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Two Upcoming USGS Programs at Walker Nature Center, June 4th and June 14th

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Photo: Courtesy of Loudon County Virginia – Quarry with Diabase

The Walker Nature Center has two upcoming programs with the U.S. Geological Survey.  Both events are for adults only and offered free of charge.  Registration is required.

Stream Monitoring

Thursday, June 4, 2026
10:30 am _ 12:00 pm

The U.S. Geological Survey maintains several monitoring stations in Reston’s streams.  Join scientists Brendan Foster and Joao Gallotti on a walk along Snakeden Branch.  Discover the importance of stream quality monitoring for safeguarding public health, sustaining aquatic ecosystems and informing water resource management decisions.  The walk will begin at the Walker Nature Center (11450 Glade Drive in Reston) and will involve hiking over uneven terrain.  Register by June 1.

The Rocks Beneath Our Feet

Saturday, June 13, 2026
10:30 am – 12:30 pm

Discover the world beneath your feet with USGS geologist, Mercer Parker.  Begin with a basic overview of geology and then head outdoors to look for landforms that can be observed around the trails at the Walker Nature Center.  Register by June 10.
Walker Nature Center educational programs are eligible for FMN CEUs.
If you are familiar with the reston.org WebTrac system, you can register there.  Otherwise, you can contact the Walker Nature Center directly at naturecenter@reston.org or 703-476-9689.  Note the registration deadline for each program above. 

Huntley Meadows Photography Exhibit: SATURDAY, March 4th

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Photo: White-tailed Kites, Jack Zhi/Audubon Photography Awards 2022 Grand Prize Winner

Sunday, March 4, 2023
1:00 – 3:00 PM
The Norma Hoffman Visitor Center
Huntley Meadows
3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA 22306

Free but donations appreciated.
No registration required.

Please join this opportunity to view the 2022 Audubon Photography Awards Traveling Exhibition at the Norma Hoffman Visitor Center at Huntley Meadows in Alexandria, VA. Visitors can enjoy a display of the stunning winning images (and videos) and learn more about local birdlife in Virginia.

In the 13th year of the contest, winning photos, videos and honorable mentions were selected from 2,416 entrants from all 50 states, Washington D.C. and 7 Canadian provinces and territories to appreciate the wonder of birds and the places they inhabit. The competition continued to award the Female Bird Prize and Video Prize, which were successfully introduced last year. The Female Bird Prize highlights female birds, which are often overlooked and underappreciated in bird photography and conservation. The Video Prize recognizes the dynamic movement and behavior of birds and the ways we view and memorialize them.

All images of the winners and honorable mentions can be found here, and information on the contest rules and judging can be found here.

Dragonfly Biology and Identification, August 4th & 6th

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Photo: Banded Pennant by FMN Don Coram

Classroom presentation: Thursday, August 4, 2022
7-8:30 pm
Field trip: Saturday, August 6, 2022
9:45 am-1 pm
Register by email to naturecenter@reston.org or by telephone 703-476-9689 ext. 5
Walker Nature Center
11450 Glade Dr., Reston, VA

Join FMN Don Coram, instructor, for a course on dragonflies covering their beauty, physiology, behavior, ecological role, and identification. The course includes a classroom presentation followed by a field trip to identify and count dragonflies in Reston. The count is part of an ongoing data collection effort that began in 2009. Although they do count and record the dragonflies that they observe, most of the participants are still learning about dragonflies, and the count is more of an educational field trip than a scientific wildlife survey.

Butterflies and dragonflies at Walker Nature Center, July 18, 20, 25, 27

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Butterfly Class: An Introduction

July 18
7:00-8:30 PM
Reston, VA Vernon Walker Nature Center
Butterfly count July 20

Discover the colorful and diverse lives of Reston’s “flying flowers.” Learn how to identify Reston’s common butterflies and get a basic introduction to their life history. This class is a great way to prepare for the Reston Butterfly Count.

Register by July 15. Free for participants in July 20 count, otherwise $5. (Click on Nature, then scroll down for Walker Nature Center and scroll to Wildlife Counts and Classes.)

Dragonfly Class: An Introduction

July 25
7:00-8:30 PM
Reston, VA Vernon Walker Nature Center
Dragonfly count July 27

Discover the fast and fascinating lives of Reston’s “flying dragons.” Learn basic identification, natural history and conservation of local dragonflies. Learn to identify Reston’s common dragonflies and get a basic introduction to their bizarre behavior and complex history.

Register by July 22. Free for participants in the July 27 count. (Click on Nature, then scroll down for Walker Nature Center and scroll to Wildlife Counts and Classes.)