WHO I AM:
MS, UD, Entomology and Applied Ecology; biologist/wetland ecologist; over 40 years working in waters, wetlands, and natural systems; supervisor, Corps of Engineers’ regulatory program; founder and member of the Society of Wetland Scientists; 36 year resident of Arden, including growing up along Naamans Creek
INTEREST AND/OR SKILLS:
It’s time for a reality check:
- Semi-permanent pink ribbons in the woods — and lots of them: Not appropriate
- Making the woods look like a construction site: Not appropriate.
- Not spending $40.00 to buy numbered, metal medallions to mark treated trees: Evidence of not knowing how to mark trees in a more permanent and inconspicuous way.
- “Treating” beeches in the woods? The merits of this approach are open to discussion, e.g., treating trees interferes with identifying trees that may be better able to withstand disease.
- Digging holes in the forest floor in areas subject to high coefficients of friction: Not appropriate. This is the opposite of what should be done. It indicates evidence of not understanding the forces at play.
- Placing dozens of red pin-flags next to and near the creek: Not appropriate. The woods are supposed to be a place of serenity, not a pin cushion for inappropriate plantings.
- Diverting water from the upper reaches of Perkins Run — without data to support the action: Not appropriate.
- Proposing to capture most runoff (“Arden Water Quality Management Plan”) from Arden’s residential areas that would otherwise flow into Naamans Creek? Not appropriate.
- Putting out a poorly conceived and written document, the “Arden Tree Policy”, that misses the point of protecting the integrity of Arden’s vascular plant community. At the same time, it establishes a perpetual, three person advisory group that is, in part, composed of the same individuals who put pink ribbons and red flags in the woods and who endanger Perkins Run. Not appropriate.
- Missing the big picture: not working to protect wooded/open areas adjacent to or near Arden’s woods. Inappropriate interference with natural processes. Evidence of inappropriate levels of knowledge/experience.
New leadership that knows about woods, waters, and natural systems is needed in Arden.
DATE: 3/13/2026