Gardening to protect our waterways: you can help!

Did you know that planting a tree or two can help save our local waterways? The National Aquarium partners with the Naval Support Facility Indian Head and the Charles Country Master Gardeners on restoration events that are rebuilding coastal habitats of the Potomac River. The next events are being held October 21-25,  and we need your help!

The goal if this project is to create a riparian buffer along the riverside. A riparian buffer is a natural biofilter that protects our waterways and prevents excess runoff from the surface pollution. In other words, planting a trees, grasses, and shrubs can be a big help in keeping our waters cleaner, and giving more animals a place to live. Ripairan buffers have played a significant role in soil conservation, improved water quality, healthy aquatic systems, and offer habitats for diverse wildlife .

Volunteers over 18 years of age and that are US citizens (due to base restrictions), are asked to join us for one or more field days from 9am-4pm on October 21-25, 2008. We can all actively do little things to help preserve our environment, no green thumb required! Click here to learn more about the event. To volunteer contact Charmaine Dahlenburg at conserve@aqua.org or 410-659-4274 by October 15.

Blue flags wave in Waterfront Park

This week at the Aquarium, plant-loving visitors can enjoy a flower called a blue flag. A member of the iris family, this flower is unusual for its beautiful blue color (it is not a natural color typically found in flowers). 

Because the blue flag can tolerate sun to part sun and moist to wet soils, it can be found along fresh to moderately brackish tidal marshes, meadows, swamps, forest wetlands, and in the Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Waterfront Park (an outdoor Aquarium exhibit that is free an open to the general public). The park is a great spot to relax in the bustling harbor, and has nearly 70 other species of native plants among the landscaping and 120,000 custom-made recycled pavers.

 

In full bloom!

The Amazon River Forest exhibit is in full bloom this spring! In addition to seeing an amazing collection of animals, visitors to the Aquarium can also learn about beautiful plants and flowers that are found in various habitats.  

One of the most recognizable flowers right now is the Aristolochia gigantea, or Dutchman’s pipe. These odd flowers are 6-8 inches across with a mottled maroon and white coloration. They are designed to attract flies by mimicking rotting flesh in scent and appearance (ew!). Flies that enter the hole at the center of the flower are trapped temporarily inside a chamber, where they inadvertently act as pollinators. Special hairs in the tube leading to the chamber allow the insects to enter, but make exiting much more difficult!

 

A million plants and counting…..

The Aquarium’s Conservation team celebrated a momentous achievement on Saturday, May 3rd – their one millionth grass planted! Volunteer Mary Sidlowski put the millionth plant, a coastal panicgrass, in the ground at Dam Neck Annex located in Virginia Beach. 

To participate in the Aquarium’s next planting, visit aqua.org.