What we do
FAUNA
Friends of Arlington’s Unique Natural Areas — the coalition of friends-of-the-park groups working together for the city’s wild places.
A coalition
Stronger for Arlington’s natural areas, together.
Friends of Arlington’s Unique Natural Areas (FAUNA) was established in September 2019 by the Arlington Conservation Council. It brings together the volunteers and friends-of-the-park groups who care for Arlington’s natural areas so they can share common issues, coordinate plans, and speak with one voice for the city’s wild places.
Presentations at the ACC’s yearly meeting showed that volunteers across the city were doing the same work, facing the same problems, and planning for the same future. Ball fields and pavilions generate revenue for the parks department; natural areas beautify the city without producing income, so the many hours volunteers give them often go unsupported. FAUNA exists to change that.
Participating groups
Friends of Arlington’s natural areas.
The volunteer groups who come to the FAUNA table. Add or update groups anytime from the page editor.
Common ground
Issues we work on together.
Every friends group meets the same challenges. Pooling effort and knowledge is how we make headway on all of them.
Invasive plants
Removing privet, ligustrum, and bastard cabbage — and keeping them under control through constant vigilance.
More volunteers
Recruiting and retaining the helping hands every park needs, so the work doesn’t fall to a small core of regulars.
Erosion control
Protecting creeks and floodplains from erosion driven by heavier rains and upstream development.
Smarter mowing
Mowing height and timing that protects native vegetation instead of cutting it so low it dies.
Water & growing space
Getting water to native plants and finding space to grow plants for the parks and for fundraising sales.
Shared data & signs
A common database for the city and developers, plus durable, user-friendly signage across the parks.
What we’re asking for
A fair partnership with the city.
- An APRD resource manager — a single contact person friends groups can reach about park issues.
- A city privet-control plan that accounts for the cost and lost plant diversity of inaction.
- Follow-through on plans, so volunteer effort isn’t wasted.
- A way to quantify the value of natural areas to the city — and a standing coalition that can advocate for them together.
Bring your group to the table.
If your group volunteers in an Arlington park or natural area, FAUNA is your table. Come to a meeting, and find work days and volunteer opportunities on our calendar.