You are standing just around the corner from Met Park, which includes a beautiful native plant garden. The gardens at Metropolitan Park are managed by a nearby company in partnership with Met Park. Unlike traditional urban landscaping, this area is a high-functioning Native Plant Garden featuring over 160 species of native and native-adaptive flora.
Why Native Plants?
Native plants are the unsung heroes of urban biodiversity. By selecting species like Swamp Milkweed, Purple Coneflower, and Little Bluestem, the Horticulture team provides a critical lifeline for local wildlife.
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Pollinator Support: Native plants are the primary food source for local pollinators. The Swamp Milkweed you see here is essential for Monarch butterflies, providing the only food source their caterpillars can eat.
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A "Living Corridor": In a concrete jungle, these gardens act as a "pit stop" for migratory birds and insects, allowing them to travel safely through Arlington.
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The Soil Connection: These plants have deep root systems that filtered rainwater and support a healthy underground network of fungi and beneficial bacteria, which helps keep the Potomac watershed clean.
Fun Fact: The team doesn't just work outside; they also manage thousands of plants inside the buildings to promote "biophilia"—the idea that humans are happier and more productive when connected to nature
The Cache
You are looking for a Green Nano.
Horticulture Note: Please respect the hard work of the garden team! This cache is NOT located inside any of the garden beds or planters. You do not need to move, step on, or poke through any plants to find it. It is hidden on a man-made fixture nearby.
Every cache is a CITO if you bring a trash bag and pick up trash while caching. Let's clean the planet!
Congratulations to wavingfuzzball for the FTF!