Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute
2026-09-19 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-26 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-03 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-10 09:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Remnant Prairie Tour
2026-09-19 13:00 - 16:00
Piedmont grasslands are the most diverse plant communities in the state of Virginia. They are also home to declining birds and insects and a number of rare plants. Grasslands in our region require frequent fires, mowing, or grazing to prevent them from turning into forests. Therefore there is an active debate about how grasslands were maintained historically, how extensive they were, and how long they have been present in northern Virginia. Join us to learn all about these special habitats, their history, and what we’re doing to protect them. This will be an outdoor event that will take place at one of Virginia’s most diverse grasslands!
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!

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute
2026-09-22 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-09-29 09:00 - 16:00, 2026-10-06 09:00 - 16:00
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.

Nature Camp for Grownups
2026-09-26 10:00 - 2026-09-27 15:00
Hey grownups! Have you ever wished you could go to summer camp? Well, now you can! This September we are offering our sixth annual weekend-long Nature Camp for Grownups!
Activities will start on the morning of September 26 and conclude on the afternoon of September 27. Activities will include short workshops (for example on insect orders or plant families), nature walks, nature journaling, crafts, and more. And of course we’ll be making friends and having fun the whole time!
We will have the option to tent camp overnight near the farmhouse. Campers will have access to a bathroom in the farmhouse but not a shower. If you prefer to go home on Saturday night you can meet back up with us for or after breakfast on Sunday morning. We will provide simple lunches, dinner, and breakfast. All materials for crafts and other projects will be included.
Times: 10:00AM on September 26 to 3:30PM on September 27
Cost: $150 ($125 for Friends of the Clifton Institute).
Age: Adults only.
Bring: Snacks, water bottle, a nature journal if you have one. If you will be camping, please bring a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and any other equipment you need to be comfortable. We have a small number of tents and sleeping bags we can loan out, but not enough for everyone.
Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather.
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.
Before attending this event, please read the information included on our liability release form (click here).
We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

Natural Elements in Floral Design
2026-10-03 09:30 - 12:30
This three hour workshop combines basic floral design using the abundant wild flowers, grasses, berries and foliage found at the Clifton field station. The morning will begin with a brief introduction and demonstration followed by a short guided walk on the Clifton trails where participants will collect elements to be used in their designs.
Following the walk Doug Larson, experienced floral designer and President of the Clifton Board, will guide individuals in the creation of an arrangement using mostly native flora. You can expect to learn basic design techniques, native plant identification and expand your thinking about bringing nature home.
Doug Larson began work at a florist at age 16. Over the years he gained knowledge that proved to be useful in later life when he enjoyed creating floral designs for his family and friends. Doug is an honorary member of the Warrenton Garden Club and has given lectures at various venues in the community. The Piedmont Environmental Council has planted The Larson Native Plant Garden at it’s headquarters in recognition of his Doug’s work to promote native plants in the Piedmont.
The $25 fee includes materials and snacks.
Cost:
Adults – $25 All proceeds from our programs go directly to funding our education programs, restoration work, and research projects. Thank you for your support!
Ages: Adults.
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.

Piedmont Polliwogs 2026-27
2026-10-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-11-12 10:00 - 11:30, 2026-12-10 10:00 - 11:30, 2027-01-14 10:00 - 11:30, 2027-02-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2027-03-11 10:00 - 11:30, 2027-04-08 10:00 - 11:30, 2027-05-13 10:00 - 11:30
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 11:30AM on the following dates:
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10
January 14
February 11
March 11
April 8
May 13.
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)? We want to ensure we have enough for all children who would like to participate.
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 for 1st child, $100 for additional siblings. Please contact bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org if you need to pay in installments and we can set that up. Additionally, we offer 2 scholarships to Polliwogs which you can apply for here.
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!

Nature Club 2026-27
2026-10-10 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-11-14 13:30 - 15:30, 2026-12-12 13:30 - 15:30, 2027-01-09 13:30 - 15:30, 2027-02-13 13:30 - 15:30, 2027-03-13 13:30 - 15:30, 2027-04-10 13:30 - 15:30, 2027-05-08 13:30 - 15:30
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 and will explore 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 1:30-3:30 PM on the following dates: September 12, October 10, November 14, December 12, January 16, February 13, March 13, April 10, May 8.
Scholarship Opportunity: We have 5 full merit-based scholarships available. To apply, please fill out our Scholarship Application Google Form by September 1st, 2026. 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 for 1st student, $50 for additional students. Please contact bbradshaw@cliftoninstitute.org if you need to pay in installments and we can get that set up!
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!

Nature Journaling Retreat
2026-10-17 09:30 - 17:30
Join us for our inaugural day-long nature journaling retreat on our beautiful 900-acre nature preserve! 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!
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. In this retreat, you’ll explore different nature journaling strategies and subjects under the guidance of four experienced educators from around Virginia. You can learn more about them below.
We’ll start the day with a class on the foundations of nature journaling before dividing into three groups to rotate through three workshops on different subjects, activities, and strategies to include in your nature journal.
This program is intended for an adult audience. Interested children ages 12 and up may participate but must be supervised by an adult.
The fee covers four workshops and supplies to use throughout the day and beyond. One of the three classroom spaces is inside; otherwise we will spend most of the day outside. Please dress accordingly. There are port-a-potties and potable water on site.
Participants should bring lunch, snacks, and a water bottle. We recommend bringing a portable camp chair, stool, or sit pad. If you have a journal you’re already working in you can bring that to add to over the course of the day; otherwise we will provide a small journal for you to use. You are encouraged to bring a completed or in-progress nature journal for a journal share at the end of the day.
Cost: $170
Age: Adults and children ages 12 and up accompanied by an adult.
Weather policy: We will hold this event in light rain. In case of extreme weather we will postpone to October 18.
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. If you cancel before September 15 you will receive a refund minus a $50 registration fee.
By registering for this event, you are affirming that you have read and agree to our liability release policy.
