Summer 2018 Newsletter Released
Read our latest newsletter to find out about upcoming volunteer opportunities, read articles by other members and the latest info from our committees.
Read it here .
Category: BRNP VMN Community
Bat Monitoring
Kristin Henderson and Frank McLaughlin monitoring bats
The bat monitoring project has kicked off in earnest. For more information, contact Barbara E.
Results from Rust Monitoring:
in 45 minutes of monitoring:
187 Total Bats id’d. This is the most id’d in any location so far.
90 Big Brown Bat Eptesicus fuss
2 Eastern Red Bats. Lasiurus borealis
37. Hoary Bats. Lasiurus cinereus
58 Silver-haired bats Laisonycteris noctivagans
Dates for monitoring:
6/13 – Wednesday – IWLA Field6/15 – Friday – Rust Sanctuary Pond6/17 – Sunday- IWLA Pond6/20 – IWLA Field6/22 – Rust Sanctuary Pond6/24 – IWLA Pond6/27 – IWLA Field6/29 – Rust Sanctuary Pond7/1 – IWLA Pond7/4 – IWLA Field
Spring Newsletter released
Get your latest newsletter here: http://www.vmnbansheereeks.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Bug_Bytes_Newsletter_Spring_2018_v3.pdf
Winter 2018 Newsletter Released
The winter newsletter has been released and can be found here:
Bug_Bytes_Newsletter_Winter_2018
It contains a couple book reviews, articles on Skunk Cabbage and Sandhill Cranes and a great article on the Kestrel and Barn Owl Nestbox Construction project (also included in our annual report).
Fall Newsletter Released
Check out the fall edition to find out more about the Christmas Bird Counts, the Banshee Reeks outdoor classroom, upcoming volunteer and CE opportunities and general chapter happenings.
Sign up for the Fall Class
Applications are being accepted for the 2017 training program. Classes are led by experts and meet two Saturdays a month from September 2017 through April 2018. Each class will cover one or two topics such as local plants, mammals, birds, trees, fish, mammals, soils, weather and more, and typically include field exercises to further explore the subject discussed in the classroom.
The classes are held at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, at 21085 The Woods Road in Leesburg. The is open to those older 18 years old. See the course schedule. For more information, call 703-669-0889.
Summer 2017 Newsletter published
You can find the latest newsletter here.
Also, don’t forget these important upcoming dates:
August 5th – (Vol) LWC Butterfly count
August 5th (CE) – Bat Program
August 13th – VMN Banshee Reeks picnic
August 15h – Application deadline for new class
Sept 9th – (Vol) Native plant sale
Sept 15-17 – (Lots o’ CE) State VMN Conference
Enter the VMN Photo Contest by Friday, July 21, 2017 Last Chance!
We’ve extended the deadline for photo submission to the 2017 Statewide VMN Photo Contest, to this Friday, July 21! We’re looking for interesting and creative pictures to represent the Banshee Reeks Chapter in the upcoming contest at the VMN Statewide Conference.
Chapters may submit one photo each to three separate categories:
- Virginia flora, fauna and other species
- Virginia landscapes and habitats
- Virginia Master Naturalists in Action
If you think you have what it takes to represent the Banshee Reeks Chapter, please submit your digital photos to vmnbansheereeks@gmail.com and include the following:
- Date of photo
- Species in the photo, if applicable
- Location of photo taken
The VMN Board will choose one photo for each category, and those photos will go on to represent Banshee Reeks Chapter in the contest.
Due Date Extended to Friday, July 21! Submit your photos Today!
Bee Outdoors Festival at Banshee Reeks
Everyone is invited to the Bee Outdoors Festival at Banshee Reeks!
Click here for a Google Map to get directions.
Journey Through Hallowed Ground Native Plant Trail Dedication Ceremony at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
Date: Saturday, April 15, 2017
Time: 11 am
Join community members and volunteers to celebrate the dedication of the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Living Legacy Project native tree planting at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve in Leesburg, VA. The Living Legacy Project commemorates the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War. Dedication will feature comments from local dignitaries, patriotic music, and time to tour the Living Legacy planting.
Ninety-five trees were planted at Banshee Reeks, through a partnership with Loudoun County and the Virginia Master Naturalist Program. All trees are native species and include white oak, sassafras, black gum, and Virginia’s state tree – flowering dogwood.
Through this program, one tree will be planted for each of the 620,000 soldiers who died during one of the most defining moments in American history. Upon completion, the Project will create the first 180-mile landscaped allée in the world, and the only one dedicated to memorializing the American Civil War.
For more information about the preserve, visit http://www.bansheereeksnp.org/.