Friends of the Clifton Institute Open Access Day

We invite Friends of the Clifton Institute to come explore the field station on their own on designated days throughout the year. 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.
  • Absolutely no swimming, fishing, boating, or any other entry in the ponds. We will have zero tolerance about this point. If you see someone doing any of these, know that they do not have our permission to do so.
  • No alcohol is permitted.
  • No horses, bicycles, automobiles, ATVs, or any other vehicles are allowed on the trails.
  • No hunting is permitted.

 

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Walk With A Naturalist

Join us for a walk on our trails with one our naturalists. Unlike most of our programs, we won’t be looking for anything in particular. Instead we’ll amble and explore and see what we can find!

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults and children 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.

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible. A few ‘no-shows’ have a significant impact on the success of our programs.

What to wear: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

What to bring: Water bottle, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, camera, binoculars

RSVP REQUIRED. Please note we are using a brand new event registration system. If you encounter any problems please let us know by emailing Alison at azak [at] cliftoninstitute [dot] org.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

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Bird Walk

Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest.

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult

Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall)

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible. A few ‘no-shows’ have a significant impact on the success of our programs.

What to wear: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

What to bring: Binoculars, hat, bottle of water, sunscreen, bug spray, camera

RSVP REQUIRED. Please note we are using a brand new event registration system. If you encounter any problems please let us know by emailing Alison at azak [at] cliftoninstitute [dot] org.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

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Dragonfly Count

LAST MINUTE REGISTRATION: If registering for this event after June 23rd, please email Bert Harris (bharris@cliftoninstitute.org) to make sure that you are included.

Join us for our first annual Dragonfly Count! We are launching this count to learn about which species of dragonflies and damselflies are found in our area, monitor changes in their populations, and stimulate interest in nature.

Here is a map of the count circle. A great variety of aquatic habitats are found within the circle, including a sphagnum bog, fish-free marshes, lakes with abundant lily pads, and a variety of clean streams and rivers that range from tiny seeps all the way up to the Rappahannock River. This interesting area has not received as much study as nearby northern Virginia, but 72 species of dragonflies and damselflies have already been documented inside the circle.

The count will be similar to a Christmas Bird Count or NABA butterfly count, where we will divide the circle up into several areas, which teams of people will cover. Closer to the date, we will let you know where to meet. The count is open to people of all experience levels. We welcome dragonfly experts as well as anyone who is interested in learning about these fascinating insects.

COVID-19 information: Please do not attend if you or anyone in your household has experienced any symptoms related to the coronavirus in the last two weeks.

What to wear: It will be hot and we’ll be spending time near or in the water. Shorts and sturdy sandals or rubber boots are usually best, but long pants can come in handy as well.

What to bring: Sunscreen, sun hat, binoculars, camera, insect net, plenty of water.

This event is free but registration is required. Email Bert Harris (bharris@cliftoninstitute.org) with any questions.

Please let us know if you live inside the count circle and you have a fish-free pond or marsh or a pond with lily pads or other emergent aquatic vegetation on your property that you would like to be included in the count.

We are partnering with the Bull Run Mountains Conservancy, Fauquier County Parks and Recreation, Friends of the Rappahannock, Virginia Outdoors Foundation, Volgenau Farm, and White House Farm Foundation on this event. Top photo by Patty Lane.

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Butterfly Identification Workshop & Walk

Join us to learn about butterfly biology and identification. Dr. Bert Harris will give a short presentation followed by a guided walk around the field station to look for butterflies (and dragonflies). All skill levels welcome!

Cost: $10; $8 for Friends of Clifton

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.

What to wear: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy hiking shoes or rubber boots

What to bring: Hat, bottle of water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, camera

Registration REQUIRED. Please note we are using a new event registration system. If you encounter any problems please let us know by emailing Alison at azak@cliftoninstitute.org.

Cancellation policy: No refunds will be given upon registrant cancellation. If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible. ‘No-shows’ have a significant impact on the success of our programs.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

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Bird Walk

Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest.

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult

Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall)

What to wear: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

What to bring: Mask (required), hat, bottle of water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, camera

Registration REQUIRED. Please note we are using a new event registration system. If you encounter any problems please let us know by emailing Alison at azak [at] cliftoninstitute [dot] org.

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible. ‘No-shows’ have a significant impact on the success of our programs.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

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NABA Butterfly Count

LAST MINUTE REGISTRATION: If you are registering on July 23rd, please email bharris@cliftoninstitute.org to make sure you are included in the count.

We look forward to hosting our 26th annual butterfly count and celebrating our 19th year in collaboration with the North American Butterfly Association. Novice and experienced butterfly enthusiasts are welcome! Community scientists will be assigned to small teams, led by an experienced butterfly counter. Teams will survey a variety of sites within our count circle.

Cost: $3 per person (Children 8 and older, accompanied by an adult, may participate for free.)

Age: Adults and children 8 and older, accompanied by an adult

Weather: Date and time subject to change dependent on weather. Please check your email for updates on the day before the event.

What to bring: Lots of water, lunch, hat, sunscreen, bug spray, camera, binoculars.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

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Bird Walk

Novice and experienced birders will enjoy this guided 1-2 mile hike to look for the many species of birds that can be found on the field station. We will explore successional fields, meadows, lake edges, and forest.

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults and children 12 and up, accompanied by an adult

Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (e.g. thunderstorm or significant snow fall)

What to wear: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

What to bring: Hat, bottle of water, sunscreen, bug spray, binoculars, camera

Registration REQUIRED. Please note we are using a new event registration system. If you encounter any problems please let us know by emailing Alison at azak@cliftoninstitute.org.

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible. A few ‘no-shows’ have a significant impact on the success of our programs.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

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Summer Book Club: World of Wonders

This summer, we will read and discuss the essay collection World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments by Aimee Nezhukumatathil, “hands-down one of the most beautiful books of the year,” according to NPR. To support our local independent bookstore, you can purchase your copy online or in store at Old Town Open Book.

Our book discussions are typically small and informal. You don’t even have to have finished the book to attend! This time, we encourage participants to come prepared to read aloud their favorite few lines of the book.

Cost: Free!

Age: Adults only

Weather policy: Rain or shine except in case of extreme weather (Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event.)

What to wear: Dress for the weather.

What to bring: Your copy of the book, a cup of tea or another beverage to enjoy

RSVP REQUIRED. Please note we are using a new event registration system. If you encounter any problems please let us know by emailing us at info [at] cliftoninstitute [dot] org.

Cancellation policy: If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible. A few ‘no-shows’ have a significant impact on the success of a program.

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!

 

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Piedmont Polliwogs

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Piedmont Polliwogs is a monthly pre-K program that includes an outdoor story time and short nature walk.

Cost: Free!

Age: 2 to 5, accompanied by a caregiver

Weather policy: Date and time subject to change. Please check your email for updates on the morning of the event.

Cancellation policy:  If you register and can no longer attend this event, please let us know as soon as possible. ‘No-shows’ have a significant impact on the success of our programs.

What to wear: Dress for the weather and wear sturdy shoes.

What to bring: Blanket to sit on

RSVP REQUIRED. Please note, this is a new event registration system. If you have any problems, please contact Alison at azak@cliftoninstitute.org.

We look forward to seeing you at the Clifton Institute!

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