During this unique experience, students will explore and carry out their own research project. Young Scientists will engage in inquiry-based, hands-on learning as they develop their own research questions, collect […]
We have a lot of trees down throughout the property, and need help getting them cleaned up. Bring good work clothes, including gloves and sturdy boots, and plenty of water. […]
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 […]
Summer is upon us, and there is a lot to do in our gardens and greenhouse. Help us weed, re-pot, plant, and organize our native plants. All you need to […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in […]
Join us to learn about butterfly identification and biology. Bert Harris will give a presentation on the identification of common butterflies in our area. We will then take a walk […]
Each day at Young Explorers camp, children will explore the field station with our naturalists and learn about the plants and animals that live in the northern Virginia Piedmont. In […]
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 […]
Each day at Young Explorers camp, children will explore the field station with our naturalists and learn about the plants and animals that live in the northern Virginia Piedmont. In […]
We have a lot of trees down throughout the property, and need help getting them cleaned up. Bring good work clothes, including gloves and sturdy boots, and plenty of water. […]
Both beginner 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 […]
Invasive plant species crowd out native plants and provide little to no food for native animals. This year we are trying to tackle some of the Multiflora Rose in our […]
During this field trip, Executive Director Bert Harris will lead a walk through a mega-diverse prairie, highlighting some of the special species that are found there and discussing the conservation […]
From Co-Director Eleanor Harris: Nature journaling is my favorite hobby, a great way to spend time outside, and a powerful tool for learning about nature. I want to help develop […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. In August we will be focusing on the weather! Habitat Specialist and weather enthusiast Andrew Eberly will talk […]
Hey grownups! Have you ever wished you could come to one of our nature camps? Well, now you can! This August we are offering our second annual weekend-long Nature Camp […]
Invasive plant species crowd out native plants and provide little to no food for native animals. This year we are trying to tackle some of the Multiflora Rose, Tree-of-Heaven, Autumn […]
NO MUSHROOMS APPEARED THIS YEAR :( Late summer is a mushroom-y season and a great time to learn about this under-appreciated kingdom of life! Join mushroom expert Mayor Carter […]
Over 9 sessions beginning in September and running through May, the members of Nature Club will work together to create a map of an uncharted piece of the Clifton Institute […]
We’re offering another year of Nature School! Each class will include a structured learning activity on a particular topic and an exploratory nature walk. For example, in the past we […]
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. As of fall 2022, we […]
Invasive plant species crowd out native plants and provide little to no food for native animals. This year we are trying to tackle some of the Multiflora Rose in our […]
Come and see our fields at their best! The fields we call Lower and Upper Woodcock are unplanted and naturally dominated by native plants. We will look for Gray Goldenrod, […]
Join Clifton Institute Executive Director Bert Harris to look and listen for creatures of the night! We’ll start by listening to the evening chorus of cicadas and birds. Then we […]
Families with children in grades K-8 are invited to come along as we explore the field station AT NIGHT! We'll see how long we can walk without flashlights and then […]
Both beginner 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 […]
Every fall raptors migrate south along the Appalachian Mountains. Several species of hawks, eagles, and falcons can be seen migrating, but the biggest spectacles are the days when huge numbers […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Rain or […]
Join us way down yonder for a Pawpaw party! We are excited to host this celebration of our only native tropical fruit tree! With many colorful nicknames such as the […]
Both beginner 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 […]
