:27 -0500

NCRN White-tailed Deer Resource Brief Available

j_patrick_campbell@nps.gov — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 09:54:17 -0500

The NCRN just released its first White-tailed Deer Resource Brief. The brief describes the issues surrounding white-tailed deer populations in NCR parks and how the species is impacting other park resources.

Proposed Incinerator Sites in Frederick Co., MD could impact NCR Parks

geoffrey_sanders@nps.gov — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 10:37:21 -0500

The top two recommended sites for locating a new waste-to-energy plant in Frederick County would be in close proximity to either the C&O Canal National Historical Park or Monocacy National Battlefield. The sites were chosen because they all have access to power and water needed operate the new plant. If the second of the top two choices is selected, a 350 ft. smokestack would tower over Monocacy National Battlefield impacting all of the historic vistas. In addition, noise and light from the power plant, which would operate 24 hours a day, could be a problem.

National Captial Region Parks help economy in Frederick County, MD.

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 10:51:18 -0500

A report released recently indicated that in 2007 parks such as, Antietam National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield, Catoctin Mountain Park, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park, and Harpers Ferry National Historical Park helped to boost the economy in Frederick County, MD.

2008 Park Visitation Report

Tue, 10 Feb 2009 09:31:17 -0500

The total number of visitors to National Parks decreased slightly from 2007 to 2008 but the National Capital Region reported a 4.3% (approximately 1.9 million visitors) increase in visitation.

National Capital Region EPMT Data Manager Position Posted

Thu, 5 Feb 2009 16:16:17 -0500

Announcement WA-226336-RM Biological Science Technician (Data Manager) GS-0404-5/6/7, Washington, DC

Funding for National Mall Revitalization Removed from Stimulus Package

Tue, 3 Feb 2009 09:06:06 -0500

NCRN 2009 Seasonal Positions Posted

j_patrick_campbell@nps.gov — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:12:37 -0500

The National Capital Region I&M Network has two vacancies for biological technicians at either the GS-5 or GS-7 levels to work on the Network's vegetation monitoring crew. See the postings on USAJobs:
GS-5 posting: NPS-NCR-09-15
GS-7 posting: NPS-NCR-09-16
Applicants should have knowledge of plant biology and have experience identifying vascular plants (ideally in the mid-Atlantic region).

NCRN Park Photo - Manassas in Winter

john_schmit@nps.gov — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:07:28 -0500

This small tributary to Youngs Branch was frozen solid by the recent cold snap. The picture was taken off of the Chinn Ridge trail, not far from New York Avenue.

NCRN Water Resources Brief Available

marian_norris@nps.gov — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 16:46:44 -0500

The NCRN just released its first Water Resource Monitoring Brief. The brief describes the program, provides some data summaries and findings and informs readers about how the data are being used to assist with park management.

National Capital Parks - East Receives Centennial Challenge Funds

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:28:10 -0500

National Capital Parks - East recieved $400,000 to expand the “Bridging the Watershed” environmental education program. Half of the funds are from the Alice Ferguson Foundation, half from the Centennial Challenge.

NCRN Photos in inaugural brochure.

thomas_paradis@nps.gov — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 13:20:23 -0500

Photographs taken by NCRN photographer Thomas Paradis will be featured in an NPS inaugural brochure.

Zebra Mussel Found in Lower Susquehanna River

Tue, 13 Jan 2009 10:13:47 -0500

Zebra mussels found in Maryland were recovered from a boat docked in Harford County. The zebra mussel, a small freshwater mollusk from the Caspian Sea, has already infested much of the Great Lakes region, causing economic and ecological damage. Free-swimming zebra mussel larvae will stick to any hard surface and begin to grow. As the mussels grow, they physically clog water systems, coat boat bottoms and any structures in water. Named for the alternating wavy dark (black/brown/green) and light (yellow, cream, white) bands on their shells, adults are D-shaped and generally thumbnail-sized (but can reach a maximum size of about two inches).

UERLA Fellowships

Giselle_Mora-Bourgeois@nps.gov — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 10:50:50 -0500

The Urban Ecology Research Learning Alliance is announcing the 2009 Urban Ecology Interships. Internships are available for graduate, undergraduate, and qualified high school students in their senior year. These internships are an excellent way to learn about the National Park Service and gain experience in fields like natural resource management, science communication, social science, and data management.

See the internship announcement, position descriptions and the application for more information.