Program and Event Descriptions:

Stream Monitoring Spring Kickoff - Sunday, March 4, 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. If you are new to stream monitoring, this will be a great opportunity to learn about stream monitoring and provide you with an overview of all our active monitoring locations. If you have some stream monitoring experience, this will be a great opportunity to refresh your skills and chat with our stream monitoring teams. We will also provide an overview of all our monitoring locations, a summary of the data from previous years, and an update regarding the Virginia Save Our Streams program. The location for this event is the Rust Library in Leesburg. Registration Required: Sign Up Online

Dark Skies ─ Reducing Light Pollution, Wednesday, March 7, 7:00 p.m. Light pollution comes in many forms and affects all of us in our daily lives, not just a few environmentalists and astronomers. Milt Roney, the International Dark Sky Association’s Associate Director, will describe the well documented effects on wildlife and driver safety, as well as research indicating a link between light pollution and human health. People are often surprised to learn that there is no research proving a link between lighting and public safety. Businesses and ordinary citizens can profit by the use of better (and sometimes less) outdoor lighting. A model lighting ordinance, developed jointly by the International Dark Sky Association and the Illuminating Engineering Society lays out standards that can be used to save energy, provide more effective lighting, and reduce light pollution. Join us at this free informative program sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. Location for this program is Rust Library in Leesburg.

Birding Banshee ― Saturday, March 10, 8:00 a.m. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and the Friends of Banshee Reeks at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for the 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 540-554-2542 or jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.

Loudoun Amphibian-Monitoring Refresher Class, Field Trip, and Program Kickoff ― Saturday, March 10, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Location TBD. Interested in frogs, toads, and salamanders? Amphibians are not only an important indicator of environmental health, they are great fun to watch, listen to, and learn about. We need your help to monitor them. This program, in the classroom and in the field, is designed for those interested in becoming part of the Loudoun Amphibian Monitoring Program (LAMP) and for current amphibian monitors to brush up on their identification skills and get ready for the season. Bring a bag lunch. This is a great program for adults and families. Registration Required: Sign Up Online or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org.

Spring Pools Institute — Thursday, March 15, 6:00 to 8:30 p.m., followed by field sessions on March 17 or 18. Join us for Mike Hayslett's popular crash course on vernal pools and other seasonal wetlands. This hands-on training begins with a classroom session on Thursday evening followed by a full-day field session on the weekend (participants pick either Saturday or Sunday) where we will learn how to identify different amphibians from their egg masses and how to identify the different kinds of wetlands they prefer. We will probably find four or five vernal pool obligate species, including Spotted and Jefferson salamanders, Wood Frogs, and Fairy Shrimp. Cost for the class and field session: $20. Registration Required: Sign Up Online or contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org.

Sunday in the Preserve ― Sunday, March 18, 1:00 p.m. Join a naturalist 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, March 24, 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 Education 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.

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