Imagine Well Being

***Registration at Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy required to obtain specific directions: Birding Sweet Run - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

Join us for this monthly walk at Sweet Run State Park. We will explore parts of this beautiful 900-acre preserve and see what lives here. With its diverse wildlife habitats, including meadows, streams and heavily forested slopes, the Park draws a wide variety of birds and other creatures. This outing takes place every fourth Saturday of the month except in December. Meet at the main parking lot near the Interpretive Center. Sweet Run State Park is located just north of Neersville at 11661 Harpers Ferry Road (Route 671); see map below. Registration required.
Fee Notice: Sweet Run collects parking fees via self-pay kiosks located at each parking area/entrance. The fee for a standard vehicle is $10. View fee information.
Questions: Contact Joe Coleman at jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.

***Registration at Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy required to obtain specific directions: Butterfly Walk at Banshee Reeks - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is developing large areas of meadow/savannah habitat. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Virginia Master Naturalist Anne Ellis on a walk around these areas in search of butterflies. If you are thinking about joining our annual butterfly count on August 2, this will be a great opportunity to learn to identify some of the 50+ species we see in summer. We’ll meet at the Visitors Center. Limit 16 (ages 5 and up).
Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.

***Registration at Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy required to obtain specific instructions: The Bats of Loudoun County - Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

Nature’s elusive aerial acrobats, bats constitute a diverse and fascinating group of mammals with unique adaptations that have allowed them to thrive across various ecosystems worldwide. Despite their association with darkness and the night, bats play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Join Bruce Kimmel, leader of the Virginia Master Naturalist Banshee Reeks Bat Acoustics Monitoring Program, to learn about our local bats. We will proceed to Ida Lee Park with Bruce and Jake van Schilfgaarde after the presentation where they will demonstrate acoustic monitoring equipment that shows us the types of bats flying in the area. This program takes place at Rust Library and is co-sponsored by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Loudoun County Public Library. Registration requested.
Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.

# Annual Butterfly Count: Let’s Count Butterflies!

This is the 29th year that Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has participated in the North American Butterfly Association (NABA) annual Butterfly Count. Our efforts give researchers at NABA a snapshot of how our favorite pollinators are faring. Teams of experts, enthusiasts, and novices spend the day hunting high and low for as many butterflies as they can find within the count circle — it’s a big area and we need your help! No experience necessary and all ages are welcome. There is a $3 fee per adult, but Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy members and children under 18 participate for free. Your participation makes a difference!

Learn more about the count (including the map of the count circle) and register here.
Are you thinking about joining the count but have a few questions? Participate in one of the butterfly walks in June and July to learn more about butterflies and how to identify them. The walks are free, family-friendly events.
Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.