PURCELLVILLE, Va., October 16, 2020 — The Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board is hosting two workshops at the Chapman DeMary Trail on Sunday, October 25 about how to start a nature journal and the benefits of keeping one. Nancy Reaves, a member of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy, a Virginia Master Naturalist, and active volunteer at the Chapman DeMary Trail, will lead two 1-hour sessions. Each session will be limited to six families and reservations are required. The first will start at 1 p.m. and the second will start at 2:30 p.m. Reserve a table for your family online. Bring a notebook and pencil to start your journal and dress appropriately for the weather. Please remember to wear a face covering and maintain social distance from other participants. If you feel sick, please stay home.
This activity is a continuation of the monthly nature walks which, from March through August, had been canceled due to COVID-19. These walks and activities will now resume, however, to comply with the current guidelines, the monthly activities will be held in smaller groups with two sessions each time, and reservations will be required in advance.
The Chapman DeMary Trail is a 10-acre area considered to be the last stand of old-growth forest in the Town of Purcellville. It runs along the South Fork Catoctin Creek, part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. The area is open to the public for environmental recreation, exploration, and education. The Town of Purcellville holds the conservation easement for this privately-owned property. The entrance and parking for the Chapman DeMary Trail is behind the building at 205 East Hirst Road in Purcellville.
The Discover Nature’s Secrets guided nature walks and activities are held the last Sunday of each month and hosted by the Purcellville Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. Learn more on the Monthly Nature Walks page in the Events and Activities section of the Town of Purcellville’s website at www.PurcellvilleVa.gov