Peterson Young Naturalist Program

Peterson Young Naturalist Program

The Peterson Young Naturalist Program informs and motivates young people to protect habitat and native species across Loudoun County. We invite you to join our effort to encourage school students’ explorations of nature.

Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy has been partnering with Loudoun County teachers in this program since 2010. Together we facilitate nature education workshops to equip students with the skills they need to get outside and record the local plants and animals they see.

The program is inspired by the life of Roger Tory Peterson (1908-1996), the world-renowned naturalist, artist, photographer, and author. Peterson’s seminal Field Guide to the Birds and countless contributions to popularizing natural history earned him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the United States. Peterson often credited his teacher, Miss Blanche Hornbeck, for inspiring him in his passion for the natural world and giving his life direction. The Peterson Young Naturalist program aims to do the same by training teachers and recognizing students with Peterson’s naturalistic interests.

Every spring, we present awards to students whose nature journals are exceptional in nature observation, drawing, and writing. Over 100 students have received the Loudoun Wildlife Peterson Young Naturalist Award to date.  View more information about the award program, including how to participate.

If you are interested in learning more about our school-based nature education activities, please see this virtual teacher workshop we facilitated in 2020.