Rust Nature Sanctuary, Leesburg

Description | Directions | Activities/Programs | Site Rentals | Shop
Scout Programs | School Programs | Birthday Parties | Summer Camp
Rust Committee | History | Broadlands Nature Center

Discover Rust!
September 26, Noon-4 p.m.
All are welcome to our Rust Nature Sanctuary Open House. Come and explore the 68-acre grounds and 100-year-old Manor House. This free event promises to be enjoyable for the whole family. 
• Moon Music on the portico and Chris Wyton performing classical guitar music in the grand foyer. 
• Guided history tours of the historic Manor House and Roger Tory Peterson art
• Guided nature walks to the pond and along quiet forest trails
• Learn about our “beach front trail”
• Family hay rides around the sanctuary meadow loop and perched wetland
• Books, gifts, and birdseed sales at the Sanctuary Shop
• Book signing by Carson Clark, author and nature photographer
• Rededication of the Barbara Rust Gillies Pollinator Garden
• Nature activities for the whole family
• Wine tasting, food, picnicking and more on the sanctuary grounds

2010 marks the 10th anniversary of this Audubon Naturalist Society Sanctuary and the 100th year of the Manor House!


R.T. Peterson's Art on Permanent Display
The Audubon Naturalist Society's Rust Nature Sanctuary is the recipient of a collection of artwork from the family of Roger Tory Peterson. We are honored to be able to showcase the art to the community, and encourage you to pay a visit to our Rust Sanctuary to view this wonderful collection. (Artwork of golden eagles by R.T. Peterson)



Interested in Volunteering?
Volunteer opportunities at our 68-acre Sanctuary in Leesburg, VA, include assisting with habitat restoration, the Sanctuary Shop, installation of bird boxes, event planning, and more. If interested, please email Ann Garvey or call Ann at 540-882-4405.

Description of Rust Sanctuary

Enjoy nature at the Rust Nature Sanctuary throughout the year. Each season has something to fascinate nature lovers, from spring frog choruses to turkey tracks in the snow. And the more often you visit, the more you'll find.

Our 68 acres encompasses meadows, forests, and ponds where you'll find a variety of wildlife and plants. During a visit, you might encounter nesting songbirds from the tropics in the oak-hickory forest, a fox hunting in our meadow, or colorful dragonflies darting above the pond. Trail Map

Come and enjoy the Rust Nature Sanctuary anytime from dawn to dusk, seven days a week, every day of the year. No admission fee required. Bring your binoculars, camera, and a picnic lunch. Take photographs, and leave with pleasant memories and plans to return again and again.

2010 Rust Scout Program Brochure | School Programs | Birthday Parties

Afterschool Programs

Wednesdays, September 22 - October 27
Drop-off 3:30-4:00 Class from 4:00-5:30
Kids love being outdoors and are naturally creative.  In these 6-week afterschool sessions, we will nurture this innate creativity and love of nature and the great outdoors.
Members:  $80   Non-members:  $100  To register: julieg@audubonnaturalist.org 
 or call 703-669-0000 x 1

Nature and the Arts!
K-2nd grade
Learn about nature through arts, crafts, songs and games.  Each week we will go outside for a new nature experience, and then bring it indoors with a new and exciting art project.   Some of our nature themes will include insects, predators, and plants.

Outdoor Theater
3rd-5th grade
Nature and drama go hand and hand in this afterschool program.  We will start by reading the magnificent book “The Case of the Grasshopper”.  We will spend the next weeks casting the students, making costumes and practicing our lines.  Our last day will include a performance for families and friends.

Family Programs

Little Explorers
2nd Saturday of each month
10:00-11:30  Ages 4-6 with an adult 
Each month we will explore an aspect of nature with families.  Books, games and nature exploration will lead us on our learning journey
Members:  $10 Non-members:  $12
Sept 11: Dragonflies
Oct   9:  Wiggly Worms
Nov 14: Roly-poly’s
Dec 11: Tree-riffic
To register: julieg@audubonnaturalist.org 
 or call 703-669-0000 x 1

Family Nature Walk
Sunday, August 22 
4:00-5:30  All ages welcome
Join young naturalist Christopher (age 7) and his friend Ann as they share some of their favorite things about the Rust Nature Sanctuary.  This walk and nature exploration will appeal to naturalists of all ages.
Free Program   To register: julieg@audubonnaturalist.org  or call 703-669-0000 x 1

Children’s Nature Book Club
Fridays: 10-11:30  ages 3-4 with an adult
Sept 10, 17, 24: Butterflies
Oct 1, 8, 15:  Spiders
Join our newest book club with your child.  Each week come listen to a nature themed book appropriate to the season, then enjoy activities, games and nature walks related to that theme.  Members: Free  Non-members:  $3 
To register: julieg@audubonnaturalist.org or call 703-669-0000 x 1

Homeschool Program
Nature Journaling: 6 week class
Date and Time:  TBD-check our website   This six-week class is geared to elementary students and new readers who would like to increase their literacy skills; produce a journal and enjoy the natural world.  The instructor will use multi-sensory approaches to writing, therefore students of diverse abilities and interests are welcome. 
Series:  Members $50   Non-members  $85 
Drop in: Members $10  Non-members  $15
To register: julieg@audubonnaturalist.org or call 703-669-0000 x 1

Nature Photography workshop with Jim Clark
Classroom: Sat, Oct 30th  8 am-noon
Field Session:  Sun, Oct 31st 8 am-noon
Members $75  Non-Members $100
Classroom Session only:  $50
ANS welcomes Jim Clark; award-winning photographer and author of four books.  Jim has over 35 years of experience with outdoor photography. This workshop includes a classroom session and an outdoor field session and will provide participants tips and techniques for capturing nature images that exemplify a sense of place. The workshop establishes a foundation for understanding (1) the basic techniques of nature photography; (2) the importance of developing a personal style; and (3) the use of compositional guidelines.
To register: julieg@audubonnaturalist.org or call 703-669-0000 x 1

Connecting with Nature Series
Join as us we explore our current and historical connections to nature, including various religious and philosophical traditions. We will discuss whether our current disconnect from nature is negatively affecting our lives and how we can reconnect with the spirit of the outdoors.  This series will include a book club and outdoor yoga and meditation

Outdoor Community Yoga
With Flow Yoga
Suggested Donation:  $10-$20
Date and Time:  TBD

Meditation:
Date and Time: TBD
Members $10
Non-Members $12

Book Club:
Third Monday of each month:
7-8 PM:  Free
September 20th:  Mindfully

Art for the Nature Lover
Join artist Lori Schue in creating natural artwork.  No art experience necessary.  Lori will lead us through making usable art with nature themes
Cost per class: Members $15  Non-members $20 
$40 supply fee for each class
To register: julieg@audubonnaturalist.org or call 703-669-0000 x 1

Nature Walkers Basket:
October 14th 6-9 PM
If you love to take nature walks and find your pockets full of natural treasures when you get home, you need a Nature Walkers Basket. Master basket weaver, Lori Schue, has developed and taught this basket design from coast to coast. It all begins with a walking stick and a drill. Interested? Come join us to learn about basic basket weaving techniques gone wild!

Botanical Impressions:
October 7th 6-9 PM
Create beautiful art using botanicals and clay. Air dry clay will make this project easy and fast. Learn about clay and its properties. Then manipulate it into a glorious hanging vase using collected botanicals for impressing images into the surface. Fast and fun with spectacular results every time! Once you know how, you’ll want to make several for friends and family.

Native Plant Lecture Series

The lectures will be held at Rust Nature Sanctuary on Tuesday evenings, 7 to 8:30 pm. The accompanying field trips will take place on Saturday mornings at 8:30 am at various sites in Loudoun County. Registration required, see below for more information.

September 14 Bloomin' Natives – fall wildflowers
Lecturer is John DeMary who is recently retired as a science teacher at Loudoun Valley High School.
October 2, 2010 field trip location to be determined.

October 12, 2010 Seed Collection and Propagation
Lecturers are Lisa and Chris Bright, founders of Earth Sangha , a business devoted to ecological restoration in the spirit of Buddhist practice.  Field Trip to be announced.

Cost for a single class is $20. To register: julieg@audubonnaturalist.org or call 703-669-0000 x 1; or send check to: Rust Nature Sanctuary, 802 Childrens Center Rd. Leesburg, VA 20175.

Rust Nature Sanctuary Free Walks
Free nature walks for adults and older children with an interest in expanding their understanding of the natural world. Call 703-737-0021 for more information.

Midweek Rust Rambles
Explore Rust with a naturalist, 2nd Wednesday each month, March through November, 10-11:30 a.m.

Bird Walks for Beginners
Learn birding basics, 3rd Saturday each month, September through June, 8-9 a.m.

Broadlands Nature Talks
In partnership with the Broadlands Association, ANS brings speakers to the Broadlands Nature Center to address natural history topics with an emphasis on nature in a suburban setting. More info here.


Rust Manor House Tours
October 6th 2:00 PM or by appointment

Rust Committee

Betsey Brown (Leesburg)
Phil Daley (Lincoln)
Joe Coleman (Round Hill)
Virginia Friend (Waterford)
Ann Garvey (Waterford)
Irish Grandfield, Chair (Leesburg)
Carole Miller (Delaplane)
Judy Randal Hines (Lovettsville)
John Rust (Leesburg)
Peggy Rust (Leesburg)
Sally Snidow (Leesburg)
Stan Shetler (Sterling)

Directions

802 Children's Center Road Leesburg, VA 20175 703-669-0000

From the DC Beltway, exit onto the Dulles Toll Road (Route 267). Follow the Toll Road local lanes until they become the Dulles Greenway (still Route 267). At the end of the Greenway (approximately 13 miles) take the left exit to Leesburg. This is the Leesburg Bypass. Go west on Bypass to the second exit (Route 7 - Business Leesburg). Caution: Do not take the first Leesburg exit, Route 15. Turn right at the top of the exit ramp onto Rt. 7. Turn right at the first traffic light, Catoctin Circle. Continue 1/8 mile on Catoctin Circle to Children's Center Road (on your right). Turn right and follow Children's Center Road until you reach the cul de sac at the end. The middle drive-at sign-will take you through the Sanctuary to the Manor House.

From Ashburn or Sterling and points east of Leesburg: Follow Route 7 west to Leesburg, and turn left onto Catoctin Circle at the light by Johnson's Beef House. Continue on Catoctin past the Post Office (on left) to the light at Rt. 15 (King Street). Continue on Catoctin through the light and across Dry Mill Road to Children's Center Road (on your left). Turn left and follow Children's Center Road until you reach the cul de sac at the end. The middle drive-at sign-will take you through the Sanctuary to the Manor House.

From points west of Leesburg, VA: Follow Route 7 east and take the first Leesburg exit (Leesburg Business). Turn right at first stoplight, Catoctin Circle, and continue 1/8 mile to Children's Center Road (on your right). Turn right and follow Children's Center Road until you reach the cul de sac at the end. The middle drive-at sign-will take you through the Sanctuary to the Manor House.

A History of Rust Nature Sanctuary Property

The Rust Manor House is a site rich in Virginia history and public service. It was built in 1910 by Henry Harrison, a descendant of the first European recorded as visiting Loudoun County, for his wife, Anne Lee who was a cousin of Robert E. Lee. Anne lived here until her death in 1928. Having no heirs, she left the property to the St. Emma Agricultural and Industrial Institute, a school for young black men established by an order of nuns near Richmond.

Rust Manor House Tours
October 6th 2:00 PM
or by appointment

William Fitzhugh Rust, another scion of a distinguished Virginia and Loudoun County family, purchased the property from St. Emma in 1929 and substantially remolded the house, copying many architectural elements from old Rust plantation homes. William died in 1940, but his widow, Mary, lived in the manor house and operated the property as a dairy farm through World War II.

After the war she and her son sold the property to Ida K. Polen, a very successful business woman from Arlington. After Ida died, the property was put up for auction and William Fitzhugh Rust, Jr., the son of William and Mary, bought it. He also donated the land for Ida Lee Park and The Rust Library to the Town of Leesburg..

In 2000, following the wishes of their mother, Margaret Dole Rust, the children of William and Margaret donated their family home to the Audubon Naturalist Society to create the Rust Nature Sanctuary.—Prepared by the Audubon Naturalist Society

Purchase An Informal History of the Rust Nature Sanctuary: The Place and The People by Edwin H. Clark II