Montgomery Parks

We are seeking a Park Planner III to join the Long-Range Planning Section in our Park Planning and Stewardship Division. The Park Planner will help shape the future of the Montgomery Parks system and Montgomery County with a focus on the Upcounty Planning Area. Apply by 8/7: https://lnkd.in/d2a38ZGJ

As we wrap our favorite month, Parks Director Miti Figueredo wishes everyone a happy Park and Recreation Month! Whether you’re seeking spaces to stay active, build connections, or give back to the community, you belong here at Montgomery Parks. National Recreation and Park Association

A big thank you to all the Kayak Clean Up Volunteers who joined Montgomery Parks and the Potomac Conservancy on Saturday, July 20 for the Scoop and Paddle event at Black Hill Regional Park! The dedication to a cleaner environment and healthier waterways is truly inspiring. The 36 volunteers collected roughly 160 pounds of trash -- equivalent to the weight of a bighorn sheep!

Montgomery parks is seeking an experienced Lead Park Police Dispatcher to work with our Park Police Division in Silver Spring, MD Apply by 8/8: https://lnkd.in/eSCMzxgC

It’s a wrap! Thank you for celebrating #NationalMothWeek with us. Some highlights: 1. Moths have needs for their homes, too, just like us! Thank an oak tree for the prime real estate it provides for moths and butterflies. Be a “moth developer” by planting some native plants that flower at night. 2. Moths love UV light, maybe a little too much! It helps the males find the females, but our lights blind them. Turn off outdoor lights and/or close your blinds at night to help moths find the UV they seek. 3. Afraid of the dark? No biggie, Montgomery County has got you! Hit up Project Porchlight to swap out your outdoor lightbulbs for free! They bring out yellow/red LEDs that attract way fewer insects. 4. Moths are dark and mysterious...as in we don’t know much about them! Do science a solid by counting them with a camera and sharing the photos on iNaturalist. Add the label “Moth” and all such photos this week will be sent to scientists behind National Moth Week! Want to learn more about moths? Check out National Moth Week here: https://lnkd.in/e3ZPyQ2J Finally, we’d like to extend a big thank you to Park Naturalist II, Lucila Fernandez at Meadowside Nature Center for putting together all the posts and graphics to celebrate #NationalMothWeek at Montgomery Parks! Thank you, Lucila!

Still thirsty? So are our moths! Some adult moths feed on nectar, and many of these do so at night. Many of the plants we think of as being pollinated by bees and butterflies during the day need to *also* be pollinated at night. The pollinating power of both daytime and nighttime animals increases the chances these plants can reproduce. If you have a balcony, porch, or a yard, offer a “moth menu” of moon garden plants! Moon gardens feature native plants that flower or shine at night. They are beautiful for us and nighttime animals, like moths, who look for white, silver, sweet, and soft plants to feed from and rest in. An easy way to get started is to plant in containers. Try one of these moth-friendly native plants: -Little bluestem -Wild phlox -Wild stonecrop -American alumroot Look out for our next series of Native Plant Sales, coming this fall, to add native plants moths will love to your garden. #NationalMothWeek National Moth Week

The Montgomery Parks Activation (Events) Team is seeking two (2) enthusiastic, passionate, and highly motivated people to join our Parks Activation team as the Senior & Principal Events Specialists. These team members will be responsible for developing, implementing, and managing signature, regional, and local events throughout parks in Montgomery County. Apply by 8/2: https://lnkd.in/e4kYJUwv

Happy #FloraAndFaunaFriday! Did you know the Red-winged Blackbird is not just a common sight, but one of North America’s most striking avian residents? Their early, tumbling songs mark the joyful return of spring across wetlands and countryside landscapes. Found on cattails and on telephone wires, these glossy-black males boast scarlet-and-yellow shoulder patches that they proudly display (or hide!) depending on their mood. Meanwhile, a females sport a subtle, streaky brown plumage resembling a large, dark sparrow. In the breeding season, you can spot them in cattail marshes or listen for their unique calls. Come winter, keep an eye out for them among mixed blackbird flocks—don’t miss the streaky females blending in like sparrows! Red-winged Blackbirds might even visit your yard for mixed grains and seeds, especially during migration! In the fall and winter, spread some on the ground to attract these delightful creatures. Next time you’re out exploring nature, listen for their cheerful tunes and keep your eyes out for these boldly colored beauties! For more interesting facts about the Red-winged Blackbird, check out: https://lnkd.in/eTcffyeN Source: Cornell Lab of Ornithology

It’s been a long, hot day and it’s time to kick back and crack open a can of fizzy drink. Moths might enjoy some of that, too! Cheers to yourself and moths for #NationalMothWeek by mixing up a little mothy cocktail. This concoction can be used to attract moths to a specific location so you can view a bunch of cool species up close. Using bait like this is one of a few DIY methods for “mothing,” the habit of looking for moths for enjoyment and discovery! Mothing Cocktail For this recipe, you’ll need: - Container with a lid - One piece of fruit - A dash of beer - Paint brush - Flashlight - Camera Steps: 1. Place the fruit inside the container. 2. Add a dash of beer. 3. Cover the container and let it sit on the counter for a few days. https://lnkd.in/dr2GKECv your mothing location. 5. Just an hour before dusk, take a paint brush and paint it onto tree trunks. 6. Chill out for a bit (maybe with your own cocktail) and have your camera ready! 7. Use your flashlight to see who’s come to the tree. 8. Take photos of what you find! DIY mothing is one way scientists are filling a gap of information on moths. It turns out we know very little about them, however photos people take from mothing encounters are helping scientists collect more information and deepen our understanding of these majestic animals. Pictured: Goldenrod flower moth, a frequent visitor of Montgomery Co. flowers. Not all moths feed as adults, but this one enjoys nectar from a wide variety of goldenrods and asters, pollinating them in the process of taking a sip! Learn more about National Moth Week: https://lnkd.in/e3ZPyQ2J

Moths get lit too but for them it has a totally different meaning! Male moths are super attracted to UV light. This is handy for the female moths, as their wings are brilliantly adorned with UV colors. While we can’t see it with our eyes, the male moths can, and it draws them closer. Meanwhile, the females sit and wait for a suitor to spot them and come over check them out. This works out great in a totally natural environment, but artificial light from our lightbulbs at night changes the game for them. The question of “Why are moths drawn to light bulbs?” is still being studied, but one prevailing theory suggests the UV that lightbulbs emit is the reason. While almost all bulbs produce some UV, some emit less than others. It turns out that yellow- or orange-colored LEDs attract fewer moths, and insects in general. These light bulbs still illuminate what we need to see, while not blinding male moths with UV. These bulbs are also kinder on our wallets. Want to help moths keep their rizz, and avoid the frizz from a hot lightbulb? Project Porchlight from Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection has got you! Swap your outdoor lights for FREE with insect-friendly and more cost-effective LEDs. Visit: https://lnkd.in/eA9idnYM to learn more. #NationalMothWeek