Learn How to Encourage Wildlife, Provide Habitats

By Marshall JonesSpecial to the Times-Democrat

In the depth of winter, gardeners have a treasured ritual — poring over seed catalogs, dreaming of the spring day when ice and frozen ground give way to tillable earth and sprouted seedlings, anticipating the joy of flowers and food to follow.

That same ground also harbors the potential of the natural abundance which makes Virginia such a special place. But nature needs our help, now more than ever.

For those who want to learn more about encouraging wildlife and their habitats on their land, another winter ritual is approaching — the annual Wildlife Habitat Open House at the Rappahannock County High School on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with an outdoor nature walk to follow.

Sponsored by the Rappahannock League for Environmental Protection and the Piedmont Environmental Council, the Wildlife Habitat Open House is an opportunity for one-stop shopping for information from 20 federal, state, and private conservation organizations, with displays, books, literature, and expert advice.

In addition, there will be special presentations about native species, habitat projects, and invasive species. Children of all ages will have their own programs, including nature-related crafts and assembling bluebird boxes.

Based on last year’s experience, more than 400 people are expected to participate from Rappahannock, Fauquier, Culpeper, Loudoun, Clarke, Prince William, Fairfax, Madison and Greene counties.

The special presentations start at 10:30 a.m. with “Bluebird Basics — Attracting and Keeping Bluebirds in Your Yard.”

Anne Little, president of the Virginia Bluebird Society, will explain how to attract bluebirds and other cavity-nesting birds and provide a productive habitat to sustain them.

Next will be a joint presentation by Sergio Harding of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Mary Elfner of the National Audubon Society, and Maggi MacQuilliam of the Piedmont Environmental Council.

They will cover “Managing Land in the Piedmont of Virginia for the Benefit of Birds and Other Wildlife” and the State Acres For Wildlife Enhancement (SAFE) program.

For those interested in native plants, Lou Verner of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries will speak on "Conservation Landscaping — Why Going Native Makes Dollars and Sense.” He will address integrating native plants and wildlife habitat into our human landscape, while reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, water and fossil fuels.

Prioritizing and planning habitat needs will be the subject of the talk "Habitat Triage: Assessing Your Habitat Areas and Prioritizing Responses,” by Adam Downing of the Virginia Cooperative Extension Service. He will address common habitat problems, solutions, and ways to develop a habitat plan.

In “Invasives Are Eating Your Lunch!” James Akerson of Shenandoah National Park will focus on invasive insects, diseases, and plants that impact our lives and the livelihoods of native species. He will identify invaders and ways to help stop the ongoing invasion.

Afterwards, Virginia Master Naturalist and Master Gardener Jack Price will lead a winter wildlife walk on nearby private property with a rich mixture of habitats.

For more information, contact RLEP board member Marshall Jones at (540) 987-3105, marshall.jones@mindspring.com; RLEP Executive Director Pam Owen at (540) 317-1449, Biodiversity@RLEP.org; or see the RLEP Web site at www.RLEP.org.