Annabelle Markey’s involvement with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy began through the Banshee Reeks Chapter of the Virginia Master Naturalist program. After hearing about the work other members were doing with LWC, she wanted to join the fun. She started with Garlic Mustard pulls and Bluebird Monitoring and has continued to branch out from there.
Since then, Annabelle has helped with activities including the Big Sit, the Butterfly Count, and Scrape for the Grape. Each experience has offered a new way to support Loudoun’s wildlife and natural spaces while learning more about the plants and animals found throughout the county.
The annual Garlic Mustard pulls at Ball’s Bluff are among her favorite volunteer activities. Annabelle enjoys seeing the difference the volunteers’ work makes from year to year. After spending more time indoors during the winter, she also appreciates the chance to get outside, talk with other volunteers, and enjoy the spring ephemerals.
The LWC community is a large part of what keeps Annabelle involved. She finds joy in giving back and helping conserve Loudoun’s natural treasures. She is also inspired by the fun, passionate, and dedicated people she meets along the way.
“They keep teaching me about this incredible world and make me feel more rooted in our community,” she says.
One of Annabelle’s favorite wildlife encounters happened during the Big Sit this spring. She was thrilled to see a Common Merganser carrying her chicks on her back, as well as her first Baltimore Oriole. Originally from Maryland, Annabelle felt that seeing the oriole was long overdue. She also enjoys watching Barred Owls, especially the fluffy adolescents learning how “to owl.”
Through volunteering, Annabelle has learned about Loudoun’s remarkable flora and fauna, along with the challenges they face. She has also been encouraged by what people can accomplish when they work steadily toward a shared goal.
“We’re all connected in the ecosystem. Protecting natural spaces and wildlife not only benefits them, but directly impacts our own health, well-being, and quality of life.”- Annabelle
Annabelle’s favorite place to experience nature is her own yard, which she is gradually transforming with native plants. Seeing how much wildlife the new plantings have attracted has inspired her to keep removing invasive plants and turf while observing the many creatures that now call the yard home. For Annabelle, it is a reminder that anyone can support wildlife at home, bit by bit. Outside of volunteering, Annabelle enjoys walking and hiking with family and friends, gardening, and fiber arts. She loves knitting, spinning, and crocheting and hopes to experiment with sustainably sourced natural dyes in the future. She is already looking forward to more Garlic Mustard pulls, Butterfly Counts, and Big Sits.
Her advice to anyone considering volunteering is simple: “Do it! You won’t regret it! People will help you and encourage you, and you’ll discover more about the environment and yourself in the process.”
Thank you, Annabelle, for your enthusiasm, generosity, and dedication to protecting Loudoun’s wildlife and natural spaces. We are grateful to have you as part of the LWC volunteer community!
Leave a reply