Long Branch Nature Center - May 2013

Post date: Apr 19, 2013 6:10:04 PM

Running for Turtles

Cliff Fairweather

Naturalist, Long Branch Nature Center

Turtle and run are not two words you hear put in the same sentence very often but we are looking for folks to run for turtles on May 18th at Bluemont Park. That’s when we hold the Turtle Trot 5K race for adults and kids, with the proceeds going to our reptile rehabilitation program. Long Branch Nature Center is the only facility in Northern Virginia that provides rehabilitation for sick and injured turtles and other reptiles.

Reptiles face a wide variety of threats in our busy urban communities. A road full of cars, buses and trucks creates a rolling gauntlet for any turtle needing to cross to the other side and many are injured or killed in the attempt. Rats, raccoons and dogs prey on young turtles and can even injure adults, nipping off feet or gouging shells. Bird mesh used to protect plants can entangle and slice into the bodies of snakes.

Every year, caring people bring us about forty sick or injured turtles and smaller number of snakes for rehabilitation. Naturalist Rachael Tolman, our licensed rehabilitator, diagnoses and treats their afflictions and then we provide them with food, water and shelter until they are ready to go back to their wild lives. I have seen some horrifically injured turtles come through our door that Rachael’s skills, the compassionate care of our volunteers and a turtle’s natural toughness have overcome.

All this care incurs expenses for medicines, food and supplies and that’s where the Turtle Trot 5K comes in, with registration fees helping to cover much of these costs. The registration fee is $30 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under. You can register in advance online at Active.com or on the day of the run on a space available basis. We’ll also have activities for kids and a real turtle race after the people run. The race is chip-timed and is on a certified course. Here are the rest of the details:

Turtle Trot 5K

Sat., May 18, 2013

Check-in and on-site registration starts at 9 a.m.

Race starts at 10 a.m.

Lower Bluemont Park

329 N. Manchester St.

Come on out and run for the turtles!

Arlington County Nature Programs in May:

Sillly Songs and Stories Campfire

Saturday, May. 4, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family is invited to join us at the fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities, which may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, treats like s’mores. Information: 703-228-6535. Meet at LBNC.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632953-H

Notable Nature: Marvelous Mayapples

Saturday, May. 4, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Families. The whole family is invited to join us at Long Branch for a lesson in nature journaling. We'll begin by constructing our own nature journal, then head out to reconnect and record nature's wonders... taking a close look at Mayapples - and the critters that eat them. Information: 703-228-6535. Free. Meet LBNC Free

Program #632953-J

Spring Migrants for Beginners

Saturday, May. 4, 8:00 - 10:00 AM

Spring migration is well underway by May and the woods around Long Branch Nature Center and Glencarlyn Park are a local hot spot for these long distance fliers. This walk is intended for new birders and others interested in getting a start on learning warblers, thrushes and other spring migrants. Information: 703-228-6535. Meet at LBNC.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632943-I

Mid-Spring Ramble

Sunday, May. 5, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Families, ages 6 & up. Get out and see how spring has progressed near the mid-point. We’ll ramble around the trails at Long Branch and Glencarlyn Parks in search of wildflowers, songbirds, turtles and whatever else we might come across. Information: 703-228-653. At LBNC.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632953-N

Survival Skills: Edible Plants

Friday, May. 10, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Kids 8 to 12. These hands on classes teach traditional survival skills. From fruits to shoots, learn which plants are good to eat. Some hide tasty roots underground, too! Information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA 22204.

$10 fee due upon registration.

Program #632923-C

Enjoy a free cup of 'Bird Friendly' Coffee

Saturday, May. 11, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Adults. Stop by either nature center anytime today and enjoy a free cup of shade grown, bird friendly coffee to help us celebrate International Migratory Bird Day. For more information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center. Free

Welcome Back Hummingbirds!

Saturday, May. 11, 2:00 - 3:30 PM

Families. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family will enjoy learning about our fabulous flyers with hands-on activities and games. Then each family will make a hummingbird feeder of their own, to provide a welcome feast for these tiny jewels as they migrate back to our area. Information: 703-228-3403. Meet at GBNC.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632853-J

Froggy Campfire

Saturday, May. 11, 6:00 - 7:00 PM

All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun -including s'mores! Information: 703-228-3403. Meet at GBNC.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632853-B

Eggs Storytime

Wednesday, May. 15, 10:30 - 11:15 AM

Ages 2-10. Register child only. Joins nature center staff for an eggcellent storytime. We'll find out who comes out of eggs. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA 22204.

Free

Program #632923-M

Nature Detectives: Nature's Mysteries

Thursday, May. 16, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Kids 6-10. Come learn how naturalists, wildlife biologists, and animal investigators use the clues left behind by animals to help them uncover mysteries about the wildlife that came before them. Use some of the tips and techniques from other Nature Detectives programs to help piece together the clues to solve a wildlife mystery! Information:703-228-6535. Meet at LBNC

$7 fee due upon registration.

Program #632923-H

Hawks and Falcons Campfire

Saturday, May. 18, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun -including s'mores! Information: 703-228-3403. Meet at GBNC.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632853-C

Snakes are Super Campfire

Friday, May. 24, 7:00 - 8:00 PM

All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun -including s'mores! Information: 703-228-3403. Meet at GBNC.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632853-D

"Let's Go Camping in the Mountains!"

Saturday, 5/25/2013 4:30 PM - Sunday, 5/26/2013 9:30 AM

Families with children ages 6 and up. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Ready to kick your camping experience up a bit? Your familiy is invited to join us at Bear's Den Campground, about an hour from Arlington. We'll make camp, then have time for lazing about, or exploring the woods. After a delicious dinner cooked over the campfire, enjoy the embers with song and story (and of course, s'mores). The next morning we'll cook breakfast before breaking camp. B.Y.O.T. (tent) if you have one. If not, we have some loaners available for a small fee. Information: 703-228-3403. $25 fee per person payable at registration, includes meals. Meet at the campsite in Bluemont, VA 20135. Directions will be sent to registered participants.

$25 fee per person payable upon registration

Program #632853-F

Cool Creek Critters

Sunday, May. 26, 3:00 - 4:00 PM

Families, ages 5 and up. Register children only, but an adult must attend as well. Dress to get wet as we spend some time exploring waterfalls, trying to catch water striders, and taking a closer look at some creek critters. What do they have to tell us? Be prepared for your kids to want to keep playing in the creek when the program ends… For more information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Rd, Arlington, VA 22207.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632853-K

Nature Detectives: Skulls and Bones

Wednesday, May. 29, 4:00 - 5:00 PM

Ages 6 - 10. Register child only. Learn how to identify the secretive skulls and bones of some of our more common animals in Arlington. Often times some of the only clues left behind are some of the bones or if you get lucky an animal skull which are great clues to the animals that live around you and sometimes their age and health. Find out how to tell them apart from one another and how they can help naturalists, wildlife biologists, park rangers, and animal detectives out in the field as they monitor the wildlife around them. Learn techniques for safely collecting and transporting these remnants back to the lab or nature center. Dress for the weather as we’ll go outside and practice our collection techniques and see what we can bring back to identify and record. Information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Rd., Arlington, VA 22207.

$5 fee due upon registration.

Program #632823-L