Party in the PawPaw Patch

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us way down yonder for a Pawpaw party! Every year in late September we host this celebration of our only native tropical fruit tree. We will give a brief talk on the ecology and cultural history of the species before we meander to the pawpaw patch to pick fruits to sample. Warning: You MIGHT […]

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
Recurring

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute

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

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 […]

Fall Native Plant Sale

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

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 […]

Recurring

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute

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

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 […]

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

Volunteer Day: Plug Planting

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We need help planting plugs in our meadow restoration project! No experience required. 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 except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or […]

Free
Recurring

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute

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

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 […]

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

Invasive Species Seminar

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

This workshop is open to all landowners in the Old Dominion Hounds (ODH) territory. Join us for a workshop where landowners will learn how to manage meadows and forests for the benefit of native plants and animals. We will learn how to control non-native invasive plants such as Japanese Stiltgrass and Oriental Bittersweet, and how […]

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
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

Volunteer Appreciation Barbecue

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

We are so grateful for our volunteers’ help and support. We could not accomplish our mission without you! We would like to thank you by hosting you and your families for an evening at the Clifton Institute. This will be a very casual event. We will provide food and drinks. All you need to bring […]

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
Recurring

Open-access Day for Friends of the Clifton Institute

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

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 […]

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

Mushroom Walk

The Clifton Institute 6712 Blantyre Road, Warrenton, VA

Join us for a fung-tastic afternoon with our friends at the Mycological Association of Washington, DC to learn about mushrooms! This program will include a presentation on mushroom biology and identification followed by a walk where we'll see how many species we can find. Cost: Free! Age: Adults and children accompanied by an adult. Weather […]

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

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