Nature with Mark Garland
Mark Garland was born in Baltimore and raised in Kensington, just outside the Washington Beltway in Maryland. After many years exploring the local natural environment professionally, he became a regular guest on Metro Connection. He delights in taking program host David Furst outside to many of the Washington area's lesser known parks and natural areas - and listening to David say, "Wow!"
Recent Nature segments
Winter Reading 2008
February isn't always the best month for nature watching in the great outdoors -- but it's perfect for reading. Naturalist Mark Garland selects a few recent books for us to consider.
Aired on Metro Connection February 1, 2008
The 2007/2008 Christmas Bird Count
It's mid December. Seasonal music fills the airwaves, shopping mall parking lots are packed beyond capacity and brightly colored lights beam from front yards around the region. And that can mean only one thing: it's time to stand out in the middle of a frozen field counting birds. The annual Christmas Bird Count begins this weekend. Naturalist Mark Garland brings us to Hains Point in the District – an important location for the DC count.
Aired on Metro Connection December 14, 2007
Great Falls - Difficult Run Trail
We head to Great Falls Park, Virginia to hike along the edge of a stream called Difficult Run. As we hike we'll chat about the lesser-known trails at Great Falls. But we'll also reflect on how nature in the Mid-Atlantic has changed over the decades.
Aired on Metro Connection October 12, 2007
Return of the Tundra Swan
Tundra Swans were formerly called "Whistling Swans." When scientists concluded that the North American "Whistling Swans" and the Eurasian "Bewick's Swans" were similar enough to be consider the same species, it was given the name "Tundra Swan." They do nest on the Arctic Tundra. Their call is high-pitched, but few would really describe it as a "whistle."
Aired on Metro Connection December 15, 2006
Monarch Migration
They weigh less than a gram and have over 2000 miles to fly. The monarch butterfly migration is always a major event, but naturalists say they're counting monarchs in record-breaking numbers this year. And Cape May, New Jersey is one of the best spots in the world to view them during their journey to the mountains of Mexico.
Aired on Metro Connection September 29, 2006
