To the editor: The Friends of Gulf Branch Nature Center (FOGBNC) appreciates the GazetteLeader’s recent editorial advocating for the county government’s two nature centers and continuing coverage about Arlington’s hidden gems – Gulf Branch and Long Branch nature centers.
It’s ironic that, despite letters from various civic associations and recommendations from three Board-appointed commissions (Park and Recreation, Forestry and Natural Resources, and Fiscal Affairs), the County Board has been silent on the nature centers.
We advocate for keeping the nature centers open six days a week, as before the pandemic. However, the centers are now only open three days a week under an administrative mandate by the county manager.
The county manager now requires at least two staffers to be on site when a facility is opened. FOGBNC agrees with this requirement, as also was done for other facilities, such as recreation and community centers. But instead of increasing staff at the nature centers, hours were reduced.
Another factor is that because of the difficulties schools are having organizing field trips to the nature centers, nature-center staff is now going to the schools. While this is admirable, the county government should not justify taking programs to the schools at the expense of keeping nature centers open.
While County Board member Libby Garvey has asked questions about hours for the nature centers, there has been no County Board initiative regarding returning the centers to the pre-pandemic level of six days a week. We believe that it is low-hanging fruit, given that the expenses involved (primarily hiring more temporary employees) can easily be absorbed in the budget.
A bigger question is the degree that the County Board actually listens and incorporates findings from its own commissions.
For more than two years, commissions – and a multitude of civic associations – have said on multiple occasions that, for the greater good of Arlington, the nature centers should be open six days a week. The inaction of the County Board to date speaks volumes on how board members consider the views (or do not consider the views) of their own appointed commissions.
Silence on the recommendations of the commissions provides fodder to the perception that the County Board does not understand the nature of public engagement in Arlington and why many citizens feel the board does not listen or care.
It is also ironic that, during County Board budget work sessions, there was discussion on outreach efforts to bring participation rates back to pre-pandemic levels in other county services, such as libraries and other park and recreation programs, but not for the nature centers. Likewise, while the County Board had extensive discussion concerning teen programs and mental-health issues, and what steps the government can consider addressing these concerns, not a word was mentioned on how nature centers can be a tool in addressing these concerns.
With input, county staff can design programs that can interest teens and make the nature centers more visible to the public. Open space and appreciation of nature can be part of a response to mental- health concerns affecting Arlington.
With this in mind, we encourage out-of-the-box thinking on how nature centers can be used to promote benefits for county residents.
Friends of Gulf Branch Nature Center stands willing to assist staff and the County Board in developing programming that better utilizes the nature centers to serve Arlingtonians by being open six days a week.
Duke Banks, president; Marx Sterne, vice president; Steve Young, treasurer; Joan Sterne, secretary; and board members Ed Demoney, Toby Hayman, Doug Richards, Colt Gregory, Sandy Newton and Joshua Fickenscher, Gulf Branch Nature Center.
