Long Branch Nature Center

Welcome our new ambassador animal Earl the turkey vulture!

Earl is a first year turkey vulture that was found lingering near humans in Howell, Michigan. He spent a week roosting nearby and following them as they worked. This behavior is not commonly found in wild turkey vultures. Often they are wary of humans and are mostly spotted soaring high above. This cautious behavior keeps them and humans safe.

This friendly behavior is a tell tale sign of imprinting. Baby vultures imprint on their mother giving them the necessary skills for survival and mating preferences later in life. Earl is thought to of been raised and fed by humans as a chick due to his behavior and feather growth. This is an all too common case of someone who thought they were doing the right thing by caring for a young bird but causing more damage in the long run.

Thankfully his finders did the right thing and called the Raptor Center of Southeast Michigan. There, they were able to give Earl the care and socialization he needed in a safe environment.

We are so grateful to take on Earl and his wonderful personality. Earl is a curious and friendly bird that will often come up to take a closer look at humans visiting him.

Vultures are a commonly misunderstood animal and we hope that Earl will inspire the public to care for these intelligent and social creatures.

Memorial Day weekend is coming up! Make the best of it by visiting Long Branch Nature Center.
Sign up today on vaarlingtonweb.myvscloud.com

Come celebrate the long journey of birds with us!
World Migratory Bird Day is on May 9, but we are celebrating with a family-friendly, bilingual event on Saturday, May 16 from 10am-12pm. We will have games, crafts, and guided bird walks. We will also have live bird presentations for you to meet one up and close! Meet us at the Bluemont Park Picnic Pavilion.
The event is free and registration is not required, but we highly appreciate and recommend it.

See you there! 🦆🪺🐦‍⬛

There aren’t many places left where generations regularly work side by side toward a shared goal.

At the Alexandria A Capella Collective, it happens every week.

A high school singer stands next to someone who’s been singing barbershop for decades. They listen to each other. They adjust. They improve. Together.

Your donation supports the spaces, music, and programs that make this kind of connection possible.

And with your help, we are building a community that listens first.

Support the Alexandria A Capella Collective today.
https://www.spring2action.org/organization/alexandriaacappellacollective

Spring2ACTion, Alexandria’s day of giving for nonprofits, is April 22—but early giving is open now! Your gift during early giving will help get our annual Spring2ACTion campaign off to a strong start.

Plant sale pre-orders close tomorrow! Order now and consider buying pussytoes as a lovely addition to your garden.

Order here>> https://www.arlingtonva.us/Government/Departments/Parks-Recreation/Programs/Explore-Nature-and-History-in-Arlington/Native-Plants/Native-Plant-Sale

6 days till our plant sale preorders close! Todays spotlight plant is Jacob's-Ladder, a perfect addition to a rock garden, pathway or container pots. Fun Fact: This plant attracts many pollinators but most notably bumblebee queens! It is also deer resistant ;) Snag some before they go!

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