Depending on its position and angle, planting a slope isn’t always easy. But the rewards can be considerable.

Elements of the landscape may pose serious hazards to the very wildlife that we’ve attracted. Are we drawing them closer, only to have them harmed by an avoidable threat to their health and wellbeing?

Audubon at Home partnered with Plant NOVA Natives to invite homeowners’ and civic associations to apply for funds to beautify their neighborhood entrances using low maintenance native plants.

Encouraging cavity nesting birds in suburban yards requires knowledge of birds and insects and how to support them. Larry Cartwright shared his knowledge with AAH Ambassadors in February.

We are very pleased to announce that ASNV’s Audubon at Home Program, in partnership with the Plant NOVA Natives campaign, has been awarded a grant of $15,000 to demonstrate the concept that native plantsan fit nicely into a conventional suburban aesthetic.

Have you ever wondered where animals go in the winter, when many seem to just—disappear?

Reston has over 800 acres of natural areas and other wildlife-friendly areas, including 55 miles of trails, on property owned by the Reston Association. Six of these areas, covering 400 acres, are now certified as Audubon at Home Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Audubon at Home resumed in-person visits to homes with masks and safe social distancing on July 1 and interest came roaring back. Since then AAH has had 63 requests with 47 visits reported. The most notable property to be certified is the JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary.

The dog days of summer are behind us, and as our avian migrants prepare for their long and arduous journey towards their wintering grounds, you might wonder what things you and your family can do for your native bird habitat to facilitate their journey.

Many Audubon education and advocacy programs have been canceled or paused due to Covid-19. Fortunately, the Audubon at Home (AAH) program continues. Applicant numbers are down, but people who are proactive, enthusiastic and committed about attracting native wildlife to their yards continue to apply.

ASNV member Randy Streufert has won the Grand Prize in the National Wildlife Federation’s “Garden for Wildlife” photo contest. Randy’s photo of a Prothonotary Warbler cooling off in water was the top photo out of nearly 5000 submissions from all over the world.

Although Audubon at Home has discontinued client visits, we encourage you to consult with us about how to create wildlife habitat.

Audubon at Home encourages you to check out our new interactive map on our Certified Wildlife Sanctuaries webpage.

In 2018, Reston became part of the worldwide Biophilic Cities Network. To help residents identify specific actions that will protect Reston's natural resources, Reston Association's Environmental Advisory Committee is now deploying a Reston Biophilic Pledge.

Audubon at Home ambassadors gathered on February 1 for their annual – and delicious – brunch, at which AAH co-directors and county coordinators updated them on the program's progress over the past year. It has now been 10 years since AAH first certified a Wildlife Sanctuary, as of the brunch, the program has certified 683 properties on over 6300 acres.

Save the Date!  On March 21st, Betsy Martin of The Audubon Society of Northern Virginia’s Audubon at Home Program and Linda Beaty of Plant NOVA Natives will join forces to provide a special program on how to make your yard more attractive to wildlife.

Winning Birdathon teams traveled out to the Oak Spring Garden Foundation in Upperville, Virginia on September 17 to view some rare books, including a John James Audubon folio, and the grounds of the estate of Rachel "Bunny" Mellon, who designed the White House Rose Garden. 

The Audubon at Home program is happy to announce that the Reston Association's Central Services Facility (CSF) has achieved certification as a Wildlife Sanctuary.  The site includes a native plant garden that serves as a demonstration site to educate Metro developers on how native plants can be integrated into areas near Metro stations.