Branching Out Winter 22-23

BRANCHING OUT

Nature Notes

By Pam Findley

DECEMBER

• American Holly have red berries.

• Male White-tailed Deer have antlers.

• Winter Solstice – Dec. 21—First Day of Winter

• Christmas Fern and Running Cedar are evergreen.

• Dark-eyed Juncos, Hermit Thrushes and White-throated Sparrows arrive.

JANUARY

• American Witchhazel blooms.

• American Robins forage in flocks.

• Eastern Gray Squirrels begin to breed.

• Sweetgum trees drop spiky, round seed pods.

• January 6 – Full moon known as the Wolf or Old Moon.

FEBRUARY

• Raccoons are breeding.

• Snowdrops are in bloom.

• Marginal Woodfern is evergreen.

• Pine Siskins may be seen at feeders.

• February 5—Full moon known as the Snow or Hunger Moon.

Time for Change

By Susan Sims

Reston's climate is changing. Trends from the 1960s onward indicate that temperatures are getting warmer. Average precipitation is increasing, and Reston is expected to experience more heat waves and intense precipitation events in the future. Extreme changes detrimentally impact resident health, habitat, infrastructure, and economics. In response to the data, Reston Association’s Environmental Advisory Committee conducted an assessment and identified actions to be taken to protect, adapt and sustain our community.

Assessing Facts

In May of 2022, the EAC released the Reston Climate Assessment. The purpose of the report is to communicate accurately about climate change and how it impacts residents. It also makes recommendations for RA, individuals and businesses to engage in informed practices that will sustain the legacy of Reston as a place where humans and nature connect.

This assessment coincides with Fairfax County’s implementation of a community-wide, energy and climate action plan known as CECAP and its supplemental Resilient Fairfax Initiative. The Reston Assessment establishes a list of concerns including greenhouse gas emission, warming temperatures, increased precipitation, animal and habitat loss, and infrastructure vulnerabilities.

Laying the Foundation

According to NOAA’s Dulles Airport weather station, the average daily temperature has warmed by 4°F since 1964. This warming is attributed to the effects of greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel combustion, deforestation, non-regenerative agriculture and industrial pollutants. Gases like carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the atmosphere. Higher temperatures lead to increased rates of heat stroke and increased energy consumption. They also lead to more frequent algal blooms in Reston's lakes and streams as well as increased growth of noxious weeds and disease vectors. Climate issues impact people as well as the extensive “green” and “blue” environment that are valued components of the Biophilic City of Reston.

Increased carbon dioxide and warming temperatures have real world implications. Poison ivy can grow stronger, faster and itchier. The habitable range of the deer tick is extended as is the season in which ticks are active; this can increase the risk of Lyme disease exposure. But heat isn't the only cause for residents’ concern.

Increased precipitation events mean more stormwater runoff, increasing erosion and damage to Reston trails and streams, while forcing sediment and chemicals into Reston's lakes.

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:

Dec. 24-25 Christmas

Dec. 31-Jan. 1 New Years

Jan. 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Feb. 20 Presidents’ Day

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.

There are also economic and infrastructure concerns. Volatile weather events increase property damage to businesses and homes, escalate air conditioning usage and energy grid overload, limit resident engagement in outdoor recreation, and impact available transportation and accessibility. Often, climate change disproportionately burdens the most vulnerable in our communities, including people of color, individuals that are economically disadvantaged, older populations, the LGBTQ+ community, and displaced or unhoused persons.

The Reston Climate Assessment identifies opportunities for mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Recommendations for RA include protection of outdoor lands through revegetation and other nature-based means to prevent erosion, reducing mowing frequency, decreasing the use of internal combustion engines, and implementing renewable energy alternatives. Further, the report recommends that climate change must inform policies when planning new projects, entering contracts and developing land management principles. Residents can make a difference, too.

Increase Resilience, Cultivate Change

Individual adaptive actions include identifying flood prone areas on your property via riskfactor.com and improving your stormwater management. Residents are advised to maintain an emergency supply kit to help cope with severe weather events. They can also plant shade trees to cool areas, limit outdoor time during extreme heat waves, and advocate for legislative action.

Many mitigation opportunities exist for residents. These actions help to reduce the cause and effects to reduce the cause and effects of climate change. Perform an energy audit of your home to increase energy efficiency and improve insulation to reduce energy loss and usage. Choose to walk, bike, carpool and use public transit. Shop locally and support local businesses to decrease reliance on long distance transportation.

Reuse and repair items, buy second-hand clothing, donate what you don’t need locally and decrease reliance on gas powered engines and tools. Cultivate native plants to absorb rainwater, filter pollutants, sequester carbon and magnify biodiversity that supports habitat. Eating a seasonal and local plant-based diet can help limit greenhouse gas emissions. too.

If organizations and residents work collaboratively to mitigate and adapt to the burdens of climate change, we will increase Reston’s resilience and decrease contributions to a global issue. More work will need to be done in coordination with local authorities and governmental agencies to establish sustainable policy. But as individuals, we can all start today. It’s time to do the research, make the plan, and ask how we can maintain community health, limit emissions, and make changes to aid future generations.

Resources

Reston Climate Assessment reston.org/nature-environmental-overview

Fairfax County Community-wide Energy and Climate Action Plan fairfaxcounty.gov/environment-energy-coordination/resilient-fairfax-learn

Risk Factor- Identify flood, fire and heat risks at your property riskfactor.com

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

WHEN January 27-February 15

Mon. & Wed.-Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Sat. 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Sun. 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.

WHERE

Walker Nature Center

11450 Glade Drive Reston, VA

Bringing the joy of birds to us, this traveling exhibition features 11 award winning and honorable mention images that cover a range of species and geographic locations.

Audubon Photography Awards Open House Sunday, Jan. 29, 1-3 p.m. Free for All Ages Join us for short bird walks, hands-on activities, and refreshments.

Birds on Film

Friday, Jan. 27, 7-9 p.m. Free, $5 suggested donation. Adults Only. See the video winners as part of a collection of short films.

CONTACT naturecenter@reston.org, 703-476-9689

Please and Thank You

By Katie Shaw

Hope nature is providing a beautiful backdrop for your winter holidays. In November, we bid a fond farewell to our wonderful Caretaker Mark Jarrell who had worked at the Nature Center for fourteen years. Mark really put the “Care” in “Caretaking”, and all who had the pleasure of working with him miss him very much. Fortunately, his shovel has been passed on to an awesome new Caretaker, Dustin Parker. Look for him around the property and please say, “Hi”.

We are grateful for all of the volunteers who helped make the 25th anniversary of our Halloween House and Trick-or-Treat Trail a huge success for 600 people over two nights. It’s amazing how many of the kids who enjoyed the early years of this event are now bringing their children to meet the costumed characters and animals along our trails and inside our decked-out house. What a memorable Reston tradition this event has become.

If you’re looking to get in on the festivities or give back to the community through volunteering, we’d love to see you at the Holiday Fest on December 4. Registration is underway so don’t delay your signing up.

Thanks to our donors and sponsors: Julie & Charlie Bond and the Reston Garden Club for the seasonal container gardens, festive mantel creations and holiday trimmings; Friends of Reston and MSE Productions for supporting the entertainment at the Holiday Fest

Thanks to our volunteers:

Christina Alcorn, Calla Alexander, Emma Ayres, Joanne & David Bauer, Matt Bender, Julie Bond, Greg Butcher, Anne Cannizzaro, Lucy Cassee, Mia & Kai Cleverly, Don Coram, Mike Corrigan, Joe Croce, Favian Cuellar, Noah DeGurse, Sophia Detorie, Marilyn Dicke, Jody Douglas, Robin Duska, Cameron Elliott, June Ferrara, William Flourance, Melissa Frost, Linda Fuller, Martha Furniss, Martha Garcia, Jack Gaughan, Sharon Gurtz, Barbara Heubner, Mikail Kapadia, Thomas Kim, Hayley Kowalski, Pranav Praveen Kumar, Ben & Sarah Lammers, Laurie Lewis, Tracy Long, John & Fran Lovaas, Sharon McHugh, Ilene McNeal, Jon Michienzi, Farideh Mirmirani, Ande Mitchell, Keshav Nair, Ines Nedelcovic, William O’Brien, Barbara Paolucci, Brinda Patel, Ellen Perrins, Mike & Sara Piper, Theresia Riesenhuber-Yafi, Victoria Ruano, Catalina Schuab, Jim Seret, Lisa Shey, Anurag Sinha, Maryam Taibi, Dana Trager, Brenda van Doorn, Jenny Vick, Eve Wallin, Verna Webb, Ping Wei, Lynn & Chris Wnuk, Teresa Wright, Will Yafi, Mei Zhang

Register online with WebTrac www restonwebtrac.org

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.

DECEMBER

WINTER WREATH WORKSHOP

Start your holiday decorating by making a festive wreath for your home. All supplies provided. When registering, please indicate the number of people in your party and how many wreaths you would like to make. Register by November 30.

406011012 12/3

Sat 10:30 am – 12:00 pm

Or 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

All Ages $30/wreath RA members, $35/wreath Non-members

HOLIDAY FEST

Catch the holiday spirit! Enjoy music, activities and refreshments. See ad on page 8.

406011303 12/4

Sun 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

All Ages $10/RA Member, $15/Non-member

THE SNOW TREE

Listen to the story about the Snow Tree and all its animal friends. Decorate your own snow tree. Stroll along the trail and look for animals gathering around our winter trees. Register by December 3.

406121008 12/6

Tue 10:00 am–11:00 am

Or Sat 12/10 10:30 am – 11:30 am

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

CRITTER

CABOODLE WORKSHOP

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

406131012 12/11

Sun 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Ages 5-12 $10/RA Member, $12/Non-member

WINTER HOMES

Where do the animals go when it gets cold outside?

Create a winter home for an animal. Take a walk and search high and low for animal “beds.” Discover how animals stay warm on cold days. Register by December 9.

406111001 12/12

Mon 10:00 am – 11:00 am OR Tue 12/13 10:00 am – 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member

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 12. 406131012 12/15

Thu 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Ages 6-12 $12/RA Member, $16/Non-member

PUPPET SHOW — WILD WINTER BREAK

Enjoy a creative puppet show about how the animals at the Nature Center are enjoying their winter break. Sing songs, feel animal feathers and fur and enjoy one of your last days of winter break. Register by December 26.

406101011

12/29

Thu 10:00 am – 10:45 am

Or 11:15 am – 12:00 pm

Ages 3-8 $7/RA Member, $9/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. Results will be shared electronically after the count. Register by January 4.

106201205

Sat

1/7

7:00 am – 12:00 pm

Adults Free

WHITE WINTER

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 January 6.

106111001 1/9

Mon 10:00 am – 11:00 am

OR Tue 1/10 10:00 am – 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months$8/RA Member, $10/Non-member

WINTER NIGHT HIKE

Crisp nights are the perfect time to enjoy a woodland hike. Look and listen for nocturnal animals. Gaze at stars and look at the moon through binoculars. Register by January 10.

106011008 1/13

Fri 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Ages 5-Adult $6/RA Member, $8/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 Jan. 11.

106011008 1/14

Sat 11:00 am – 12:00 pm

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

CELEBRATE SQUIRRELS

It’s National Squirrel Appreciation Day! Celebrate these acrobatic and amusing critters. Swish your bushy tail to song. Learn about squirrel families and make a squirrely craft. Register by January 14.

106121008 1/17

Tue 10:00 am–11:00 am

Or Sat 1/21 10:30 am – 11:30 am

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

STEAM- FANTASTIC FLIGHT

From tiny hummingbirds to huge eagles, birds defy gravity when they take flight. Learn about the science of flight through some simple experiments. Watch birds through binoculars. Examine taxidermied specimens to learn about their adaptations. Observe feathers under a microscope, and vote for your favorites in the Audubon Photography Show. Register for this drop-off program by Jan. 24.

106131015 1/27

Fri 10:00 am– 12:00 pm

Ages 6-12 $9/RA Member, $11/Non-member

BIRDS ON FILM

See the winners of the Audubon Photography Awards Show video competition as part of a collection of short films about birds. After the films, tour the traveling exhibit on display. Register by January 24. 106201051 1/27

Fri 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Adults Free, $5 suggested donation

AUDUBON PHOTOGRAPHY AWARDS OPEN HOUSE

View winning photographs of birds. Join bird enthusiasts for short bird walks, hands-on activities and light refreshments. See ad on page 3. In partnership with Audubon Society of Northern Virginia. No reservations necessary.

106011300 1/29

Sun 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm

All Ages Free

FEBRUARY

RAPTORS UP CLOSE

Meet live raptors up close, including an owl and a hawk. Learn where they live, what they eat, where they nest and how they raise their young. How do they adapt to our cold, wet winters and prepare for spring? Presented by Secret Garden Birds and Bees. Register by February 2. 106011008 2/5

Sun 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

All Ages $9/RA Members, $11/Non-members

LOVELY NATURE

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. 3. 106111001 2/6

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

VIRTUAL NATURE CLASS: BIRD NEST BOXES

Have you seen bird boxes and wondered what goes on inside? Discover which birds nest in boxes and learn about their life cycles. Find out how you can help cavity-nesting birds like bluebirds by installing and maintaining a box in your yard or by volunteering in RA’s bird box monitoring program. Held via Zoom. Register by Feb. 6. 106011060 2/9

Thu 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

All Ages Free

LOVE BIRDS

Around Valentine’s Day, love is in the air! Discover which birds give gifts to their special someone, and which ones are starting to build nests. Make a treat to give to our feathered friends. Enjoy the Audubon Photography Award Show and look for birds at the feeders. Register by Feb. 8.

106121008 2/11 Sat 10:30 am–11:30 am

OR Mon 2/14 10:00 am–11:00 am Ages 3-5 $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member

TRACK LAB

Animals are all around, but we don’t always see them. Discover the clues that animals leave behind. Learn how to tell the fox’s footprint from a raccoon’s. Make a track bandanna, and go on a hike to look for signs of wildlife. Register by Feb. 22.

106011008 2/25

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

BIRD WALK: WALKER NATURE CENTER & LAKE

AUDUBON Register by 2/23.

106201002 2/26

Sun 8:00 am – 11:00 am Adults Free

Groundhog Day Puppet

Materials

Construction paper (green, brown, white)

Paper cup

Wooden craft stick Tape Scissors Glue

Black marker

Googly eyes (optional)

Instructions:

1. Poke a hole in the bottom of the cup. 2. Cut green paper to wrap around the cup and stick up a bit at the top. Tape paper to cup. 3. Cut top of paper to look like grass. 4. Cut a circle from the brown paper to make the face and two smaller circles to attach as ears.

5. With a black marker, draw eyes, nose and mouth. 6. Attach two teeth, cut from white paper. 7. Tape the face to the craft stick.

8. Push the stick through the cup. Reach underneath to make your groundhog peek up and down.

Sleepy Groundhogs

By Earl the Squirrel (with help from Kelly Michienzi)

Ah yes, winter chill is in the air. Lucky for me I have buried acorns all over the forest floor, so I will not go hungry. I stay active all winter in my warm, fur coat. My bushy tail is a great scarf when I'm ready to snooze. But you won’t see my cousin, the groundhog, in winter. Groundhogs don’t like cold weather.

Some people call groundhogs whistle pigs or woodchucks. They dig cozy burrows for a long winter’s rest. They are the largest member of the squirrel family. They have sharp claws for digging their large underground homes called burrows. Burrows can be up to 6 feet deep and 66 feet long. They have multiple rooms and exits. Inside their burrows, groundhogs have a sleeping chamber, a nursery for babies and even a bathroom. Those groundhogs sure work hard to create their home, moving up to 700 pounds of dirt. No wonder they need to sleep all winter. Burrows also help to protect them from predators like coyotes.

When an animal sleeps all winter, that is called hibernation. Usually, groundhogs hibernate from late fall to late winter/early spring. During this time, some amazing things happen to their bodies. Their heart rate slows from 80 to just 5 beats per minute. Their body temperature drops below 68 degrees, and they only take 2 breaths per minute. Before hibernation, groundhogs fill up on plenty of fruits, plants and tree bark since they won’t eat all winter.

By spring, three to five babies are born inside the burrow. They are called pups. They stay with their mother for about two months. Then they venture off on their own. Believe it or not, groundhogs are capable of climbing trees and swimming to gather food or escape predators.

MazeHelp the groundhog find his way through the underground burrow. START

On February 2, we will celebrate Groundhog Day. This tradition dates back to 1886.

Perhaps the most famous groundhog of all is Punxsutawney Phil. He lives in Pennsylvania. If Phil sees his shadow, it is believed that winter will last another 6 weeks. If not, there will be early spring. A great way to celebrate Groundhog Day is to make a groundhog stick puppet. Happy Groundhog Day.

Kids’ Corner

From the Vault: Things I Like About Reston

By Abby Stocking

In 1975, students at Hunters Woods Elementary School were asked to write about what they liked best about the relatively new town of Reston in which they were living. Here are some of their thoughts.

I like the walkways in Reston. I use them a lot for bike riding and going places. I also like the wildlife and we have a squirrel’s nest in our backyard.

~Eric F.

I like Reston because there are a lot of trees and there are a lot of nice people. It isn’t too crowded, and there is a lot of space. Reston has a lot of good schools. I think Reston gives people a kind of country feeling.

~Lisa C.

I like the bike trails with the pretty scenery with the creeks and the birds and the trees and animals that are in the woods and I like to have not much pollution.~Paul

D.

I like the spots where you can catch butterflies and other insects. I like the way they planned the backyards. And I like the way that there’s enough room to plant flowers and plants.

~Annette K.

I like Reston because there is room to run in and I have a nice house, and there is wildlife. There is lots of trees in Reston and it is not polluted. Reston is not crowded like New York.

~Hally S.

If students were to do the same assignment today, would they say similar things? It would be interesting to know if they would still consider our community to be unpolluted and uncrowded. Hopefully, many would still talk about the walkways, wildlife and scenery that continue to make Reston the unique place it was designed to be.

What are the things you like about Reston?

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