Nature Journaling Meetup

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Nature journaling is a powerful tool for learning about plants and animals, a mindful practice for connecting to nature, and just a great way to spend time outside. Co-Director and passionate nature journaler Eleanor Harris runs quarterly nature journaling meetups to help people develop their nature journaling skills and meet other nature journalers in the […]

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for a bird walk around the field station! Led by an expert birder. All levels welcome! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event. […]

Science Saturday: Box Turtle Tracking

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

In 2022 we started a collaborative research project with the Turtle Conservation Ecology Lab and Joe Kolowski at the Smithsonian's NZCBI to study Box Turtles. We are studying Box Turtle movements and habitat selection so that we can learn when it's safe to mow fields in our area. In the third installment of this event, […]

Get Tickets $10.00 – $15.00

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for a bird walk around the field station! Led by an expert birder. All levels welcome! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event. […]

Creatures of the Night

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for an night-time exploration of our trails and vernal pools while we listen for frog calls, look for insects, and see what animals are swimming on the ponds. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult. Bring: Please bring a flashlight or headlamp and dress appropriately for the weather. Weather policy: […]

Bobolink Walk

6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for a visit to an active Bobolink nesting colony in partnership with our friends at Virginia Working Landscapes! Bobolinks are unique and beautiful birds that select hay fields for nesting. Sadly, they are declining as a result of nest losses from cutting the hay early in the summer. We should enjoy views of […]

Currently full Free – $15.00

Firefly Watch

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We love going out on a summer evening to see hundreds of fireflies flashing in the trees and we’d love you to have you join us for this magical display. In this program, Co-Director Eleanor Harris will give a brief talk about the biology and identification of fireflies (there are several species in our area!) […]

Get Tickets Free – $15.00

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Come join us to birdwatch around the field station! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall). COVID-19 Information: This program will be entirely outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). Please do not attend […]

Rappahannock Dragonfly Count

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for a day of counting dragonflies across Rappahannock county! Co-Director Bert Harris will be leading and organizing, so keep an eye on your email for more information as the event gets closer! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. […]

Dragonfly Identification Workshop

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Dragonflies and damselflies are some of the most mysterious and beautiful animals that live at the Clifton Institute, and June is the perfect time to search for them. Join us for a workshop that will cover the basics of dragonfly identification and biology. We will then practice what we learned by visiting lakes, streams, and […]

Get Tickets Free – $15.00

Clifton Dragonfly Count 2025

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for our fifth annual Dragonfly Count! Our goals are to learn which species of dragonflies and damselflies are found in our area, to monitor changes in their populations, and to encourage everyone to learn more about Odonates. The map of the count circle is here. The circle includes a wide variety of aquatic […]

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Come join us to birdwatch around the field station! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall). Registration is REQUIRED. Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know […]

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Come join us to birdwatch around the field station! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall). Registration is REQUIRED. Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know […]

Butterfly Identification Workshop

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us to learn about butterfly identification and biology. Co-Director Bert Harris will give a presentation on the identification of common butterflies in our area. We will then take a walk around the field station to look for butterflies (and perhaps some dragonflies as well.) All skill levels welcome! Cost: Children 18 and under – […]

Get Tickets Free – $15.00

Creatures of the Night

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for a night-time exploration of our trails and vernal pools while we listen for frog calls, look for insects, and see what animals are swimming on the ponds. Please register EVERY person in your group so we have an accurate count. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult. Bring: Please […]

2025 NABA Butterfly Count

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Every year community scientists help count the butterflies in 15-mile-diameter circles all around the country and contribute their data to the North American Butterfly Association. This summer we will host our 30th annual butterfly count and celebrate our 23rd year contributing our data to NABA. Butterfly enthusiasts of all levels of experience are welcome! If […]

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Come join us to birdwatch around the field station! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall). COVID-19 Information: This program will be entirely outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). Please do not attend […]

Nature Camp For Grownups

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Hey grownups! Have you ever wished you could go to summer camp? Well, now you can! This October we are offering our fourth annual weekend-long Nature Camp for Grownups! Activities will start on the morning of October 11 and conclude on the afternoon of October 12. Activities will include short workshops (for example on insect […]

Get Tickets $125.00 – $150.00