Mar 24, 2024
Cynthia Wood, seen here with an early spring group, will lead a wildflower walk at the Quarry Gardens on Saturday, April 13, at 10 a.m. A long-time native plant enthusiast, Cynthia has written many articles for publication. Her charming and authoritative Virginia Wildflowers blog had more 14,000 monthly readers on Facebook.
If our phenology is a guide, participants may expect to see in bloom—and learn from Cynthia about—Wood anemone, Pussytoes, Wild columbine, Wild geranium, Alumroot, Bluets, Dwarf crested iris, Golden ragwort, Moss phlox, Eastern shooting star, Mayapple, Solomon’s seal, Wild pink, Bladdernut, Spring beauty, Foamflower, Mountain and Perfoliated bellworts, Heartleaf, Golden Alexanders—and many others.
Consider bringing a lunch to enjoy in our picnic pavilion after the walk.
Reservations are $15 per person, payable online. Sign up at quarrygardensatschuyler.org/visit.
Mar 4, 2024
Two spring events at The Quarry Gardens promise to bring joy to lovers of birds.
Getting Into Birding
On Saturday, March 23 beginning at 10 a.m., Tracey Hopper and Joanna Vondracek, members of the Piedmont Virginia Bird Club, will guide beginners into birding. They will relate why, how, and where to go binding, show some of the many birds that may be found here including their behaviors and habitats, and introduce opportunities for birding in our area. (So far, 108 species have been identified at the QGs, including the featured yellow rumped warbler photographed by young Theo Staengl.)
Tracey and Joanna will also provide advice on essential equipment such as binoculars, and recommend digital tools, websites, and books.
You are invited to bring a bag lunch to enjoy in the picnic pavilion. If you wish to join a short walk afterward, dress for the weather and bring your binoculars.
Birding by Ear
Once spring leaves emerge, successful birding requires the ability to identify birds by their songs—as near-sighted Teddy Roosevelt did.
On Saturday, May 4, beginning at 10 a.m., Kyle Simpson, Programs Manager of the Central Virginia Land Conservancy and long-time avid birder, will get us started.
Kyle will present the vocalizations of ten common birds of the southeast as well as some tips and tricks for beginners in bird song identification, Recognizing birds by their songs will open a new dimension for you in enjoying the wildlife in your own back yard—and the good news is that you probably already know more than you realize!
Consider bringing a lunch to enjoy in our picnic pavilion after the presentation. Although midday is not the ideal time, you’re sure to hear (and see) birds.
Feb 17, 2024
Learn to identify native plants by their winter features—and then learn how to prepare them for new spring growth. Emma Stephens of the Center for Urban Habitats will be teaching and directing volunteers for the first clean-up session of 2024 at The Quarry Gardens at Schuyler on Saturday, February 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Dress for the weather with sturdy closed shoes. Bring your favorite garden pruners. Water, snacks, and restrooms will be available in the Visitor Center. There will be a break for lunch at noon. All volunteers over the age of 10 are welcome.
For the remainder of the season until late November, volunteer workdays will be on Fridays with morning hours scheduled according to the weather. Volunteers who work 10 hours or more may earn status as official Friends of the Quarry Gardens.
To sign up, contact Bernice Thieblot at bernice.thieblot@gmail.com.
Feb 6, 2024
With impressive visuals, Kate Humphrey Chambers will review the deep history of our region and how it came to be as we know it. Her presentation will start at 2 p.m. on Saturday March 3 at the Quarry Gardens.
Kate holds advanced degrees from the University of Minnesota, the University of Tulsa, and the University of Alaska. Her career as a technical leader in the oil & gas industry led her to safely drill & produce wells around the world, particularly Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico, Azerbaijan, and the Middle East.
Following her presentation in the Visitor Center classroom we will have an opportunity to go outside and visit some unusual geological features to be found at The Quarry Gardens.
Sign up at quarrygardensatschuyler.org/visit.
Feb 2, 2024
Join Tree Steward and Master Naturalist Emily Ferguson as she uses winter characteristics to identify trees and large shrubs along the main trail at the Quarry Gardens. This two-hour walk will start at 2 p.m. on Sunday, February 25. Owing to variations in soil, moisture, and exposure, more than 60 species of trees and large shrubs may be found at the QGs. Emily’s techniques can come in handy year around, as many trees have similar-appearing leaves.
Sign up online at quarrygardensatschuyler.org/visit. If you like, bring your favorite tree ID books, a hand lens and/or binoculars. Dress for comfort and wear sturdy shoes for the wood chip trails.
In the featured image, participants in an earlier walk are gathering evidence that native witch hazel can exhibit flowers and fruits at the same time.
