News and Highlights

• Internship 2009: Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is seeking applications for prospective interns for 2009. Information about our Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy Internship Program can be found on our website along with the application form and resume request. In past years, interns have engaged in our stream monitoring and amphibian monitoring programs, helped developed educational materials that are handed out at fairs and other venues, acted as co-leads for our nature camp, and helped coordinate and execute habitat restoration projects. Work includes both environmental field work as well as back office support such as research, writing and data entry and analysis. This is a paid internship. Applications will be accepted from December through March.

• Nature Camp 2009: Nature lovers entering grades three through seven will not want to miss the Natural History Day Camps (tentatively June 22 - 26 and July 6 - 10) taking place at the Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve this summer. Planning is under way for two fun-filled weeks in the outdoors sponsored by the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, Piedmont Environmental Council, Loudoun County Parks and Recreation, and the Friends of Banshee Reeks. This is a great camp filled with environmental education opportunities. Campers will explore the woods, fields and waters of the preserve and learn about the plants and animals that live there. The camps will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. The cost will be only $130 per week, and space is limited. Banshee Reeks is located five miles south of Leesburg off of Route 15. For more information contact LWC’s Phil Daley at 540-338-6528 or pedaley@verizon.net. Here's a quick look back at Nature Camp 2008.

• Loudoun County Bird Atlas Project: With the Birds of Loudoun Checklist complete, our Bird Atlas project has moved into phase two of establishing the administrative mechanisms for collecting and managing data. As we move into spring, we will begin collecting and gathering data on the dates of occurrence and distribution of birds throughout the county. The “Birds of Loudoun” booklet will be published in 2014, providing the atlas results and information on important bird areas within the county. For more information, please contact Spring Ligi at sligi@loudounwildlife.org.

Summary of Upcoming Events

• CALMES NECK CHRISTMAS BIRD COUNT ― Sunday, January 4

• BIRDING BANSHEE ―Saturday, January 10, 8:00 a.m.

• INTRODUCTION TO CITIZEN SCIENCE (Bluebirds, Amphibians, Streams) ―Sunday, January 11, noon - 3:00 p.m.

• SEARCHING FOR BIRDS OF PREY ―Saturday, January 17, 2:30 p.m.

• SUNDAY IN THE PRESERVE ―Sunday, January 18, 1:00 p.m.

• BIRDING THE BLUE RIDGE CENTER ―Saturday, January 24, 8:00 a.m.