EVENTS
Save the Date! Spring Safari May 16 & 17 2025! Registration Opens April 2!
May 16 & 17, 2025
Friday May 16 | 5:00-7:00 PM
Hosted by Jacqueline B. Mars at the Meredyth Pavilion
Cocktail Reception & Adventures of a Field Biologist in OCH Territory
Engage with conservation leaders and landowners who are making a difference for wildlife and working lands.
Saturday May 17 | 9:30 AM-Noon
Stonehedge Farm Guided Tour
A brand-new location. Fresh discoveries.
Unforgettable experiences led by VWL biologists.
Learn about wildlife corridors, bird conservation, habitat restoration and land management.
Explore stunning adjoining properties.
Travel on foot, horseback or by gator caravan.
Spots are limited and this event fills up fast!
Invitation to follow
Previous Events
Join Us for our Fall Trail Ride:
Sunday, October 20th at 10 am
Muster Lane Farm
2635 Burrland Lane
The Plains, VA 20198
Guided Fall Field Walk!
OCTOBER 11th from 2-4 PM
GLEN ORA FARM
Middleburg, VA
Virginia Working Landscapes’ field technicians Chris Rademacher and Natalie Izlar led a guided tour of the fall flora and fauna at Glen Ora Farm. We explored grassland, scrubland, and wetland ecosystems and made our way to a native warm season meadow. Among this stunning landscape we wandered through a meadow taking in the shades of autumn: native grasses swaying in the breeze as colorful leaves fall. We kept an eye on the sky as we searched for passing migratory birds.
Save the Date! Our Autumn 2024 Trailride will be held on OCTOBER 20 at Munster Lane on Burrland Road
Signup Sheet Will be Posted on Monday or Tuesday!
OCHCF & VWL May 2024 Event
The OCH Conservation Foundation (OCHCF) and Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) had a tremendously successful Spring Event on Friday, May 17th and Sunday, May 18th.
On Friday evening, Jacqueline B. Mars hosted
the OCHCF and VWL Cocktail Reception and Landowner Panel Discussion at her
lovely Meredyth Pavilion. The theme of the evening was “Care and Share,” as
conservation spreads through conversation from neighbor to neighbor.
A panel of VWL network landowners and leaders
in stewardship shared their conversation practices and advice with attendees.
The panelists included Landon Butler of Gap Run, speaking about native tree preservation and restoration, Beatrice von Gontard of Oxbow Farm, addressing bird-friendly farming practices, Sue Puleo of Faire Meddow, sharing her experiences with native plant conservation and meadow creation, and Brian Gratwicke of Dogwood discussing wetland and pond management for amphibian conservation.
Chris Rademacher, VWL’s biodiversity technician sponsored by OCHCF, explained,
“It can be daunting to apply conservation management practices to your landscape. Hearing about the successes and struggles from our neighbors, with properties of all different sizes, can be the motivating factor to try something new. What I love dearly about VWL’s collaboration with OCHCF is the ability to share what we care about on properties connected to each other. We’re helping whole neighborhoods embrace conservation, making that much more of an impact!”
VWL’s Chris Rademacher, whose position is sponsored by OCHCF, chatting with attendees.
The evening fostered community and collaboration, showing how sharing knowledge can inspire others to take action in preserving our natural landscapes.
Many landowners in the OCHCF Territory attended the panel and learned about conservation practices they might implement on their own properties.
The Spring event continued Sunday, May 19th, with a highly successful guided tour at Jeanne and Michael Morency’s stunning Broad Hollow Farm. Whether choosing to explore on foot, horseback, or by gator, attendees were treated to an immersive experience led by VWL biologists and local conservation professionals, who shared their expertise on various conservation practices in action. Each group explored established native meadows, turtle habitats, riparian management through Beaver Dam Analogs, key native bird habitats and nesting boxes, and bird banding demonstrations.
Attendees rotated from station to station to learn about conservation practices and see them in action. The day was chalk full of caring, sharing, and making new connections.
Christopher Rademacher observed, “It’s one thing to talk about conservation practices but to be immersed in a beautiful landscape and see the beauty of biodiversity is truly inspiring. One of my favorite aspects of this position is getting to part the “curtain of grass” and share how much life these grasslands foster”.
Following the guided exploration, participants gathered for a casual picnic, where they shared their experiences, engaged with native plant and wildlife experts, and enjoyed freshly brewed bird friendly coffees from around the world! The event was not only educational but brought together neighbors and friends, old and new, while encouraging attendees to discover ways to enhance biodiversity on their land.
OCHCF thanks Ms. S. Brooke McDonough for photographing this wonderful event.
OCHCF - VWL SPRING STEWARDSHIP EVENT
May 17th (5-7PM) &
May 18th, (9-1130AM) 2024
On-Line Registration Now Open
On Friday evening, May 17th, from 5-7 PM, OCH Conservation Foundation (OCHCF) collaborated with Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes (VWL) for a cocktail reception and landowner panel discussion at Meredyth Pavilion. Facilitated by VWL Director, Dr. Amy Johnson, a panel of landowners shared their firsthand experiences in stewarding bird-friendly horse pastures and hay fields, native pollinator meadows, bluebird trails, and more.
The excitement continued on Saturday morning from 9-11:30 AM with a guided tour of Broad Hollow Farm in OCH territory. Participants traveled by foot, horseback, and gator. Led by VWL biologists and local conservation professionals, participants had the opportunity to explore native meadows and observe local wildlife and their preferred habitats up close, while learning about effective conservation practices.
After the tour, participants joined for a casual picnic where teams reconnected, shared experiences, and engaged with native plant and wildlife experts. They discovered how to enhance biodiversity stewardship on their land. This event offered a chance to be part of a community committed to preserving the natural environment for future generations.
The Middleburg Conservation Speed Dating Workshop
February 2, 2024 ~1-4 PM
The Hill School Peard Building
130 Madison Street
Middleburg, VA 20117
OCHCF Thanks Ms. Brooke McDonough, Communications & Development Assistant | Virginia Working Landscapes for the above photos
OCH Conservation Foundation 4th Annual Fall Trailride & Hike Sunday October 22, 2023 9:00 - 11:30 am
To be held at the home of Lilla and Chris Ohrstrom:
Lee Hall
6073 Herringdon Rd.
The Plains, VA
Living in harmony with nature is a priority for Lilla and Chris Ohrstrom. They moved the historic Lee Hall, built in 1918, from Kenbridge VA in 1995 and continued salvaging abandoned buildings to create their home. Lilla’s favorite method of gardening is to let things grow untended for three years then edit what’s not helpful to the native species. The land is in conservation easement and efforts are continuously adjusted to preserve wildlife habitats and promote native species. Lilla will lead the trailride and Chris will lead the group on foot. Following the tours, participants are invited to the house for refreshments and discussion.
To preserve our natural landscapes for future generations, OCHCF programs enhance connections with Nature, while emphasizing the importance of protecting open space and wildlife habitats. Experts in native plants, local wildlife, conservation ecology, watershed protection and sustainable agriculture lead OCHCF nature walks on trails maintained by the foundation.
OCHCF Spring Event ~ May 19 & 20, 2023
The discussion was led by Dr. Amy Johnson, Conservation Biologist and Director Virginia Working Landscapes, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute.
Hear what a few of the Spring Event Attendees had to say:
Saturday morning sixty participants met at Mark and Melissa Winchester’s Westborne farm.
Participants joined one of three small group Guided Safaris, choosing to explore wildlife habitat management practices on neighboring farms on horseback, by foot or by gator!
Each group was led by a Smithsonian ecologist, providing informative and inspiring insights into best conservation practices.
OCHCF Trail Ride ~ October 21, 2022
The Fall Trail Ride took place at Andrea Currier’s Kinloch Farm on Oct 21, 2022.
Dr. Amy Johnson, a conservation ecologist and Program Director of Virginia Working Landscapes, led the two hour tour from horseback.
The group visited riparian buffer zones planted in native trees and shrubs which protect our watershed and provide critical wildlife habitat and corridors.
Leaving the stream the riders explored the vibrant textures, colors and sounds found in the meadows comprised of native grasses and shrubs.
When meadows are allowed to flourish alongside the hay fields and pastures, the native birds and other wildlife find the nourishment and cover they need to thrive.
