NATURE EVENTS & NOTICES
“Looking for Signs of Spring” (March 13, 1-3 p.m.): The Virginia Native Plant Society’s Second Sunday Walk this month is with Ellie and Phil Daley at the 900-acre Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. At 11661 Harpers Ferry Rd. (Rt. 671), Purcellville, VA. Search for remnants of skunk cabbage blooms that flowered in January, bulging blossoms of spice bush and maples, wood frogs and salamander egg masses, and more. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and dress for the weather. The two-mile walk is free and open to the public, but space is limited, so RSVP and send questions to piedmontvnps@gmail.com.
Scholarships Available for Summer Camps and College. The Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District is offering college scholarships as well as scholarships to Youth Conservation Camp and Holiday Lake Forestry Camp. Applications are due April 1 for camps, and April 12 for college scholarships. For more information, visit culpeperswcd.org or contact Stephanie DeNicola at stephanied@culpeperswcd.org or 540825-8591.
Tree Seedling Sale: The Culpeper Soil & Water Conservation District has revived its tree-seedling sale. The CSWCD is taking orders throughout the winter, with April delivery expected. Species that are available are redbud, dogwood, red maple, persimmon, northern red oak and eastern white pine. Seedlings are $5.50 for five trees (one species). Tree tubes and rain barrels are also available. For more information, contact Stephanie DeNicola-Turner at 540825-8591 or stephanied@culpeperswcd.org.
FONZ Nature Camp: Registration is open for this Friends of the National Zoo camp, which “strengthens the bond between youth and nature by providing students in grades 5-10 the opportunity to explore the great outdoors, while connecting them to conservation initiatives through exposure to cutting edge research.” In July and August at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal. For more information: http://fonznaturecamp.org.
SCBI Spring Lecture Series ( Wednesdays, 7 p.m.): The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute kicks off its spring lecture series with Copper Aitken-Palmer speaking on SCBI’s role in the Zoo’s giant panda cub Bei Bei’s birth and other giant panda conservation efforts (Apr. 6). Other lectures: Annie-Page Karjian, on wildlife disease in marine turtles (Apr. 13); Jennifer Nagashima, on a recent milestone in canid reproduction research (Apr. 20); Jared Stabach, on the reintroduction efforts of the scimitarhorned oryx (Apr. 27). At SMSC Dining Hall, SCBI, Front Royal. Dining hall open for dinner beforehand, 5-6:30. For more information go to nationalzoo.si.edu or contact 540-635-6540 or blackkr@si.edu.
Rappahannock Plant Sale (Apr. 30, 9–3): This is the perfect time to start planning for your garden. As in past 14 years, this sale has a wide selection of native and cultivated plants offered by local growers. But some great plants, discuss plants with experts and your plant-loving neighbors, swap gardening stories and enjoy some refreshments. At Waterpenny Farm, U.S. Route 211, Sperryville, rain or shine.
© 2016 Pam Owen