April 18 @ 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

Join us at Niels Poulsen Park on April 18th (rain date April 25). Please register on the sign up form. Steve Weitlich will be your leader for the event.

April 18 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm

Through its Virginia Trees for Clean Water Program, the Virginia Department of Forestry granted the Town of Purcellville funding to enhance the mini-forest. This effort was initiated last year through the same source of funding. The Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is continuing their support of this effort. There will be regular volunteer days to remove invasive plants and prepare the area for two plantings: one on October 11, 2025 to kick off the week-long Celebrate Purcellville and a second planting on April 18, 2026, close to Earth Day. The schedule of volunteer and planting days is below.

• Saturday, April 18, 2026 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Planting Day
• Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 10 a.m. to noon – Remove invasive plants and check the trees

The mini-forest is located on S. 20th Street between Makersmiths (785 S. 20th Street) and the Town Wastewater Plant (1001 S. 2th Street). It is on the same side of the street as both facilities.

The project team is following a protocol that was developed and refined over 4 decades by late Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, and has been implemented in cities around the world. It includes planting native trees, shrubs, and herbs at a high density in fertile soil to promote rapid growth.

The project will engage residents, community groups, students, and scouts to help plant and maintain the native trees, shrubs, and perennials; transform a field into a species-rich native forest to strengthen the health of the ecosystem; and encourage environmental education, recreation, and stewardship. 

April 20 @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Board members only meeting via Zoom.

April 24 @ 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Join us for a special Arbor Day celebration honoring Virginia’s 250th anniversary, featuring the planting of a commemorative Liberty Tree—the first officially registered Liberty Tree in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

A native White Oak, selected specifically for Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve, will be planted due to its high ecological value. Oaks support hundreds of insect species, including more than 500 species of moths and butterflies that rely on them as host plants.

Stay afterward for a family-friendly bring your own picnic on the lawn with plenty of fun for all ages!

This event is part of the VA250 statewide celebration.
No registration required.

EVENT INFORMATION:
What is a Liberty Tree?
The Liberty Tree was a powerful symbol of colonial resistance in the American Revolution, originating as a specific elm tree in Boston used by the Sons of Liberty for protests against British rule, most famously against the Stamp Act. This historic tree became a beacon of hope to colonists and a symbol of American freedom. In an attempt to stymie these colonists, the British destroyed Boston’s Liberty Tree. Suddenly, patriots throughout the 13 colonies began to designate new Liberty Trees. Today, planting a dedicated Liberty Tree promotes the value and benefits of trees to current and future generations while informing, educating and inspiring youth with stories of their connection to historic “legacy” trees.

What is Arbor Day?
Arbor Day (from the Latin “arbor”, meaning tree) is a holiday in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant and care for trees. The idea for Arbor Day originally came from J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska as he and fellow pioneers traveled the treeless plains in the 1800s. Today, Arbor Day represents a hope for the future; the simple act of planting a tree represents a belief that a tree will grow to provide us with clean air and water, cooling shade, a habitat for wildlife, healthier communities, and endless natural beauty – all better for tomorrow.

Why 2026 Matters?
We celebrate Arbor Day this year with an emphasis on America’s 250th birthday. We plant trees as living tributes to American history and symbols of future hope, connecting community service initiatives while honoring local legacies that align with national efforts to promote environmental health and civic duty.

Why Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve?
Banshee is Loudoun County’s only dedicated nature preserve, the largest property owned by the county government at 695 acres, and known for its diverse habitats or forests, wetlands, and meadows with over 15 miles of hiking trails open to the public. Banshee Reeks is included in the Loudoun County Heritage Register and is also a designated Virginia Treasure, identified as one of Virginia’s most important ecological, cultural, scenic, and recreational assets. Historic Goose Creek, a designated State Scenic River, flows alongside Banshee Reeks’ southern border, adding deeper natural, ecological, and historical significance to the land. Banshee Reeks is also a key partner within the Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area, collaborating on projects like the Living Legacy Tree Planting to commemorate Civil War history, connecting the preserve’s rich history and natural beauty with the larger regional narrative of American heritage. Furthermore, Banshee includes historic structures like the 1841 stone house that is the current Visitor Center, is an integral part of the Virginia Birding and Wildlife Trail (VBWT), and is host to the Banshee Reeks Chapter of Master Naturalists, the first chartered chapter in Virginia.

April 25 @ 9:00 am – 12:00 pm

Trash and recycling bags, grabber sticks, and safety vests will be provided, along with designated cleanup areas. Volunteers can sign up individually or as a group—and if there’s a specific area you’d like to help spruce up, let us know when you register! Register with Gabi Warwick at countryside@legumnorman.com or call (703) 430-0715

April 25 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am

Adopt A Trail cleanup!

As you have probably seen, we are in that sweet spot with weather being good enough to get out to do clean-ups, along with limited foliage so we can see everything that needs to be picked up. It’s the perfect time to schedule a clean-up of our KLB adopted W&OD trail section.

On April 25, the Friends of the W&OD will observe “Celebrate Trails” Day. So we need volunteers to help cleanup our section in Purcellville. We invite you to get out for a clean-up that day to support this important event sponsored by Rails to Trails.

April 26 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

Details and sign up coming soon!

May 2 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm

Cleanup of Evergreen Mills road in Leesburg.

Thank you for participating in a Keep Loudoun Beautiful cleanup for the SE Leesburg-Heritage area. This activity qualifies for those seeking community service hours. Groups or individuals of all ages are welcome!

Our first cleanup this year will be held on Saturday, May 2nd, from 10:00-12:00 along Evergreen Mills Road in Leesburg. We will meet in the parking lot at Heritage High School near the main entrance for the buses.

I will provide all the necessary supplies to those who complete this online registration form. Supplies include gloves, safety vests, plastic bags, and trash pickers. Light refreshments will also be provided. Volunteers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, use insect repellent, and bring their own reusable water bottles.

Thank you for your service!

Chad Green, KLB Leader for SE Leesburg-Heritage Area
Phone: 540-391-1482 | E-mail: chadgreen@verizon.net