As part of our partnership with Morven Park, Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has taken on the role of stewarding approximately 350 acres of wonderful natural habitat on the property and this includes restoring/creating some nature trails that are not only great for people to enjoy but also ensure that wildlife still have the habitat and quiet that they need to thrive there.
We are happy to share that this past weekend, working with the Leesburg Daybreak Rotary, the first trail was defined! Over 50 volunteers led by 10 adult mentors came out on Saturday morning and spent the whole day working the trail, and collecting and tagging historic artifacts.
This project started last spring as Wallace Judd, Abby Pfisterer, Jackie Wright, Martin Graves and Nicole Hamilton began laying out the trail route, discussing design elements, and identifying volunteers. We want to give a big thanks to Wallace Judd from the Rotary Club who led the organizing effort for the project and enlisting the volunteers for the work days and to Morven Park staff (Abby, Jackie, Martin) who helped define the trail and set guidelines for the trail that are consistent with other elements at Morven.
As with the other nature trails being developed/defined, this is a natural surface trail. It has been lined by downed tree limbs to provide route definition but as it is used the foot traffic will provide the definition and the logs will fade back into the landscape. The trail is just over 1 mile long and takes you through a lowland forest area.
Over the coming weeks, two trail head kiosks will be installed, and there will be an official trail opening on June 7th. You can visit the trail now however by walking over to Turkey Hill. You will see a yellow sign that says “Walking Trail” that will guide you into the woods from there. Remember – dogs are welcome but must be leashed – Enjoy!
This trail was named the Wood Thrush Trail after this wonderful bird, the Wood Thrush, which nests in these woods. As spring returns you should be able to hear its wonderful flute-like song calling through the trees.
You can see more photos from the work day on our facebook page.