NHFS
Natural History Field Studies
A unique continuing education program for adults providing a comprehensive and stimulating view of our region’s natural history and conservation issues.
Open to learners 18 years or older, environmental professionals or beginners alike.
Course offerings for Summer 2026
Deepen your knowledge of our region’s trees
We’ll focus on how to identify our region’s woody plants with the use of local dichotomous keys.
In “Summer Tree I.D.”, you’ll learn about trees, shrubs, and vines in this 10-week intensive course! Taxonomy, plant morphology, and forest ecology will all be explored in a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on field trips.
Understand the history of these ancient plants
“Introduction to Ferns and Lycophytes” will cover the identification, evolutionary history, and ecology of ferns and lycophytes.
Lectures will highlight the life and reproductive methods of these ancient plants, while field trips will focus on the identification of ferns, and the habitats where you can find them.
What students say about Natural History Field Studies
I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to take classes in the NHFS program. Most environmental education is aimed at children and youth. Because nature programming wasn’t a part of my suburban childhood (and I might not have cared about it or retained it in any case) I am thrilled to be able to learn about natural history as an adult – ‘when the student is ready, the teacher appears.’ Thanks to the Nature Forward, natural history is becoming a passion.
R. Gray, NHFS Student
All admission, enrollment, and program fees support Nature Forward’s non-profit mission work to inspire residents of the greater Washington, DC region to appreciate, understand, and protect their natural environment through outdoor experiences, education, and advocacy.