Recurring

Nature School : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 6 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We are in our third full year of offering Nature School!  Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]

$235 – $260

CANCELLED: Riverside Plant Walk at Riverside Preserve

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

**This event has been cancelled! We look forward to seeing you next time.**   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 […]

Natural History Workshop for FCPS Teachers

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

If you are a Fauquier County Public School* teacher looking to spend the day roaming outdoors with friendly nature nerds, this workshop is for you!  Join Co-Director Eleanor Harris and Education Associate Bridget Bradshaw in getting up close and personal with the flora and fauna of Northern Virginia.  We’ll use nets, jars, magnifying lenses, binoculars […]

Free

Native Seed Collection and Propagation Workshop

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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. […]

Free

Spooky Blacklight Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 […]

Free

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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). 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 […]

Free

Volunteer Day: Trail Maintenance

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Come help us keep our trails walkable for everyone to enjoy! Led by Habitat Specialist Andrew Eberly, all levels of experience welcome. 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 tools if desired. Weather policy: Rain or shine […]

Free

Nature Journaling Meetup and Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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. Managing Director and passionate nature journaler Eleanor Harris runs quarterly nature journaling meetups to help people develop their nature journaling skills and meet other nature journalers in […]

Free

Recurring

Nature School : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 6 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We are in our third full year of offering Nature School!  Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]

$235 – $260
Recurring

Nature Club : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 2 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 first Saturday of every month […]

$100 – $125

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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). 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 […]

Free
Recurring

Piedmont Polliwogs : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 14 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 […]

$75 – $90

Winter Sparrow Identification Workshop

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

** 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 Executive Director and […]

Free

Volunteer Day: Invasive Removal

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Come help us remove invasive plants like Autumn Olive to make the field station habitat the best it can be! Led by Habitat Specialist Andrew Eberly, all levels of experience welcome. 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 […]

Free

Family Nature Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 […]

Free

Lichens of Wildcat Mountain

6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

WE WILL BE MEETING AT WILDCAT MOUNTAIN. Email Bert bharris@cliftoninstitute.org if you haven't received the directions. On this program Executive Director and amateur lichenologist Bert Harris will lead participants on a tour of the greenstone barrens and adjacent oak-hickory forests of Wildcat Mountain in Fauquier County. The full-sun greenstone outcrops and mature hardwoods at this […]

Free
Recurring

Nature School : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 6 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We are in our third full year of offering Nature School!  Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]

$235 – $260

RESCHEDULED: Leonid Meteor Shower Viewing Party

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

**This event has been RESCHEDULED due to weather. Please check your email for more information** Every year the Leonids grace our skies with a shower of meteors. On this program we’ll take advantage of the long winter nights to look for meteors, as well as learn a few constellations and look at the stars through […]

Free

Science Saturday: Grass Identification Workshop and Survey

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Since 2019 we have been working to restore a 100-acre field that was dominated by Tall Fescue into a diverse native grassland. In cooperation with Virginia Working Landscapes and the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, we are conducting an experiment to test which of eight methods are best for establishing and maintaining native plants. In this […]

Free

Walk With a Naturalist

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, 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 […]

Free
Recurring

Nature School : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 6 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We are in our third full year of offering Nature School!  Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]

$235 – $260

Recurring

Nature Club : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 2 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 first Saturday of every month […]

$100 – $125

Family Nature Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 […]

Free
Recurring

Nature School : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 6 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We are in our third full year of offering Nature School!  Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]

$235 – $260

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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). / 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 […]

Free
Recurring

Piedmont Polliwogs : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 14 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 […]

$75 – $90

The 24th Annual The Plains/Airlie Christmas Bird Count

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for the 24th Annual The Plains/Airlie Christmas Bird Count this December!  Our goal?  Count as many birds as we can in our 15-mile-diameter count circle, which includes a variety of habitats--grasslands, forests, lakes, backyards, and even parking lots.  There’s always a chance for Short-eared Owl and American Tree Sparrow, and counters get to […]

Free

Recurring

Nature School : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 6 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We are in our third full year of offering Nature School!  Students meet every other Wednesday from September through May to learn about different natural history subjects through hands-on research, restoration, and exploration. This year, we are extending the duration to be from 9AM – 1PM, so that students will bring a picnic lunch to […]

$235 – $260
Recurring

Nature Club : 2023-24

Event time: Sep 2 - Jan 1
The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 first Saturday of every month […]

$100 – $125

Bird Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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). / 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 […]

Free