The tour will feature 14 wildlife-friendly and native inspired gardens, at sites including 10 individual homes, a church, a school and a nature center. You can also visit NWF’s own wildlife habitat and landscape. Each of these sites provides you with an opportunity to view the garden, see some unique landscape design ideas that you can use in your own garden and learn more about some of the plants and wildlife that call these locations home. NWF will have volunteers at each location to answer your questions as you view the gardens.
Newton-Lee Elementary School (Ashburn, VA) will also have activities for families, so feel free to bring your whole family to the event. Activities include: Exploring the two gardens at the school - courtyard and outside wildlife habitat; and examples of how to use gardens to teach – science, math, English and much more. Hands-on activities for planting, learning about birds and making a solar art print with items found in nature. Meet Ranger Rick and have your picture taken with the Best Raccoon around.
National Wildlife Federation Headquarters (Reston, VA) will serve as the starting point for the tour, where you can pick up your tour book before heading out to view the gardens in any order that you select. NWF will also offer tours of its habitat and a native plant sale. Get a great native plant to add to your garden that can help a few wildlife friends have a great summer. (Special Pre-sale day - Thursday, May 10th from 4:00 - 7:30 pm – see list of plants here.)
Activities at NWF HQ: 19 varieties of Native Plants from American Beauties available for purchase including blueberry, coneflower, sea oats and more. Invasive species walking tour and discussion on how to best manage your habitat for invasives; Tours of NWF property in Reston and the sustainable features and wildlife garden. Tours available on the hour and ½ hour during the day starting at 10:30 am.
Reserve your tickets now! www.nwf.org/VAgardentour
Cost: $15 per person or $30 for a family (until May 11th)
Day of Event Cost: $20 per person or $40 for a family
Limited to 500 participants
All proceeds from the tour will support the National Wildlife Federation's Wildlife Habitat programs and its mission to protect wildlife for our children's future.
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time: 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Address: 11100 Wildlife Center Drive
Reston, VA 20190
Information provided by Eliza Russell, Director of Education Programs, NWF
