Broadlands Nature Center

12/16/2018

BuzzFeed Video

Refuse! Remember that is the new number one

Refuse. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle. Rot.

12/13/2018

For 2019 we are offering a Potions Class Series. To participants in the series you receive the potions we make even if you cannot attend the actual classes (so it's like a monthly box of herbal remedies)! A great gift for your Harry Potter fan, budding chemist, lover of foraging and identifying useful plants, or anyone wanting to reclaim their health by increasing their own knowledge of possibilities. Register here: https://www.broadlandshoa.org/event/potions2019/?instance_id=20834

12/13/2018

Geminid Meteor Shower 2018: Where and when to watch it peak tonight

At 9pm the Geminid Meteor Shower will be visible at the horizon. Between 10 and 11pm the moon will set. Meet you outside to watch some shooting stars tonight! https://nypost.com/2018/12/13/geminid-meteor-shower-2018-where-and-when-to-watch-it-peak-tonight/

Get your wishes ready. The Geminid meteor shower will peak Thursday evening, December 13 into Friday morning. Stargazers can expect to spot dozens of meteors an hour, according to NASA, as long as …

12/13/2018

Congrats to Loudoun County Public Schools awarded a Platinum Certification as part of the Virginia School Boards Association’s (VSBA) Green Schools Challenge.

The Green Schools Challenge is a friendly competition designed to encourage implementation of specific environmental policies and practical actions that reduce the carbon emissions generated by both the local school division and the broader community. This is the 10th year the awards were presented.

Earning a Certified Green School Division rating is achieved by implementing new actions and adopting new policies that earn school divisions “green points.” The Platinum Certification is attained by earning 175 to 200 green points.

The VSBA Green Schools Challenge was sponsored by Moseley Architects and ABM Education.

12/12/2018

Plantae

An important read about our consequences using herbicides and fungicides on our lawns and gardens. Particularly the many folks with compromised immune systems—we’re talking life and death consequences.

Thanks to the compounds used to protect precious flowers, antifungal resistance is here—and it could be just as dangerous to humans as antibiotic resistance.

12/10/2018

Wild Forest

12/08/2018

Extension Master Gardener

Extension Master Gardener

"The California overwintering population has been reduced to less than 0.5% of its historical size, and has declined by 86% compared to 2017."

Read about how 'Early Thanksgiving Counts Show a Critically Low Monarch Population in California' via the Xerces Society.

12/03/2018

Van Gogh Bridge | Public Art Reston

Wander Society for today is a local treasure Lake Anne in Reston. Come search for the treasure box near the Van Gogh swing! http://publicartreston.org/project/vangogh-bridge/

11/29/2018

The Insect Apocalypse Is Here

In the United States, scientists recently found the population of monarch butterflies fell by 90 percent in the last 20 years, a loss of 900 million individuals; the rusty-patched bumblebee, which once lived in 28 states, dropped by 87 percent over the same period. With other, less-studied insect species, one butterfly researcher told me, “all we can do is wave our arms and say, ‘It’s not here anymore!’ ” Still, the most disquieting thing wasn’t the disappearance of certain species of insects; it was the deeper worry, shared by Riis and many others, that a whole insect world might be quietly going missing, a loss of abundance that could alter the planet in unknowable ways.

What does it mean for the rest of life on Earth?

11/21/2018

Broadlands Naturally

Broadlands Naturally

How about this in the backyards of Broadlands. #priceless #wildlife #naturerocks #lovefox #enjoynature @Broadlands Nature Center National Wildlife Federation #wildlifehabitats

11/20/2018

BBC Two

As you prepare for giving thanks learn how trees give thanks to their neighbors. A worthy model to follow.

Here's how trees secretly talk to each other. 🌳😲

(via BBC World Service)

11/20/2018

Free the Kids

Free the Kids!
Did you know that on average children around the world spend less time outdoors than a maximum-security prisoner? Watch the Free the Kids film to see how real prisoners react to this shocking statistic.

Did you know that on average children around the world spend less time outdoors than a maximum-security prisoner? Watch the Free the Kids film.

11/15/2018

Only In Virginia

Only In Virginia

I can't wait to explore this place!

11/06/2018

Hungry Harvest

I'm giving this a try. Fight food waste! Ugly veggies taste better!

1 in 5 fruits and veggies (like this pepper) go to waste for the most ridiculous reasons. Too big. Too small. Don't quite look "right." We rescue this produce, curate variety boxes and deliver to your door! Every delivery helps to eliminate food waste and supports the work of local hunger-solving organizations. Oh, and it's less than grocery store prices.

10/31/2018

for those who believe in eating local...

Happy Halloween, guys and ghouls!

10/31/2018

The Catalogue for Philanthropy: Greater Washington

My favorite thing about living in Broadlands is all of the many fundraisers and community activism for philanthropy that are so easy to be a part of through our schools, our 4-h program, and the nature center. But this is a way to figure out how you as an individual can find of the charity that matches the things that you care for the most.

Answer a few simple questions about yourself, and we'll tell you who your charity soulmate is.

10/30/2018

This thanksgiving Broadlands 4-h is gathering goods for our local homeless shelter. Always a good reminder of the many American heroes and heroic moms escaping violence that end up eating in a soup kitchen.

Always keep the less fortunate in your thoughts and prayers.

Please reach out to Grace DC for opportunities to help feed the homeless in DC this winter.

#GraceDC #GraceDCHomelessProject

10/25/2018

Potions Class…Wear a Costume if You Dare

Last Call For Potions Class Registration! https://www.broadlandshoa.org/events/potionsoct18/

Saturday, October 27th First class 11:00am – 12:30pm Second class 2:00pm – 3:30pm $20 per participant, per class. Both classes will do the exact same potions. Each limited to 25 partici…

10/21/2018

Living Off The Grid

10/20/2018

Todd Bol, creator of the Little Free Library movement, dies at 62

So grateful that he had this idea. We have one here at the Nature Center for anyone looking to donate books or anyone looking for a free read.

Follow the StarTribune for the news, photos and videos from the Twin Cities and beyond.

10/19/2018

De-gooped pumpkins for sale Saturday at 10am while supplies last! Judging of carved pumpkins for prizes at 2!

10/17/2018

Garden for Pollinators

Garden for Pollinators
8th Grade Students are Invited to Earn Volunteer Hours @ Teachers' Workday!

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a094fa4a72ea5f58-garden

8th Grade Students are Invited to Earn Volunteer Hours @ Teachers' Workday! Light gardening and mulching around perennials and shrubs at the Native Plants Demonstration Garden in Broadlands. Tools will be available. Wear comfortable clothes, shoes that can get dirty, and bring water. Volunteers ...

10/16/2018

This Saturday at the Nature Center 10-2! Bring your own knives! We have the pumpkins and the treats to eat as you carve. And we even have de-gooped pumpkins to buy if you don't want to touch pumpkin brains:)

10/16/2018

Great Pumpkin Carving Challenge at the Broadlands Craft Fair

This Saturday from 10-2 at the NC is a giant Craft Show and our 4-H ers will be selling pumpkins and hosting a pumpkin carving contest. **You can even buy de-goooped pumpkins:)** Along with our bake sale this is how we are funding our surprise flower delivery event the following weekend. Come and carve a pumpkin!

Great Pumpkin Carving Challenge at the Broadlands Craft Fair Saturday, October 20th 10:00am – 2:00pm The Youth Naturalists and Broadland’s Wise and Wild 4-H will be hosting this event. Come, …

10/15/2018

Blossom

Now these would be some fun new things to do at Potions class! Speaking of, our next class is October 27th https://www.broadlandshoa.org/events/potionsoct18/

10 tricks you didn't know you could do with your food!

10/12/2018

The Years Project

The Years Project

If food waste were a country, it would be the third biggest source of carbon pollution.

WEEKLY ACTION → Cut Down On Food Waste:
http://theyearsproject.com/action/cut-down-on-food-waste/

Created in partnership with Outrider Foundation.

10/03/2018

Fall Festival

Wander Society this month is all of the Fall Festivals in our area! Treasure boxes are hidden in the pumkin patches. Going here today: http://www.coxfarms.com/fallfestival.aspx

10/01/2018

Gigantic thank you to Tracy who lead us on our Saturday morning Come Walk With Me adventure (every single Saturday at 8:30 come and start your weekend right). She had food for the birds and the turtles as we hiked around the nature preserve and toys for the little ones in strollers. Come join us! Rain or shine off we go walking.

10/01/2018

Find Your Tea Soulmate

Potions Class is right around the corner. But until then I'm creating teas for purchase by the cuppa here at the Nature Center. All organic ingredients, you just grab and brew. Take this Tea quiz and tell me your favorite, I'll make it up!

Looking for a tea blend that's perfect for you and your unique preferences? Take our tea quiz to find the best tea brew for your palate and lifestyle!

09/27/2018

Every-Single-Saturday-Morning! 8:30-9:30am we're hosting Come Walk With Me. Bring a water bottle and gather at the Nature Center come rain or shine to start your weekend off right. No cost just strangers becoming friends walking. Pink costumes not required!

09/24/2018

This Friday is our final campout of the year (unless October is particularly warm). In addition to a fantastic camping spot we have storytellers coming to share stories by firelight around 7:30pm. so dust off your gear and prepare yourself for s'mores.

09/22/2018

The best part of today was watching this kid—who made all of these doggy tug toys himself!—raise funds for you(th) vs hunger.

09/22/2018

Nature Center is Remodeling Yard sale/bake sale for BWHS/ Knot Perfect dog toys for raising money to fight hunger is live!

09/20/2018

BBC Earth

Because I’m repenting for badmouthing wasps lately.

Wasps are just as ecologically useful as bees. 🐝

BBC Science News

09/18/2018

For wander society today I left some wandering flyers in wandering themed books in our local library. Be sure to walk in the willows around the pond after you find them

09/18/2018

This Saturday at our Yard Sale at the Nature Center we have a special guest: Knot Perfect raising funds for the hungry. One billion people in the world go to bed hungry. You(th) vs. Hunger is a meal packing ministry aimed at fighting world hunger. Communities gather together to weigh, measure, and pack individual meal bags with rice, beans, soy, dried vegetables, and vitamin ingredients. The meals are sent to countries around the world.

Receive a free dog toy with a minimum $10 donation to You(th) vs. Hunger.

You don’t need to own a dog make a You(th) vs. Hunger donation. We can send a dog toy to a local shelter in your honor.

09/14/2018

Broadlands Community Yard Sale

Preparing for our community yard sale next Saturday. In preparation for a remodel of the Nature Center we will be selling books, teaching supplies, nature decorations, and much more. All monies go to support our programs. Please come by rain or shine. Saturday the 22nd 8am-2pm https://www.broadlandshoa.org/yardsale/

Saturday, September 22, 2018 from 8am to 2pm. Create your own listing.

09/08/2018

Shocker: More than 75 Percent of All ‘Honey’ Sold in Grocery Stores contains No Honey At All...

That's why you're so lucky that you can buy it from buzzy bees in our back yard. Still have 12 or so jars full at the Nature Center.

Almost 80% of the brands from major grocery stores and pharmacies tested by…

09/07/2018

GroWild, Inc.

GroWild, Inc.

Very cool article and map! Slide the timeline at the bottom to change the map.

09/01/2018

Voie Nature

I had someone ask me last week why their leaves don't disappear and turn into soil like they used to when this person was a child. Here's the answer.

🔴 L'échec de l'agriculture moderne expliqué en deux minutes par ses premières victimes : les insectes.

Rien que ces 27 dernières années, près de 80% de la population d'insectes a disparu du fait de l'exploitation et des traitements intensifs du sol par l'agriculture moderne. Avec les insectes et leur indispensable action disparaissent également l'oxygénation, la décomposition, le recyclage et la fertilité des sols, donc la source de la vie et de l'alimentation, donc la santé de tous les êtres vivants, sans exception. Tout est connecté. La vie n'est qu'une seule et même entité symbiotique. L'humanité n'a d'autre choix que de la respecter, sous toutes ses formes, tout le temps, ou de subir les conséquences du déséquilibre qu'elle a créé.

➡ « Espèce d'Abrutis ou le Réveil de l'Humanité »
📗 Voie-Nature.com/le-livre

08/31/2018

I recommend all of them, but sharing for the last one as a nature center:)

Take care of your mental health

08/29/2018

Just re-loaded the treasure chests for WanderSociety.org!

08/17/2018

A comprehensive guide to yellow stripey things

More (entertaining) guidance on how to not call a wasp or yellow jacket a bee. Just stick with "yellow stripey thing" if it's too much for you to get straight so you stop slandering my honey makers!

Bumblebee, honey bee, yellow jacket, paper wasp...what's the difference? I don't know if this comprehensive guide to Yellow Stri

08/09/2018

Broken Tents and Shampoo Bottles

One of the visiting artists that had an installation at the Nature Center in May-June is doing a new project and needs any broken tents you might have. Yep, broken tents. She's a recycling artist! https://trashmagination.com/broken-tents-and-shampoo-bottles/

08/08/2018

Opinion | The climate impact of the food in the back of your fridge

Opinion | The climate impact of the food in the back of your fridge

Throwing away leftovers doesn’t just waste food.