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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
**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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
** 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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
**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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
A few of our trails need some love! Habitat Specialist Andrew Eberly will lead this event. No trail maintenance experience required. Age: Adults only. Bring: Work gloves and a water bottle. If you have personal garden tools you'd like to bring, feel free. Please dress appropriately for warm weather and working in the woods. Weather […]
More than a thousand K-12 students visit the Clifton Institute on field trips each year. Our goal is to get students outside, engaging with plants and animals, and learning that anyone can participate in research–including kids! On these trips, students help collect data for one of our on-going research projects. They spend anywhere between 2 […]
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 […]
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 […]
