Blue Ridge Center For Environmental Stewardship

 

LOCATION: Loudoun County, Virginia just north of Neersville. The address is 11661 Harpers Ferry Road (Route 671).

 

DIRECTIONS: From Leesburg go west on Route 7, right on Route 9 to Route 671 (Harpers Ferry Road) and then 6 miles to the Center on the left just past the Neersville Volunteer Fire Department. From Frederick, Maryland go south on U.S. 340, cross the Potomac River and left on Route 671 for two miles to the Center’s entrance on the right.

 

ACREAGE: 900

 

HISTORY: The land was purchased in 1999 by the Robert and Dee Leggett Foundation to “…. protect the Appalachian Trail view shed, preserve the land’s history, and allow people to enjoy its natural beauty.”

ECOSYSTEM TYPE, HABITATS, & ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE: Center land includes young recovering upland forest, wetlands, meadows, steep slopes, rocky outcrops, bottomland, creeks, seeps, and springs. It is the site of one of “Loudoun County’s largest contiguous forests and open spaces”. There is a small “community supported” organic farm on Center property.

 

BIRDS AND BIRDWATCHING: The varied habitat at the Center provides year round bird watching opportunities. The Center’s Web site (www.brces.org) includes a bird list of 113 species and growing. A walk around the seven-acre organic farm might yield American Goldfinch, Tree Swallows, and Eastern Bluebirds. Before visiting the rest of the property pick up a map of the trails and various birding spots. Gordon Pond may have Wood Ducks, Beaver, and turtles. A walk along the Farmstead Loop might turn up a Barred Owl, Cedar Waxwings, various Warblers including Orange-crowned, Blue-winged, Cerulean, and Kentucky. The fields and meadows will likely have Killdeer, Northern Harrier, Red-tailed Hawks, and Turkeys. The various hedgerows are good places to check for Grasshopper, Field and Chipping Sparrows. The Center is attracting a growing number of bird watchers. Of interest to those who have visited so far is the variety of breeding species on the property. These include Broad-winged Hawk, Red-eyed Vireo, Brown Thrasher, Blue-winged, Worm-eating, and Kentucky Warblers. Please report evidence, including location, of breeding activity to the site naturalist. The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy sponsors a monthly bird walk the fourth Saturday every month except December. It provides a good introduction to the birds and wildlife on the property. The group meets at 8 a.m. in the parking lot of the Neersville Volunteer Fire Department. Please check their Web site (www.loudounwildlife.org) to verify the schedule.

 

CONSERVATION CHALLENGES: Invasive species and slope erosion are among the conservation challenges facing Center staff and volunteers.

 

CONSERVATION WORK AT THE SITE: Stream monitoring, archaeology field schools, and trail work are being performed at the Center. The Center is actively seeking volunteers (see Contact Information below) to work at the Center. Currently, college students on spring break, U.S. Trail Riders, and Boy Scouts are among those working on specific projects at the Center, such as the bridge over Sweet Run, completed in 2003.

 

CONTACT INFORMATION: Center Naturalist Fiona Harrison can be reached at 540-668-7640 or fharrison@brces.org She is onsite M-F.

 

FEES AND HOURS OF OPERATION: The Center’s entrance road gate is open dawn to dusk daily. There is a $3 daily parking fee that can be paid at the office on weekdays. (Note: Logistical arrangements are still being worked out for paying on the weekends.) A $25 annual pass is available (or $10 if you volunteer 12 hours a year). If you want to walk the property on a weekend, please contact the office during the preceding week. During the organic farm-growing season, there are people on site seven days a week.

 

FACILITIES: There are two composting toilets near the office. The Center is building a pavilion that will include indoor restrooms. There is ample parking along the right side of the entrance driveway near the garden and office. Bring your own water. There is a gas station/convenience store two miles north of the Center on Route 671. Leesburg and Harpers Ferry have a range of eateries and gas stations.

 

A special thanks to Fiona Harrison for her assistance in preparing this Fact Sheet.