Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy

Butterfly Walk at Sweet Run
2026-06-28 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Sweet Run State Park, 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville, VA, 20132
Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Virginia Master Naturalist Anne Ellis at the Sweet Run State Park for a leisurely walk in search of butterflies. We’ll explore the Xerces plantings, “bugging strip”, and nearby meadows. This is a good opportunity to learn some of the 50+ species that visit our gardens. If you are thinking about joining the annual butterfly count on August 1, this will be a great opportunity to learn to identify some of the 50+ species we see in summer. This is a family-friendly event; ages 5+. We’ll meet at the Interpretive Center. The Park is located just north of Neersville at 11661 Harpers Ferry Road (Route 671); see map below. Limit 16. Registration required.
Fee Notice: Sweet Run collects parking fees via self-pay kiosks located at each parking area/entrance. The fee for a standard vehicle is $10. View fee information.
Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.
Registration

Writing in Nature
2026-07-02 11:00 - 13:00 | Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Childrens Center Rd SW,, Leesburg, VA, 20175, United States
New location: the manor house at Rust Nature Sanctuary (see map below).
Join Nancy Morgan, Director Emeritus, Georgetown Lombardi Arts and Humanities Program, for this monthly workshop, presented by Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, to enjoy the combined health benefits of time spent in nature and writing thoughts and feelings. Writing is often considered a solo, reflective practice, but writing in the company of others can be a supportive, community building activity that encourages regular practice. Each session is a stand-alone event – come when you are able. Registration for each session is open through the morning of the workshop. For directions, click on the Google Map link at the bottom of this page. Registration required.
Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.
Registration

Birding Banshee
2026-07-11 08:00, 2026-08-08 08:00 | Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg, VA, United States
Whether you’re a beginning birder or an expert, you’ll be thrilled by the many bird species you’ll find at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve south of Leesburg. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Friends of Banshee Reeks for the monthly bird walk at this birding hot spot. Bring binoculars if you have them. Registration required.
Questions: Contact Joe Coleman at jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
Registration

Butterfly Walk at Willowsford
2026-07-18 09:30 - 11:30 | Willowsford Farm, 23595 Founders Drive, Ashburn, VA, 20148
Many different habitats at Willowsford Conservancy make this an ideal place to find a wide variety of butterflies. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s Anne Ellis for a walk along the Farm Loop trail in search of Monarchs, Tiger Swallowtails, Summer Azures and many other native beauties. The wetland and adjacent farmland make this an ideal place to find a wide variety of butterflies. If you are planning to participate in Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s annual butterfly count on August 1, this will be a great time to brush up on your identification skills. We’ll meet at the Conservancy’s Farm Stand demonstration garden. Limit 16 (Ages 5 and up). Registration required.
Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.
Registration

Birding Algonkian
2026-07-19 08:00 | Algonkian Park, 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling, VA, 20165, United States
Search for birds with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy at Loudoun’s top birding hotspot, Algonkian Regional Park in eastern Loudoun, for the monthly bird walk. Combining extensive frontage along the Potomac River, rich bottomland forests, wetlands, and extensive grassy areas, this can be a very productive place to bird. We’ll meet in the parking lot near the boat ramp. Registration required.
Questions: Contact Bryan Henson at bhenson@loudounwildife.org.
Registration

Birding Sweet Run
2026-07-25 08:00 | Sweet Run State Park, 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville, VA, 20132
Sweet Run State Park has 894 acres of diverse habitat, consisting of rich oak-hickory forest, meadows, ponds, streams, and vernal pools in northwestern Loudoun. It borders the Appalachian Trail and is only a couple of miles from the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers. Sweet Run is a wonderful sanctuary for Loudoun wildlife, with numerous bird species utilizing its richness. Meet at the main parking lot near the Interpretive Center; bring binoculars if you have them. The Park is located just north of Neersville at 11661 Harpers Ferry Road (Route 671). Directions can be found on the Park’s website. Registration required.
Fee Notice: Sweet Run collects a parking fee at self-pay kiosks located at each parking area/entrance. The fee for a standard vehicle is $10. View fee information.
Questions: Contact Joe Coleman at jcoleman@loudounwildlife.org.
Registration

Butterfly Walk at Sweet Run State Park, Sawmill Entrance
2026-07-26 09:30 - 11:30 | Sweet Run State Park, 11661 Harpers Ferry Road, Purcellville, VA, 20132
Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Virginia Master Naturalist Anne Ellis on a leisurely walk along “Butterfly Alley” at Sweet Run State Park. This will be a slow walk appropriate for families. Butterfly Alley is magical at this time of the year. Our hike will take us through meadows, wetlands, and woods. We may even meet horses along the way. If you are planning to participate in Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy’s annual butterfly count on August 1, this will be a great time to brush up on your identification skills. We will meet at the parking lot at the end of Sawmill Road. Limit 16 (ages 5 and up). Registration required.
Sweet Run State Park is located just north of Neersville. Directions to the Sawmill Road parking lot: from eastern Loudoun County, take Rt 7 west to Rt 9 west; at the light after Hillsboro traffic circles, bear right onto Harpers Ferry Road; turn left on Sawmill Rd (about 5 miles). The parking lot is on the at the end of Sawmill Road on the right (about 1 mile).
Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.
Registration

Butterfly Walk at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve
2026-07-28 09:30 - 11:30 | Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, 21085 The Woods Road, Leesburg, VA, United States
Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve is developing large areas of meadow/savannah habitat. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Virginia Master Naturalist Anne Ellis on a walk around these areas in search of butterflies. This is a gem of a park for butterflies and birds. We’ll follow the gravel road along the “savannah” planting and survey the vegetable garden, Springhouse Pond area, and the rain garden beside the Education Annex.
If you are thinking about joining our annual butterfly count on August 1, this will be a great opportunity to learn to identify some of the 50+ species we see in summer. We’ll meet at the Visitors Center. Limit 16 (ages 5 and up). Registration required.
Questions: Contact info@loudounwildlife.org.
Registration

Writing in Nature
2026-08-06 11:00 - 13:00 | Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Rd NW, Leesburg, VA
