Walker Nature Center
BRANCHING OUT
A LOOK INSIDE • Calendar 4 • Kids’ Corner 6 • Seed Collection 7 • Halloween 8
Nature Notes Leave the Leaves SEPTEMBER By Pam Findley
By Susan Sims
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Autumn arrives with cool, windy days, bringing the knowledge that winter is around the corner, and nature will begin to transition to a time of dormancy. Hues of red, orange and yellow bathe our forests, gardens and yards as deciduous trees lose their leaves. Yet, some important things are about to happen right below our feet, beginning with the rich, leafy confetti that marks this time of year.
• • • •
Hummingbirds migrate to Central America. Pokeberry fruits are ripe. Baby box turtles are hatching. Goldenrods are in bloom. Autumnal equinox is September 22 – Fall begins.
OCTOBER • • • • •
Songbird migration peaks. Tree nuts are ripe. Chipmunks take to their dens. Fragrant Asters have purple blooms. October 29 – Venus at highest point in western sky.
NOVEMBER • • • • •
Deer rut peaks. Dogwood trees have red leaves. First Dark-eyed Juncos arrive from the north. Holly berries are red. November 19 – Partial lunar eclipse.
Sadly, fallen leaves are frequently treated as something to remove and throw away. The fact is, these leaves provide much needed resources that help habitat, improve soils and ultimately benefit the interconnected community we call home.
Help Create Healthy Habitat
Fallen leaves sustain many different species during the fall and throughout the winter, including amphibians, insects, small mammals and arachnids. They supply much needed insulation and food. Many moths and butterflies have a long, hard residency as they overwinter beneath the leaves in our yards and parks. For example, Reston’s nocturnal Luna moth (Actias luna) will spend the entire season snuggled up in a cocoon beneath the leaves, not hatching until spring. Entomologist Doug Tallamy estimates that 94% of moths drop off trees as larvae and cocoon beneath the leaves, bark and soil, waiting to emerge in the spring. That’s a lot of moths that depend on leaves! Many of their butterfly cousins also overwinter as caterpillars or pupae beneath the leaves. These insects create a biological “antifreeze,” and the extra leaves provide a cozy habitat. In Reston, checkerspot and fritillary butterflies rely on decaying leaves to survive. Leaving leaves is essential for these less common species. The threatened American bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus) gains great benefit from leaf cover as well. A mated female bumblebee will dig into the ground a few inches beneath soil and leaves to stay protected until she can lay her eggs come spring. She is the only one left to create a new colony. Without proper habitat, she may not survive to establish a new generation of busy pollinators.
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Fall | 21 | Volume Twenty Three
WALKER NATURE CENTER
Leave the Leaves continued from page 1
11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA 20191
Other animals need leaves, too, including fireflies that light up summer nights. Beetles feed off plant material, and spiders patrol the leafy layers to find yummy insects to eat. Small mammals use leaves to enhance burrows and hide food for winter storage. Leaves provide shelter for amphibians including Wood Frogs, American Toads and salamanders, retaining moisture that is important for amphibian health. Marbled Salamanders lay their eggs on the undersides of leaves in the fall and are one of the earliest salamanders to hatch in our area.
Dawn to dusk, enjoy year-round access to trails, restrooms and free parking.
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 Our building is scheduled to be open to the public this fall. 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: Sept. 6 Oct. 11 Nov. 11 Nov. 25-26
Labor Day Indigenous Peoples’ Day Veterans’ Day Thanksgiving Day
www.facebook.com/walkernaturecenter
Convert the Dirt
Aside from shelter and food for animals, leaving leaves also improves soil composition. Leaves impart minerals - calcium, magnesium, phosphorus - that boost soil health as they decompose. Leafy debris encourages the development of mycorrhizal fungi which has a symbiotic relationship with many plants and helps create vibrant soil - acting as nature’s recycling system. Did you know that you can speed up the decomposition of leaves by mowing them? Numerous university research reports detail how leaf mulching improves turf as part of a regular mowing schedule. Leaves also make hard soils more workable and sandy soils more viable. Leaves are a natural mulch without any harmful dyes or materials. If you’re not able to leave the leaves in your lawn, consider raking them up and creating a thin layer in your garden beds where the minerals and nutrients can do their work. A thin layer of leaves will improve soil health while you kick back and rake in the benefits! Leaving the leaves is good for the wallet, too. Composting leaves creates rich topsoil. One tree can contribute the equivalent of $50 of plant food and humus through its leaves alone. If you are a Reston Association member, be sure to locate your compost bin in your backyard at least three feet away from your property line and screen it from your neighbor’s view. Bins that are less than three feet tall (not counting any stands) and less than 27 cubic feet do not require a Design Review Board application. If you want to go bigger, please complete an application and contact your RA Covenants Advisor for help with the approval process.
@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.
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Fallen leaves act as a free source of mulch and help to save money on lawn equipment, gas and lawn service fees. If you do collect leaves for your trash hauler to take, be sure to put them in paper yard bags. Sadly, it’s estimated that 20% of waste in landfills is yard waste. Leaving leaves or composting them keeps organic matter out of the waste stream, creating a more sustainable community.
Leave Room to Bloom
It’s clear that leaving the leaves provides many benefits. Leaves are a vital component of habitat providing food, protection and shelter. They contribute to healthy soils natural cycles, all while saving money for residents and expanding our understanding of the interconnectivity of our planet’s species. This fall, consider turning over a new leaf and keeping some leaves in your garden or yard. The insects and amphibians will thank you, and Mother Nature will pay it forward with lush green growth and bountiful blooms next year.
Native Shrub
SALE Beautiful gardens and healthy woodlands have vibrant shrub layers. If you’ve had trouble finding native shrubs, pre-order some Nature Center favorites and enjoy the savings. Place orders by Friday, September 24, 5 p.m. Pickup on Saturday, October 2, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Species will include deer-resistant species. Contact naturecenter@reston.org for a plant list and order form or click on the Quick Link at www.restonwebtrac.org to shop online.
Attention Scout Leaders
The Walker Nature Center can help your organization to earn patches and badges.
Education Programs
Fun and educational programs are available in achievement areas such as Forester, Naturalist, Wildlife, Eco-action, Earth Connections, Earth is Our Home, Earth and Sky, Water Everywhere, Senses, Animals and more. Fee: $5-6 per participant (minimum charge $50), RA members $7-8 per participant (minimum charge $70), Non-members
Campfire Programs
Campfire Fun programs are available upon request. Fee: $6 per participant (minimum charge $60), RA members $7 per participant (minimum charge $80), Non-members
The Fire Ring can also be rented for self-use. Fee: $23/hr. for RA members and $35/hr. for Non-members You bring the wood and the water.
Service Projects
Community service projects such as planting and trail maintenance days can be arranged for your group. FREE.
Activity Kits
Activity kits are available on loan for Birds, Trees and Watershed requirements.
Call 703-476-9689 and press 3 or email naturecenter@reston.org for details and reservations.
Please and Thank You By Katie Shaw This summer, we were happy to welcome back campers, ranging from ages 3 to 12, plus a terrific seasonal staff of high school and college students. Since children under twelve could not be vaccinated against the coronavirus, we reserved the Nature House facility for their weekday use. As always, campers spent a great portion of their time exploring the trails and streams. As they prepare to return to school, we are preparing to reopen Nature House to the community in September. It will be so wonderful to reconnect with our dedicated team of Nature House Welcome Desk volunteers and interact with walk-in visitors again. We will keep a watchful eye on the latest COVID-19 developments and remain committed to following CDC recommendations as well as guidance from the Governor. Currently, the CDC recommends that unvaccinated people over the age of two years wear face masks indoors in public spaces as well as outdoors when there is not social distancing. The exceptions include people who are eating, drinking, exercising or who have a medical exception. As this newsletter goes to print, the CDC has updated its indoor public spaces recommendation to include masks for vaccinated individuals, especially in places with a high risk of transmission. We truly appreciate all of our patrons’ cooperation during these ever changing times, and hope that we can continue to take care of each other and stay well. It’s been a delight to see you at our summer programs and events like the annual Fairy Festival and the Reston wildlife counts. Our volunteers have done a terrific job inventorying the birds, butterflies and dragonflies that call Reston home.
Thanks to our donors:
Friends of Reston for providing additional COVID safety supplies, and Reston Garden Club for aquatic plants that were installed in the pond.
Thanks to our volunteers:
Emily Adkins, Tom Aurelio, Joanne & David Bauer, Matt Bender, Mildred Benjamin, Julie & Charlie Bond, Doug Britt, Bill Brown, AJ & Steve Bowen, Greg Butcher, Ian Carmac, Summer Chambers, Don Coram, Isabelle D’Achille, Laurie Dodd, Jody Douglas, Robin Duska, Logan & Mark Esposito, Linda Fuller, Martha Furniss, Martha Garcia, Ginger Gotliffe, Ed Hass, Pete Huffer, Diana Kalaly, John Lankau, Elise Larsen, Amanda & Robert Lloyed, Samartha Kishor, Ilene & Jim McNeal, Farideh Mirmirani, Hilary & Robert Mitchell, Bill O’Brien, Barbara Paolucci, Ellen Perrins, Sheryl Pollock, Candy Quinn, Sara & Michael Piper, Jillian & Kay Schmid, Lisa Shey, Surekha Sridhar, Jenny Vick, Gwyneth Wagner, Juli Wilson-Black
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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 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.
SEPTEMBER
STEAM WORKSHOP- WONDERS OF WATER
Use a watershed model to see how we are connected to water and how we can keep our aquatic ecosystems healthy. Walk to the stream to measure temperature, pH and other variables. Calculate water velocity and look for erosion as well as critters that live in a watery home. Register by August 31. 306131012 Fri Ages 6-12
9/3 10:00 am – 11:30 am $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member
BATS OF RESTON
See a presentation on Reston’s bats, then take a stroll to Lake Audubon to look for them. Scan the sky for this amazing, flying mammal and use a bat monitor to detect bat traffic. Learn the latest from the bat world and enjoy some evening wildlife. Register by September 7. 306011008 Fri All Ages
9/10 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm $5/RA Member, $7/Non-member
SLITHER AND CRAWL
Learn about cool critters that slither and crawl, and try to find some in the forest. Meet a live snake and a turtle up close. Look at turtle shells of different sizes and touch real snakeskin. Create a reptile craft to take home. Register by September 8. 306121008 9/11 Sat 10:30 am – 11:30 am Ages 3-5 $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member
CLIMATE CHANGE PRESENTATION
TERRIFIC TREES
VIRTUAL NATURE CLASS- BIRDS OF RESTON
Learn about the parts of a tree and take a walk to see them up close. Make a tree craft and try a tree treat. Look for any signs of fall leaf color. Register by September 10.
Learn the basics of bird identification, and how to look and listen for the common birds of Reston. Discover the major groups of birds and the best places to watch for them. Learn how to use eBird and other helpful resources. This class is great for beginner birdwatchers. Class will be held via Zoom. Participants will receive an email with directions on how to join the class.
306111001 Mon 9/13 10:00 am – 11:00 am Or Tue 9/14 10:00 am – 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member LAKE THOREAU PADDLE
Canoe or kayak on Lake Thoreau with a naturalist. Search for wildlife. Learn about lake history and how residents can help the local watershed. Relax and explore. Boats and safety equipment provided. Register by September 14. 306011007 9/17 Fri 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm Lake Thoreau Boat Launch near Dam Adults and Children 10+ $15/RA Member, $20/Non-member SEPTEMBER BIRD WALK: STRATTON WOODS PARK
Registration required by Sept. 16. 306201002 Sun Meet at 2431 Fox Mill Road Adults Free
9/19 7:30 am – 10:30 am
306011060 9/23 Thu 7:00 pm – 8:15 pm All Ages $5/RA Member (family), $7/Non-member (family) ALL AGES BIRD WALK
Beginning birders and families are invited to search for birds in some of Reston’s most beautiful natural areas. Get a bird checklist of Reston and tips for how to observe and identify birds in the field. This is a great way to get started in the joys of birdwatching and share time in nature with our feathered friends. 306011002 Sat Ages 7 – Adult
9/25 8:00 am – 10:00 am $5/RA Member, $7/Non-member
FALL FOR FISHING
Enjoy an afternoon of fishing at Lake Audubon. Learn about the fish and other animals that call the lake home. Fishing rods and bait are provided. No experience necessary. Register by September 26. 306131008 9/29 Wed 4:00 pm – 5:30 pm Lake Audubon Boat Ramp, 2070 Twin Branches Road Ages 6-12 $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member
Join Steve Findley, Certified Climate Change Professional and Planner for Montgomery County, to get a regional perspective on climate change and how communities are planning adaptations for resiliency. Register by November 7. 406201006 • 11/10 • Adults • Free
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OCTOBER
MUSHROOMS OF RESTON
Join local mushroom aficionado and all round “fun-guy” Colin Mills for a presentation on the diversity of Reston’s fungi. Learn about their amazing life cycles, basic identification, and role in the ecosystem. Then, take a mushroom walk along the trails. Register by September 30. 406201008 Sun Adults
10/3 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm $5/RA Member, $7/Non-member
LI’L PUMPKINS HALLOWEEN PARTY
Join the Halloween bash that’s perfect for toddlers. Wear your costume on a walk along the trails. Meet a couple of fun characters and a real Corn Snake. Decorate a pumpkin and collect a goody bag to take home. No frights at this fest! Register by October 2. 406111001 Fri 10/8 10:30 am – 11:30 am OR Sat 10/9 10:30 am – 11:30 am Ages 18-35 months $8/RA Member, $10/Non-member OCTOBER BIRD WALK: BRIGHT POND
Registration required by Oct. 7. 406201002 10/10 Sun 7:30 am – 10:30 am Bright Pond Lane, park at the end of the cul-de-sac. Adults Free FALL FAMILY NATURE CRAFTS
Bring your family to this sensory, seasonal workshop. Try your hand at corn husk crafts, leaf art and make your own potpourri of cinnamon, apple and pumpkin spices. All supplies provided. Register by October 14. 406011008 Sun All Ages
10/17 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member
HALLOWEEN HOUSE & TRAIL
THANKSGIVING CENTERPIECES
See ad on back page.
Make a beautiful centerpiece with native plant materials and four simple napkin rings for your Thanksgiving table ($1 per additional ring). All supplies provided. When making reservations, include the number of people in your party and how many centerpieces you wish to make. Register by November 10.
Fri & Sat
10/22 and 10/23
FALLING FOR FALL
The sky isn’t falling, but plenty of other things are. Autumn brings lots of things to the ground where we can see and feel them…leaves, acorns, rain drops and more. Where do these things come from and where do they go? Take a nature walk and make a fall craft. Register by October 27. 406121008 Sat Ages 3-5
10/30 10:30 am – 11:30 am $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member
NOVEMBER
STEAM WORKSHOP- SKELETON SCIENCE
Skeletons aren’t just special at Halloween. Many animals need them to run, jump, sit and stand. See different types of skeletons. Learn to make a bone feel like rubber. Design and paint a skull. Build a backbone, and test its strength and flexibility. Take a walk to find animals with backbones. Register by October 28. 406131012 Mon Ages 6-12
11/1 10:00 – 11:30 am $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member
NATURE’S THANKSGIVING
If animals were going to have a Thanksgiving feast, what would they serve? Discover what animals like to eat and how they prepare for the winter. Set the tables for different animal friends and make a fall wreath for your home. Register by Nov. 5. 406111001 Mon 11/8 10:00 am – 11:00 am OR Tue 11/9 10:00 am – 11:00 am Ages 18-35 months $7/RA Member, $9/Non-member
406011012 11/13 Sat 10:30 am - 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm All Ages $ 25/centerpiece RA Member, $30/centerpiece Non-member NOVEMBER BIRD WALK: LOWER GLADE STREAM VALLEY
Registration required by Nov. 11. 406201002 11/14 Sun 7:30 am – 10:30 am Park on Glade Drive near Twin Branches Road Adults Free ALL ABOUT OWLS
Learn about the different types of owls that call Reston home. Listen to their calls and learn about their special features. Walk the woods in search of owl homes. Make an owl craft. Register by November 17. 406121008 Sat Ages 3-5
11/20 10:30 am – 11:30 am $6/RA Member, $8/Non-member
TURKEY TRAIL
Let’s get moving after your big Thanksgiving meal. Sharpen your skills of logic as you follow clues from a “wild” turkey to see where they lead you. Discover more about these fascinating birds. Register by November 24. 406011008 Sat All Ages
11/27 11:00 am – 12:00 pm $5/RA Member, $7/Non-member
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Leaf Creatures
Instructions: 1. Go outside and collect some dry leaves from the ground. Look for a variety of shapes and sizes. 2. Arrange leaves so that they look like different creatures. Try to make a butterfly, an owl or some other animal. 3. Glue them onto construction paper so the leaves stay as you have arranged them. 4. You can use paint pens, markers or chalk to draw faces and other details on your leaf creatures.
Leaf Magic
By Earl the Squirrel (with help from Abby Stocking) Every fall, the leaves around the Nature Center put on quite a show. I think they become quite magical. It all begins as they change colors. They go from their everyday green to beautiful shades of orange, yellow and red. Eventually they fall to the ground and turn brown. In fall, I like to wake up, make my way to my favorite sitting spot on a branch, and look around to see what is different than the day before. It feels like I am turning a page in the forest’s giant picture book.
Maze
Help the Wooly Bear caterpillar find its way to a safe hiding place under the pile of leaves.
The magic of the leaves does not end when they fall off the trees. Leaves become a blanket on the forest floor. They provide hiding spots and shelter for many forest creatures. Take the Wooly Bear caterpillar as an example. These cute, hairy caterpillars have black and brown stripes. You can see them scurry across logs and paths, looking for a winter hibernation spot under a nice, thick cover of leaves. In spring, they crawl out from their hiding places to eat a little. Then they form a cocoon. Inside the cocoon, they go through a special change called metamorphosis, which turns them into an adult Tiger Moth. Pretty cool! Leaf magic continues as leaves decompose. They slowly become part of the soil like a disappearing act. As they break apart, leaves add nutrients into the soil which the plants can use to grow. This is nature’s way of taking vitamins. Plants need the nutrients to grow full size. And I definitely like full size trees because they make acorns and other nuts for me to eat! Just when we get tired of cold winter days, spring is around the corner. Leaf magic will start all over as new leaves begin to grow on trees. I’ll look for my favorite sitting spot, gaze at the beautiful spring green, and watch another page turn in the story of the forest. I hope you are ready for a little magic this season and the next, and the next…
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Kids’ Corner
Growing Native- Seed Collection Help Gather Nuts This Fall
Drop-offs accepted September 13 - October 15 only. Look for the collection bin and banner on the side porch of Nature House. Help restore native forests and protect streams throughout the Potomac Watershed one acorn at a time. Want to get rid of a few acorns from your yard? Consider getting involved in this fun activity that can be enjoyed by all. Collected nuts are donated to the Virginia Department of Forestry to be grown into seedlings at the Augusta Forestry Center in Crimora, VA.
Directions
· Collect acorns and walnuts in your yard or other open areas such as parking lots. Ask permission if you do not own the property.
· Label each bag with the tree species and date of collection. Store in a cool dry place until you drop them off.
· Please do not collect at the Nature Center or other natural areas in Reston. Collection is also prohibited in National Parks.
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· Separate the nuts by species and place them into breathable bags such as doubled paper bags, mesh bags or seed collection bags available in the bin at the Nature Center. Do NOT put the seeds in plastic bags because they will rot. If possible, include one leaf and a small twig in each bag for species verification.
Place bagged and identified acorns in the container on the Nature House’s side porch. If you need help, Nature Center staff and volunteers can assist you during open hours.
Preferred Species: Black oak, chestnut oak, northern red oak, pin oak, swamp chestnut oak, swamp white oak, white oak, willow oak, and black walnut
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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. $46-$92/hr.
Pavilion
s’mores! 4 picnic tables, bench seating and small shelter. $23-$46/hr.
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. $35-$69/hr.
Walker Nature Center 11450 Glade Drive SAVE THE DATE: Friday, October 22 6:00 pm – 8:45 pm Saturday, October 23 6:00 pm – 8:45 pm Ages 3 to Adult Children must be accompanied by a registered adult at all times.
FEE: $12/RA Member $15/Non-member
PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED Registration begins October 1 at 9:00 a.m. at www.restonwebtrac.org for RA members. Non-member registration begins October 2 at 9:00 a.m. Click on “Halloween House and Trail” in Quick Links. No walk-ins. No refunds, unless canceled by Reston Association. You will select a time block when you register. This is NOT a horror show or a haunted house. Meet a creative cast of characters, including some real animals along our nature themed Trick-or-Treat Trail and inside our decked-out Halloween House. Enjoy hot apple cider, popcorn and games. Participants are encouraged to wear non-scary costumes.
For more information, call 703-476-9689 and press 5 or email naturecenter@reston.org. To volunteer, contact Ha Brock at ha@reston.org.
Winter Fall | 21 | 18/19 VolumeVolume TwentyTwenty Three