Walker Nature Center has new binoculars, spotting scopes and field guides after Friends of Reston landed a state wildlife grant.
The Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources (VA DWR) awarded the grant to Friends of Reston, the 501(c)(3) that supports Reston Association (RA), according to a Reston Association announcement. The Virginia Wildlife Grant program is a joint initiative between the Wildlife Foundation of Virginia and VA DWR. It funds nonprofits and colleges promoting outdoor activities, including wildlife viewing.
Staff used a large portion of the grant to update equipment for public and school programs. New purchases include beginner field guides to insects and birds, plus hand lenses for viewing insects, fungi, lichens and small wildlife. The center also added children's binoculars, adult roof-prism binoculars, and two spotting scopes with tripods.
The gear supports the center's birding trips, citizen science counts and bioblitzes. Children's binoculars and field guides will also serve the Young Naturalists summer camp.
Friends of Reston has also contributed to RA's trail maintenance program, according to an October RA budget announcement. Those contributions helped offset capital costs in the association's 2027 budget.
Residents can try the new optics on a birding trip to Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge on Tuesday, Dec. 1.
Upcoming
- Tuesday, Dec. 1: Birding Occoquan Bay, 9 a.m., departing Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive. Search for winter waterfowl and sparrows across two to three miles of unpaved trails. $35 RA members, $45 non-members. Adults only. Scholarships available. Register by Nov. 28 at reston.org.
