For the first time ever, we are offering after-school programs! Students in grades 3-8 are invited to join us for an adventure in nature. Activities will vary from month to month and will include science projects, art projects, and lessons in outdoor skills; but every month we will spend time outside making friends with each […]
Lichens, part algae, part fungi, and all mystery! Lichens are some of the hardiest organisms on earth and can be found all around us, but they can be difficult to identify. In this program mycologist Thomas Roehl will teach us about lichen biology and then lead us on a walk around the field station to […]
Join us for our annual Christmas Bird Count! We’ll spend the day surveying the birds in our 15-mile-diameter count circle, which includes a variety of habitats. We usually see a nice diversity of waterfowl and grassland birds. There’s always a chance for Short-eared Owl and American Tree Sparrow! Participating in the Christmas Bird Count is a great way to […]
This series, which takes place between January and May, is a chance for young students to dip their toes into 10 different topics as we watch the land around us become green again! Each session will include time spent journaling, learning about science, and going on a hike. The younger group will also be read […]
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 […]
We have been collecting seeds from native plants in the area and we need your help separating the seeds from the other plant material and getting them ready to plant! 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 […]
We are changing up Nature Club! Over 5 sessions beginning in January and running through May, Nature Club will be focused on completing one, big project. Participants will work together to create a map of an uncharted piece of Clifton and build a trail that runs through it. The season will culminate in an unveiling […]
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 successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly pre-K program that includes an outdoor story time and short nature walk. Cost: Free! Age: Children ages 2-5, accompanied by a caregiver Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall). Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event. […]
We have been collecting seeds from native plants in the area and we need your help planting the seeds in trays! 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 updates on the morning of […]
Families with children in grades K-8 are invited to come along as we explore the field station and experience autumn in Virginia. We’ll explore the woods to look for changes in the landscape and migrating birds. This program is a wonderful opportunity for families to explore nature together. We pick a different trail to explore […]
We are changing up After-school Adventure! Over 5 sessions beginning in January and running through May, After-school Adventure will be focused on completing one, big project. Participants will spend the first part of the season exploring different parts of Clifton, taking care to notice special places off the beaten track. Then they will work together […]
Winter is the perfect time to get good looks at ducks! In this program, students will hone their waterfowl identification, learn some of the principles of studying animal behavior, and get to perform their own study! No previous knowledge or skills required--just your curiosity! Cost: $10 ($8 for Friends of the Clifton Institute) Age: Children in […]
Invasive plant species crowd out native plants and provide little to no food for native animals. Every winter we work to remove invasive Autumn Olive and other invasive plants from around our property and over the last few years we have made a lot of progress, thanks to all of our amazing volunteers! Age: Adults […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. Unlike most of our programs, we won’t be looking for anything in particular. Instead we’ll amble and explore and see what we can find! Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case […]
The American Kestrel, North America's smallest falcon, is declining across the Northeast. While there are many possible causes, habitat degradation is likely an important factor. Unfortunately, little is know about how manage land in a way that will best support this species. In 2021 Clifton Institute staff and interns, along with Dr. Joe Kolowski (Smithsonian-Mason […]
Invasive plant species crowd out native plants and provide little to no food for native animals. Every winter we work to remove invasive Autumn Olive and other invasive plants from around our property and over the last few years we have made a lot of progress, thanks to all of our amazing volunteers! Age: Adults […]
Note that this is postponed from our normal date of January 29. 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 successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and […]
Over the last two years we have been working to put up trail signs all around the property so that people can navigate on open-access days. We need your help installing sign posts! Age: Adults only and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent […]
Please note that this program was postponed from its original date of January 29. Winter is a great time of year to learn how to identify trees and to practice looking at bark and twigs. In this program, we will take you on a short walk in the woods and talk about the tips and […]
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 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 Weather […]
Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly pre-K program that includes an outdoor story time and short nature walk. Cost: Free! Age: Children ages 2-5, accompanied by a caregiver Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall). Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event. […]
Over the last two years we have been working to put up trail signs all around the property so that people can navigate on open-access days. We need your help installing sign posts! Age: Adults only and children ages 12 and up, accompanied by an adult. Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent […]
Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. This month, we'll be looking for otters! These playful creatures are often seen on our ponds in early winter. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm […]
Families with children in grades K-8 are invited to come along as we explore the field station and experience autumn in Virginia. We’ll explore the woods to look for changes in the landscape and migrating birds. This program is a wonderful opportunity for families to explore nature together. We pick a different trail to explore […]
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 […]
Join us for this exciting series of programs all about patterns in nature! Mathematical patterns are all around us, in plants, animals, and even fungi! Knowing where to find them and why they're there can make being outside in nature even more fun. On each of three consecutive Thursdays, co-director Eleanor Harris, Ph.D., will give […]
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 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 Weather […]
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 […]
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 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 Weather […]