Branching Out Spring 2022 by Reston Association

Walker Nature Center

BRANCHING OUT

A LOOK INSIDE • Calendar 4 • Kids’ Corner 6 • Support Your Soil 7 • Spring Festival 8

Nature Notes By Pam Findley

MARCH • • • • •

Wood Violets bloom. Red Maple trees bloom. Mourning Doves begin to nest. Groundhogs emerge and mate. March 20, Vernal Equinox – First day of Spring

APRIL • • • • •

Canada Geese lay eggs. Dogwood and Redbud trees bloom. American Toads lay eggs in ponds and streams. Bloodroot, Trillium and Virginia Bluebells bloom. April 22, 23 – Lyrids Meteor Shower

MAY • • • • •

Beaver young are born. Eastern Box Turtles lay eggs. Mayapple, Wood Poppy and Jack-in-the-Pulpit bloom. Mountain Laurel and Rhododendron shrubs are in bloom. May 16 – Total Lunar Eclipse

Pool Time So Soon? By Susan Sims

Spring arrives with fresh air, bursts of flowers, the green scent of new growth and around here – the loud calls of frogs. While people tend to hit the outdoor pools after Memorial Day, nature’s pools are already teeming with life. One of Reston’s most unique habitats is the vernal pool, found in shady, low-lying areas, along sloping pathways, and near stream beds throughout the forest. These small temporary bodies of water aren’t just muddy puddles. They provide crucial habitat for many types of amphibians, invertebrates, and plants, including our beacon of spring, the Wood Frog.

Pool Season for Frogs

Vernal pools hold freshwater in spring, hence their name. They are relatively small and usually dry up during summer. For this reason, they do not contain fish. The lack of predatory fish allows other small creatures to develop in the shallow water. Without a connection to another water body, vernal pools rely on snow and ice melt as well as rainwater to keep them wet.

Often overlooked in wetland conservation, vernal pools are part of a healthy forest ecosystem. Each year, the pools receive fallen tree leaves that provide camouflage and contribute nutrients and microbes. When the pools drain, they leave behind decomposed material that feeds surrounding soils. Plants that thrive near vernal pools include Skunk Cabbage, Jewelweed, and ephemerals like Turk’s Cap Lily.

Need for A Pool

Beyond being popular watering holes for woodland creatures and nurseries for a variety of amphibians and insects like damselflies and water bugs, vernal pools are an absolute necessity for the survival of certain species. True vernal pool wetlands require the presence of breeding indicator species known as obligates. In Reston, these obligates include the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) and the Wood frog (Lithobates sylvatica).

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Spring | 22 | Volume Twenty-three

WALKER NATURE CENTER

Pool Time So Soon? continued from page 1

11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191

Wood Frogs lay egg masses of up to 1,500 eggs at a time. Each egg looks like an eyeball with a black pupil. The eggs clump together in blobs the size of a baseball or a softball. As they mature, the eggs swell and float to the surface, forming bubble-like rafts. While their adult color can vary from pinkish green to olive brown, they all sport a distinctive black mask over their eyes, and their calls sound more like quacks.

Dawn to dusk, enjoy year-round access to trails, restrooms and free parking.

CONTACT

703-476-9689 naturecenter@reston.org

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.

NATURE HOUSE HOURS

Mon. & Wed.-Fri. 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Tuesdays Saturday 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sunday 1– 4 p.m.

HOLIDAY CLOSURES:

May 30 Memorial Day

In contrast, the silent Spotted Salamander lays fewer eggs (30-150) in a clear or milky-white casing or sac. Their egg masses hold their shape out of water. Salamanders often attach their egg masses to branches. Salamander larvae resemble tadpoles with feathery gills on the sides of their heads. As they grow, they lose their gills and climb onto land where they breathe with lungs. Adult Spotted Salamanders are hard to mistake with their striking, yellow polka dots on shiny black bodies, but they spend most of their time underground. Vernal pools are also vital for the endangered Fairy Shrimp (Branchinecta lynchi) which overwinters as an egg at the bottom of the pools. Eggs are only viable after they dry out and freeze. The small, pale crustaceans are rare but have been identified in a few vernal pools in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties. Concerns for this endangered crustacean and its roommates grow due to threats to vernal pool habitat.

No Diving in the Pool

Vernal pools face dire consequences from urban development, runoff and increasing temperatures that cause them to dry up quicker. Sadly, many pools become polluted, backfilled, drained or converted into permanent ponds with fish. However, there are ways residents can support vernal pools through wise lawn practices and low impact use of the outdoors.

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.

Stopping the use of pesticides or herbicides in lawns and gardens prevents toxic chemicals from entering the pools. Amphibians have delicate, water permeable skin and are especially susceptible to these poisons. Studies show that chemicals in runoff can not only cause amphibian mortality but also inhibit their immune systems. Residents are encouraged to opt for native plants that encourage a sustainable food chain, and use leaf mulch and compost instead of chemical fertilizers. While hiking and biking in natural areas, please be mindful of your surroundings and tread lightly to prevent damage to vernal pools and their inhabitants. Boots and bike tires not only crush delicate amphibians, but they can also cause disturbances that introduce the spread of disease. The rule for the pool is “Look, Don’t Touch!” Please resist the temptation to remove any plants or animals from our natural areas, especially in these very fragile vernal pools.

What’s Happening at the Pool?

State and local organizations, including the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources and the Vernal Pool Society of Virginia, train volunteers to conduct citizen science projects at vernal pools. Data provides scientists with information to track and assess pool species. In Reston, please contribute observations to the Reston Biodiversity Project in iNaturalist and let us know if you would be interested in monitoring and/or mapping vernal pools in our natural areas. As the weather changes and we’re inspired to get outdoors more, remember to celebrate and honor spring through ecofriendly gardening choices, mindful hikes and taking time to look and listen for life at your nearby vernal pools.

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

Native Plant

SALE

Place orders by Friday, April 1, 5:00 pm Pick up orders on Saturday, April 23, 9:30 am – 1:00 pm Species will include a variety of sun and shade loving wildflowers and ferns. Plants are sold on a pre-order basis only. Order online at www.restonwebtrac.org. Click on the “Native Plant Sale” quick link on the home page.

Request an order form or ask a question by contacting naturecenter@reston.org or 703-476-9689, ext. 3.

Lights Out for Birds February 15-May 31 This spring, help migratory birds return to us safely by turning lights off at night, especially 11p.m. - 6 a.m. This simple act can reduce collisions with buildings and other structures. Drawing the blinds and using task lighting helps, too.

Please and Thank You By Katie Shaw Spring---now that’s a welcome thought. Let’s remember how last spring, we saw the winter surge of COVID let up and Mother Nature invited us to enjoy even more time in her beautiful surrounds, whether it was with friends or family or just a rejuventating solo experience. This spring, we have lots of activities and topics to explore with you, but we could not do it without our wonderful volunteers.We are thankful for them helping us through the winter and are looking forward to digging in together in the months ahead. If you’re looking for ways to get involved, consider volunteering at one of our upcoming events like our Earth Day Project on April 26 or Spring Festival on May 7. We are thrilled to be bringing back our biggest event of the year after a two year COVID hiatus. Hope to see you there! Thanks to our donors: Julie and Charlie Bond and the Reston Garden Club for the seasonal container gardens, the magnificent mantel creations, and the lovely indoor floral displays; Friends of Reston for supporting the Environmental Film Series and Holiday Fest entertainment. Thanks to our volunteers: Joanne & David Bauer, Matt Bender, Julie & Charlie Bond, Bill Brown, Bill Burton, Anne Cannizzaro, Ian Carmack, Marilyn Dicke, Jody Douglas, Robin Duska, June Ferrara, Martha Furniss, Martha Garcia, Connie Hartke, “Nature Nancy” Herwig, Pete Huffer, Makail Kapadia, Jay Lalwani, Peter Larkins, Tracy Long, Umaar Malki, Genesis Martinez, Sharon McHugh, Ilene McNeal, Cynthia O’Connell, Terri Ostrowski, Barbara Paolucci, Ellen Perrins, Sara and Mike Piper, Jim Seret, Claudia Thompson-Deahl, Justine Tucker, Brenda van Doorn, Jenny Vick, LeRoy & Eve Wallin, Laurel Wanrow, Verna Webb

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

MARCH

ENV. FILM: PLAYING WITH SHARKS

STEAM WORKSHOP- GEOLOGY ROCKS!

Study a cool rock collection and learn how different types of rocks form. Observe rocks under a microscope. Create layers of the earth with colorful play doh. Explore the trails in search of quartz. Make a rock mosaic to take home. Register for this drop-off program by March 1. 106131012 Fri Ages 6-12

3/4 10:00 am - 12:00 pm $9/RA Member, $11/Non-member

OWL LAB

Learn how owls catch their prey and what an owl pellet is. Unravel the contents of an owl pellet for a hootin’ good time. Register by March 3. 306011008 Sun Ages 5-Adult

3/6 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

DANCING WIND

March is the windy month. Feel the wind as it dances around you. Blow like a gale and float like a breeze. Make a windsock and listen to the sound of woodwinds. Play an instrument as we walk through the woods. Register by March 4. 106111001 3/7 Mon 10:00 am - 11:00 am OR Tue 3/8 10:00 am - 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member RAINBOW OF FUN

Celebrate the arrival of spring with a rainbow of color. Have fun with a rainbow art project and multicolored science experiments. Learn about colorful animals as you walk the trails. Register by March 9. 106121008 Sat OR Tue 3/15 Ages 3-5

3/12 10:30 am - 11:30 am 10:00 am - 11:00 am $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

A pioneer in underwater filmmaking and shark research, Valerie Taylor is a living legend whose life’s work has become the basis for much of what we know about sharks. Follow her trajectory from champion spearfisher to passionate shark protector. Our pick for Women’s History Month. Register by March 17. 106201051 Fri Adults

3/18 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Free, $5 suggested donation

BIRD WALK: BROWN’S CHAPEL PARK 106201002 3/20 Sun 7:30 am - 10:30 am Park at 1575 Brown’s Chapel Road Adults Free VIRTUAL NATURE GAME NIGHT

Gather your family or friends together for a night of virtual fun. How well can you identify animals by their eyes, noses or mouths? Play a guessing game to find out! Answer trivia questions about nature and test your memory. Register by March 22. 106011060 3/25 Fri 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm All Ages $7/Family RA Members, $9/Family Non-members KIDS TROUT FISHING DAY

Snakeden Branch stream will be stocked with hundreds of Rainbow Trout. Bait, cast, hook and cook your freshly caught dinner. Adults may not fish during the kids’ time. Register by March 23. 106101301 3/26 Sat 8:00 am - 12:00 pm Check-in at 2303 Soapstone Drive Ages 3-15 Free

APRIL

RESTON’S ARBOR DAY

Reston is a Tree City USA, certified by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Join us to plant native trees and shrubs and show our appreciation for trees. Perfect for students, corporate groups and scouts. Rain or shine. Groups-contact Ha Brock at ha@reston.org or 703-435-7986. 206011201 Fri Locations: Adults and Children 5+

4/1 9:30 am - 12:00 pm TBD Free

EGG-STRAVAGANZA See ad on page 8. Thu

4/7

WONDERFUL WILDFLOWERS

Before leaves appear on trees, wildflowers bloom to soak up the sun. Make a pretty flower craft, and go on a scavenger hunt to find different colored wildflowers. Register by April 8. 206111001 Mon 4/11 10:00 am - 11:00 am OR Tue 4/12 10:00 am - 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member CATERPILLARS COUNT- VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Learn about Reston’s participation in this national citizen science project. Volunteers are needed to collect data on caterpillars and other arthropods during the spring and summer. Register by April 11. 206201006 4/14 Thu 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Ages 16-Adult Free BIRD WALK: BRIGHT POND 206201002 4/24 Sun 7:30 am - 10:30 am Bright Pond Lane, park at the end of the cul-de-sac Adults Free

CELEBRATE SPRING CAMPFIRE

APRIL SHOWERS

Why is rain important to plants and animals? Learn why as you explore along the trails. Search for tadpoles in the pond, salamanders under logs, and flowers in the gardens. Make a watery craft. Register by April 23. 20612008 Tue OR Sat 4/30 Ages 3-5

4/26 10:00 am - 11:00 am 10:30 am - 11:30 am $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

EARTH DAY PROJECT

Celebrate Earth Day by digging in to spruce up the Nature Center with new plantings and fresh woodchipped trails. Individuals, families and companies can participate. Register by April 23. Groups, contact habrock@reston.org or 703-435-7986. 206011202 Tue Adults and Children 5+

4/26 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm Free

ENV. FILM: FANTASTIC FUNGI 4/29 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Free, $5 suggested donation

MAY

NATURE BABIES

Many baby animals are born in the spring. Discover where baby animals sleep and make a nest craft. Look for baby animals and match them to their mommies. Register by April 30. 206111001 5/2 Mon 10:00 am - 11:00 am OR Tue 5/3 10:00 am - 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member SPRING FESTIVAL See ad on back page. Sat

206011003 5/13 Fri 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm WNC Fire Ring on Soapstone Drive between Glade Drive & Lawyers Road All ages $8/RA Members, $10/Non-members MARVELOUS MONARCHS

Monarch butterflies are not only a delight to see, they have fascinating life cycles. Discover where they live and how far they migrate. Learn how to support monarchs and go for a walk to look for the plants they need. Register by May 11. 206011008 5/14 Sat 11:00 am - 12:00 pm All Ages $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP

Enjoy a spring evening with some campfire fun. Roast hot dogs for dinner and make s’mores for dessert. Sing songs, play games, and relax by the fire as it changes colors. Register by May 10.

5/7

Build your own rain barrel, and learn how to install it under a downspout to capture water from your roof. You’ll reduce run off, help the watershed and have water to use around your yard. All materials provided, including a heavy duty, 50-gallon black plastic barrel. Register by May 11. Presented with the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. 206201012 Sun Adults

5/15 1:30 - 3:30 pm $55 per barrel (limit 2 per household)

RESTON PLANT SWAP

Bring a pest-free houseplant (or two), potted or bare root. Share tips, techniques and plant stories. You can also bring plant supplies to swap. Register by May 16. In partnership with Reston Community Center. 206201310 Thu Adults

5/19 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Free

ENV. FILM: HONEYLAND

5/20 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm Free, $5 suggested donation

BUZZ LIKE A BEE

Celebrate World Bee Day. Search for bees in the gardens. Make an adorable bee craft. Buzz like a bee and pollinate flowers along the trail. Register by May 18. 206121008 Sat Or Tue 5/24 Ages 3-5

5/21 10:30 am-11:30 am 10:00 am-11:00 am $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

MAY BIRD WALK: LOWER GLADE STREAM VALLEY 206201002 5/22 Sun 7:30 am - 10:30 am Park on Glade Drive near Twin Branches Road. Adults Free LAKE ANNE SUNSET PADDLE

Canoe or kayak on Lake Anne with a naturalist. Search for wildlife and learn about the lake. Relax on the water in the glow of sunset. Boats and safety equipment provided. Register by May 24. 206011007 Fri Lake Anne Plaza Boat Docks Adults & Children 10+ TURTLE TREK

5/27 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm $15/RA Members, $20/Non-members

In honor of World Turtle Day, discover the types of turtles found in Reston. Meet a terrestrial and an aquatic turtle up close. Take a hike to turtle habitat at Lake Audubon. Register by May 26. 206011008 Sun All Ages

5/29 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

Frog Craft

Instructions:

Materials

Toilet paper roll Construction paper (green, red, white) Glue Scissors Black and green markers Stapler Yarn or string

1. Cut the green construction paper so that it fits around the cardboard tube, then glue it down. 2. Staple one end of the tube shut. 3. Cut a long piece of string. Place it inside the tube and staple it down. 4. Cut a red strip of paper and glue it to the inside of the tube for the frog’s mouth. 5. Draw and cut out a small fly. Glue it to the end of the string. 6. Use green paper to make legs and white paper to make eyes. 7. Glue all parts together and add markings to the frog’s body.

Awesome Amphibians By Earl the Squirrel (with help from Kelly Michienzi)

Spring is such a magical time in Reston. The forest comes to life as trees and flowers bloom. Bees buzz and butterflies flutter to colorful flowers. Chipmunks and reptiles scamper around after sleeping through much of the winter. Some of my favorite critters to watch are amphibians. They lay eggs in Reston’s ponds and lakes. Amphibians include frogs, toads and salamanders. Roll over a log in the forest, and you might find a red-backed salamander. They don’t have lungs, so they breathe through their skin. They keep their bodies cool and moist by spending most of their time under logs, wet leaves and rocks. Salamanders feed on ants, beetles, slugs, snails, worms and more.

Crossword 2

3 4

If you look at the Nature Center pond in springtime, you will see what a great frog habitat it is. A habitat is a home for wild animals that provides food, water and shelter. The pond can be quite noisy with frogs croaking in the evenings. Frogs have a fascinating life cycle. Females lay hundreds to thousands of eggs in the water. One resident of Reston, the largest frog in North America, is the American Bullfrog. Bullfrogs lay up to 20,000 eggs at a time! After hatching from jelly-like eggs, tadpoles swim and eat algae and small aquatic plants in the water. Some frogs, like Green Treefrogs, spend about 2 months as tadpoles. Other frogs, like Bullfrogs, can spend 2-3 years of their lives as tadpoles! Tadpoles change to froglets as their tails shrink, and they grow legs. Froglets can leap and eat tiny insects in the water, including mosquito larvae. Adult frogs no longer have tails. They move easily between water and land. They use their long, sticky tongues to catch flies and other insects. Fairfax County is home to 11 frog species. One of my favorites is the Green Treefrog. They use sticky pads on their long toes to climb up trees. Enjoy looking and listening for my amphibian friends this spring.

ACROSS

4. An amphibian with a long tail. 6. Amphibians hatch from __________. 8. Salamanders are often found under ____________. 9. The largest frog species in North America. 10. Frogs have a sticky ___________ to help them catch insects.

DOWN

1. Frogs begin their lives as a ________________. 2. Habitat for amphibians. 3. A frog that is good at climbing. 5. A tadpole grows into a _______________ before becoming an adult frog. 7. Some amphibians can breathe through their _________.

Support Your Soil By Abby Stocking

There’s a lot of talk these days about good gut health and its positive impact on a person’s overall wellness. In a similar vein, gardeners are focusing attention on the microfauna found in the soil that promote good garden health. Soil scientists are shedding new light on the ways microbes impact plant growth. As in the unseen world of our body systems, there’s a lot happening in the underground world of plants, too. Often, modern gardening techniques focus on soil chemistry and the nutrients plants may be lacking. If you want beautiful, showy flowers or large, succulent vegetables, mainstream approaches encourage gardeners to add nutrients to the soil. Using chemical fertilizers may seem like a quick way, but there are more ecofriendly alternatives. New research is documenting how the microbial life in soil is essential to growing healthy plants. Bacteria, fungi, protozoa and other microscopic organisms break down nutrients from decaying material and make it readily absorbed by plants. Some organisms like mycorrhizal fungi live in symbiosis with plant roots and help their plant hosts get water and nutrients. Protecting these organisms, and gardening in a way that mimics natural systems yields great results.

Here are some tips to nourish the microbes in your soil:

1. Add compost. Start a compost pile in your yard. Composting recycles nutrients from dead plants, making them available for new plants. Adding this material to your garden supports the microbes and “feeds” their food web. If you can’t maintain a compost pile, buy compost from local suppliers. Spread it 1-2 times per year to the top of your soil. Guidelines for the placement and style of approved bins in Reston can be found online at https://bit.ly/RADesignGuidelines. Contact your Covenants Advisor with questions at https://bit.ly/RACovenantsAdvisors. 2. Avoid chemical pesticides and fertilizers. These chemicals degrade your soil by throwing off the balance in the soil biome. Also, much of what you apply runs off in stormwater, creating problems in our streams and lakes. When you switch to compost, you eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers. 3. Minimize soil disturbance. Practices like “no-till gardening” limit how much the soil gets turned, protecting microbial life. Instead of digging out old plants, snip or saw off the parts above ground and leave the roots. Plant around old plants and resist “fluffing” the soil. The old roots hold onto mycorrhizal fungi that help new plants to grow. 4. Protect soil in the winter. In healthy ecosystems, bare soil is rare. Typically, the ground is covered with fallen leaves and other plant debris. Gardens need covering, too. “Leave the leaves” in landscaped areas and garden beds. In vegetable gardens, plant a cover crop in the fall, like red clover, oats or field peas. Seeing your garden as a complex food web can help you to provide for the living things above and below the ground. Maintaining healthy soils will give you healthier plants and everyone a healthier planet.

Rent Space at the Walker Nature Center

11450 Glade Drive, Reston Nature House Fire Ring A great place for comradery and Multipurpose Room

Capacity 60 people standing, 44 people seated. Equipped with tables and chairs. Fully accessible with trails and pond for guests to enjoy.

Pavilion

s’mores! 4 picnic tables, bench seating and small shelter.

Contact

naturecenter@reston.org or 703-476-9689 ext. 3.

576 sq. ft. in a woodland setting. Equipped with 4 picnic tables, bench seating, bathroom access, electricity and water fountain.

SPRING FESTIVAL

Saturday, May 7 (rain or shine) 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm All Ages • FREE Entertainment Live Animals Fishing Activities Craft Making for Kids Booths by Local Environmental Groups Native Plant Sale with Nature By Design Canoe/Kayak Rentals on Lake Audubon ($5)

Volunteers needed. Contact habrock@reston.org or call 703-435-7986.

Egg-stravaganza THE NATURE CENTER IS FULL OF EGG-CITEMENT

Join us for some family fun during Spring Break. Collect colorful eggs along a woodland walk. Discover what types of animals are hatching. Check the pond for frog life, and see real bird nests and life size eggs up close. Enjoy a storybook trail and snap a photo with a giant bunny or Walker the Woodpecker. Pre-registration by April 4 is required. Please register adults and children.

Entertainment Sponsor: Reston Community Center

Thursday, April 7 • 11:00 am - 2:00 pm with staggered arrival times

See www.restonwebtrac.org for event updates.

206011308 • $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member All Ages

Spring18/19 | 22 | Volume Twenty-three Winter Volume Twenty