**Cancelled** Volunteer Day: Native Habitat Restoration
2026-06-27 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
**Cancelled due to weather**
Come help us make the field station habitat the best it can be! Led by Habitat Specialist Andrew Eberly. All levels of experience welcome. May involve clearing invasive plants, light trail maintenance, or planting native plants, please contact aeberly@cliftoninstitute.org with any concerns.
Cost: Free!
Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult.
Bring: Please bring clothing appropriate for the weather, gloves and/or small garden tools if desired.
Weather policy: Date subject to change depending on weather. Please check your email for updates.
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!

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute
2026-06-27 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-04 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-11 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-18 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-25 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-01 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-08 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-15 09:00 - 16:00 | 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.

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute
2026-06-30 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-07 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-14 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-21 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-07-28 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-04 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-11 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-08-18 09:00 - 16:00 | 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 and Tuesday 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.

Young Naturalists Camp: Week 1 (Ages 7 - 12)
2026-07-06 09:00 - 2026-07-10 16:00 | VA
*Young Naturalists camps are full! Please submit an RSVP to the waitlist and we will contact you if there are cancellations!*
At Young Naturalists camp, children will explore the field station with our skilled staff and learn about the plants and animals that live in the northern Virginia Piedmont. Each day of each week will focus on a different topic, so you can sign up for both weeks and still learn new things!
Each day begins with a Morning Workshop where campers dive deep into the subject for the day, which prepares them for the rest of the morning which is spent exploring Clifton’s 900-acre preserve. After a picnic lunch on the front lawn, students are given the chance to cool down by playing in the hose before getting ready for Afternoon Choices. Afternoon Choices give campers agency in shaping their camp experience by picking what they prefer to do from a set of 3 options which are different each day. These could include things like water coloring at the beaver pond, hiking to the lichen rocks, playing camouflage, or foraging for wine berries! Lastly, we give each camper a journal and conclude each day by sitting and reflecting in small groups before ending with Closing Circle–a chance to share what we liked, what we were challenged by, and things we’re looking forward to.
Families are welcome and encouraged to register for both weeks but must pay for each session separately. Students will bring their own snacks and lunches from home each day.
Ages: 7-12 at the time of camp.
Time: 9AM – 4PM, Monday – Friday
Cost: $275 for first camper, $220 for each additional camper.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations more than 3 weeks before the start of camp will receive a full refund. Cancellations less than 3 weeks before the start of camp or failure to submit paperwork by the deadline made less than 3 weeks before the start of camp will receive a refund minus a $50 registration fee.
Paperwork Deadline: You should receive a confirmation email upon registration, which will contain a link for filling out your camper’s emergency contact form and liability waiver. The deadline for submission of paperwork will be June 15th, 2026. If you do not submit your paperwork by the deadline, you will be refunded all but the $50 and the spot will be offered to the next person on the wait list. Paperwork is important for us to plan!
Vaccination Policy: All staff and campers aged 5 and above must be up-to-date with all Virginia Board of Health School Immunization requirements for the appropriate age (found here).
Scholarships: If you are interested in a scholarship, please fill out this 2026 Scholarship Application and wait for staff to contact you. If approved, we will register your campers from our end so that you are not charged the full fee. We don’t want financial limitations to get in the way of your child attending camp!

Young Naturalists Camp: Week 2 (Ages 7 - 12)
2026-07-13 09:00 - 2026-07-18 16:00 | VA
*Young Naturalists camps are full! Please submit an RSVP to the waitlist and we will contact you if there are cancellations!*
At Young Naturalists camp, children will explore the field station with our skilled staff and learn about the plants and animals that live in the northern Virginia Piedmont. Each day of each week will focus on a different topic, so you can sign up for both weeks and still learn new things!
Each day begins with a Morning Workshop where campers dive deep into the subject for the day, which prepares them for the rest of the morning which is spent exploring Clifton’s 900-acre preserve. After a picnic lunch on the front lawn, students are given the chance to cool down by playing in the hose before getting ready for Afternoon Choices. Afternoon Choices give campers agency in shaping their camp experience by picking what they prefer to do from a set of 3 options which are different each day. These could include things like water coloring at the beaver pond, hiking to the lichen rocks, playing camouflage, or foraging for wine berries! Lastly, we give each camper a journal and conclude each day by sitting and reflecting in small groups before ending with Closing Circle–a chance to share what we liked, what we were challenged by, and things we’re looking forward to.
Families are welcome and encouraged to register for both weeks but must pay for each session separately. Students will bring their own snacks and lunches from home each day.
Ages: 7-12 at the time of camp.
Time: 9AM – 4PM, Monday – Friday
Cost: $275 for first camper, $220 for each additional camper.
Cancellation Policy: Cancellations more than 3 weeks before the start of camp will receive a full refund. Cancellations less than 3 weeks before the start of camp or failure to submit paperwork by the deadline made less than 3 weeks before the start of camp will receive a refund minus a $50 registration fee.
Paperwork Deadline: You should receive a confirmation email upon registration, which will contain a link for filling out your camper’s emergency contact form and liability waiver. The deadline for submission of paperwork will be June 22nd, 2026. If you do not submit your paperwork by the deadline, you will be refunded all but the $50 and the spot will be offered to the next person on the wait list. Paperwork is important for us to plan!
Vaccination Policy: All staff and campers aged 5 and above must be up-to-date with all Virginia Board of Health School Immunization requirements for the appropriate age (found here).
Scholarships: If you are interested in a scholarship, please fill out this 2026 Scholarship Application and wait for staff to contact you. If approved, we will register your campers from our end so that you are not charged the full fee. We don’t want financial limitations to get in the way of your child attending camp!

Butterfly Identification Workshop
2026-07-16 10:00 - 12:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
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:
Adults – $15 All proceeds from our programs go directly to funding our education programs, restoration work, and research projects. Thank you for your support!
Age: This program is intended for an adult audience. Interested children accompanied by an adult are welcome to attend.
Bring: We recommend wearing long pants and a broad-brimmed hat. Binoculars are essential. We have a few spare pairs.
Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event.
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. We will refund participants if Clifton cancels, but there is no refund if a participant cancels. 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: Native Habitat Restoration
2026-07-18 09:00 - 12:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Come help us make the field station habitat the best it can be! Led by Habitat Specialist Andrew Eberly. All levels of experience welcome. May involve clearing invasive plants, light trail maintenance, or planting native plants, please contact aeberly@cliftoninstitute.org with any concerns.
Cost: Free!
Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult.
Bring: Please bring clothing appropriate for the weather, gloves and/or small garden tools if desired.
Weather policy: Date subject to change depending on weather. Please check your email for updates.
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!

Skipper Identification Workshop
2026-07-23 10:30 - 12:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Online registration is closed but we still have spaces for this program. Please email bharris@cliftoninstitute.org if you’re interested in joining us!

Skippers, the Little Brown Jobs of the butterfly world, can be hard to identify, but with a little practice you can learn the variations in color, pattern, size, and shape that distinguish each species from the next. If you’re participating in any butterfly counts this summer this program will get you in good shape for telling your Sachems from your Zabulons. If not this is a good chance to dive a little deeper into the world of butterfly identification. This program will start with a brief talk inside before we go out into the field to practice identifying real live skippers.
Cost:
Children 18 and under – Free
Adults – $15 – All proceeds from our programs go directly to funding our education programs, restoration work, and research projects. Thank you for your support!
Age: Adults and children 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.
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. Program fee will not be refunded in event of participant cancellation. If Clifton has to cancel or reschedule, we will refund tickets.
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!

2026 NABA Butterfly Count
2026-07-25 09:00 - 15:00 | VA
Online registration is closed but people are still welcome to join us! If you’re interested, email bharris@cliftoninstitute.org.
Every year community scientists help count butterflies in 15-mile-diameter circles all around the country and contribute their data to the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). 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 you feel like you don’t know many butterflies, this is a great way to learn and it’s always helpful to have more eyes pointing out butterflies. Participants will be assigned to small teams, led by an experienced butterfly counter. We will share information about your team closer to the date. Each team will survey a variety of sites within our count circle. We will meet at the Clifton Institute at 4 PM to tally our results over cold drinks (provided).
Check out what we’ve seen in previous years here!
Cost: Free!
Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult.
Bring: Please bring a lunch and water. We recommend wearing long pants and a broad-brimmed hat and bringing binoculars.
Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event.
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!

The Wonderful World of Beetles with Will Ponder
2026-08-08 10:00 - 12:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
If biodiversity excites you, come learn about one of the most species-rich groups on the planet: beetles! Worldwide, there are over 400,000 beetle species, and that list grows longer every year. They are all around us, they are beautiful, and they are endlessly fascinating.
Join Will Ponder, a former ground beetle parataxonomist with the National Ecological Observatory Network, to learn about a selection of our local species. We will begin with a presentation on basic beetle identification, biology, and fun facts. For the second half of the program, we will head outside to search for these incredible creatures in their natural habitats. Come discover the biological innovations, brilliant colors, and surprising communications right at your feet.
Cost:
Children 18 and under – Free
Adults – $15 All proceeds from our programs go directly to funding our education programs, restoration work, and research projects. Thank you for your support!
Ages: Adults and children accompanied by an adult.
Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for an update on the afternoon before.
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. Clifton will offer refunds if we cancel, but not if participants cancel.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.

Creatures of The Night
2026-08-08 19:00 - 20:30 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Join us to look and listen for creatures of the night! Summer is an ideal time to observe several species of katydids, crickets, cicadas and birds. We will also look for beavers, reptiles and amphibians, and other animals! Back at the farm house we will see what kinds of moths and beetles we can attract with black lights. We hope to see you there!
Cost: Free!
Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult.
Bring: Please bring a flashlight.
Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event.
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
2026-08-12 07:00 - 09:00, 2026-08-22 07:30 - 09:30 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Come join us to bird watch 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 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!

Echoes in the Landscape: Uncovering How Bats Use Working Lands
2026-08-13 19:30 - 21:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Did you know that bats offer numerous ecosystem services globally, including pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal? Here in Virginia, bats are critical members of our agricultural ecosystems, consuming thousands of insect pests each night. Erin Shibley, a wildlife biologist with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, will present an interactive program about the behavior and ecological benefits of bats.
This presentation will share Smithsonian research updates from a new Virginia Working Landscapes’ study that explores how bats utilize foraging habitat across agricultural landscapes. Attendees will learn about conservation challenges to North American bat populations and how everyone can get involved to help support bats on their own properties. This presentation will also include an overview of newly collected bat acoustic data from the Clifton Institute during the summer of 2026. Afterwards, we’ll take a short, optional field walk and use handheld acoustic recording devices to see if we can observe and identify any bats flying overhead.
Recommended items to bring include a headlamp/flashlight and long pants/sturdy close-toed shoes.
Cost:
Children 18 and under – Free
Adults – $15 All proceeds from our programs go directly to funding our education programs, restoration work, and research projects. Thank you for your support!
Ages: Adults and children accompanied by an adult.
Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for an update on the afternoon before.
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. Clifton will refund tickets if we have to cancel, but not if attendees cancel.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.

Volunteer Day: Native Plant Propagation
2026-08-15 09:00 - 12:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
We need help repotting some of our native seedlings into bigger pots! Habitat Specialist Andrew Eberly will be leading this event and will be happy to answer any participant questions about growing native plants.
Cost: Free!
Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult.
Bring: Please bring gardening gloves if desired.
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!

Pond Life
2026-08-20 16:00 - 18:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Ponds might seem ordinary, but they’re specialized habitats full of fascinating species and they require specific care to keep them looking and functioning at their best. Come learn all about pond life with Cheyenne Hawkins, Clifton Institute Educator, and Ben Rhoades, Watershed Manager with the Reston Association and Certified Lake Manager with the North American Lake Management Society.
The program will begin with a walk around Clifton’s Upper Pond where Cheyenne will share the history of Clifton’s ponds and teach about the aquatic wildlife. We will then settle along the shoreline of Upper Pond where Ben will share more about pond health, care, and management. Come learn about who lives in these freshwaters, the signs of an unhealthy pond, and how you can care for them! We will even have some time for macroinvertebrate exploration!
Cost:
Children 18 and under – Free
Adults – $15 (All proceeds from our programs go directly to funding our education programs, restoration work, and research projects. Thank you for your support!)
Age: Adults and children 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.
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. Refunds will not be given if attendee cancels. Refunds will be given if Clifton cancels.
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!
