Native plants provide better food for insects, which in turn provide food for birds. You can make a huge difference for wildlife by planting native species on your property. Since fall 2019, we have been collecting seeds of native grassland plants from around the area, which means that in addition to being native they are […]
Join us to explore Fauquier County's newest park. Riverside Preserve protects a fascinating variety of habitats, from mature riparian forest to mesic upland forest, and native meadows. In early October we will see late wildflowers in the meadows and the last insects of summer, including butterflies, hoverflies, and katydids. We will also look for and […]
Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
Every October we offer a series of programs all about birds: Octobird Fest! Whether you come to one program or all three, you'll learn a lot about the amazing birds that call Virginia home. The first program in the series is a winter bird identification workshop on Zoom. Every season brings its own challenges for […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. Unlike most of our programs, we won’t be looking for anything in particular. Instead we’ll amble and explore and see what we can find! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent […]
Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
Nature journaling is a wonderful way learn about nature and make lasting memories of the time we spent outside. And it’s really fun! In this program, Managing Director Eleanor Harris will give a brief introduction to the practice of nature journaling, with examples, strategies, and tips. We’ll spend most of the program out in nature, […]
Every October we offer a series of programs all about birds: Octobird Fest! Whether you come to one program or all three, you'll learn a lot about the amazing birds that call Virginia home. The third program in the series is an in-person program about owls. Come sit by a bonfire, roast marshmallows, listen to […]
Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
Collecting and propagating native seeds is a great way to help spread native plant populations, add 100% native species to your gardens, and learn about the native plants in your backyard. Although it may seem daunting, learning a few simple guidelines will get you well on your way to collecting and sowing your own seeds. […]
This fall, we will read and discuss the Fly Trap by Fredrik Sjoberg, a memoir by a Swedish entomologist, as well as a "a meditation on the unexpected beauty of small things and an exploration of the history of entomology itself." To support our local independent bookstore, you can purchase your copy online or in […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. Unlike most of our programs, we won’t be looking for anything in particular. Instead we’ll amble and explore and see what we can find! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
Friends of the Rappahannock will be giving away free Project Feederwatch bird feeders at the Clifton Institute after our regular Wednesday morning bird walk! The feeders are first-come first-serve, and the limit is one per family. A Friends of the Rappahannock instructor will give you instructions on how participate in Project Feederwatch, which is a community […]
At first glance, it might seem like grasses all look the same and that they don't offer the same beauty that showy flowers do. But we think it's worth taking the time to learn to tell grasses apart and to appreciate their unique beauty. And winter is a great time to do it because the […]
Lichens, part algae, part fungi, and all mystery! Lichens are some of the hardiest organisms on earth and can be found all around us, but they can be difficult to identify. In this program mycologist Thomas Roehl will teach us about lichen biology and then lead us on a walk around the field station to […]
Join us for our annual Christmas Bird Count! We’ll spend the day surveying the birds in our 15-mile-diameter count circle, which includes a variety of habitats. We usually see a nice diversity of waterfowl and grassland birds. There’s always a chance for Short-eared Owl and American Tree Sparrow! Participating in the Christmas Bird Count is a great way to […]
Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. Unlike most of our programs, we won’t be looking for anything in particular. Instead we’ll amble and explore and see what we can find! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
The American Kestrel, North America's smallest falcon, is declining across the Northeast. While there are many possible causes, habitat degradation is likely an important factor. Unfortunately, little is know about how manage land in a way that will best support this species. In 2021 Clifton Institute staff and interns, along with Dr. Joe Kolowski (Smithsonian-Mason […]
Note that this is postponed from our normal date of January 29. Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and […]
Please note that this program was postponed from its original date of January 29. Winter is a great time of year to learn how to identify trees and to practice looking at bark and twigs. In this program, we will take you on a short walk in the woods and talk about the tips and […]
Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Don't forget to bring your binoculars! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. This month, we'll be looking for otters! These playful creatures are often seen on our ponds in early winter. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm […]
Once a year, salamanders leave their homes in the woods and head toward vernal pools, temporary ponds created by spring rains and melting winter snow. The conditions must be just right, a warm night with rainy conditions. The males arrive first and lay sperm sacks around the pond. The females come later and absorb these […]
Join us for this exciting series of programs all about patterns in nature! Mathematical patterns are all around us, in plants, animals, and even fungi! Knowing where to find them and why they're there can make being outside in nature even more fun. On each of three consecutive Thursdays, co-director Eleanor Harris, Ph.D., will give […]
Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Don't forget to bring your binoculars! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather […]
The American Woodcock is one of our stealthiest birds, but it’s also one of the most fun to watch when they do show themselves. On early spring evenings, the males perform their mating displays, flying high into the air and falling back to the ground, making calls and sounds with their wings as they do […]
Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Don't forget to bring your binoculars! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather […]
The American Woodcock is one of our stealthiest birds, but it’s also one of the most fun to watch when they do show themselves. On early spring evenings, the males perform their mating displays, flying high into the air and falling back to the ground, making calls and sounds with their wings as they do […]