NVBA Resource Library

Grasshoppers leap out of my way as I walk through a grassy area, and that inspired this month's column. There are about 10,000 short-horned grasshopper species worldwide, at least 60 of which are found in Virginia.

Some flies deserve a much closer look. Explore a few of our lesser-known but fascinating and - dare we say - beautiful fly species.

Carrion and burying beetles help the environment by eating carcasses and breaking them down. As Wikipedia so succinctly puts it, this "prevents accumulation of deceased organisms," and they help suppress fly populations. Let's hear it for these charming creatures!

We've been watching the birds of northern Virginia very closely. Maybe too closely.

For the last four years it’s has been a pleasure and an honor to be NVBA’s president. I want to take this opportunity to thank the great folks on our board, on our staff, in our volunteer ranks, and among our members and communities – and to highlight how, working with these groups, NVBA has been able to strengthen and grow its bird and nature conservation efforts. 

The 2026 Winter Waterfowl Survey, sponsored by NVBA, was conducted on February 14 and 15. Nearly 70 participants monitored areas along the Potomac River from western Loudoun County to Quantico Marine Base in Prince William County.

Depending on its position and angle, planting a slope isn’t always easy. But the rewards can be considerable.

Weevils have a bad reputation. But I've become fascinated with weevils as I see more of them through my macro lens. They are most unusual-looking creatures, and they aren't all pests. 

There are both native and non-native dogwoods available in the nursery trade, as well as hybrid crosses. It is important to know that all dogwoods are not created equal when it comes to their value to wildlife.

Black Birders Week changed my life. It changed the way I see myself in environmental spaces. It was the reason I joined the Northern Virginia Bird Alliance board and gave me the opportunity to meet Black birders, photographers, artists, conservation leaders, and other Black nature enthusiasts. 

National Geographic defines citizen science as “the practice of public participation and collaboration in scientific research to increase scientific knowledge.” Projects usually do not require specialized knowledge, and volunteers often train new ones.

The equinox is a reminder that things begin again. Birds feel it before we do, returning, singing, coming back to the spaces they need. And that's exactly what I want us to think about this May during spring migration and the local nesting season: who gets to be in those spaces with them?