Nan was introduced to Loudoun Wildlife in 2017 through the Virginia Master Naturalist program and has been a volunteer since then. As a retired magazine editor, Nan serves as one of the copy editors for the Habitat Herald, as well as Loudoun Bluebird Notes and The Monitor (a monthly stream monitoring newsletter). Additionally, Nan has been an integral part of the Native Plant Sale where she arrives early in the morning to set up the volunteer refreshment area and other Loudoun Wildlife tables.
Nan’s favorite spot in nature is Sweet Run State Park, Virginia’s newest state park (formerly the Blue Ridge Center for Environmental Stewardship), where she’s been part of the garden team for several years bringing the Pollinator Garden back to life. When asked why she loves Sweet Run, Nan replies, “We have a great group of volunteers for the Pollinator Garden, plus now we’re also working on a new Fern Garden. It’s a gorgeous setting, nestled in the hills of western Loudoun. Plus I continue to learn so much from the other volunteers on our team.”
Nan provided a couple photos of herself from their “most recent work day, when our team was focused on clearing the walking paths through the Pollinator Garden—which had been overtaken by giant Cup Plants! What you cannot see in these photos is the many butterflies who were visiting that morning.”
In addition to assisting with the Sweet Run Pollinator Garden, Nan recently began editing the Sweet Run State Park Monthly Newsletter, too.