Banshee Reeks Nature Preserve

Shhhh…can you keep a secret?
We are really lucky here at Banshee Reeks, like a 1-in-10,000 kind of luck…{read on for why}

Yesterday’s Storytime Gone Wild with Virginia Master Naturalist Instructor Kelly Roach started like any other: 9:30am with dozens of young naturalists gathering together no matter the weather. May’s theme was wildflowers as it is National Wildflower Month and the best time of the year to see native blooms in wild places like Banshee Reeks!

Once the rainy week wiggles started, we all knew it was time for the hands-on outdoor segment of storytime. We were greeted by blanket flower and beardtongue bursting with beautiful blooms but the best of all might surprise you—the swathes of wild white clover (trifolium repens) and this is why our story gets exciting!

For the storytime craft, we opted for a flower fan favorite, the sticky bracelet. *Foraging among only approved plants that are normally mowed as Banshee does not permit foraging.

Then it happened: “I found a four-leaf clover!” and another and another and on and on! In 15-minutes a few in the group found over 20 4-leaf clovers!

that the chance of finding a 4-leaf clover is 1 in 10,000? Finding one is a sign of immense good luck. The standard clover has three leaves, representing faith, hope, and love; the ultra-rare fourth leaf represents luck. The fourth leaf of a clover is the result of a rare genetic mutation combined with specific environmental conditions (like soil pH, temperature, or pollution). These traits are inheritable, and environmental stressors that cause the mutation will affect all clovers in a localized patch = Banshee Reeks is a hotspot.

Clovers spread through interconnected root systems called stolons, meaning a patch with the genetic mutation will often produce multiple four-leaf leaves, so when you spot one, keep searching!

Share this only with your nature-loving friends and make a date to visit the preserve to forage for four-leaf clovers.

Swipe to photo 11 for Master Naturalist’s Kelly Roach’s favorite books right now as our word count luck ran out on this post. See you at the next Storytimes: 6/23 Pollinators & 7/28 Snakes.

While these things may seem small, they are important in their own way and are always a fun sight.

Ephemeral streams like this one typically only flow during rain events.

Log jams and other features within these streams can help slow the flow of water, spreading it out and reducing harmful force.

We just love moss. That would take a whole other post.

Decaying trees provide habitat for insects and break down to become soil for the next generation of plants.

Root balls and their fallen trees can create small ephemeral pools, bring light to the forest floor, and bring rocks contained in the roots to the surface. Evidence of these trees will remain in the soil for years to come.

What are some of your favorite small things to see in the forest?

Join us for an Invasive Plant Identification Walk on Friday, June 5th, from 10:00am to 10:45am. Led by Natali Walker, an Invasive Management Specialist with Blue Ridge PRISM, this educational hike will teach you how to identify invasive plants and manage them effectively. The event is free, but registration is required. Meet us in front of the Visitor Center. Ages 12 and up are welcome.

To request a reasonable accommodation for any type of disability to participate, contact [email protected] or call 703-777-0343. Advance notice is requested.

Si usted requiere asistencia por discapacidad o necesita un intérprete para participar, por favor contáctenos en [email protected] o llame al 703-777-0343.