Leopold's Preserve is a 380-acre nature preserve in PWC, VA. Come explore our seven miles of trails! Access to the Preserve is by foot only.
Bikes and motorized vehicles are not allowed.
Operating as usual
Yum! This red-bellied woodpecker seemed to be thoroughly enjoying its breakfast.
Yes, you read that right! Though the bright red cap seems to be their most distinctive feature, these birds are actually named for the light pink color low on their underbellies, which can be difficult to see from a distance. They are sometimes mistakenly called "red-headed woodpeckers", but that refers to an entirely different species.
Can you ID this common tree?
🌳 It has smooth gray bark with rippling ridges
🌳 It thrives in wet, shady areas
🌳 It is part of the Birch family
🌳 Its wood is very tough and dense
Did you guess it? This is Carpinus caroliniana, the American Hornbeam. Another common name is "musclewood" - notice how those ridges in the bark sort of resemble a flexed muscle? You can find Hornbeams in the southern and eastern portions of the Preserve, where they proliferate in the understory of our forests.
Hornbeam is also part of our tree walk! Put your winter ID skills to the test: www.leopoldspreserve.com/tree-walk
There's still time to register for our next Winter Lecture! One week from today, we'll be learning all about how to coexist with beavers. Join us at 10 AM in the Villages of Piedmont II Clubhouse on Wednesday the 1st to deepen your knowledge of these fascinating rodents! Register at https://qrs.ly/lieau3w
We had a great time at this weekend's Geology Walk! Michael of the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy taught us about the Triassic Basin and how geology influences ecology and history here at Leopold's Preserve. Couldn't join us this time? Visit leopoldspreserve.com/calendar for details about all of our upcoming programs!
New Wood Duck boxes! Thank you to all the volunteers who helped build these boxes back in June. Now, our Park Manager is installing them around our wetlands and ponds. We're hoping to see lots of baby Wood Ducks this spring!
Though beavers are an essential part of healthy wetland ecosystems, they are sometimes considered a nuisance due to negative impacts on human property. If you'd like to learn more about these fascinating rodents, including how to coexist with them, sign up to attend our upcoming lecture led by our friends at the Human-Beaver Coexistence Fund. The lecture will be presented indoors in the VOP II Clubhouse (6770 Pinchot Ln, Haymarket) from 10 AM - 11 AM on Wednesday, February 1. We hope to see you there! Register at: https://qrs.ly/lieau3w
This weekend's naturalist walk, led by our friends at the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, will focus on our local geology. The western parts of Prince William County are part of the Culpeper Basin - a low area that formed when North America and Africa were pulled apart during the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea. Many of these basins were formed along the East Coast as the two continents diverged. Over time they filled with sediment from the eroding Blue Ridge Mountains, creating unique geological profiles that influence soil chemistry - and thus, ecological communities - to this day. Learn more about geology at Leopold's Preserve on Saturday, January 21 at 10 am!
Last month, we captured two young bucks locking antlers near Pinkard's Loop.
The common name "yellowjacket" can refer to many different wasp species, including, confusingly, the bald-faced "hornet" (which is not a true hornet). Several yellowjacket species prefer to build exposed aerial nests out of wood fiber, which they chew into a pulp with their strong mandibles. They typically use their nests for only one year and abandon them over the winter. This time of year, you might spot a fallen abandoned nest like this one - check it out for a neat view into yellowjacket engineering!
Our high count for Trumpeter Swans this week is nine! Have you had a chance to see them yet?
"That land is a community is the basic concept of ecology, but that land is to be loved and respected is an extension of ethics." --Aldo Leopold
Today marks the birthday of Aldo Leopold, the inspiration behind Leopold's Preserve. A giant of American conservation, Leopold pioneered his famous "land ethic" in the 1940s. This ethic defines a community which Leopold called "the land". It includes soil, water, plants, animals, and humans. Leopold believed that humans, as part of the land, should care for and respect their community. His ideas about harmony between people and land have inspired the White House Farm Foundation's work here at Leopold's Preserve.
You can see Canada Geese year-round at the Preserve, but during the winter their numbers swell, boosted by birds migrating from the Arctic. This can make things a little crowded in our wetlands! Outside of the breeding season these birds are generally sociable, traveling in loosely related family units. However, anyone who has been on a family vacation can attest that it's not always smooth sailing! When annoyed, Canada Geese will call out, flap their wings, or chase down other birds.
Local birders have counted hundreds of Canada Geese here in recent days - come stroll around Wood Duck Way and see them for yourself!
This month's homeschool programs are fast approaching! Older kids (13+) can learn about geology on Tuesday the 10th, while the All Ages geology program will be held on Wednesday the 18th. Winter is a great time to see our rock formations in all their glory! Register with our partners Bull Run Mountains Conservancy at: https://www.brmconservancy.org/calendar-of-events
Cattle corrals like this one give farmers an up-close view of their herd. This is helpful when deciding which animals to sell, administering vaccinations, and checking for illnesses. Today, corrals are typically made of metal. This structure was built from what local residents had on hand, and even incorporated live trees as supports to save on materials cost.
We had a great time at this morning's lecture! Valerie of the Virginia Cooperative Extension taught us about the importance of stormwater management, then we headed out into the Preserve to see the Broad Run watershed up close. We also explored our unique stormwater management pond, which is surrounded by native vegetation instead of more typical turf grass. If you missed this one, there are still two more lectures in the series! Join us at 10 AM on February 1 to learn about beavers, and on March 1 to learn about Virginia's native plants. Register at: https://qrs.ly/lieau3w
A fun one from our most recent batch of trail camera captures!
Wow, what a year it's been here at Leopold's Preserve! We’ve accomplished so much, but none of it would be possible without you – our supporters and volunteers. You are the ones who attend our events, spread the word, and volunteer your time. Thank you!
We’re looking forward to even more educational hikes, lectures, volunteer events, and habitat restoration projects in 2023. We hope you can join us!
There's still time to register for our next Winter Lecture! One week from today, we'll be learning all about how our actions can impact local and regional watersheds. Join us at 10 AM in the Villages of Piedmont II Clubhouse on Wednesday the 4th to deepen your knowledge of the water cycle and beyond! Register at https://qrs.ly/lieau3w
This season, beavers have picked up their activity in our wetlands. We haven't captured them on our trail cameras yet, but there are plenty of signs that they've been out and about - keep an eye out for gnawed trees, disturbed banks, and the unmistakably deeper water! Enjoy this "throwback" beaver photo from this spring!
Happy Holidays, from all of us at the White House Farm Foundation and Leopold's Preserve.
"I'm all ears..." 🦌
Deer, like many mammals, can rotate their ears nearly 180 degrees to home in on the source of unfamiliar sounds.
Polystichum acrostichoides is commonly known as the Christmas Fern. Their fronds stay green throughout the winter, lending them an association with the season. You can identify Christmas Ferns by the distinct lobes at the base of each leaflet - which some folks compare to Santa's boots! 🎅 These hardy natives are great for winter garden design and erosion control. Keep an eye out for their pops of green next time you're on the trails!
"King of the Hill"
Lately, hundreds of waterfowl have been competing for space in our wetland. This turtle beat them all to claim the perfect basking spot on top of a muskrat lodge!
The winterberry in our Living Legacy Landscape along Route 15 looks beautiful this time of year! Vibrant red colors are present in this spot in every season, represented by native plants including redbud, red maple, red-twig dogwood, and winterberry. While their beautiful colors serve as a reminder of lives lost during the Civil War, these native plants also provide habitat and food for wildlife. Winterberries are a favorite of many bird species, including Catbirds, Bluebirds, Cedar Waxwings, and Robins. Learn more about berry-producing native shrubs at https://blog.nwf.org/2014/12/winter-berries-for-birds/
It's that time of year... our winter newsletter is now available! Check it out to learn about our 2022 accomplishments, the latest on our invasive plant management plan, and the volunteer who has given over 120 hours at Leopold's Preserve! Read the full newsletter at tinyurl.com/WHFFwinter2022.
"Whoops, forgot my keys!" 🦊
Our trail camera recorded this fox walking back and forth across our meadow for nearly an hour! Can anyone guess why? We think the fox may have been following the trail of a small rodent.
We had a great time at Saturday's educational hike learning about the unique ways that mammals survive in the winter. Plus, we got to snack on some of the last persimmons of the season! Couldn't make it to this one? Join us on Wednesday at 10 AM for another Hike with a Naturalist.
Winter is a great time to spot birds - they don't have as many leaves to hide behind! Visit our website for a checklist of birds that have been spotted here at the Preserve. You can print a copy to bring with you as you hike the trails, which will help you keep track of each species you see. Special thanks to Danta Reilly for volunteering her time to create this great resource! The checklist is available at www.leopoldspreserve.com/get-involved.
Join us on Saturday at 10 AM for another Walk With a Naturalist! We'll learn about the strategies that different animals use to survive in the winter. Free and open to all! Presented in partnership with the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy.
We had a great turnout at this morning's birding lecture! Special thanks to our guest speaker, Dave Larsen. If you couldn't join us this month, we hope to see you at one of the three remaining lectures - January 4, February 1, and March 1. Register at https://qrs.ly/lieau3w.
One of the few plants in the Preserve that retains its leaves this late in the season is Japanese Honeysuckle. This hardy, fast-growing vine has a habit of twining around trees, which inhibits the tree's growth and eventually kills it. Japanese Honeysuckle is one of the invasive plants we are targeting under our invasive species management plan - many of the cleared areas along Warbler Way were once overgrown with choking honeysuckle.
If you want to help control Japanese Honeysuckle and other invasive vines at the Preserve, sign up for our Friday Conservation Corps! Our Park Manager could always use help with management projects. Register at www.leopoldspreserve.com/calendar.
You can also get involved with the Plant NOVA Natives Tree Rescuer program to help inform landowners about the dangers of invasive vines. Learn more at https://www.plantnovatrees.org/tree-rescuers-volunteer-program.
We're featured in this episode of the BioScience Talks podcast!
We hope you enjoy these in-depth discussions of recently published BioScience articles and other science stories. Each episode of our interview series delves into the research behind a highlighted story, giving listeners unique insight into scientists' work.
Cold fingers? It's easy to imagine a tiny pair of gloves on this squirrel, but those tucked-in paws aren't really for keeping warm. When standing on their hind legs, squirrels often draw their arms close to help stay balanced. While the squirrels may not need them, we do recommend warm gloves for all our human visitors this winter!
Our big Red Oak on the north trail is still holding a few gorgeous leaves! Next time you visit, use our tree walk map to be guided through a tour of the largest and most unique trees around the Preserve. Can you find them all? leopoldspreserve.com/tree-walk
Beaver dentistry: like all rodents, beavers' teeth grow constantly throughout their lives. Without proper roughage, their teeth can become overgrown and painful. Locust trees, like the one pictured here, have incredibly hard wood. While beavers don't typically choose locusts to build lodges or dams, we suspect beavers have been chewing on the trees in our wetland locust grove to help wear down their teeth!
Can you see the grasshopper in this photo? Though they have excellent camouflage when sitting still, you're likely to spot grasshoppers leaping out of your path if you're out for a stroll along Meadow Loop. As winter deepens, adult grasshoppers will reach the end of their lives, leaving eggs buried among plant roots to hatch in the spring.
With the holiday season upon us, we are feeling grateful for the tremendous support we have received this year from our volunteers. Together, volunteers have contributed more than 500 hours to important projects across Leopold's Preserve. Thank you!
Learn about birds at Leopold's Preserve! We are so excited to kick off a new series of indoor educational talks on December 7 at 10 AM. Join us in the VOP II HOA clubhouse to hear from Dave Larsen, a local birder, as he discusses the wide variety of bird species that call Leopold's Preserve home. Free and open to the public! Register at https://qrs.ly/lieau3w
Can't make it this time? The series continues with a new guest speaker on the first Wednesday of each month through March. Check out our website to see the full listing of upcoming lectures!
Oriental Bittersweet: a beautiful invader.
This plant was first introduced to North America from its native Asia in the late 19th century. It was originally intended to brighten up floral arrangements and holiday decorations with its colorful winter berries. However, this hardy vine quickly got out of hand, and has now spread across more than 33 states. It thrives in sunny, disturbed habitats like roadside ditches, the edges of developed land, and abandoned farm fields.
Our work last week on brush clearing along the western edge of Leopold's Loop and Warbler Way represents the first step in large-scale invasive plant control efforts. With continued work, we hope to reduce the number of invasive plants in the Preserve, including Oriental Bittersweet, and help native plants to thrive.
Beginning tomorrow, we will be moving forward with the next phase of our large-scale invasive plant control plan, supported by the USDA's Environmental Quality Incentives Program. This will involve the use of heavy machinery in the area of Warbler Loop, the northwest portion of Leopold's Loop, and our parking lot connector trail. Please be aware that some trails may be closed while this work is being completed.
We are so grateful for the positive and understanding responses we have received since implementing the first phase of this project. The area where we are completing this work has experienced many disturbances due to farming and development, making it the perfect place for invasive plants to flourish. While these areas can look healthy, much of the "green" you see is invasive plants like Japanese Honeysuckle, Autumn Olive, Multiflora Rose, English Ivy, and many more. These plants do not provide the same benefits to our ecosystems as native plants. By removing them, we are taking the first step towards allowing more of our native species to thrive. To learn more about forest management, check out this article from our friends at Plant NOVA Natives.
If your community owns some wooded common land, or if you yourself own a wooded property, you may have noticed that the woods around here have been slowly changing, and not for the better. They may still look green, but the devil is in the details: much of that “green” is now made up of invasive...
16290 Thoroughfare Road
Broad Run, VA
20137
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Do you recognize the lumbering gait of this animal? It's an opossum! They have a unique stance and walk flat on their back feet, which create this slow "shuffle". Even running, opossums can only reach a maximum speed of 7 miles per hour! Luckily, their excellent climbing skills make up for their clumsiness on the ground, ensuring they can stay safe from predators. #TrailCamTuesday
Midnight snack break - yum!! Though deer are sometimes awake at night, they are not nocturnal. They are actually crepuscular, meaning they are most active at twilight - a few hours before sunrise and a few hours after sunset. Deer and other crepuscular animals like bats, foxes, rabbits, and moths, take advantage of deep twilight to keep cool and avoid predators. This deer used the cover of darkness to sneak in a quick meal! #TrailCamTuesday
Beavers are fast and graceful swimmers... But they're not quite as elegant on land! This beaver was startled by something while entering a small pond - it made a frantic escape back to the main wetland. We're not sure what spooked it this time, but trail cam footage from this spot has shown our beavers getting startled by wind, twigs, and even other beavers! #TrailCamTuesday
We love how the Bull Run Mountains look from this spot high above Warbler Way. Can you spot the bird that flies through the bottom of the frame? #DroneVideo
This deer found a peaceful picnic spot among some wetland grasses. When you're out on the trails, take a minute to stop and listen to our summer chorus of insects, frogs, and birds. #TrailCamTuesday
Did someone say "Wildlife Release"?? That's right, we're hosting another wildlife release this weekend! Our friends at AERO Animal Education and Rescue Organization will teach us all about the important work that wildlife rehabbers do, then release a rehabilitated opossum into the Preserve. Join the fun this Saturday at 9 AM on our wheelchair-accessible wetland observation deck. Free and open to all! #TrailCamTuesday
Though muskrats seem similar to beavers, they are not closely related. These much smaller aquatic rodents typically feed on reeds, grasses, and cattails, which they also use to construct lodges. Unlike beavers, they don't modify their habitat with dams - but they often benefit from expanded wetlands created by beavers! Their long tails are hairless and round, like a rat's, and help them maneuver while swimming. You can spot muskrats at the Preserve in our western wetland and on "beaver bridge" on the north side of Leopold's Loop - muskrats aren't as shy as beavers, so you're more likely to see them during the day! #TrailCamTuesday
This prancing gait strikes the perfect balance between speed, stealth, and efficiency. The coyote's momentum is carried forward with each "bounce", while light footfalls offer much less noise than a full-out run. Coyotes are expert travelers - some have been recorded venturing as far as 100 miles to find food! #TrailCamTuesday
Snack time! This hungry deer took a bite of a sapling right in front of our trail camera. White-tailed deer have strong molars and four-chambered stomachs to help them digest tough plant material. They're not picky eaters - they can eat leaves, fruit, acorns, mushrooms, and even poison ivy! Deer snacking habits can influence the composition of plant communities, so it's vital to responsibly manage their populations. #TrailCamTuesday
They grow up so fast... These goslings have lost their baby fuzz and are becoming more adventurous. Have you spotted any recently? #TrailCamTuesday
The early bird gets the worm! This woodcock was up before dawn searching for food. These unique birds typically eat insects, including worms, snails, and beetles, which they pull from the ground with their long bills. The swaying behavior seen here may prompt bugs to move under soil, helping the woodcock locate its breakfast. #TrailCamTuesday
Got an itch? Bugs are more active in the Preserve during the warmer months. To make sure there ain't no bugs on you, wear insect repellant and check yourself for ticks after every visit! #TrailCamTuesday
Boo! In the dark, this deer didn't notice the fox taking a rest nearby. As it approached, the fox got spooked and ran off, startling the deer in turn! Head to the comments to see a video of the fox settling down in this spot an hour earlier. #TrailCamTuesday
We're thrilled to have captured this river otter on our wetland trail cam! Otters have scent glands on their hind feet, which they use to communicate their individual identity and social status. Think this one got its message across? #TrailCamTuesday
The Preserve is a great place to go birding - our variety of habitats allow many different species to thrive. Today, we noticed this impressive flock of Tree Swallows flying above our large stormwater pond! These birds primarily eat insects, and were likely catching bugs on or just above the water. #birding #TreeSwallow #nature #leopoldspreserve
"And, action!" This beaver seems to be posing for our trail cam in the western wetland. We're monitoring beaver activity around Wood Duck Loop - our resident engineers have been busy building dams and rerouting water. Though beavers are sometimes a nuisance to humans, their activity can increase the size of a wetland and creates valuable habitat for aquatic species. #TrailCamTuesday #WorldWaterDay #Beaver #NaturePreserve
Check out this fox's impressive pounce, captured in the Preserve's western wetland! Foxes quietly stalk their prey, then pounce high in the air for a surprise attack. By slightly adjusting their tails mid-flight, they can adapt to moving targets. Can you see the fox adjust its tail in this slow-motion video? #trailcamera #wildlife #redfox #naturepreserve
"Do you smell that??" White-tailed deer have specialized adaptations in their snouts and brains that enhance their sense of smell, helping them find food and avoid predators. Their noses are more than 500 times as sensitive as our own! This curious deer caught a whiff of one of our trail cams last month. #trailcam #whitetaileddeer #naturepreserve
Drone test flight! What parts of the Preserve do you want to see from a bird's eye view? This video shows the northwest corner of the Preserve, approached from the south. #droneflight #dronevideo
Muskrat
What a beautiful morning on the Preserve! Spring has sprung! The wood frogs are peeping and the preserve seems alive!
Everything was frosty this morning, even the moon. #frosty
Snowy morning on Leopold's Preserve. I think the last photo is a rabbit track. Let me know what you think! Stay safe out there!
Finally a day to get on the Preserve! The water level is definitely up and running swiftly!
Thursday morning on the Preserve. First picture is a box turtle that I came across. Enjoy!
Leopold’s Preserve is a rare find in the densely populated county of Prince William, Virginia. Carved out of a portion of the Rural Crescent and sitting within view of the beautiful Bull Run Mountains, Leopold’s Preserve has preserved 380 acres of flora, fauna and wildlife in a protected nature conservancy.
Operated and owned by The White House Farm Foundation out of Page County, Virginia, we invite the public to enjoy our 7 miles of interpretive nature trails, observation decks and viewing platforms and to experience the beauty and serenity of our wildlife sanctuary.
Monthly nature hikes are held by our friends at the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy and we encourage you to be an active participant of all the activities available.
Go to www.leopoldspreserve.com for more info.
As a reminder, there is no hunting, trapping or poaching permitted on the property. This is a wildlife sanctuary. All violators and trespassers will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
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