Program and Event Descriptions:

Annual Meeting: Celebrating Loudoun’s Wildlife and the Year of the Turtle ― Sunday, June 5, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. at the Rust Nature Sanctuary in Leesburg.  Join us for Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s annual membership meeting.  The event will include light refreshments, a raffle, awards presentations, our annual business meeting and an exciting program.  Dr. Roger Wood will describe the efforts that he and his team at the Cape May Wetlands Institute are taking to save the Diamondback Terrapin.  All Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy members are invited to attend!  Registration required: Sign Up Online or contact Helen Van Ryzin at hvanryzin@loudounwildlife.org or call 540-882-4187.

Birding Banshee ― Saturday, June 11, 8:00 a.m.  Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for our monthly bird walk.  Because of its rich and varied habitat, this part of the county is a birding hot spot.   Please bring binoculars.  Questions: contact Joe Coleman at jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org or 540-554-2542.

Bird Walk at Banshee Reeks and Dulles Wetlands ― Wednesday, June 15, 7:00 – 11:00 a.m.  Join Joe Coleman and Mary Ann Good on one of Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s mid-week birding trips.  Meet at the Dulles Wetlands at 7:00 a.m. or meet at the visitor’s center at Banshee Reeks at 9:00 a.m.  Hiking footgear (waterproof if you are coming to the Wetlands), long pants, and insect repellent are advised.  This walk is co-sponsored with the Audubon Naturalist Society. Registration required: to register Sign Up Online or contact Joe Coleman at jcoleman@loudounwildlife.orgor 540-554-2542.

Butterflies at Banshee Reeks ― Saturday, June 18, 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 noon.  Join Jon Little for one of our free family butterfly walks.  Investigate some of the many diverse, natural areas at Banshee Reeks and identify all of the butterflies we can find.  If you own binoculars, please bring them.  Questions: contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org or 540-882-9638.

Summer Stroll on the Appalachian Trail ― Sunday, June 19, 8:00a.m.  Join Liam McGranaghan and Jim McWalters for an early summer stroll on the Appalachian Trail.  Marvel at the sights and sounds and take in the beauty along the trail.  Pack a snack for the mountaintop view before we return via the Blackburn Trail Center.  Meet at the parking lot at the AT along Rt. 9 a few miles west of Hillsboro.  Car shuttles back to the parking area will be provided.   Registration required: Sign Up Online or contact Laura McGranaghan at lmcgranaghan@loudounwildlife.org.

Sunday in the Preserve ― Sunday, June 19, 1:00 p.m. Join naturalists from the Friends of Banshee Reeks and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a free, informal family walk around the preserve. Search for the many natural wonders that make this a special place. For information call the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve at 703-669-0316.

Birding the Blue Ridge Center ― Saturday, June 25, 8:00 a.m. On the fourth Saturday of each month (except December), Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy leads a free bird walk at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship (BRCES). This beautiful 900-acre preserve is located on Harpers Ferry Road, Rt. 671, in northwestern Loudoun County. Only a few miles south of Harpers Ferry and the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers, the property includes meadows in the valley and heavily forested slopes on the Blue Ridge. Meet at the Visitor Center. The Blue Ridge Center is located just north of Neersville, at 11611 Harpers Ferry Road (Rt 671).  Detailed directions can be found on the website, www.brces.org . Questions: contact Joe Coleman at 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.

Dragonfly Walk at Bles Park ― Sunday, June 26, 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.  Join Andy Rabin on a free, fun, and informative dragonfly walk as he visits some of the best dragonfly habitat in the county.  Learn how to catch, handle, identify, and release these insects.  Bring an insect net if you have one (some extra nets will be provided).  Adults and children welcome.  Meet at Bles Park in Ashburn (for directions http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=924  Questions:  contact Andy Rabin at stylurus@gmail.com.

Natural History Day Camp ― Session 1: June 20-24, Session 2: June 27-July 1 Nature lovers entering grades three through seven will not want to miss our Natural History Day Camps (June 20-24 and June 27-July 1) taking place at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve again this summer. Campers will explore the woods, fields, and water of the preserve and learn about the plants and animals that live there. The camps will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The cost will be only $130 per week, and space is limited. For a quick look at last year’s camp, here's the link from Nature Camp 2009. For more information contact Phil Daley at 540-338-6528 or pdaley@loudounwildlife.org.

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