More than 30 local artists and nature lovers, from a wide variety of artistic disciplines, have spent the winter creating a dazzling array of rain barrels, half-barrel planters and bluebird houses to be auctioned off to benefit Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy.  The auction runs from noon on February 24 to 9:00pm on March 3.  All artwork can be viewed on the auction site and will be shown on social media as well.  (You will need to create a free account on the auction website to be able to bid on items and can register as early as February 1.)

The artists’ areas of expertise include quilting, mosaics, collage, sculpture and painting. Each artist appreciates the importance of Loudoun Wildlife’s mission and so dedicates their time and artistic efforts to aid Loudoun Wildlife’s mission to support and protect the variety of ecosystems in the county. Each item is also a practical way to support our environment.

Rain barrels can be used to collect rainwater from downspouts to water your nearby garden areas during the drier weather. Instructions for how to install your barrel as a rain barrel are included. Barrels can also be used indoors as a table base.

The half-barrel planters, when planted with native perennials, provide not only an item of interest in the garden, but food and shelter for native pollinators. Each half-barrel comes with a brochure of suggested native plants for every exposure.

We would like to thank Catoctin Creek Distillery for their generous donation of barrels to the auction.

Some birdhouses are suitable for an outdoor setting, and others are for decorative indoor display. In addition to being a lovely addition to your garden, the outdoor boxes provide nesting sites for cavity-dwelling birds.

In addition to the works of art by local artists, you can bid on experiences including a private guided tour of JK Black Oak Wildlife Sanctuary,  stream monitoring on your property or elsewhere in Loudoun County, and forest bathing for your small group. There are many items to bid on over two pages on the auction website.  Be sure to check out all of them.