Broadlands Nature Center

Hi All,

Now that Van Metre has turned over the entire Nature Center to the HOA, as a member of the HOA board, I'd like to hear your thoughts on what we should do with the center now.

We have a very unique facility here that can be used to educate and inform residents of Broadlands, as well as those outside our subdivision. We've been lucky in the past to be able to host kid-friendly seminars on the fauna and flora of the area. The Nature Center staff tells me that the Smithsonian is willing to help us with such projects in the future at no cost to the HOA.

I do remember that the nature center was used as part of the draw for the Broadlands, and I know that was one of the reasons I moved here in 1999, when the current Nature Center was just a spot on a map.

What are your thoughts and opinions, both pro and con.

Thanks,




Neil Z.
Resident since 1999

 

Getting the Smithsonian involved is an excellent idea. They have knowledgeable staff that can assist and guide us on developing and implementing a comprehensive plan for the Nature Center

 

I agree - continuing to sponsor these events at the nature center is a great idea. I would like to see something for the 2-3 crowd as well though.

 

I'd like to see:
• health related programs/seminars - maybe exercise classes, self-defense courses, yoga, etc.
• art classes - painting, drawing from nature, etc.
• functions for area teens/youth (movie night, age-related financial seminars, Young Life meetings, etc.)

 

I'd like to see classes - yoga, tai chi, jazzercise. They are hard to find, especially in this area.

 

In thinking about what the Nature Center could offer, in addition to the great idea of involving the Smithsonian, I was wondering if there could be something added, (informational,demonstrations, etc.) to include pets (cats, dogs, ferrets, birds, frogs, etc.). Something simple about setting up a home aquarium (I am sure Fins & Feathers would get involved). There could even be seminars on how to care or what to do for injured wildlife in the area (bunnies, birds etc.) as well as our domestic friends (I am sure Stream Valley would want to get involved).

Also, I have discovered that the wildlife in the backyard has really started to come back after having the house built. We now have tree frogs hanging out in the deck and have identified them as eastern gray tree frogs. There could also be an wildlife census initiative of the Nature Center to collect volunteers to track various species to see how they are doing and do census counts. I would definitely volunteer for that. I have also heard finches, blue jays, cardinals,
some type of wood peckers, and I hear at least 1-2 owls everyday.

 

Neil I think thats a great idea...Some neighbors have brought up wanting to learn more about investing and money management. That would be a great place to hold small meetings and have Rick Edelmen, local banks, et al come and give talks. Maybe even a quarterly BBQ or get together with different topics or themes to keep each meeting small and informal.

 

I thought the Investment Club was the group who looked into investmetn and money management issues. Don't they meet regularly at the community center at 7:30pm on the 3rd Thursday? They did have a few seminars a while ago. Maybe they should do them again.

 

NeilZ
Along with the Smithsonian Naturalist Center, Audubon Rust Naturalist Society has volunteered to help the Broadlands Nature Center. They have been responsible for the majority of the programming for our summer camps and many special events here. They do not see us as competition but rather helping them in promoting information.
Eagle Ridge, Hillside,Mill Run and the Boyd schools have all approached the NAture Center about field trips and things to do. What a great opportunity this could be for our children.
Adults have many question regarding the wildlife (plants, animals, insects, etc) in our area too.

 

I have wanted to do yoga for so long but after work don't feel like going out past our community to take a class. Would be nice if we did stuff like that within the Broadlands.

 

Simonz2k4 and others
Did you know about NextHealth and their special offer just for Broadlands? (Not that I am promoting them I just have some information). Nexthealth (located next to the Middleburg bank) has Yoga, Tai Chi, Cardio kick boxing and aerobic classes of all kinds. They have developed a special program just for the residents of Broadlands. The first class is free, there is no registration fee and residents are on a pay as you go basis. They even have youth classes available. For more infor call 703-724-4000.

There are also exercise classes at our community center. For pre and postnatal women classes contact Connie Doval 703-723-5103: For yoga, bootcamp fitness and running classes contact Lisa Seguinot 703-795-3352.

 

yeah, the kids want to play with them and the parents want to know how to <remove> them[xx(] (judging by other forum topics....)

 

I think these are awesome ideas and totally appropriate for the nature center.
I'd like to see the other community center used for fitness classes, and would like pilates included.

 

How about a Roy Rogers since everyone cuts through the parking lot already.

 

ROFL. That's a good one!

 

Make it a Roy Rogers complete with a petting farm to blend with the 'nature' of the center.

 

Great idea Neil!

I think keeping it as a type of nature center would be cool. In addition to Smithsonian/Audobon we could even try the National Wildlife Federation. I've noticed a fair number of houses in the community that are set up as "habitats" by they NWF. Might be cool.

 

My 2 cents:
I would love to see a seminar on gardening with native species. Maybe it can make up for my guilt about contributing to urban sprawl...
[8D]



Pam D.

 

I wonder if we might jointly sponsor some outdoors activities/seminars with the National Parks and Recreation Assoc over on Belmont Ridge. This could be an ideal facility to do some evening programs on things like rock climbing, camping, spelunking, etc.

 

Mearen-
They closed the "cut-through" a few months ago.