The Clifton Institute

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute
2024-03-23 08:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-19 08:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-16 08:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-12 08:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-09 08:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-05 08:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-02 08:00 - 16:00, 2024-02-27 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) and 3 more dates | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
We invite Friends of the Clifton Institute to come explore the field station on their own every Saturday from mid-January to mid-October. You can become a Friend of Clifton with a minimum annual donation of $40. Your support will help us reach our goals of expanding and improving our education, restoration, and research programs this year. Thank you!

Before attending an open-access day, please read the information included on our liability release form (click here). As you walk our trails, you can help us take care of the field station by keeping your eyes and ears open to help us learn about the ecosystem we’re a part of and by enjoying and respecting the plants and animals that live here.

A trail map is available here. Please note that some trails are in the process of being built and many are not marked. Navigation skills and a GPS are recommended. Please stay on the trails, use common sense, and proceed at your own risk.
The farmhouse is closed to all visitors at this time. There are port-a-potties available in both parking lots.
We reserve the right to deny access to our property to anyone who does not obey the rules posted below or is otherwise disruptive to our field station operations.

On open-access days, you may park either at the lower parking area (“the Gap”) or at the farm house.
All children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.
You are welcome to bring your family with you on open-access days. One or two visitors are acceptable as well, but if this starts to be abused we reserve the right to limit the benefit to family members.
No dogs are permitted.
Leave no trace. We expect you to take all litter with you. It would be even better if you helped us pick up any litter you find! We do not have trash collection facilities.
Take nothing but photographs. We use our trails to teach kids about the environment and their experiences are much richer if there are still feathers and bones and everything else for them to look at.
No swimming, fishing, boating, or any other entry in the ponds.
No alcohol is permitted.
No horses, bicycles, automobiles, ATVs, or any other vehicles are allowed on the trails.
No hunting is permitted.

Bird Walk
2024-03-23 08:00 - 10:00, 2024-03-13 08:00 - 10:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
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 if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Family Nature Walk
2024-03-16 10:00 - 12:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Families with children in grades K-8 are invited to come along as we explore the field station. This program is a wonderful opportunity for families to explore nature together. We pick a different trail to explore each month and usually move slowly as we stop often to look at and learn about the plants and animals that live in Northern Virginia.
Cost: Free!
Age: Families with children in grades K-8.
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 if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Piedmont Polliwogs : 2023-24
2024-03-14 10:00 - 23:30 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly program for pre-K children that includes a lesson on a different topic every month, story time and short nature walk. Students get to know each other, grow their independence, and gain confidence in the outdoors with our skilled instructors. The 9-month series will take place on the second Thursday of each month from 10 to 11:30 on the following dates:
September 14
October 12
November 9
December 14
January 11
February 8
March 14
April 11
May 9
We understand that you may have children outside the 2-5-year-old range that need to come along with you to Polliwogs. You are welcome to keep them with you or for them to entertain themselves during the class. It is also fine with us if slightly older children participate. When you register below, please register and pay for the number of children you expect to participate in the class each month.
Registration Notes: *If you are purchasing tickets for multiple students, please write all of their names together in the same box, i.e. “Sam, Martie, and Alex Bradshaw” when registering. The form does not give you separate spaces to enter different names for each ticket.*
Cost: $90 per child ($75 for Friends of the Clifton Institute)
Age: Children ages 2-5, accompanied by a caregiver
Bring: Please bring a snack and drink. There will be a snack break.
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 series, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else. No refunds will be given upon registrant cancellation within 1 month of the program’s start date. No refunds will be given for any missed programs.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Nature School : 2023-24
2024-03-13 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-28 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-02-14 09:00 - 13:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
We are in our third full year of offering Nature School! Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to eat (in addition to the usual snacks). This will allow us to travel farther and dig deeper during each session! We invite returning and new Nature School students alike to sign up. The dates for the 2023-24 school year are below:
September 6 & 20
October 4 & 18
November 1, 15, & 29
December 13 (break for last 2 weeks of December)
January 3, 17, & 31
February 14 & 28
March 13 & 27
April 10 & 24
May 8 (Graduation)
Registration Notes: *If you are purchasing tickets for multiple students, please write all of their names together in the same box, i.e. “Sam, Martie, and Alex Bradshaw” when registering. The form does not give you separate spaces to enter different names for each ticket.*
Cost: $260 per child ($235 for Friends of the Clifton Institute)
Age: Children in grades 1-5, drop-off only.
Bring: Please bring a small backpack packed with a full water bottle, snack, and a picnic lunch. We also recommend a small towel, seat pad, or piece of tarp to sit on when snacking and journaling.
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 series, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else. No refunds will be given upon registrant cancellation within 1 month of the program’s start date. No refunds will be given for any missed programs.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Walk with a Naturalist
2024-03-09 13:00 - 15:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists! May include a mile or two of slow to moderate hiking over varied terrain. Please bring water/snacks as needed and dress for the weather.

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, 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 if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).

Registration is REQUIRED.

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.

By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Geology of the Piedmont Tour
2024-03-09 09:00 - 17:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
It’s winter and that means that rock season is upon us! This year we thought it would be nice to branch out and check out a whole new geologic province. The last two years we took a close look at rocks of the Piedmont Plateau and learned that several times in the geologic past, huge mountain ranges rose up where the Piedmont is today. Where did those mountains go? The sand and silt washed down from those soaring peaks must have gone somewhere and we are going to find it! Join us for a journey off the western edge of the Blue Ridge Anticlinorium and into one of the world’s great thrust/fold belts, the Valley and Ridge Province of the Appalachian Mountains. We will be looking at layers and layers of ancient sediments laid out in a vast river delta. Like the pages of a book, these layers have a fascinating story to tell about life in the Paleozoic.
We will be heading out to Front Royal to begin the geology tour this year and making our way up into Fort Valley, stopping along the way. A few of the stops will involve a short hike but nothing too strenuous.
Participants can EITHER meet at Clifton at 9 a.m. and carpool to Front Royal, OR meet us in Front Royal around 10 a.m.
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.
COVID-19 Information: This program will be entirely outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). Please do not attend if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Nature Club : 2023-24
2024-03-02 13:00 - 16:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Nature Club is a program where middle and high school students who are interested in the natural world can spend time in a nerd-friendly environment. If they like bones, insects, tools, plants, fungi, research, or simply to be outdoors, then they have found their people! The club meets on the first Saturday of every month throughout the school year. In the 2023-24 year, we will be focusing on the three tenants of our work at Clifton: Research, Restoration, and Education. Members will conduct research in our grassland in the fall and our vernal pools in late winter spring. They will assist in the collection of seeds and propagation of native plants to later be transplanted. Lastly, they will help create programming for younger students and work on a science communication subject of their own choosing and design. There will be a chance for students to share their work with the families at the final gathering in May! Nature Club meets from 1-4PM on the following dates:
September 2
October 7
November 4
December 2
January 6
February 3
March 2
April 6
May 4
Scholarship Opportunity: We have 5 full merit-based scholarships available. To apply, please fill out our Scholarship Application Google Form by August 29th, 2023. If you have any questions, please email Bridget Bradshaw (bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org).
Registration Notes: *If you are purchasing tickets for multiple students, please write all of their names together in the same box, i.e. “Sam, Martie, and Alex Bradshaw” when registering. The form does not give you separate spaces to enter different names for each ticket.*
Cost: $125 per student ($100 for Friends of the Clifton Institute)
Age: Youth grades 7-12; this program is drop off only.
Bring: Please bring a water bottle and snack.
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 series, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else. No refunds will be given upon registrant cancellation within 1 month of the program’s start date. No refunds will be given for any missed programs.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Woodcock Watch
2024-03-01 17:45 - 19:15 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
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 so. During this program we will give a brief introduction to these interesting birds and then we’ll go out into our fields where we will be able to watch and hear the birds perform. We’ll be watching the weather to pick a date that looks most promising for us to see a good show (if the weather is too cloudy, windy, or cold they stay hunkered down).
If March 1 looks good we will hold the event then. Otherwise we expect to pick one of March 2, 8, or 9 at the same time. We will email you a few days beforehand when we know more.   Please bring a flashlight. We will be standing out in the field for around 30 minutes. We will have sit pads to lend out. Some people like to bring a small camping stool, chair, or blanket, but keep in mind that we will have to walk about a quarter mile and we may relocate depending on where the birds are.
Cost: Free!
Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult.
Bring: Please bring a flashlight.
Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email frequently for updates!
COVID-19 Information: This program will be entirely outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). Please do not attend if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Volunteer Day: Phenology Trail
2024-02-24 09:00 - 12:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Help us get our phenology trail ready for spring! Please bring water, gardening gloves if desired, and appropriate dress for the weather.
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.
COVID-19 Information: This program will be entirely outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). Please do not attend if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Bird Walk
2024-02-24 08:30 - 10:30 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Join us for a morning of birding at the field station. Led by expert birders. Includes a mile or two of slow walking over varied terrain. Please bring water/snacks as needed and dress for the weather.
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 if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Education Volunteer Training - Spring Field Trips
2024-02-23 09:00 - 12:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
More than a thousand K-12 students visit the Clifton Institute on field trips each year. Our goal is to get students outside, engaging with plants and animals, and learning that anyone can participate in research–including kids! On these trips, students help collect data for one of our on-going research projects. They spend anywhere between 2 and 5 hours exploring Clifton’s 900 acres, learning to identify local species, practicing field techniques, analyzing data, and discussing their results.
For some students, this is their first experience in a semi-wild space. Having enthusiastic, engaged adults at their side makes a huge difference in the quality of their trip. Clifton’s education team is very small and we need help to give these students the best experience possible! This training will focus on our spring Vernal Pool and BudOut Phenology field trips. If you are returning from the fall, this training will get you up to speed on data collection techniques and background on these two new subjects. For those who are new, you can check out our Field Trips page to learn a bit more about our trips!
By attending the training, you are not automatically beholden to volunteer. This is simply a way for you to learn more about what the field trips look like, what a volunteer’s role would be, and hone your own identification and field work skills. At the end of the training, there will be further instructions for how to sign up to volunteer.
Availability Requirements: Volunteers must be able to volunteer on Thursdays or Fridays, as those are our big field trip days. Typically the trips go from around 9AM – 1:30PM (but vary by trip). Our busiest months are March – May.
We ask that volunteers help with a minimum of 3 trips per season.
We appreciate your interest in helping us get Fauquier County kids outside and engaged with science! If you have questions about this training or our education programs, email Bridget Bradshaw (bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org).

The Sounds of Nature: How Natural Sounds are Made and Why They Sound Like They Do *Virtual*
2024-02-22 19:00 - 20:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
**This is a virtual program. We will close registration at noon on February 22 to make sure everyone gets the Zoom link. If you registered and have not received a Zoom link by that time please email Eleanor at eharris@cliftoninstitute.org. If you would like to register after that time you can email Eleanor, but she may not see your message in time.**
As mostly visual creatures, we often take sound for granted, but there is a whole incredible world of vibrations going on around us. In this Zoom program, Co-Director Eleanor Harris, Ph.D., will explain how natural sounds are made and how both human and non-human animals hear them. From why birds sing in the morning to how insects hear with their legs, thinking about sounds in nature might change the way you see and hear the world around you. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the program.
Cost: Free!
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Walk with a Naturalist: All-Day Hike
2024-02-17 10:00 - 16:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
On this special Walk with a Naturalist, we will walk one of the longer trails on our property. We expect to walk about 5 miles on varied terrain, some of which is steep, but we’ll go slow as we look for plants and animals! Please bring a lunch and / or snacks to eat on the trail and dress for the weather.

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, 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 if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).

Registration is REQUIRED.

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.

By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Mid Atlantic Lichen Identification Workshop
2024-02-17 10:00 - 16:00 | Oak Spring Garden Foundation, 1776 Loughborough Ln, Upperville, 20184
Are you ready to take a casual interest in lichens to the next level? This special all-day workshop is intended for keen beginners who would like to advance their identification abilities.
We’ll start with a short presentation on lichen basics, with a focus on the terminology that is used in dichotomous keys. After the presentation we’ll go and collect some lichens and have lunch (included). After lunch, we’ll look at the specimens under dissecting microscopes and try some chemical tests. Bert will also demonstrate how to look at lichen spores. We will key things out as a group and individually.
Thanks to our partnership with our friends at the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, we will have a dissecting microscope for each participant! We will also provide dichotomous keys, chemicals, and hand lenses.
Age: Adults
Cost: $75, which goes toward supporting programs at both Clifton and OSGF.
Maximum enrollment: 8 people
About the program leader: Bert Harris is the Executive Director of the Clifton Institute. He is an amateur lichenologist who has the goal of producing a reference to make Mid Atlantic lichen identification easier for beginners.

Bird Walk
2024-02-14 08:00 - 10:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Join us for a morning of birding at the field station. Led by expert birders. Includes a mile or two of slow walking over varied terrain. Please bring water/snacks as needed and dress for the weather. All levels welcome!
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 if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).
Registration is REQUIRED.
Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Spotted Salamander Walk
2024-02-13 19:00 - 21:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
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 sacks, which causes them to lay their eggs, about 50-100 per female. Join us on a walk to our vernal pools to witness this spectacle of nature.
We’ll be watching the weather closely to adjust our time and date that looks most promising for us to see this wonderful migration. For now, this date is a best-guess placeholder for us. We will email you closer to the date with information about when to meet.

Please bring a flashlight. As we will likely go out in the rain, we recommend wearing a raincoat and waterproof shoes.

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult.

COVID-19 Information: This program will be entirely outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). We require that everyone have a mask with them in case we need to go inside during inclement weather, to administer first aid, or for other reasons. Please do not attend if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last two weeks any symptoms associated with COVID-19 (fever, cough, shortness of breath, etc.).

Registration is REQUIRED.

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can open your spot to someone else.

Before attending this event, please read the information included on our liability release form (click here).

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!
