You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right.
123 Street Avenue, City Town, 99999
(123) 555-6789
email@address.com
You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab. Link to read me page with more information.
Thanks to our nonprofit partnership with Esri, OSGF receives complimentary attendance to the Esri Federal GIS Conference in Washington, D.C. each year. This incredible event brings together GIS professionals, nonprofit organizations, and industry leaders to explore cutting-edge technology, innovative methodologies, and real-world applications of GIS.
This year, team members from our Biodiversity Conservation Team; Arboriculture Conservation and Landscape Team; and the Garden Team joined Katharine, OSGF’s GIS Data Systems Manager, for expert-led training, networking, and hands-on learning. They had the opportunity to connect with fellow nonprofits like NatureServe and iNaturalist, as well as federal agencies including EPA, BLM, USGS, and NOAA.
Beyond the expert-led sessions and invaluable networking opportunities, each member of our team had their own key takeaways from the conference. From discovering new tools and workflows to gaining insight into how GIS is shaping the future of conservation and land manangement, everyone left inspired and ready to apply what they learned.
Here’s what some of our team members had to say about their experience:
Sarah K (Biodiversity Conservation Team) : I knew that there were many applications of ArcGIS and Esri products to conservation, but what I was able to learn from the FedGIS conference completely changed the way I will approach data management and analysis. I am excited to share my fieldwork findings through StoryMaps and Dashboards and create models through ArcGIS Pro to work toward invasive management and plant conservation! The conference was a wonderful experience that allowed me to specialize my GIS knowledge toward assisting OSGF in its mission.
Greg C (Biodiversity Conservation Team) : While I went into the event with some knowledge of Esri products and their capabilities, attending the conference really opened my eyes to the versatility of their platforms. These products can be applied in truly any industry. It was inspiring to see examples and demonstrations of creative approaches that GIS professionals have come up with to solve complex problems ranging from national security to preserving and protecting global biodiversity. Each session I attended not only answered pre-existing questions I had, but also provided me with insight into how I can more effectively utilize Esri products in my day-to-day work at OSGF.
Sam H (Arboriculture, Conservation and Landscape Team) : This was the first conference I've attended, and it greatly exceeded my expectations. I was amazed by the magnitude of the event and found the presentations by Esri inspiring. I learned a great deal from the field operations sessions that I will take with me for my work in the arboretum and tree inventory.
Bennett M (Garden Team) : The ESRI conference in DC was a great opportunity to meet colleagues and learn more about ESRI products. Being on the garden team, I focused on delving more into Field Maps and ArcGIS Pro to set up my team, and our maps for success. I found so much inspiration and quite a few helpful shortcuts from all of the interesting people and sessions I was fortunate enough to be able to attend. And one of my favorite parts was learning from my coworkers at OS who were also in attendance, and downloading with each other on the sessions we just attended.
Through this experience, our teams are expanding their GIS skills and exploring new ways to enhance OSGF’s mission with geospatial solutions. We’re excited to bring back what we’ve learned and apply it to our work for the foundation. The Esri Federal GIS Conference is an incredible opportunity to develop GIS skills, connect with experts, and explore the many non-GIS tools available through our Esri collaboration, and we are excited to continue our development at next year’s conference.
Learn about the Stacy Lloyd III Fellowship for Bibliographic Study, Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence, Plant Science Research Fellow, and our Fellowship in Plant Conservation Biology for 2025.
If you’re looking to make the spirits bright during your holiday gatherings, consider this lesser-known cocktail brought to life by our Chef Jason Neeve.
In December of 2023, the Biodiversity Conservation Team cleared and seeded two acres of land on Rokeby Farm. This was part of an ongoing project to restore portions of the pasturelands of Oak Spring to native grassland meadows. After clearing, a seed mixture of native perennials, annuals and grasses were sown. The typical period of establishment is two to three years but in just one season there’s already been signs of success— from the initial seed mix of 20-25 species, 18 were recorded!
Click through the photos below to see the progress of the meadow over time in its first year of growth.
Throughout the season, Biodiversity Conservation intern, Sarah Krementz helped to conduct vegetation surveys to understand what species were present in the meadow.
All photos by our Head of Biodiversity Conservation, Charlotte Lorick.
Cypress-knee sedge (Carex decomposita) and false hop sedge (Carex lupuliformis) are two incredibly rare species in the state, with the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) listing them as at highest risk of being extirpated. This was the product of our Biodiversity Conservation team's ongoing efforts to compile a comprehensive snapshot of the species diversity on the property.
Read on to learn more about the plants and communities previously unknown since the formation of Oak Spring.
The landscape of Oak Spring is humming with activity as we step into the final days of summer. Sounds of cicadas buzzing from the trees, grasshoppers darting in the fields, and butterflies flocking to flowers. Some of these insects leap onto the pages of a rare three volume manuscript completed by Moses Harris for the entomologist Dru Drury. Read on to learn more about the partnership between the two and hear from our Ecologist and Collections Specialist, Dr. Rea Manderino.
Out of the notable interests in Mrs. Mellon’s life, the one that exceeded all others was her love and appreciation for plants. This is of course most embodied in her personal gardens which are a culmination of her ever-evolving design influence and style. This love was also reflected in other aspects such as the touches in her home at Oak Spring and in the collections of her library. In honor of our founder, Rachel “Bunny” Lambert Mellon, this blog we touch on an equally enduring legacy of botanical illustrator Margaret Stones.
Few species of plants have captivated people for centuries quite like orchids. Taking the world by storm, orchids of every size and color are now readily available and can be kept alive by even the most novice gardeners. Thanks to our archives and garden records, we know that Mrs. Mellon also was swept up in the orchid craze. Read on as our Horticultural Apprentice, Julie, dives into the history of orchids and their history at Oak Spring.
Today we're sharing a painting of a special memory at Oak Spring Garden Foundation. On November 10, 1985, HM King Charles III (the former Prince of Wales) and Diana, Princess of Wales, came for a visit to Little Oak Spring.
The Oak Spring Garden Library holds books from vast parts of the globe. You can take a tour of the flora of Australia, China, Brazil and more. There are other volumes that take the focus to a more local scale, like Wildflowers of Georgetown. This work highlights the spring plants found in Georgetown, DC; some of which are in flower right now across the region. Read below to learn more about this latest digital introduction and to hear from our Head of Biodiversity Conservation on why it’s a gem of a resource.
One woman who was instrumental in the shift towards ecologically accurate illustrations was Maria Sibylla Merian. Born on this day in 1647, Merian created striking works and is regarded as the first ecologist of Europe. Learn more about her work and to watch a video by Merian scholar Dr. Kay Etheridge.
If the Brontë sisters are celebrity siblings of the writing world, then sisters Elizabeth and Margaret Wharton are the unsung stars from the “golden age” of botanical illustration. In honor of Women’s History month we are highlighting two sisters, whose works underscore the importance of women’s place in the formation of botany and scientific illustration. Read on to learn about their contributions and to view these women’s works in full as part of our ongoing digitization project.
The beauty of the landscape can be a source of inspiration for artists, writers, scientists, anyone really. Bigger elements like mountains, rivers or the topography of the Bull Run and Blue Ridge mountains which border Oak Spring can even be incorporated into garden design. Read our latest blog post written by our Horticulture Apprentice, Claire, to learn about the history of a design philosophy which first originated in 17th century China and encourages us to look to the landscape.
Rachel Lambert “Bunny” Mellon—horticulturist, philanthropist, designer—died March 17th, on St. Patrick's Day, in 2014. For those close with Mrs. Mellon, the anniversary of her passing is filled with emotions as fond memories of her and her lasting impact are shared. Bunny, as she was fondly referred to, led a remarkable life characterized by her deep love of plants, philanthropic efforts, and keen eye for design. As we reach the 10th anniversary of Mrs. Mellon’s passing, we share reflections from OSGF President Sir Peter Crane and legacy staff members to commemorate Mrs. Mellon and her lasting promise.
“I never had the privilege of meeting Mrs. Mellon but her hand and spirit are still very evident here at Oak Spring, through her notes, the memories of those close to her, through her library, and through the beautiful landscape she crafted here during her long life. It is the honor of a lifetime to help steward her legacy. I hope Mrs. Mellon would be pleased by how the Oak Spring Garden Foundation has developed in the decade since her passing, and to see that her legacy of love for art, beauty, and the natural world still remains.”
— Sir Peter Crane.
“The greatest pleasure and satisfaction is seeing that we are fulfilling Mrs. Mellon’s aspirations and dreams when it comes to the library. The residency show is another good example of that, each resident came here and all of this, the library, landscape, the gardens, was inspirational to them. It’s an honor to show the pieces they created and I know Mrs. Mellon is very pleased about that because she was all about inspiration, and how it can fuel someone’s artistry. ”
— Tony Willis, Head Librarian
“She was a wonderful mentor to me, and she saw something in me that I didn’t appreciate at that time. I was into books and gardens and she helped fuel that interest, which helped me get established here and therefore she was a big inspiration to me. I owe a lot to her. ”
— Tony Willis, Head Librarian
“I feel happy to be here now as we’ve transitioned into the Foundation, which is really her legacy. I certainly feel like we are headed in the right direction and feel she would be thrilled about what’s going on here.”
Learn about the Stacy Lloyd III Fellowship for Bibliographic Study, Eliza Moore Fellowship for Artistic Excellence, Plant Science Research Fellow, and our Fellowship in Plant Conservation Biology for 2024.
