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Dear Friend,
First, apologies if you've received previous emails about this topic. If you've already weighed in on this, feel free to disregard the rest of the message.
Second, as you may have heard, the Arlington County Board is considering closing Gulf Branch Nature Center. I can well understand that in these times of fiscal crisis, it's hard to identify areas of the budget to cut, and a nature center is considered non-essential.
But please, if you have had any of the types of experiences at GBNC that my family and I have had, consider signing the petition at
and also please consider writing to Arlington's Board members (you'll find their email addresses at
There's also a direct link on the website.
If you do write, ask them to find a way to keep open the center, and then tell them what is special about GBNC. In my emails, I told them about a solid decade of visits to GBNC to:
--participate in programs and activities for young children, led by excellent staff
--take part in annual Pioneer Days, which provide fabulous hands-on activities for children and examples of how our ancestors lived
--attend summer nature camp, a weeklong, interactive camp with fun activities and lots of learning
--visit animals inside the center and learn about animals outside the center
--find out about nature and area ecosystems and how we fit into both
--walk the paths in all seasons
--watch blacksmiths do their work
--get information from the center about hikes to the Potomac, then set off on multiple walks along the Potomac Heritage Trail nearby, watching how it changes in different seasons
--visit the sweet log cabin and learn about how people lived when it was last inhabited
Some of you went with us on these outings and shared in our love for them.
There's also a rally on Saturday, March, 14, at 11 a.m. at the center (you know I'd be there if I could!).
So many of you have cherished GBNC, as our family has. So many of you agree that Arlington should preserve its green spaces and ecological programming, as pointed out in the article in yesterday's Washington Post. If you haven't already, please consider signing the petition--and emailing a County Board member or two to ask them to find a way to keep the center open. Let's not lose this Arlington treasure.
Thank you for reading this post and for considering taking action,
Pernilla
Owner of Mrs Lavender Inc - and Treehugger by birth
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