The Clifton Institute

Piedmont Polliwogs 2025-26
2026-03-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-04-09 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | 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 11, October 9, November 13, December 11, January 8, February 12, March 12, April 9, May 14.
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! You can think about this through the lens of: will my child want to use the materials that they see the other kids using (magnifying lenses, eye droppers, stuffies)?
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. You will be sent a liability waiver and medical form before the start of the program.
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute
2026-03-14 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-21 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-28 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-04 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-11 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-18 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-25 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-05-02 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.

Nature Club 2025-26
2026-03-14 13:00 - 15:30, 2026-04-11 13:00 - 15:30 | 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 generally meets on the second Saturday of every month throughout the school year. In the 2025-26 year, we will be focusing on the three tenets of our work at Clifton: Research, Restoration, and Education. Members will help various Clifton staff and visiting professionals from other local organizations with what they do around the field station: propagating plants, building structures, removing invasive species, studying plants and animals, and making educational materials. There will be a chance for students to share their experience with their families at the final party in May!
Nature Club meets from 1-3:30 PM on the following dates: September 13, October 4*, November 8, December 13, January 10, February 14, March 14, April 18*, May 9.
Scholarship Opportunity: We have 5 full merit-based scholarships available. To apply, please fill out our Scholarship Application Google Form by September 5th, 2025. Wait to register until you have heard back from Bridget (she will register you so you will not have to pay the program fee). 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: $100 per student ($75 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 snowfall).
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. A medical form and waiver will be sent out to registrants before the start of the program (or can be filled out on the first day).
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!
*Please note that some Saturdays are NOT the 2nd Saturday due to other program conflicts and FCPS spring break!

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute
2026-03-17 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-24 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-03-31 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-07 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-14 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-21 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-04-28 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.

Volunteer Day: Native Habitat Restoration
2026-03-21 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-03-28 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!

Walk With A Naturalist
2026-03-21 13:00 - 15:00 | VA
Join us for a walk around the field station to see what we can see! Led by a staff naturalist, we’ll encounter birds, bugs, plants and more.
Cost: Free!
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.
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
2026-03-28 08:00 - 10:00 | 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 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.

Science Saturday: Vernal Pool Monitoring
2026-03-28 13:00 - 15:30 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
In this installment of our Science Saturdays series participants will have the opportunity to participate in our vernal pool monitoring project. Vernal pools are fish-free bodies of water that are safe for amphibians to breed in. Here at Clifton, we have multiple made by beavers, humans, and natural depressions, where Spotted Salamanders, Jefferson Salamanders, Eastern Newts, Wood Frogs, and other amphibians breed. Each spring we monitor the water levels and quality in each pool and survey for eggs and adults to keep track of our amphibian populations are faring. It’s never a certainty, but it is likely that we will see adult amphibians in at least one of the pools. This is a special opportunity to visit an amazing habitat and to learn about the science going on here at Clifton.
Cost:
Children 18 and under – Free
Adults – $15 ($10 for Friends of Clifton.) 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.
Bring: Please bring a lunch and water bottle.
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 not given for participant cancellation. 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!

Lichens for Beginners
2026-03-28 14:00 - 16:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
In this program Co-Director and amateur lichenologist Bert Harris will teach participants the basics of lichen biology and identification. He’ll then lead participants on a lichen tour of the rocky outcrops and mature forests of the Clifton Institute. We have some exciting lichens here, but we are just starting to study our lichen community, so with a group of lichen-likers looking closely we may even find a new species!
We recommend bringing a hand lens if you have one, but we will have some to share if not.

Cost:
Children 18 and under – Free
Adults – $15 ($10 for Friends of Clifton.) 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 day before 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. No refunds given for participant cancellation. Refunds will be issued in the event of Clifton cancelling.
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 Plant Propagation
2026-04-04 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.
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!

DIY Science Day
2026-04-04 09:00 - 18:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Do you want to learn how scientific research is done? Or figure out how the world works? Or do you just want to spend the day exploring nature with a group of kind and curious people? Then join us for our first ever DIY Science day!
In this day-long workshop, we’ll teach you how to do science in your backyard, at the park, on your daily walk, or anywhere else you can take your eyeballs and a piece of paper. Consider this a version of our popular Young Scientists Research Experience… for slightly older scientists and compressed into a single day.
In the morning we’ll start with a brief talk about a topic of our choosing to give you a basis for your research project. Then we’ll guide you through the steps of coming up with a question, collecting data, and drawing conclusions. The program will culminate in an opportunity for everyone to share what they’ve learned in as much detail as you’d like. No prior experience required and we will provide all the necessary equipment. Our programs tend to attract friendly people. We expect the group to work together to create a positive experience for everyone and we hope you won’t be nervous to try something new with us.
Participants should bring lunch, any snacks you might like for the day, and a water bottle. We will provide drinks (alcoholic and non) and a simple dinner at 5pm. You are welcome to invite friends and family to watch the presentations.
Cost:
Adults – $80 ($65 for Friends of Clifton.) All proceeds from our programs go directly to funding our education programs, restoration work, and research projects. Thank you for your support!
Age: Adults only.
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 not given for participant cancellation. 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!

Bird Walk
2026-04-08 07:00 - 09:30, 2026-04-25 07:00 - 09:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States

Walk With A Naturalist
2026-04-25 13:00 - 15:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
