Branching Out winter 20-21 by Reston Association

Walker Nature Center

BRANCHING OUT

A LOOK INSIDE • Calendar 4 • Kids’ Corner 6 • Outdoor Preparedness 7 • Holiday Greetings 8

Nature Notes By Pam Findley

DECEMBER • • • • •

Winter Solstice – Dec. 21—First day of winter Look for bird and squirrel nests in the bare trees. Spotted Wintergreen and Partridgeberry are evergreen. Dark-eyed Juncos arrive from the north. Witch Hazel begins to bloom. Peaks Jan. –Feb.

JANUARY • • • • •

Bald Eagles begin to nest. Christmas Fern is evergreen. Great Horned Owls begin breeding. The constellation Orion is prominent in the evening sky. Purple Finch, Hermit Thrush, and American Robin dine on trumpet honeysuckle fruit.

FEBRUARY • • • • •

Striped Skunks breed. Maple trees begin to bloom. Eastern Red Cedar begins to bloom. Eastern Bluebirds and Wood Ducks look for nest sites. Full moon--Feb. 27—known as the Snow or Hunger Moon.

Raccoon Tricks, Traits and Tails By Susan Sims

Imagine hearing a loud sound at night as something crashes to the ground outside. Upon investigation, you find your garbage can overturned, contents strewn everywhere, and in the distance, the striped tail of a furry mammal running off into the night. Meet Mother Nature’s gluttonous athlete – the Raccoon. Raccoons have a long connection to humanity from Native American legends to inspiring superheroes and minor league ball teams, even hanging out at the White House. It seems they’ve always rambled alongside us. The word raccoon comes from the Powhatan word arocoun, meaning, “he scratches with hands.” Etymology suggests this is from the animal’s habit of leaving scratches on trees as it climbs or its use of hands to explore objects. The Raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a medium sized mammal native to North America and known for its intelligence and acrobatics. Raccoons range from 16 to 28 inches long and weigh anywhere between 10 to 30 pounds. They can climb down trees headfirst, hang from tree limbs and run up to 15 miles an hour. They boast stocky bodies with striped tails, thick gray fur and light colored bellies. Their dark masks span their faces. They may live up to 16 years, but generally between two to five years due to predator encounters and vehicle strikes.

Raccoon Senses and Adaptations

Raccoons have a highly receptive sense of touch. If you have ever seen one “washing” its food in water, then you have witnessed this sense in action.

They use their front paws to investigate and interpret objects. Sensory input from the paws accounts for 65% of the section of the brain that processes the sensory intake. Studies suggest that water acts to increase the nerve response in their paws. They’re not actually washing their food; they’re learning about their environment! Raccoons are omnivores and consume a wide variety of foods including insects, fish, plants, eggs and anything else they can find. Scientists believe their mask is an adaptation that helps the nocturnal animal see better in the dark by reducing glare. They also have a good sense of smell aided by a Jacobson’s organ, which helps them sniff out hidden food sources, whether that’s acorns, bird seed or donuts. They’re also highly intelligent. Scientific studies found that raccoons learn to problem solve to access something they want.

Continued on page 2

Winter | 20-21 | Volume Twenty Two

WALKER NATURE CENTER

Raccoon Tricks, Traits and Tails continued from page 1

11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191

Their combined smarts and physical ability make them highly adaptable to living in both rural and urban areas, often coming into conflict with humans after an evening of raiding trash bins. Their love of garbage has earned them internet celebrity status as “Trash Pandas.” These enterprising critters are also known to occasionally take up residence in chimneys or attics.

Dawn to dusk, enjoy year-round access to trails and free parking. Restrooms available as COVID-19 restrictions allow.

FEATURES

72 acres of forested land, a picnic pavilion, demonstration gardens, educational signage, a fire ring, two streams, a pond, the entrance to 44-acre Lake Audubon and our education building, known as Nature House.

Raccoons in the Neighborhood

A few simple things can help deter these bandits from causing trouble in your neighborhood. Use sturdy trash cans with locking lids. Leave trash cans in a closed garage or storage space until trash collection day if possible. Placing cans out in the morning is also helpful. Additionally, do not leave pet food out at night. They love dog kibble, too. Chimneys and attics replicate elements of rural shelters for raccoons that normally den in hollow trees and dark burrows. Closing openings in attics and employing chimney caps are ways to limit access to your home.

NATURE HOUSE HOURS

Due to COVID-19, Nature House is currently closed to walk-in visitors. Please check our website or Facebook page for updates.

HOLIDAY CLOSURES: Nov. 26-27 Dec. 25 Jan. 1

Thanksgiving Christmas New Year’s Day

Scent and audio deterrents may work to keep raccoons at bay, but the only long-term solution is exclusion. Be sure to cover the fireplace if you think you have a raccoon in the chimney so there are no accidental visits into the home. Do not approach or touch a raccoon, and please do not feed them. Although not prevalent, they can carry diseases such as rabies and roundworm. Many Reston raccoons do not fear humans. You may have to make quite a racket or use an unfamiliar noise to scare them off. The best bet to limit conflict between humans and raccoons is to be mindful about garbage storage, bring in bird feeders at night, remove pet food from outdoors and ensure exclusion from buildings, especially before winter.

www.facebook.com/walkernaturecenter @restonnature @walkernaturecenter Groups: Please call ahead to arrange your visit. Branching Out is a quarterly publication of the Walker Nature Center (WNC), owned and operated by Reston Association. The mission of the WNC is to foster an environmental stewardship ethic in the community. It is named after Reston’s first Open Space and Nature Center Director, Vernon J. Walker.

Branching Out is printed on 100 percent recycled paper using soy ink. It is produced using 100 percent wind power. Please recycle.

Will They Hibernate This Winter?

Raccoons do not hibernate. Instead, they seek shelter inside cozy dens underground, in trees, and sometimes in buildings, sleeping for long stretches of time in a state of torpor, which limits energy exertion. They’ve even been known to kick out foxes or groundhogs from their dens. Raccoon babies, called kits, will stay with their mother during their first winter and typically leave in the spring, around the age of 10 to 12 months. Litters range from two to eight kits born between March and April. Raccoons prepare for the winter by eating more to increase their body fat. This fat, along with thick fur, provides valuable insulation against the cold. Raccoons can lose between 15 and 50 percent of their body weight during this time depending on the severity of winter. On warm days, they may leave their den to forage for food using their incredible senses. No matter your opinion, it is fair to say they are some of the most adaptable animals likely to encounter humans. Their intelligence, keen senses and dexterity are obvious inspirations for human creativity, but also human innovation to live better near wildlife. Remember to keep those garbage cans secure and know the masked bandit of the woods is likely one of your wild neighbors.

Reston’s Arbor Day By Katie Shaw

Did you know that Reston has been designated as a Tree City USA by the National Arbor Day Foundation since 1994? Each year, we hold an annual Arbor Day event as part of the certification process. We also commit $2 per capita towards tree planting and care. Trees are protected in our planning and covenants documents, and the RA Parks & Recreation staff plus the Environmental Advisory Committee work to protect trees in our community. On October 12, 39 volunteers and 8 staff spent their holiday celebrating trees. We worked at three sites, including the Purple Beech Tot Lot, Deer Forest Recreation Area, and the Moorings Drive Natural Area. We removed invasive plants, such as English Ivy, that were harming trees and planted native trees and shrubs such as Sweetbay Magnolia and American Euonymus. Our “hearts were a burstin’” for the love of trees. Thanks for the participation of Jim McGlone of the Virginia Department of Forestry, RA President Julie Bitzer, Girl Scout Troop 237 as well as Girl Scout Gold candidate Zoe Bredesen who organized her troop of cadettes and obtained plants and equipment for the project. Fall is an excellent time to plant trees in Reston.

Please and Thank You By Katie Shaw

With Thanksgiving approaching, we are already feeling the warmth and gratitude from our Nature Center patrons, volunteers and donors. They are the type of people who will spend a day off from school or work to literally dig in at our annual Reston Arbor Day celebration and who will not only sport a face mask for COVID safety but a whole costume for the spirit of Halloween. Back in the spring, we weren’t sure when we would get to reschedule events like Arbor Day or the 5K Race. Many wondered…would there even be Halloween? Fortunately, careful and creative planning, combined with positive attitudes and cooperation has allowed us to re-imagine programs and events. It feels so good to spend time together in nature. Our safety strategy aligns with the Virginia Forward guidelines and CDC recommendations. This means we are still reducing the number of people who can attend programs and private rentals. Please join our the wait list for any program that may appear full. If we have enough interest, we will try to repeat the program for more to enjoy.

Thanks to our donors and sponsors:

Friends of Reston (FOR) for providing additional PPE, distancing equipment and sanitation supplies for our fall/winter season, and for organizing the 17th annual-- but first ever--Virtual Nature Center Walk-or-Run with 62 participants. Our finish line sponsor was CDW-G. Prize donors included Red’s Table, The Wine Cabinet, Bare Snacks and Chick-fil-A at North Point Village Center.

Thanks to our volunteers:

Delia Alcorn, Carolyn Ayres, Ajanta & Etienne Bauer, Julie Bitzer, Julie & Charlie Bond, Sherri & Zoe Bredesen, Zoe Chase, Sarah Christel, Beth & Lauren Coakley, Emma Conkle, Ally Cope, Bob & Laura Dunmyer, Erika Kristen & Willa Foxen, Abigail & Mitchell Horning, Claire & Elizabeth Jones, Patricia Kardian, Jonathon Kent, Kim Kleeb, Doreen & Steve Larson, Tracy Long, Fran & John Lovaas, Emily Lytton, Marcus Luczak, Anjala Maddur, Jon Michienzi, Yasmeen Mogharbel, Kyle Moxley, Jeanne Myers, Carol Nahoriak, Jimmy Norcross, Bill O’Brien, Sasha Osinovsky, Julia Persing, Theresia Riesenhuber-Yafi, Alexander & Eric Schell, Abby Skinner, Anna Soltys, Surekha Sridhar, Karen Sughrue, Zofia Szymanksi, Emily Townsend, Ally Trimble, LeRoy & Eve Wallin, Abby Ward, Jordan & Melissa Weinhaus, Christine & Justin Whitt, Will Yafi Charitable donations are gratefully received by our 501c3 supporting organization, Friends of Reston, 11450 Glade Drive,

Reston, VA 20191 or donate online at www.friendsofreston.org.

Add a note that your donation is for the Nature Center. You will receive a letter for tax purposes. We appreciate end of year donations.

All programs will be held at the Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, unless otherwise noted. Refunds are available with two weeks’ notice or if we cancel for any reason. Activities may be canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions, severe weather, severe weather warnings or low enrollment. Children must be accompanied by an adult. We encourage you to join the wait list of any full program. We may be able to repeat it if there is enough interest.

DECEMBER

WINTER WREATH WORKSHOP

Start your holiday decorating by making a festive wreath for your home. All supplies and extra workspace for physical distancing provided. When registering, please indicate the number of people in your party and how many wreaths you would like to make. Register by December 2. 406011012 Sat Or All Ages

12/5 10:30 am – 12:00 pm 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm $25/wreath RA members, $30/wreath Non-members

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Bring your friend or family for a holiday visit. Enjoy a story trail and woodland walk, holiday music, take home goody bags and more. There will be staggered start times. See ad on page 8. 406011303 12/6 Sun 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm All Ages $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW

Learn how our local wildlife prepares for the cold winter season. Look at animal furs up close. Make a craft and search for animal homes in the woods. Register by December 5. 406121008 12/8 Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 am or Sat 12/12 10:30 am – 11:30 am Ages 3-5 $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member CRITTER CABOODLE WORKSHOP

Try your hand at making adorable woodland critters out of natural materials. These charming, little animals make delightful decorations and gifts. All materials and space for distancing provided. Register by Dec. 8.

406011012 12/11 Fri 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm All Ages $10/RA Member, $12/Non-member

Results will be shared electronically after the count. Register by December 30.

WHITE WINTER

106201205 1/2 Sat 7:00 am – 12:00 pm Adults Free

406111001 Mon 12/14 10:00 am – 11:00 am OR Tue 12/15 10:00 am – 11:00 am OR Wed 12/16 10:00 am – 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months$7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

Learn about our native birds of prey- where they live, what they eat, where they nest and how they raise their young. Meet live raptors up close, including an owl and a hawk. How do they adapt to our cold, wet winters and prepare for the spring nesting season? Co-presented by Secret Garden Birds and Bees. Register by January 7.

White is a common color in the winter. Learn about different types of ice and snow. Create winter-inspired art including a snowman that cannot melt. Register by December 11.

KIDS’ CANDLE-MAKING WORKSHOP

Bring a little glow to your winter. Learn where wax comes from and discover how candles are made. Dip a pair of candles and decorate a pillar candle with natural materials. Keep your candles or give them as gifts. All supplies provided. Register by December 13. 406131012 12/16 Wed 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm Ages 5-12 $12/RA member, $16/Non-member PUPPET SHOW — EARL’S FEAST

Enjoy a creative puppet show about what animals like Earl the Squirrel eat for their holiday meals. After the show, learn more about the cast of animals and meet a live snake. Register by December 27. 406101011 12/30 Wed 10:00 am – 10:45 am Or 11:15 am – 12:00 pm Ages 3-8 $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member

JANUARY WINTER BIRD COUNT

Join us for a half-day annual bird count throughout Reston’s natural areas. Meet local bird experts, learn tips on identification and have fun while helping obtain important information about our feathered friends.

RAPTORS UP CLOSE

106011008 1/10 Sun 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm All Ages $8/RA members, $10/Non-members FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW

Animals are around, even when we do not get to see them. Discover what animal footprints look like and make some track craft of your own. Walk the trails to look for signs of wildlife. Register by January 8. 106111001 Mon 1/11 10:00 am – 11:00 am OR Tue 1/12 10:00 am – 11:00 am OR Wed 1/13 10:00 am – 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months$7/RA Member, $9/Non-member ENV. FILM: JUST EAT IT

Filmmakers and food lovers Jen and Grant dive into the issue of waste from farm, through retail, and back to their fridge. After discovering the billions of dollars of good food tossed each year, they quit grocery shopping to survive on foods that would otherwise be thrown away. (75 min.) Register by Jan. 21. 106201051 1/22 Fri 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Adult Free, $5 suggested donation

WINTRY WEATHER

LOVELY NATURE

Have fun with icy experiments and make a winter weather craft. Bundle up for a short walk. If conditions are right, we may find needle ice on the trails. Register by January 20.

Celebrate the month of love by learning about some animal pairs. Play matching games and search for red-colored animals on the trails. Make a Valentine for someone special. Register by Feb. 5.

106121008 Sat Or 1/26 Tue Ages 3-5

106111001 Mon 2/8 10:00 am – 11:00 am OR Tue 2/9 10:00 am – 11:00 am OR Wed 2/10 10:00 am – 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

1/23 10:30 am – 11:30 am 10:00 am – 11:00 am $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member

STEAM WORKSHOP- WINTER WEATHER WONDERS

Discover the science of snowflake formation, and build a replica. Experiment with ice and make a “snowball” launcher. Construct some DIY weather instruments and use them outside on the trails. Register by Jan. 23. 106131012 1/25 Mon 10:00 am – 11:30 am Ages 6-12 $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

SCALES AND TAILS

Meet our resident reptiles up close. See their unique adaptations in action and learn about other scaly creatures that live in Reston. If weather allows, take a walk through the woods to look for reptile homes. A reptile craft is included. Register by Feb. 8.

NIGHT HIKE

106131008               2/11 Thu 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm Ages 6-12       $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member

106011008 1/29 Fri 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm Ages 5 – Adult $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member

Animals are all around us, but we don’t always see them. Discover the clues that animals leave behind. Learn how to tell the footprint of a fox from that of a raccoon. Make a track bandanna, and go on a hike to look for signs of wildlife. Register by Feb. 10.

February

106011008 2/13 Sat 10:30 am – 11:30 am All Ages $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

Crisp nights can be the perfect time to enjoy a woodland hike. Look and listen for nocturnal animals. Gaze at stars and look at the full moon through binoculars. Enjoy a moon pie treat. Register by January 26.

VIRTUAL NATURE CLASS: BIRDS AND NEST BOXES

Discover the types of birds that nest in boxes such as bluebirds and chickadees, and learn about their life cycles. Find out how to help cavity-nesting birds and how to install and maintain a box in your yard. Held via Zoom. Register by Feb. 1. 106011060 2/3 Wed 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm All Ages $5/RA Member, $7/Non-member

TRACK LAB

WINTER’S FOR THE BIRDS

Winter is a great time for birdwatching! Bundle up and head outside to look and listen for our feathered friends of the forest. Learn how birds stay warm all winter and see bird feathers up close. Make a bird craft to take home. Register by Feb. 17. 106121008               2/20 Sat 10:30 am – 11:30 am 2/23 Tue 10:00 am – 11:00 am Ages 3-5       $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member BIRD WALK: LAKE AUDUBON

Meet at the Nature Center then walk to the lake to look for waterfowl and other birds. Register by 2/18. 106201002 2/21 Sun 8:00 am – 11:00 am Adults Free VIRTUAL CAMPFIRE

Cozy up on your couch or in front of your own fire and meet new friends during a virtual campfire. Sing songs, make s’mores and learn about nature at night. Pick up a campfire kit with s’mores and other surprises between Feb. 22-26, 9:00 am-5:00 pm. Register by Feb 23. 106011060 2/26 Fri 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm All Ages $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member

ENV FILM: ANTHROPOCENE

An award-winning meditation on humanity’s massive reengineering of the planet, this film uses state of the art camera techniques around the globe as it follows scientists, documenting a mesmerizing and disturbing view of our species breadth and impact. Register by Feb. 16. 106201051 2/19 Fri 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Adults Free, $5 suggested donation

Milk Carton Bird Feeder Materials

Half-gallon milk carton Scissors String Glue Crayons or outdoor acrylic paint Sticks from the ground Bird seed

Instructions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Clean and dry an empty carton. Cut a hole that’s big enough for a bird to fit in. Make a small hole at the top and thread string through. Paint or color the outside of the bird feeder. Glue sticks on top to make a roof. Cut a hole underneath the large opening on both sides. Slide in a stick for a perch. Once paint and glue are dry, fill with bird seed and hang from a tree branch.

Winter is for the Birds By Earl the Squirrel (with help from Kelly Michienzi)

Do you ever wonder what the animals do in winter? Some animals spend winter hibernating in a deep sleep while others migrate by flying south. But animals like me brave the cold and stay super busy all winter long. I rely on my fur coat and my stash of acorns that I buried in the fall. I share the winter forest with many feathered friends. Winter is a great time for birdwatching. Wish safe travels to our hummingbird friends as they head down to Mexico and Central America for the winter. Watch for year-round residents such as our beautiful, red cardinals, pretty bluebirds, and little chickadees and say hello to some of our winter only birds such as the cute juncos, also called snowbirds and the white-throated sparrows who say, “Old Man Peabody, Peabody, Peabody” when they call. Birds have some interesting ways to stay warm during winter. They can fluff up their feathers to stay toasty warm just like wearing a down jacket. They can also tuck their feet and legs into their feathers, like pulling your hands inside your sleeves. Special scales on their feet and legs reduce heat loss. To stay warm, birds need their feathers to be clean and dry. That’s why you see them preening or grooming their feathers so often with their beaks. Some birds make an oil to spread on their feathers to add waterproofing. This is especially important for birds like ducks that spend most of their time in the water. Others, such as doves, grow special feathers that turn into a waterproofing powder over time.

Winter Birdwatching Checklist

Keep track of the birds you see or hear this winter. Find photos, information and calls at https://www.allaboutbirds.org. I recommend the field guide, “Birds of Virginia” by Stan Tekiela. If you would like to be a citizen scientist, head to http://feederwatch.org.

Northern Cardinal ______ White-throated Sparrow ______ Eastern Bluebird ______ Mourning Dove

______

Dark-eyed Junco ______ Barred Owl

______

White-Breasted Nuthatch

______

Blue Jay

______ House Finch

Carolina Wren

______ American Goldfinch ______

Northern Flicker

Carolina Chickadee ______ Tufted Titmouse

______

Do you shiver when you are really cold? Birds do, too! Shivering warms your body. At night, many small birds such as chickadees Downy Woodpecker ______ Red-bellied Woodpecker ______ and titmice gather in trees, shrubs, or birdhouses to share their body heat. Finding nutritious food is extra important in the winter. If you have a bird feeder, keep it full of good foods such as blackoil sunflower seeds and peanuts. Snowbirds and sparrows like to eat on the ground. So, sprinkle some small or shelled seed for them. A suet feeder is great for woodpeckers, nuthatches and chickadees and don’t forget to keep that bird bath clean and full, too. You can keep it from freezing by placing it in the sun, adding warm water or even a small birdbath heater. Have fun birdwatching this winter! And don’t be surprised if you see me snooping around your feeders too. A few peanuts on the ground would be greatly appreciated.

Kids’ Corner

Outdoor Preparedness By Abby Stocking

Scandinavians have an expression that says, “There’s no bad weather, just bad clothes.” People living in those countries would know a thing or two about bad weather. Despite some extreme temperatures and wintry precipitation, the mentality embraced is that they will choose the outlook on their day, and not let the weather dictate it for them. With the fears that winter will bring a higher risk of infection to illnesses like COVID-19, the flu and the common cold, it is more important than ever that Americans continue to embrace outdoor activity. Use these suggestions to help you during the cold months.

1. Wear the right clothes.

4. Put your COVID mask to another good use.

The feathers of birds and fur of mammals traps and warms air and help to insulate their bodies. Humans can mimic this by wearing layers of clothing. Air between the layers helps you retain body heat. Having a base layer that is made of materials that help wick sweat away from your skin can keep you from getting damp and cold. Then you can add more layers for warmth. If there is any kind of precipitation, it is best to wear something waterproof as your outer layer.

On particularly cold days, it can be helpful to cover your nose and mouth. The cloth will help warm the air before it enters your lungs and can make for easier breathing.

2. Protect your extremities. As a response to the cold, blood vessels constrict and blood flow concentrates in the core of your body. It is very important to keep your head (including your ears), hands and feet covered and protected. Adding layers of socks and gloves is a good idea, too.

3. Give your body time to adjust. Studies have shown that daily exposure to lower temperatures can trigger responses in your body that make you better able to deal with the cold. You may shiver a lot on the first few days (which is your body’s way of trying to warm itself ), but eventually the shivering should become less pronounced as your body figures out other ways to produce heat. People with heart conditions should avoid exposure to sudden drops in temperature.

5. Make new discoveries. Winter is a great time for seeing new things in the woods. Leafless trees make birds more visible. You can watch for foxes with their beautiful, thick, orange coats, and squirrels using their tails as a blanket. If you’re lucky, you may find a discarded antler from one of our male deer. Bucks grow a new pair of antlers every year. Look for buds on plants and dream about the leaves and flowers they will open into when the spring arrives. Setting our attitude to embrace what the winter season has in store can really help us get out of a rut in our daily quarantined lives. Get outside, breathe some fresh air, and keep your mind and body healthy. Weather or not, here we come…

Scout Programs Let us help your group to earn patches and badges.

Book a date with a naturalist for a fun learning experience. We have indoor and outdoor options. From trees to wildlife, the nature center is a great place to explore the natural world. Campfire rentals also available. $5/RA member scout (min. charge $50) • $7/non-member scout (min. charge $70) Email astocking@reston.org or call 703-435-6509.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID RESTON, VA PERMIT NO. 21

www.reston.org Walker Nature Center 11450 Glade Drive Reston, Virginia 20191

Sunday, December 6, 1:00-4:00 pm Walker Nature Center $7 $9 406011308 Bring your family or a friend for holiday visit. We’ve missed you! Enjoy: █ Holiday music █ Story trail and woodland walk █ Take-home goody bags █ Nature Center gift items for sale █ A visit with the Nature Center animals █ Mascots Earl the Squirrel and Myrtle the Turtle █ Enter or vote in the Gingerbread Creation Contest Due to COVID-19, pre-registration is required. There will be reduced capacity and staggered arrival times. We regret that we will not have the sing along or a visit from Santa this year. Most activities will be outside for distancing. Please check the Walker Nature Center Facebook page and www.restonwebtrac.org for event details.

Volume Twenty WinterWinter | 20-21 18/19 | Volume Twenty Two