I am deeply appreciative of the emerging science of Restoration Ecology, and by the exploding global development of practical approaches across all types of ecosystems to conducting effective ecological restoration.

A great resource is the Society for Ecological Restoration (ser.org). This group is global in scope and has a plethora of resources available.

SER has developed a set of international standards that are intended to guide restoration efforts, regardless of scope or location.

To be effective, one needs a basic understanding of the core principles of Restoration Ecology. But I have found a need for much more. In particular, the native plant movement has many resources and insights, not least of which has helped me identify what native plants are already present in the areas I watch over. I have tried to learn the principles of Botany as a way to improve my capabilities, and have taken tree identification classes as well.

I have found it fascinating to try to be able to identify ALL of the plants I encounter in the field. I can identify close to 150 today by sight, up from zero three years ago. But there are probably 1,000 that are there to be identified; so I have a ways to go.

There are many other relevant fields of study– soil science, hydrology, ecosystem functions, and the study of the many types of animals that one sees. As I have delved into each of these, my overall appreciation for the complexity that is inherent in natural systems has grown.

My curiosity has also extended to history and archaeology. The North Arlington area has a long recorded history, and a very long pre-history with human habitation. The impact of the Civil War is obvious still. And the inexorable expansion of the human population in the area has created many challenges and interesting vignettes.