Gulf Branch Nature Center’s location: ‘Bellevue Forest’

Gulf Branch Nature Center
Woods are called ‘Bellevue Forest’

Zillow.com
http://www.zillow.com/local-info/VA-Arlington/Bellevue-Forest/

Bellevue Forest Citizens’ Association
http://www.bellevueforest.org/
http://www.bellevueforest.org/History.htm
http://www.bellevueforest.org/BF_History.htm
http://www.bellevueforest.org/BFHistory.htm

In Bellevue Forest, an Open Door to Nature
By Cheryl Kenny
Special to The Washington Post
Saturday, February 7, 2004; Page G01
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A19443-2004Feb6.html

Jen Truong

for more current posts, see:

plantwhacker.blogspot.com

Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
Invasive Plant Program
http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/parks/ParksRecreationScriptsParksInvasive.aspx
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Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources
Invasive Plant Removal Program
“Invasive Plant Program Proposal of the Fiscal Year 2010 Proposed Budget”
Arlington County will reduce the Invasive Plant Removal Program during these difficult economic times.
Arlington’s Invasive Plant Removal Program will continue.
http://www.arlingtonva.us/Departments/ParksRecreation/scripts/parks/page68972.aspx
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http://plantwhacker.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html

Tuesday, March 03, 2009
A Temporary Reprieve for Arlington’s Invasives Program?

Rather than try to explain it, I will simply quote from Jenn Truong’s recent email:

“The past week has been quite eventful and I understand that there is a lot of information floating out there. Many of you have called, email, and visited me with lots of questions, comments, rumors, and more. I hope that I can help to clarify things for everyone and provide important information that some of you have been requesting.

As many of you know, the County Manager presented a proposed budget to the County Board on Saturday for FY10. Among the recommendations proposed was the termination of the contract with Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) for the Invasive Species Program, which among other things would include the elimination of the Program Coordinator position. VCE was contacted by the County to notify them of this proposal. On Friday prior to the Board meeting, I received papers notifying me that due to the County’s decision to withdraw funding for my position as the Invasive Species Program Coordinator, my position was being terminated effective March 31st. Today, I received email notification that the County has contacted VCE and asked them to rescind the letter of termination and I should receive the official paperwork for this early next week. Should the County Board vote on April 28th to move forward with the termination of the contract with VCE, my last day will be at the end of the fiscal year on June 30th.

I want to thank everyone for the generous amount of support for the Invasive Species Program thus far. You have definitely made it clear to the County that you care. I also want to make you aware that all citizen comments and request for information about the FY10 PRCR Department Budget be directed to the Department Director’s office. Comments can be sent by entering them in at www.arlingtonva.us/departments/ParksRecreation/ParksRecreationMain.aspx or at www.arlingtonva.us. I also encourage you to visit the County website for more information and updates about the budget as it moves forward through the process.

Please also note the following schedule of meetings and hearings where community members are encouraged to be involved:

March 5: PRCR briefs Commissions and advisory groups on FY2010 budget as it directly affects PRCR. The Community can learn more from Commissioners after this meeting to better formulate their ideas. [my understanding is that this meeting is open to the public to observe, but not to speak -- InvasivesMan]

March 19: Commission chairs meet with the County Board. The Community should be sure to share their ideas with Commission chairs prior to this meeting.

March 24 and 25: County Board Public Hearing on Budget. The Community can attend these meetings and sign up to have their ideas heard by the County Board about the budget. (Advanced Sign-up Begins March 17th and March 18th respectively)

March 26: County Board Public Hearing on Tax Rate. The Community can attend this meetings and sign up to have their ideas heard by the County Board about whether there should be a tax increase to recover some of the cut programming and to avoid even more cuts. (Advanced Sign-up Begins March 19th)

Please share this information with your respective organizations, neighbors, and friends.”

I’m not sure whether Jenn has yet received the official paperwork confirming that at least her position still exists through June 30. In my view, it was valid for the County to propose ending the program and the position with the end of the current fiscal year, and it even would have been valid to propose earlier termination if the Board supported it. What was problematic was to take action to terminate the position before the budget proposal had even been submitted, and with no public input or discussion.

So on those grounds, I am pleased that the County has adjusted its actions. But this is only a grief reprieve. Now it is clearly up to us in the public to make the case and to make our views clear. I do believe that the financial picture is bleak, and in that tough climate the County has signaled that nature is a low priority because it is not valued by management.

I think it is a terrible irony that the County talks of its commitment to “environmental sustainability” even as it does worse than merely benignly neglecting its natural resources. But as tempted as I am to ascribe it to malice, I think ignorance is a likelier explanation. County managers just don’t understand. So we need to do more education about what nature does for us and how much we care.

Arlington, VA’s Park and Recreation Commission

Arlington Park and Recreation Commission

The Arlington Park and Recreation Commission advises the County Board. It is one of five Commissions advocating for the department of PRCR – Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources ( prcr@arlingtonva.us )

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• There was a Public Budget Hearing March 24th and 25th at the Courthouse. Many residents spoke in support of G.B.N.C.
• The Arlington County Park and Recreation Commission Chair, Eric Sildon, met with and advised the County Board on March 19, 2009.

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Contact the Park and Recreation Commission

P.R.C. Online Comment Form [sent to staff contact, David Miller]

CC the P.R.C. with your letters to the Arlington County Board.

County Board Online Comment Form

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Arlington County Park Commission Members:

Eric Sildon, Chair

Richard Epstein

Amy K. Flatten

Saundra Green

Paul A. Holland, Vice Chair

Chris Hulett

Katherine Mesches

Jim Olivetti

Neal Sigmon

Bryan Steffen

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Staff Contact: David Miller

Email: dcmiller@arlingtonva.us

Phone: (703) 228-3336

Mailing Address: Department of Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

2100 Clarendon Boulevard, Suite 414 Arlington, VA 22201

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Street Address: Park and Recreation Commission

1511 South Pollard Street Arlington, Virginia 22204

Website: Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources

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Arlington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources

2100 Clarendon Blvd. Suite 414

Arlington, VA 22201

www.arlingtonva.us/prcr

prcr@ arlingtonva.us

Contact the Arlington Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Directors

703-228-3330 (voice)
703-228-4743 (TTY)

703-228-3328 (FAX)

PRCR department director Dinesh Tiwari — dtiwari@arlingtonva.us
Parks and Natural Resources division director Steve Temmermand — stemme@arlingtonva.us

PRCR marketing and communication director Susan Kalish — skalish@arlingtonva.us

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Apply to join the Park and Recreation Commission and advise the County Board!

County Board Advisory Groups Application

Apply for an appointment by the County Board to a advisory group.

Arlington County Board Contact Information

The Arlington County Board Online Comment Form

Maximize your influence when you write to the Arlington County Board – show you are a County resident by including your name and address.

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Arlington County Board
2100 Clarendon Blvd. Suite 300
Arlington, VA 22201
(at the Courthouse Metro station)
TEL 703-228-3130
FAX 703-228-7430
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The Arlington County Board Website

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E-Mail List:

countyboard@arlingtonva.us
or email individual Board Members
bfavola@arligtonva.us
jfisette@arlingtonva.us
mhynes@arlingtonva.us
wtejada@arlingtonva.us
czimmerman@arlingtonva.us
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Barbara A. Favola
Chairman
bfavola@arlingtonva.us

Jay Fisette
Vice Chairman
jfisette@arlingtonva.us

Mary Hughes Hynes
Member
mhynes@arlingtonva.us

J. Walter Tejada
Member
wtejada@arlingtonva.us

Christopher Zimmerman
Member
czimmerman@arlingtonva.us

To schedule an appointment with a Board member,
please call the County Board Office at 703-228-3130.

County Board 2009 Meetings Schedules, Agendas, and Board Reports
Meetings are usually held in County Board Room 307, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard
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‘Saving G.B.N.C.’ in the News and in Blogs

‘G.B.N.C.’ in News and Blogs

for more news and events, search “news.google.com”

NEWS

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Arlington Sun Gazette - Wednesday, March 25, 2009

“Libraries, Nature Center, Health Care Focus of Budget Hearing“

by Scott McCaffrey, Staff Writer

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Ode Street Tribune – Sunday, March 22, 2009

‘Neighborhood News‘

“Gulf Branch Nature Center video celebration” byDouglas Galbi

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Ode Street Tribune - Wednesday, March 18, 2009

‘Neighborhood News‘

“demolishing Gulf Branch Nature Center” byDouglas Galbi

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The Arlington Connection – Wednesday, March 18, 2009

“Hundreds Rally To Save Gulf Branch

Movement to save North Arlington park coalesces on the Web.“

By David Schultz, Staff Writer

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Arlington Sun Gazette – Sunday, March 15, 2009

from Archives - Video News:

“Gulf Branch Supporters Rally to Save Nature Center“

by Scott McCaffrey, Staff Writer

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Wiki News – Sunday, March 8, 2009

“Citizens of Arlington, Virginia fight battle to save Gulf Branch Nature Center“

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The Washington Post – Thursday, March 5, 2009

“A Struggle for Survival -

Residents Are Organizing To Save Arlington County’s Gulf Branch Nature Center From Budget-Cutting Effort“

by Michael Laris, Staff Writer

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The Buckingham Herald Tribblog – Monday, March 02, 2009

“Political Storm Coming to Gulf Branch” bySteve Thurston

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The Arlington Connection – Wednesday, February 25, 2009

“$23 Million In Cuts

Carlee’s budget proposal hits Parks & Rec, Libraries hardest“

By David Schultz/The Connection

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Arlington County News

Press Release – Saturday, February 21, 2009

“County Manager Proposes Smaller Budget for FY 2010

$23.3 million in reductions proposed“

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BLOGS

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Arlington County Taxpayers Association – acta.us

Growls

‘Latest news from the ACTA Watchdog‘

“Analyzing the Arlington County Budget, Part 6“

March 25, 2009

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All Around Arlington — elizabethbouchard.wordpress.com

“Save Gulf Branch“

byElizabeth Bouchard

March 24, 2009

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‘Buying Your First Home in Arlington, Virginia’ – vafirsttimehomebuyers.wordpress.com

“Happy Green Day” -GBNC rally photo

Teusday, March 17, 2009

byChristineRich

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Blah blah blahg — susandickenson.com

“Gulf Branch Nature Center rally pics, Arlington, Virginia“

bySusan Dickenson

Monday, March 16, 2009

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Blonde Charity Mafia — blondecharitymafiablog.com

“Save the Gulf Branch Nature Center in Arlington VA“

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NQMM — neverquestionmymethods.com

“SAVE THE GULF BRANCH NATURE CENTER“

By Evan Johnston

Thursday, March 12, 2009

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Mrs Lavender Inc — mrslavender.net

“Save Gulf branch“

by Pernilla Alex

Tuesday, 10 March 2009

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VoteAdam.com

“Parkhomenko Joins Campaign to Save Gulf Branch“

Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Adam Parkhomenko is campaigning for Virginia’s 47th House district seat

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Blue Virginia — bluevablog.blogspot.com

“Save the Gulf Branch Nature Center“

byLowell Feld

Sunday, March 8, 2009

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Learning As I Go – learningasoigo.typepad.com

‘When squirrels fly.‘

February 24, 2009

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Blacksmith’s Guild of the Potomac – bgopblog.blogspot.com

‘IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL MEMBERS‘

Teusday, February 24, 2009

and at

The Blacksmith Guild of the Potomac, Inc. – bgop.org

‘IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ALL MEMBERS‘

Teusday, February 24, 2009

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Virginia Happy Trails Running Club – vhtrc.org

“Gulf Branch Nature Center“

February 22, 2009

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Invasive Plants in Arlington — plantwhacker.blogspot.com

Saturday, February 21, 2009

“Volunteers are Bad. Nature is Bad. Arlington Declares War on Nature“

bySteve Young

and

Monday, February 23, 2009

“Letter to Arlington County Management“

http://plantwhacker.blogspot.com/2009_04_01_archive.html

http://plantwhacker.blogspot.com/2009_03_01_archive.html

http://plantwhacker.blogspot.com/2009_02_01_archive.html

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Invasive Notes — ipetrus.blogspot.com

byJohn Peter Thompson

Monday, February 23, 2009

“Arlington County, VA declares an end to Invasive Species Control Efforts

Invasive species control eliminated in Arlington Virginia“

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“Proposed Arlington Budget Cuts Target Park, Invasives Program“

byMiles Grant

Sunday, February 22, 2009

and

TheGreenMiles.com / ‘Mile’s Sharebook’ on care2.com

“Campaign to Save Gulf Branch Nature Center Kicks Off“

byMiles Grant

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

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Article XI – ‘To Preserve and to Protect’ – articlexi.com

“Proposed Arlington Budget Cuts Target Park, Invasives Program“

by: TheGreenMiles

Sunday, February 22, 2009

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‘Miles Grant for Delegate‘

Democrat for Delegate

Virginia’s 47th District in Arlington

Contact Info is posted on::

Website: http://www.MilesGrant2009.com

facebook page: http://www.facebook.com

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Arlington Heritage Alliance — arlingtonheritage.org

“Gulf Branch Nature Center“

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Arlington Historical Society

http://www.arlingtonhistoricalsociety.org

Arlington County Civic Federation

‘The Civic Voice of Arlington, Virginia’

http://www.civfed.org

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Old Glebe Civic Association — oldglebe.org

“Help Us Save Gulf Branch Nature Center“

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Donaldson Run Civic Association — drca.org

“Save Gulf Branch Nature Center“

Friday, 20 March 2009

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Bluemont Civic Association – - bluemontcivic.org

BCA Neighborhood News, page 3 (PDF)

“Cuts Proposed To Solve

County Budget Woes“

March, 2009

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Arlington Forest Citizens Association — capaccess.org/forest

THE ARLINGTON FORESTER – COUNTY NEWS

“Arlington County Proposed 2010 Budget“

GBNC is in V.I.H.T. GUIDEBOOK

The “Virginia Indian Heritage Trail“ Guidebook

“Now in its second edition, The Virginia Indian Heritage Trail is a landmark publication, created by members of the Virginia tribes and reflecting Virginia Indian perspectives on their own history and how that history is interpreted.

This book is free and available to the public. The charges above are only to cover shipping and handling.

Copies are also available at the thirteen Virginia Welcome Centers.“

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The Washington Post

“Scripting A Native Narrative

Gulf Branch Nature Center Aims To Retell Story of Virginia Indians“

By Brigid Schulte

Washington Post Staff Writer

Thursday, June 28, 2007; Page VA18

article also archived at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/06/27/AR2007062700849_pf.html

PDF version at: www.oldglebe.org/docs/gulfbranch.pdf

excerpt: “[Considered] one of the hidden gems of Arlington County [Gulf Branch Nature Center] has a new distinction: It is one of only two places in the area included in the Virginia Indian Heritage Trail guidebook, which became available [June 2007] and is published by the Virginia Foundation for the Humanities and the Virginia Council on Indians.”

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Arlington Connection

Column: “Fearing History“

By Steve Thurston

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

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“Those New Year Resolutions“

Jan. 4, 2008 at 2 p.m. on WAMU 88.5′s Metro Connection

excerpt: “Virginia has begun publicizing a new “trail” that focuses on important elements of the commonwealth’s history.

Virginia Indian Heritage Trail: It’s not really a trail like a driving route or a footpath. Rather it’s a free, 80-page guide to Virginia’s Native American heritage and to more than two dozen sites where visitors can learn more about the eight tribes officially recognized by the state.

Created by tribal members themselves, the booklet is divided into two major sections. The first section describes each of the tribes: Chickahominy, Eastern Chickahominy, Mattaponi, Monacan Indian Nation, Nansemond, Pamunkey, Rappahannock and Upper Mattaponi. The second part points the way to tribal reservations that welcome visitors and to authentic historical sites.

Historical sites are as close at hand as Arlington’s Gulf Branch Nature Center, a 38-acre wooded park that spotlights Native American life in this region before the Europeans arrived. The guide is available at Virginia Welcome Centers (in Northern Virginia on westbound I-66 at Manassas between U.S. 29 and State Route 234) or it can be ordered on the Internet from the University of Virginia Bookstore ($7 handling/postage). Details: www.virginia.org.”

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Virginia Foundation for the Humanities / Grant Opportunity

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Gulf Branch Nature Center

Find old web pages with the Internet Archive’s

“Wayback Machine“

http://www.archive.org/web/web.php

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Save the Gulf Branch Nature Center

-Save Arlington’s Gulf Branch Nature Center-

County Manager Ron Carlee’s budget proposal of Feb. 26, 2009 to close the Gulf Branch Nature Center has NOT been implemented… yet.

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Search the Arlington County website or Google.com for more current information.

County Board 2009 Meetings Schedules, Agendas, and Board Reports

-= The County Board voted on the budget Tuesday, April 28, sparing G.B.N.C. =-
There was a Public Budget Hearing March 24th and 25th at the Courthouse. Many residents spoke in support of G.B.N.C.
The Arlington County Park and Recreation Commission Chair, Eric Sildon, met with and advised the County Board on March 19, 2009. All sessions are held in Room 307, 2100 Clarendon Boulevard.
There was media coverage of the 11am Rally at Gulf Branch Nature Center on March 14. GBNC has been covered by WAMU, NPR, WJLA News, News Channel 8, Sun Weekly, Arlington Connection, Wikinews, and ‘other media outlets’. Channel 7 [WJLA ABC 7] film crew and NPR sound crew were at GBNC and recorded video of the event.
Many citizens gathered in a show of support. “More than 370 people signed letters of support to keep Gulf Branch Nature Center open.”

Rally Photos by supporter Kevin Borland
Videos clips of Rally Speeches have been posted by a participant.

• There was a Public Budget Hearing March 24th and 25th at the Courthouse. Many residents spoke in support of G.B.N.C. and against cutting funding in Arlington.
• The Arlington County Park and Recreation Commission Chair, Eric Sildon, met with and advised the County Board on March 19, 2009.

• There was media coverage of the 11am Rally at Gulf Branch Nature Center on March 14. Many citizens gathered at GBNC in a show of support and more than “370 people signed letters of support to keep Gulf Branch Nature Center open.”
• LINKS: Archived news coverage of the event here by WAMU, NPR, WJLA News, News Channel 8, Sun Weekly, The Arlington Connection, Wikinews, and others media outlets.” A Channel 7 [WJLA ABC 7] film crew was at GBNC and recorded video of the event.

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LINKS

Save Gulf Branch

The community dedicated to saving Gulf Branch Nature Center

• Petition To Save Gulf Branch Nature Center

• Friends of Gulf Branch Nature Center — Save Gulf Branch.com email:volunteer@savegulfbranch.com

• Facebook group “Save Gulf Branch Nature Center”

• Yahoo group “Friends of Gulf Branch“ Please follow this link to get regular email updates, additional talking points and to get involved

• flickr “Save Gulf Branch Nature Center“

flickr group photos about GBNC

• youtube video: “Save Gulf Branch Nature Center!” search youtube for “gulf branch nature center“

• WordPress blog: “Save Gulf Branch Nature Center”

Arlington Heritage Alliance — arlingtonheritage.org “Gulf Branch Nature Center“

Arlington County Civic Federation ‘The Civic Voice of Arlington, Virginia’ http://www.civfed.org

Old Glebe Civic Association — oldglebe.org “Help Us Save Gulf Branch Nature Center“

Arlington Forest Citizens Association — capaccess.org/forest “Arlington County Proposed 2010 Budget” THE ARLINGTON FORESTER – COUNTY NEWS

Donaldson Run Civic Association — drca.org “Save Gulf Branch Nature Center

Bluemont Civic Association — bluemontcivic.org “Cuts Proposed To Solve County Budget Woes” BCA Neighborhood News, page 3 (PDF)

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Gulf Branch Nature Center

3608 North Military Rd.

Arlington, VA 22207

Phone: 703-228-3403
Hours: Closed Mon; Tue-Fri 10am-5pm; Sun 1-5pm
Cost: Free
Ages: All Ages