A coordinator who has led hiking and nature programs at Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve for three and a half years will end her tenure next month. She has conducted nearly 100 programs since early 2023 that reached thousands of visitors through activities including themed walks and seasonal events. The preserve served as a central location for family outdoor experiences during this period.
Scheduled final programs consist of the Popsicle Hike on August 9, Sunset Stroll and Summer S’mores on August 9, and Storytime Gone Wild and Nature Walk on spiders on August 25. These events formed part of ongoing efforts to connect participants with the natural environment. The coordinator expressed appreciation for the dedicated team and community that supported the programs.
Operational Adjustments at the Preserve
Recent modifications at Banshee Reeks include cost-recovery measures, updates to the master plan for equestrian use, and staffing reorganizations in maintenance. The coordinator reported observing increased tick activity coinciding with reduced trail upkeep over the past year. Trail conditions prompted concerns about leading groups into areas with heightened risks.
Horse trails are set to open in August, introducing multi-use elements on paths that currently average three feet in width. Recommended standards for such trails call for eight feet minimum to allow safe passing. The coordinator noted potential challenges for large groups and young children during encounters with equestrians who have right-of-way.
Approval Process and Related Concerns
The Loudoun County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously in May to advance the equestrian proposal. Input from the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy highlighted issues with wetlands and slopes that could experience erosion. The preserve’s easement includes provisions requiring natural resources to stay unimpaired.
The coordinator plans to maintain involvement through occasional programs at the preserve or nearby sites. She will take time off in autumn before resuming activities in January 2027. New initiatives will include monthly hikes at Sweet Run State Park and a year-long series of articles on Virginia’s 44 state parks.
Planned Activities and Advocacy
The articles will examine distinct features, wildlife, history, and year-round options across coastal, mountain, and other regions. Partnerships with Virginia State Parks, the Department of Conservation and Recreation, and the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy will support the hikes. The coordinator’s personal connection to the preserve includes raising her child along the trails over several years.
A hiking group launched in June 2022 has focused on building appreciation for nature and stewardship. The coordinator intends to pursue broader conservation efforts in Loudoun County, including potential advisory roles with the Board of Supervisors in 2027. Local elections and participation in groups such as the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Piedmont Environmental Council represent avenues for involvement.
Email the Board of Supervisors at:
Phyllis J. Randall (Chair, At-Large) – Phyllis.Randall@loudoun.gov,
Michael R. Turner (Vice Chair, Ashburn District) – Mike.Turner@loudoun.gov,
Juli E. Briskman (Algonkian District) – Juli.Briskman@loudoun.gov,
Sylvia R. Glass (Broad Run District) – Sylvia.Glass@loudoun.gov,
Caleb Kershner (Catoctin District) – caleb.kershner@loudoun.gov,
Matthew F. Letourneau (Dulles District) – Matt.Letourneau@loudoun.gov,
Kristen C. Umstattd (Leesburg District) – Kristen.Umstattd@loudoun.gov,
Laura A. TeKrony (Little River District) – Laura.TeKrony@loudoun.gov,
Koran Saines (Sterling District) – Koran.Saines@loudoun.gov
