BRANCHING OUT

Meet the Team Behind the Green

By Susan Sims

The Walker Nature Center is a special place that provides habitat for native wildlife, gathering spaces for the community and educational opportunities for Reston residents. It takes a small and crafty team to manage the Center. Read on to learn more about the people keeping things green.

We’re excited to announce the arrival of our new Walker Nature Center Manager, Ken Rosenthal. Ken brings over 20 years’ experience working in nature and outdoor education, community outreach, and program and park management. Some highlights include experience at Cleveland Metroparks, Denver Museum of Nature and Science and Gulf Branch Nature Center in Arlington, VA. Ken has a bachelor’s degree in biology, is an active member of the National Association for Interpretation and a Virginia Master Naturalist. Ken previously worked for the Walker Nature Center as the Naturalist eight years prior and is returning to carry on the torch.

Ken is stepping into the role following the retirement of Katie Shaw who dedicated nearly 32 years of service to the Walker Nature Center and led the capital projects charge that resulted in Nature House’s construction in 2009. Her heart and dedication to the center are visible every day, and we wish her the very best in her next chapter.

Ken stated, “I’m excited to be joining the team at Walker Nature Center and for the opportunity to carry forward the mission of education through programming and interpretive activities that build a lifelong love of nature.” He will ensure day-to-day operations, budgets, safety and strategic goals are implemented on behalf of the Nature Center.

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Walker Nature Center

11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191

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, a Little Free Library, 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:

June 19 Juneteenth Observed

July 4 Independence Day www.facebook.com/walkernaturecenter

@restonnature

@walkernaturecenter 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.

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.

Meet the Team Behind the Green continued from page 1

Another new addition to the team is Caretaker Dustin Parker. Dustin has stepped into the role of Caretaker following the departure of Mark Jarrell. Mark served in the role for 14 years and headed out west to pursue new adventures. Dustin comes to us by way of Michigan and is a true lover of the outdoors.

Dustin served in the United States Marines as a Spanish Linguist and earned his associate degree in Spanish Language. He’s currently working on his bachelor’s degree in Fisheries and Wildlife Biology. He can frequently be found ensuring safe access to our paved and natural trails, maintaining and stewarding the surrounding 72 acres or taking care of our resident Eastern Box Turtle and Red Cornsnake. Ken and Dustin join a team of nature lovers, educators and scientists.

Abby Stocking serves as the Walker Nature Center Naturalist overseeing land management in partnership with Dustin, stewardship and habitat projects and citizen science projects. In her role, she connects with residents and visitors to observe and report on species’ presence and abundance at the Nature Center including leading bluebird monitoring, caterpillar counts and bird walks. When she’s not behind a pair of binoculars or organizing an Eagle Project with scouts, you can find her teaching about various nature topics including frogs, turkeys and native plant landscaping for the home. She’s a familiar face having been integral to Walker Nature Center for the past 16 years.

The nature center is also known for their support of educational programming for school-aged students throughout Reston. This includes field trips that meet Virginia Standards of Learning, homeschool groups and summer camps. These fun, informative and hands-on programs are managed by Environmental Educator Kelly Michienzi. Additionally, Kelly works in coordination with Abby to produce summer camps for ages three to 12. In her capacity she works as a curriculum designer, program manager and a friend to all science educators.

The Walker Nature Center is not only a place to connect and learn about science, it’s also a place to gather with friends and families. Nature House offers multi-purpose room, pavilion and campfire ring rentals. These spaces are organized and managed by Pam Findley. Pam is also responsible for the youth birthday party programming featuring fun topics like nature detectives, arts and crafts and every child’s favoritedinosaurs! Pam previously worked as a part-time Teacher Naturalist supporting field trip programming and special events and joined the team in a full-time capacity over four years ago.

The Walker Nature Center also benefits from the assistance of four part-time Teacher Naturalists who, like magical woodland sprites, appear from time to time to lead birthday parties; setup and tear down events; visit with school groups; manage the front desk and teach educational programs. The small team consists of Emily Cassee, Kim Lowther, Melissa Reisland and Susan Sims. They can usually be found making Play-Doh footprints with children, carrying plants to cars, leading nature-focused birthday parties, and being a smiling face to welcome all visitors to nature house.

Like any good ecosystem it truly takes a team to manage all of the intricacies and details of the nature center. Everyone plays their part, jumping in to support multiple efforts and projects that continue to inspire future generations and care for the surrounding habitat.

Wildlife Counts and Classes

Ages 16-Adult. Free. Meet at the Nature Center, then explore Reston’s natural areas. Advance registration required at www.restonwebtrac.org.

Summer Bird Count

206201205 6/3

Sat 6:45 a.m. – Noon

Butterfly Class

Learn to identify Reston’s common butterflies and get a basic introduction to their life history.

306201205 7/6

Thu 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Butterfly Count

306201205 7/8

Sat 9:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Dragonfly Class

Learn to identify Reston’s common dragonflies and get a basic introduction to their behavior.

306201205 8/3

Thu 7 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Dragonfly Count

306201205 8/5

Sat 9:45 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.