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, Slender Lespedeza, Green Milkweed, Field Thistle, Upland Ironweed, Elliott's Bluestem and Little Bluestem in the drier areas, and Great Blue Lobelia, New York Ironweed, and […]
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 will take a gentle walk through fields and woods to look for nocturnal animals. Late summer is an ideal time to observe several species of […]
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 explore the woods to look for nocturnal animals and listen to the sounds of the night. We might hear owls screeching and flying squirrels calling […]
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 explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied […]
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 of Broad-winged Hawks fly by. If we’re lucky we might see thousands! One of the expert bird-watchers on our staff will lead the group and […]
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 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 […]
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 hillbilly mango, the pawpaw’s cultural flavor is as intriguing as its taste. We will give a brief talk on the ecology and cultural history of […]
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 explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied […]
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 in addition to being native they are of […]
Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult. 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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Don’t forget to bring your binoculars! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up, accompanied […]
** This event will be held over Zoom ** Get ready for winter by brushing up on sparrow identification! Every season brings its own challenges for birdwatching. In winter, similar-looking sparrows can be hard to tell apart and birding by ear becomes more difficult as birds sing less and call more. Join expert birder Nick […]
Join us to collect and clean seeds of native grasses and wildflowers for use in our grassland restoration programs. 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 […]
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. Bring: Please bring binoculars. 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 […]
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 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 […]
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 […]
Join Dr. Bert Harris of The Clifton Institute to explore the special plants and animals of Fauquier County's Riverside Preserve! This beautiful park protects a fascinating variety of habitats, from mature riparian forest to mesic upland forest, and native meadows. In mid-October we will see late wildflowers in the meadows and the last insects of […]
Did you know that flying squirrels glow pink? Or that some lichens fluoresce chartreuse or orange? We are still discovering the hidden world of fluorescence—plants, animals, fungi, and minerals that glow under UV light. During this program, we will wander slowly through fields and forests with UV flashlights turning over rocks and logs, inspecting leaves […]
Join us to collect and clean seeds of native grasses and wildflowers for use in our grassland restoration programs. 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 […]
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 the community of nature journalers in our area and to encourage more people to start their own nature journals. Whether you have been nature journaling […]
Invasive plant species crowd out native plants and provide little to no food for native animals. Please bring work gloves and clippers if you have them. 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 […]
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 […]
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: 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 […]
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 […]
Invasive plant species crowd out native plants and provide little to no food for native animals. Please bring work gloves and clippers if you have them. Age: Adults only 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 […]
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 studied vultures, bird eggs and nests, leaf identification, beaver dams, and more. We will repeat some topics from the 2021-2022 school year, but we will […]
When was the last time you stargazed while someone told you a story? We’ll take advantage of the long nights to learn a few winter constellations and Education Associate Bridget Bradshaw will read you one of her favorite stories. We’ll start the night with a bonfire and s’mores and then get cozy on the lawn, […]
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 studied vultures, bird eggs and nests, leaf identification, beaver dams, and more. We will repeat some topics from the 2021-2022 school year, but we will […]