Wintertime Announcement: Due to decreased wintertime usage, the buildings at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship will be closed for the winter months from December 12, 2011, until sometime in March (exact date TBD), although our trails will remain open for hiking from dawn to dusk every day. Public restrooms in the Education Center will not be available during this period, and we apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The composting toilet on the roadside near the parking area in front of the Demory-Wortman House will remain open for use. Camping is available during this period by advance reservation. To make camping arrangements, or for other information about BRCES and our operations, please contact Darlene Lamoureux, Operations Manager, at 540-668-7640 or by email: dlamoureux (at) blueridgecenter.org. Check our website calendar for upcoming events and activities!
****************************************************************************************************
The Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship is a place where nature, history and farming converge to reveal the connections between people and the natural world. Our 894 acres are home to deep woods, streams, a working farm, wildflower meadows, historic farmsteads, apiaries, and wildlife.
Our classroom is our farm, forests, meadows, and historic village landscape. Our education programs and land practices demonstrate innovative stewardship approaches that are sustainable ecologically, as well as economically. Come walk our trails, watch the bluebirds and butterflies, get a close-up look at wildlife, lose yourself for a while. Our trails are open every day from dawn until dusk. You can adopt a trail, pond or cabin, or take on a project to help restore the land. Spend your spring break with us. Propose an internship or research project.
Photo of the Day
The Blue Ridge Center is full of beautiful and interesting sights. We'll be posting a "Photo of the Day" as often as possible so you can keep tabs on what's happening onsite. Check back frequently so you won't miss any special photos.
Photo of the Day: Here's a shot from our recent
class "Get Kids Exploring - Environmental Archaeology" of one of the students screening
the soil from an archaeological site for artifacts.
BRCES featured in habitat herald
We wanted to share articles from a recent issue of Habitat Herald, the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy's newsletter, that feature all the great opportunities that the BRCES provides for reconnecting to nature. Thanks so much to our board members Joe Coleman and Leigh Scott for working to spread the word about the work of the BRCES and our continued need for financial support from the Loudoun community!
BRCES Board member receives award
The staff and board of directors of the Blue Ridge Center would like to acknowledge the recent honor bestowed to BRCES board member Joe Coleman by the Garden Club of America. Joe received the Zone Civic Improvement Commendation Award in recognition of his many contributions to wildlife conservation efforts in northern Virginia. Congratulations Joe!!
Blue ridge center receives award from
'friends of the blue ridge mountains'
We are proud to announce that on Sunday, September 25, 2011,
the Friends of the Blue Ridge Mountains will be giving their Annual Friend of the Mountain Award to the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship.
To help us celebrate, we are inviting all the friends of the Blue Ridge Center to take part in this event, which will include a free picnic as
well as the opportunity to take part in tours of the property that will highlight all of our wonderful natural and historical resources. The event will last from
3 - 5 pm. Please come help us celebrate this wonderful honor!
Announcing educational programs for fall
It's going to be a great fall at the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship! We
are pleased to announce the schedule for our Foundations of Sustainable Living workshop series for fall 2011. The series will offer 5 weekend workshops during
September and October on the topics of backyard fruit, a wild edible plant walk, growing your own mushrooms, traditional basketry and raising chickens. For more information check out our Workshops & Classes page.
We are also happy to announce an excellent series of nature programs for fall 2011
entitled Exploring Nature's Wonders. This series will provide a variety of nature courses taught by expert instructors with something for every member of the family. And best of all the programs will be provided FREE of charge thanks to support from The North Face's
Explore Fund and our awesome partners the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Hiking
Along and American Hiking Society!
Our 'Get Kids Exploring' courses will provide great educational opportunities for kids and
will get them out of doors and into nature where they can experience the wonders of
nature first hand. We will also have several courses geared towards young adults and adults such as a course on the historical ecology of the Blue Ridge and a seminar that
will provide guidance on how you too can share your enthusiasm for nature with others.
For more information check out our Workshops & Classes page.
Exploring Nature's Wonders is supported by
We're a Talk loudoun charitable beneficiary!
We are thrilled to report that Talk Loudoun has
chosen us as one of their charitable beneficiaries
for 2011. Talk Loudoun is an e-zine with a mission:
to build community through the sharing of
positive stories about the people, organizations
and events at the heart of where we live and work. Rooted in a belief that good news begets good
news, Talk Loudoun reaches beyond the daily headlines to report the stories behind
the scenes -- stories that evoke a smile, touch the heart, and maybe even inspire
giving back to the community. Be sure to visit the Talk Loudoun website and
subscribe today!
Coming Soon -- a New SPONSORSHIP SECTION
We are grateful to all of the businesses, corporations, and nonprofit partners who support the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship. Watch this space for their logos
and names, coming soon. Contact us if you'd like more information on sponsorship packages.
