The Clifton Institute

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute
2025-05-06 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-03 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-29 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-26 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-22 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-19 08:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-15 09:00 - 16:00, 2025-04-12 08:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) and 4 more dates | 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.

Spring Native Plant Sale
2025-05-03 10:00 - 13:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
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 local ecotypes. At the plant sale we will sell seedlings grown from these seeds of a variety of perennial wildflowers, native grasses, and a few trees. Some of our favorites include butterflyweed, upland ironweed, scaly blazing star, narrow-leaf mountain-mint, and gray goldenrod. Partners from other organizations will also have plants and merchandise for sale. We will accept credit card, cash, or checks made out to the Clifton Institute. We hope to see you there!

Volunteer Day: Native Habitat Restoration
2025-04-26 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.
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 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!

Bird Walk
2025-04-26 07:30 - 09:00, 2025-04-09 07:00 - 09:30 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Join us for a bird walk around the field station! Led by an expert birder. All levels welcome!
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 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!

Why Are American Kestrels Declining?
2025-04-19 16:30 - 17:30 | Chancellor’s Rock Farm, 1954 N Poes Rd, Flint Hill, VA, 22627, United States
American Kestrels are North America’s smallest falcon and one of our most charismatic birds of prey. Unfortunately, they are experiencing precipitous declines across the country. Despite their popularity and wide geographic range, relatively little is known about how to manage land to support breeding kestrels. In 2021 we started a long-term research project to track American Kestrels in northern Virginia. We have learned a lot in the last four years and we now have clear recommendations for landowners who want to help to reverse the decline. Join us at Chancellor’s Rock Farm for an in-person update on our latest research results and land management recommendations.
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 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.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.

Science Saturday: Tracking American Kestrels
2025-04-19 13:00 - 16:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
We are using GPS transmitters to track kestrel habitat selection and learn why they are declining. In this installment of our Science Saturdays series, participants will have the opportunity to shadow our kestrel research team. We will start with a brief presentation on the kestrel research project. Then we’ll go out into the field to demonstrate how we collect data. We can’t guarantee a kestrel sighting, but the goal will be to see and maybe even band one of our local birds.
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. Binoculars are recommended.
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!

Walk With A Naturalist
2025-04-19 13:00 - 15:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
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.
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!

Nature Journaling Field Trip
2025-04-19 10:30 - 12:30 | 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
Nature journaling is a powerful tool for learning about plants and animals, a mindful practice for connecting to nature, and just a great way to spend time outside. You can always nature journal by yourself, but it can be really fun to go out with other people to get inspired together and see other ways of capturing the same phenomenon on paper. Join us for our first ever nature journaling field trip! In April Co-Director and passionate nature journaler Eleanor Harris will be nature journaling at Crow’s Nest Natural Area Preserve. We’ll meet at the trailhead, journal for a couple of hours, and then com back together to share what we discovered. Eleanor will stick around for a picnic lunch after journaling. More details about where to park and how to meetup will be emailed to registrants closer to the date. Please note that this event is not at the Clifton Institute! Whether you have been nature journaling for years or have never nature journaled before but want to try it out, this event is for you!
Cost: Free!
Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult.
Bring: Please bring a journal and art supplies. Just a piece of paper and pencil will be enough.
Weather policy: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.

Volunteer Day: Native Plant Propagation
2025-04-19 09:00 - 12:00, 2025-04-05 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!

Lichens for Beginners
2025-04-12 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.
COVID-19 Information: This program will be partially indoors, partially outdoors (an outside porta potty will be available). Please do not attend if you are experiencing or have experienced in the last week 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. 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!

Nature Club
2025-04-12 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 meets on the second Saturday of every month throughout the school year. In the 2024-25 year, we will be focusing on the three tenants of our work at Clifton: Research, Restoration, and Education. Members will help various Clifton staff with what they do around the field station–propagating plants, building structures, removing invasive species, studying turtles and kestrels, and making educational materials. There will be a chance for students to share their work with the families at the final gathering in May!
Nature Club meets from 1-3:30 PM on the following dates: September 14, October 12, November 9, December 14, January 11, February 8, March 8, April 12, May 10.
Scholarship Opportunity: We have 5 full merit-based scholarships available. To apply, please fill out our Scholarship Application Google Form by September 5th, 2024. 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: $125 per student ($100 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. 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!

Warbler Song Bootcamp
2025-04-11 18:00 - 19:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
*This is a virtual event. Registration will close at noon on April 11 to make sure everyone gets the Zoom link. If you have not received a Zoom link by that time please email Eleanor at eharris@cliftoninstitute.org. If you would like to register at that time, you can email Eleanor but she may not see your email in time.*
Brush up on your warbler songs just before the migrants arrive in droves. We will listen to the songs of each of the migratory warblers that pass through our region in spring, while looking at spectrograms to help visual learners identify differences in similar songs. We will also briefly discuss habitats where breeding warblers can be found in our area and cover a handful of other migrants such as vireos and thrushes. This workshop will be of interest to birdwatchers of all skill levels. It will definitely be more fun than listening to a warbler song CD in your car! This event will take place over Zoom. A Zoom link will be emailed to participants shortly before the event.
Cost: Free! But if you are able, there is a suggested donation of $10. All proceeds from our programs go directly to funding our education programs, restoration work, and research projects. Thank you for your support!
Age: All ages.
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 will be given upon registrant cancellation.
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!

Piedmont Polliwogs
2025-04-10 10:00 - 11:30 | 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 12, October 10, November 14, December 12, January 9, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8.
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.
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. 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!

**Virtual** American Kestrel Research Update
2025-04-03 19:00 - 20:00 | The Clifton Institute, 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
**Please note that this is a virtual event. We will be closing registration at noon on April 3 so that we can the Zoom link to participants in time. If you would like to register after that, you can email Eleanor at eharris@cliftoninstitute.org but there is a chance we won’t see it in time for the live program. We will send out a link to a recording in a couple in case you aren’t able to make it.**
American Kestrels are North America’s smallest falcon and one of our most charismatic birds of prey. Unfortunately, they are experiencing precipitous declines across the country. Despite their popularity and wide geographic range, relatively little is known about how to manage land to support breeding kestrels. In 2021 we started a long-term research project to track American Kestrels breeding in northern Virginia. For the last four summers, we have attached GPS transmitters to adult kestrels to see what kinds of fields they forage in when they’re hunting for food to feed their babies. Over time we have added other aspects to the project, measuring the vegetation, surveying for rodents, and counting dragonflies in their home ranges. We are still working to collect data, but we have enough information now to be able to draw some conclusions about their habitat requirements.
In this Zoom presentation, Co-Director Bert Harris, Ph.D., will share what we’ve learned about kestrels so far and where we’re going next.

Science Saturday: Vernal Pool Monitoring
2025-03-29 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.
COVID-19 Information: This program may be partially indoors, partially 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!

Volunteer Day: Native Habitat Restoration
2025-03-29 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, 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.
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!

**Virtual** Prescribed Fire as a Foundational Landscape Tool: From Campus to Residence
2025-03-26 14:00 - 16:45 | 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA, 20187, United States
**Virtual event**
Register here: https://www.ndal.org/upcoming-events/fire
Co-Director Bert Harris will present the Clifton Institute’s recent research on remnant Piedmont grasslands as part of the New Directions in the American Landscape’s Spring Virtual Series!
He’ll discuss how Clifton is using these results to set goals for meadow plantings and grassland restoration projects including the 50 acres that are burned annually at the Institute. He’ll then talk about the Institute’s 100-acre grassland restoration experiment that is testing eight different methods (e.g. fire, mowing, tilling, planting, herbicide) to convert non-native fields to native meadows. He’ll finish by covering how even the timing of prescribed fire can affect the resulting plant communities and pollinator habitat.
Fritz Reuter, a conservation-based landscape designer and land planner, and founder of Virginica LL, will discuss how he incorporates fire into small landscape design and practices. He’ll demonstrate how his “burn on the run” techniques have resulted in the type of vegetative vigor that only a practice done for thousands of years – before centuries-long wholesale suppression – could re-offer. He will also cover how he advocates for and explains the benefits of prescribed burning to his clients.

Price: $58 (all proceeds go to NDAL)
Student & Wild Ones member discounts
Group and Gift Orders
Student Scholarships
Age: All ages
