Bull Run Mountains Conservancy
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About Bull Run Mountains Conservancy Join Bull Run Mountains Conservancy Calendar of Events Bull Run Mountains Conservancy trails Bull Run Mountains Conservancy Newsletter Articles and News Bull Run Mountains Conservancy Photo Gallery Bull Run Mountains Conservancy's Research Data Bull Run Mountains Conservancy's Favorite Links Bull Run Mountains Conservancy Contact Info


Calendar of Upcoming Events

Updated: 01Apr09

Unless otherwise noted, all events start at the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC) Mountain House (See the Area Map for directions.)

Call (703) 753-2631 for more information about the events listed below.

January 2009




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March 2009
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April 2009



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June 2009

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July 2009



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MONTHLY PUBLIC PROGRAMS

HIKE WITH A NATURALIST

1st Wednesday of Every Month
9 a.m.–noon

Our first Wednesday of the month hike (except January), for those members and non-members that don't like to hike alone. Come and discover some of the flora and fauna of the Bull Run Mountains.
This program is free; all are welcome.

TEA OF THE MONTH CLUB

2nd Wednesday of Every Month
2p.m.—4 p.m.

Each second Wednesday we enjoy a woodland tea party with freshly brewed herbal tea and light fare. We take a short hike in which we learn about a new variety of local flora and its medicinal values. We will then brew and drink tea made from the plants we collect.
Pre-registration required.
Members: $10/Non-members: $15


PUBLIC PROGRAMS

NEW YEAR'S DAY HIKE

January 1st
Thursday 9 a.m.

BRMC invites you to join us for our annual New Year's Day hike. We will meet at 9 a.m. at the Mountain House. This event substitutes for our “Hike with a Naturalist” in January.
This program is free; all are welcome.

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DYKE MARSH BIRD WATCHING FIELD TRIP

February 7th
Saturday 8a.m.—noon

Join a BRMC naturalist on a bird watching field trip along the Potomac River at Dyke Marsh in Alexandria, Virginia. Covering 380 acres, Dyke Marsh represents the largest remaining piece of freshwater tidal wetlands in the Washington Metropolitan area. Nearly 300 species of birds have been observed at the marsh. Meet at the Mountain House at 8a.m to carpool to Dyke Marsh. At 9a.m. our bird walk will begin at the Haul Road, led by a Friends of Dyke Marsh volunteer. The walk is approximately 1.5 miles.
Pre-registration is required.
Suggested Donation: $30
(Your donation will be split between Friends of Dyke Marsh and BRMC. For more information about Friends of Dyke Marsh, please visit www.fodm.org).

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ANNUAL FUNDRAISING EVENT

February 10th
Tuesday 6:30 p.m.

Be part of our annual fundraising event at Grace Episcopal Church in The Plains. Join us for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and lively conversation as we celebrate another progressive year as stewards of the Bull Run Mountains. Please contact us at 703-753-2631 or mk@brmconservancy.org for more details.
Cost: $50/person.


NATURE DAY

February 16th
Monday 9 a.m.—4 p.m.

Looking for a fun-filled educational experience on President’s Day? Then join BRMC for a nature-filled day of activities. We will spend the day exploring and investigating our preserve for the first signs of spring.
Ages 7-12. Space is limited.
Pre-registration is required.
BRMC Members: $50/ Non-members: $75.


WOODCOCK WALK and LECTURE

February 28th
Saturday 6—9p.m.

Join BRMC and Environmental Studies for an evening lecture and walk to enjoy the American woodcocks’ spring territorial and courtship flights. We will meet at the Mountain House at 6p.m. and then drive to Clifton Farm to watch American woodcocks perform flight displays that would amaze any world traveling birder.
Pre-registration is required.
BRMC Members: $10/ Non-members: $15.

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AMPHIBIANS OF SPRING

March 4th
Wednesday 7–9 p.m.

Last year we found hundreds of spring peepers, upland chorus frogs, wood frogs, and spotted salamanders along with lots of egg masses. Grab your red lights and boots. Let’s see what we can find this year!
Pre-registration required.
BRMC Members: $10/ Non-members: $15.


BUILD YOUR OWN WORM BIN COMPOSTER

April 4th
Saturday 10a.m.—noon

Come learn everything you ever wanted to know about worms! Observe a working worm bin and discuss how these creatures create compost that can be used around your yard and garden. Construct your very own worm bin to take home with you! Start harvesting compost from your worm bin in several months, just in time for your summer garden. Building materials and worms will be supplied.
Pre-registration is required.
BRMC Members: $75/ Non-members: $90.


OLD HOME SITES

April 18th
Saturday 8:30–11 a.m.

BRMC is thrilled to continue our exploration of old home sites with an extra treat. Go beyond the trails as we explore cemetaries, foundations, and clearings that mark past residences. Then sit back and enjoy a hot breakfast in the woods as Marcia Markey, a local historian, performs a historical re-enactment based on diaries, letters, and other primary sources. Space is limited and spots fill early.
Pre-registration is required.
BRMC Members: $25/ Non-members: $30.

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ADULT EDUCATION:
CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED WORKSHOP

May 1, May 15, June 5
Friday 9a.m.-2p.m.

Participate in the conservation of rivers and streams that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Expand your understanding of the magnitude of the issues. On day one we will enjoy the beauty of pristine headwater streams in the mountains, on day two, just 3 miles downstream, we will analyze the impacts of golf courses and development on Little Bull Run, and on day three we will end at Turkey Run National Park contemplating the journey the water has had to make.
Limited to 10 participants.
Pre-registration is required
.
BRMC Members: $150/ Non-members: $225.


ADULT EDUCATION:
HERPETOLOGY DAY

June 13th,
Saturday 9a.m.-4p.m.

Amphibians are the most underappreciated terrestrial vertebrates and the “villainous” reptiles are the most misunderstood. Not anymore, join BRMC staff and expert Marty Martin (51 years of experience studying the reptiles in the Bull Run Mountains) to debunk the myths. The natural history and behavior of these classes of animals are truly astounding. Ask anyone who has been on our Amphibian Night hike (a.k.a. sex in the dark).
Limited to 10 participants.
Pre-registration is required
.
BRMC Members: $50/ Non-members: $75.


CHESAPEAKE WATERSHED WORKSHOP

June 22nd—24th and August 10th—12th,
9a.m.-4p.m.

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy (BRMC) will offer 16 scholarships for youth ages 13-18 to attend an educational workshop focused on the conservation of the rivers and streams that flow into the Chesapeake Bay. Funding for this Scholarship Program has been provided by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund. The three-day workshop will begin with an exploration of headwater streams in the Bull Run Mountains. Day two will be spent downstream along Little Bull Run, and day three will be spent in Turkey Run National Park along the banks of the Potomac River. At each location students will perform stream monitoring, vegetation analyses, and stream habitat and riparian buffer evaluations.
Scholarship application deadline has been extended to April 18, 2009.

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HERPETOLOGY CAMP

Session I: Thursday and Friday, June 25th-26th
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
Session II: Monday and Tuesday, June 29th-June 30th
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Herpetology is the study of reptiles and amphibians. BRMC invites your child to spend two days hiking and handling, searching, and observing salamanders, frogs, lizards, snakes, and turtles on our preserve. As we discover more about these unique creatures, your child will add to his or her understanding of nature.

Herpetology Camp Activities (Activities may be changed to accommodate weather)

Day One

  • 9 a.m. Sign-in and orientation at the Mountain House on Beverley Mill Drive
  • Intro to reptiles and amphibians
  • Herp Hike
  • Lunch
  • Herpetology Games
  • Classroom discussion with live animals
  • 4:00 p.m. End of day one
Day Two
  • 9 a.m. Arrive at the Mountain House
  • Mountain ramble with Marty Martin — pre-eminent rattlesnake expert in the east
  • Snack & lunch in the field
  • Return to Mountain House
  • Herpetology Games
  • Stream walk
  • 4:00 p.m. Camp closing

Please bring with you each day!
  • Large Water Bottle!
  • Lunch and Two Snacks
  • Hiking Boots or Walking Shoes
  • Close-toed footwear of your choice
    for stream walks
  • Extra Socks
  • Sunblock
  • Day Backpack
  • Rain Gear
  • Medical Info Form (provided by BRMC)

Ages 7-12. Each session will be limited to 15 participants.
Full payment is required to hold your spot.
Pre-registration required.
Download brochure (.pdf).
BRMC Members: $100/ Non-members: $125.
BRMC Tee-shirt & hat available for purchase
Program Fee Includes:
Nature Notebook
Snake Bag

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PRE-SCHOOL NATURE CAMP

July 13th-17th
Monday to Friday
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy invites your preschool child to spend a nature-filled week as he or she interacts with the natural world and with other children in developing an appreciation of nature. Campers will explore the life on the Bull Run Mountains through a series of discovery hikes, nature crafts, and games.

Pre-School Camp Activities
Activities begin promptly at 10 a.m. each day at the Mountain House, located on Beverly Mill Drive

Monday

  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • Discovery hike
  • Games
Tuesday
  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • Reptile and Amphibian hike
  • Herp handling
Wednesday
  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • Stream discovery
  • Life under a microscope
Thursday
  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • Bugs and slugs
  • Spiders and friends
Friday
  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • Butterflies and Moths
  • Animal handling and release

Please bring with you each day!
  • Water Bottle!
  • Close-toed footwear of your choice
    for stream walks
  • Extra Socks
  • Sunblock
  • Medical Info Form (provided by BRMC)

For Children ages 4-6. The session will be limited to 10 participants.
Full payment is required to hold your spot.
Pre-registration required.
Download brochure (.pdf).
BRMC Members: $125/ Non-members: $150.
BRMC Tee-shirt & hat available for purchase

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SUMMER NATURE CAMP

Session I: July 27th-31st
Session II: August 3rd-7th
Monday to Friday
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

Bull Run Mountains Conservancy invites your child to spend a nature-filled week as he or she interacts with the natural world and with other children that share a common appreciation of nature. Each day we will focus on different animals and plants and that make their home in the Bull Run Mountains. Campers will add to their understanding of nature through a combination of hikes, stream walks, animal handling, games, and eco-dramas.

Summer Nature Camp Activities
Activities begin promptly at 9 a.m. each day at the Mountain House, located on Beverly Mill Drive

Monday

  • Sign-in and orientation at the Mountain House
  • Nature tool box
  • Ravine ramble
  • Games
  • Spiders and friends
  • Begin Eco-dramas
Tuesday
  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • Herp day—Reptiles and Amphibians
  • Learn to handle specimens inside and out in the field
  • Games
Wednesday
  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • Morning birding as we observe bird boxes
  • Eco-dramas
  • Stream walk
  • Games
  • Macroinvertebrates & Microscopes
Thursday
  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • High Point deep woods mountain hike
  • Lunch with a view
  • Games
Friday
  • Meet at the Mountain House
  • Butterflies, Moths, Beetles, Spiders and more
  • Handle then release animals
  • Games
  • Closing ceremonies
  • Present Eco-dramas

Please bring with you each day!
  • Large Water Bottle!
  • Lunch and Two Snacks
  • Hiking Boots or Walking Shoes
  • Close-toed footwear of your choice
    for stream walks
  • Extra Socks
  • Sunblock
  • Day Backpack
  • Rain Gear
  • Medical Info Form (provided by BRMC)

Ages 7-12. Each session will be limited to 15 participants.
Full payment is required to hold your spot.
Pre-registration required.
Download brochure (.pdf).
BRMC Members: $250/ Non-members: $300.
BRMC Tee-shirt & hat available for purchase
Program Fee Includes:
Nature Notebook
Nature Study Tool Box
Wood Cookie Name Tag

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Attention all members:
Refer two new members to BRMC and we will waive the fee for one program of your choice!
You may use the registration form or have them contact us directly.
Make sure they know to tell us who referred them! (Sorry, camps and day-long programs excluded.)


Bull Run Mountains Conservancy Box 210 Broad Run, Virginia 20137
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