Please and Thank You

By Abby Stocking

Spring brings a sense of renewal and growth. We certainly feel the changes in the air as we come out of a winter of transition. In December, we wished the best to Nature Center Manager, Katie Shaw, as she retired after nearly 32 years with Reston Association. Words cannot express how grateful we are for her many years of service to the people, plants and animals of Reston. We are thankful she remains in the area and that we will see her from time to time out on the trails or even in a volunteer role. We look forward to sharing more about the new Nature Center team members in our next issue of Branching Out.

If you are interested in getting involved, we have many opportunities to do so. We have the Egg-stravaganza event on April 6, Arbor Day on April 14, Earth Day Planting on April 25 and Spring Festival on May 6. We are also looking for some new faces to greet visitors at our welcome desk. Contact Volunteer Manager, Ha Brock, at habrock@reston.org to find out more about volunteering. We hope to see you soon.

Thanks to our donors and sponsors:

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 , Audubon Society of Northern Virginia for co-sponsoring the Audubon Photography Awards Show and Open House.

Thanks to our volunteers:

Joanne & David Bauer, Julie & Charlie Bond, Bill Burton, Ian Carmack, Asher, Dave and Lucy Cassee, Favian Cuellar, Marilyn Dicke, Jody Douglas, Robin Duska, John Farrell, June Ferrara, Melisa Frost, Martha Furniss, Martha Garcia, Vincent Guinee, Helen Guo, Barbara Heubner, Pete Huffer, Adarsh Iruvanti, Aditya Madan, Arnav Majeti, Sharon McHugh, Rowan O’Connor, Barbara Paolucci, Ellen Perrins, Sara and Mike Piper, Lucy Rosst, Catalina Schuab, Jim Seret, Amy Sherrill, Anurag Sinha, Zackary Suhr, Brenda van Doorn, Jenny Vick, Eve Wallin, Laurel Wanrow, Verna Webb

Register online with

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 severe weather, severe weather warnings or low enrollment. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

March

STEAM- SEUSS-IAN SCIENCE

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthweek. Make a batch of Oobleck, and go on a walk to look at trees that the Lorax would protect. Decorate a cupcake and sing “Happy Birthday” to Dr. Seuss. Register for this drop-off program by Feb. 28.

106131015 3/3

Fri 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Ages 6-12 $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member

WORLD OF SEUSS

Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with Seuss-themed games and activities. Create a whimsical craft. Search for interesting characters hidden along the trail. Enjoy a special Cat in the Hat snack. Register by March 1.

106121008

Sat 3/4 10:30 am – 11:30 am

OR Tue 3/7 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Ages 3-5 $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member

SPRING PEEPERS

Spring Peepers and Wood Frogs are among the first animals to make their way out of winter hibernation and welcome spring. Listen to frog calls and learn where they live. Feel some slime and make a froggy craft. Look for eggs in the pond. Register by March 10.

106111001

Mon 3/13 10:00 am – 11:00 am

OR Tue 3/14 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Ages 18-35 months

$8/RA Member, $10/Non-member

Frogs Of Reston

In honor of World Frog Day, discover the common frog species found in Reston. Learn about their life cycles and why some are quick to emerge from winter dormancy during early warm spells. Take a hike to look for frog eggs. Register by March 15.

106011008 3/18

Sat 10:30 am – Noon

All Ages $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member

NATIVE PLANTS FOR WILDLIFE- VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Native plants not only provide beauty to your landscape, they also provide food and shelter for wildlife like butterflies, birds and bees. Learn about the benefits of using native plants and how to get started with incorporating them into your garden or flower pots. Held via Zoom. Register by March 20.

106201060

3/23

Thu 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Adults Free

ENV. FILM: NO TIME TO WASTE

This film celebrates legendary 98-year-old park ranger Betty Reid Soskin’s inspiring life, work and urgent mission to restore critical missing chapters of America’s story. The documentary captures her fascinating life - from the experiences of a young Black woman in a WWII segregated union hall, through her multi-faceted career as a singer, activist, mother, legislative representative and park planner to her present public role. Register by March 22.

106201051

3/24

Fri 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Adults Free, $5 suggested donation

KIDS TROUT FISHING DAY

Snakeden Branch stream will be stocked with hundreds of trout. All equipment provided. Bait, cast, hook and cook your freshly caught dinner. Adults may not fish during the kids’ time. In partnership with Wetland Studies and Solutions, VA Dept. of Wildlife Resources, Friends of Reston, and Wildlife Foundation of Virginia. Register by March 22.

106101301

3/25

Sat 8:00 am – 12:00 pm

Check-in at 2303 Soapstone Drive

Ages 3-15 Free

CAMPFIRE- WEENIE ROAST

Enjoy an evening eating around a crackling campfire. Roast a hot dog and enjoy campfire popcorn. Finish with a tasty s’more. Park on Soapstone Drive between Glade Drive and Lawyers Road. Register by March 28.

106011003 3/31

Fri 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

WNC Fire Ring on Soapstone Drive between Glade Drive & Lawyers Road

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

April

EGG-STRAVAGANZA SEE AD ON PAGE 8

Thu 4/6

BUNNY BOUNCE

Bounce along the trails following the footprints of a cottontail rabbit. Make bunny ears, munch on bunny food and feel bunny fur. Discover where rabbits live and make a soft nest for bunny babies. Register by April 7.

206111001

Mon 4/10 10:00 am – 11:00 am

OR Tue 4/11 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Ages 18-35 months

$8/RA Member, $10/Non-member

RESTON’S ARBOR DAY

Reston is a Tree City USA, certified by the National Arbor Day Foundation. Join us as we plant native trees and shrubs. Learn about Reston’s trees and show our appreciation for trees. Perfect for students, corporate groups and scouts. Rain or shine. Groups- please contact Ha Brock at ha@reston.org or 703-435-7986 to sign up.

206011201 4/14

Fri 9:30 am – 12:00 pm

Locations: TBD

Adults and Children 5+ Free

GROWING UP

Spring brings new life to the forest and pond. Discover which animals and insects are born in Reston during this season and how they change as they grow. Search for baby animals on the trails. Create an adorable craft to take home. Register by April 12.

206121008

Sat 4/15 10:30 am – 11:30 am

OR Tue 4/18 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Ages 3-5 $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

CATERPILLARS COUNT- VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Learn about Reston’s participation in this national citizen science project. Volunteers are needed to collect data on the abundance and phenology of caterpillars and other arthropods during the spring and summer. Held via Zoom. Register by April 16.

206201006

4/19

Wed 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Ages 16-Adult Free

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 are encouraged to participate. Register by April 22. Groups with more than 5 people, contact habrock@reston.org or 703-435-7986.

206011202

4/25

Tue 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

Ages 5-Adults Free

ENV. FILM: BEAVER BELIEVERS

This award-winning feature documentary shares the urgent yet whimsical story of an unlikely cadre of activists - five scientists and a sassy, spicy hairdresser - who share a common vision. They’re all working to restore the North American Beaver, that most industrious, ingenious, bucktoothed engineer, to the watersheds of the American West. Register by April 26.

206201051 4/28

Fri 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Adults Free, $5 suggested donation

May

DIG THE DIRT

In the ground beneath our feet lies a whole world of life. Discover which animals make their homes in the dirt and peek under some logs to find some. Use dirt to make an art project. Register by April 27.

206111001

Mon 5/1 10:00 am – 11:00 am

OR Tue 5/2 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Ages 18-35 months

$8/RA Member, $10/Non-member

SPRING FESTIVAL SEE AD ON BACK PAGE.

Sat 5/6

SPRING CAMPFIRE

Enjoy a spring evening with some campfire fun. Sing songs, play games, and relax by the fire as it changes colors. Make a yummy s’more treat. Register by May 9.

206011003

5/12

Fri 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

WNC Fire Ring on Soapstone Drive between Glade Drive & Lawyers Road

All Ages $7/RA Members, $9/Non-members

RAIN BARREL WORKSHOP

Make a 52-gallon rain barrel from a recycled pickle barrel. Rain barrels collect water from the roof and store it for later use. To register, visit https://www. fairfaxcounty.gov/soil-water-conservation/rainbarrel by May 9. Limit 2 per household.

206201012 5/13

Sat 10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Walker Nature Center

Adults $55 per barrel (limit 2 per household)

RESTON PLANT SWAP

Bring a pest-free houseplant (or two), potted or bare root, to swap out with the community. Learn different tips, techniques and share your plant stories. You can also bring any plant supplies you wish to donate. In partnership with Reston Community Center. Register by May 15.

206201310 5/18

Thu 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Adults Free

SLITHER AND CRAWL

Reptiles are amazing creatures and so much fun to learn about. Touch a real snake and celebrate World Turtle Day by meeting a Box Turtle up close. Search for reptiles on the trails and look at a variety of turtle shells. Make a reptile craft to take home. Register by May 17.

206121008

Sat 5/20 10:30 am – 11:30 am

OR Tue 5/23 10:00 am – 11:00 am

Ages 3-5 $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

Turtle Trek

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 18.

206011008 5/21

Sun 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

All Ages $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

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 and enjoy the sunset. Boats and safety equipment provided. Register by May 22.

206011007 5/25

Thu 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm

Lake Anne Boat dock Ages 10-Adult $15/Member, $20 Non-member