Nature Classes & Field Trips

Leader: Bradley Simpson
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Join Habitat Manager, Bradley Simpson, to explore three local wetland areas in the DC region: Dyke Marsh, McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area, and Jug Bay Natural Area. While the forest blooms in spring and the meadows in fall, wetlands come alive in the summer months. From water lilies to swamp rose mallow to bog orchids, these saturated environments are a summer spotlight. REGISTER.

Lecture: Thursday, July 30, 7-9 pm (Woodend Nature Sanctuary)
Field Trip: Saturday, August 1, 9:30 am-12 pm, Pine Lake at Wheaton Regional Park
Leader: Lisa Shannon
Lecture only: members $24, nonmembers $32
Lecture & Field Trip: members $48, nonmembers $68
Grab your binoculars and prepare to set your sights not on birds – although “mosquito hawk” is a common moniker – but on those six-legged, aerial acrobats of wetland habitats: the dragonflies and damselflies. During the evening lecture, our leader will discuss ID, biology, and behavior of the more common species of Odonates in our area. You’ll join our leader for a morning field trip to the wetland habitats of Pine Lake in Wheaton Regional Park, where all will have a chance to test their identification skills. REGISTER.

Leader: Mark Garland
Members $210; nonmembers $260
Explore the rich and diverse highlands of West Virginia in the vibrance of summer.  Based in Canaan Valley, we’ll walk trails in Blackwater Falls State Park, Canaan Valley State Park, Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and perhaps some other nearby areas.  This will be a general natural history exploration, searching for birds (including early southbound migrants), butterflies, amphibians, observing wildflowers and other plants, and generally enjoying the richness of nature in the cool highlands.  Overnight options include park lodges and campgrounds in the two state parks, motels in Canaan Valley and the town of Davis, and rental houses. Program cost covers field activities only; participants are responsible for their own meals/lodging. Each day will consist of short strolls with plenty of observation stops. Walks may contain slight uphill/downhill sections on natural surface trails. REGISTER.

Leaders: Paul Pisano and Cyndie Loeper
Members $44; nonmembers $60
Shorebirds – sandpipers, plovers, and related birds – are among the most spectacular migrants of the avian world. Most of them nest in the Arctic – where the breeding season is quite short – and many of them travel there from points far to the south. Southward migration of shorebirds – starting as early as July – presents a challenge as both adults and juveniles are on the wing. Our August field trip will give us good chances to see and study a mix of young birds in fresh plumage, as well as adults in the remains of breeding plumage. The field trip will begin at Delaware’s Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge and may include other stops nearby based on the leaders’ scouting efforts the previous day. Our shorebird tutorial is aimed at mid-level birders, but beginners are welcome. Expect hot, open, and sunny field conditions with little or no shade. Don’t forget summer insect activity. Transportation to the field trip will be by personal car. Carpooling information will be shared. REGISTER.

Leader: Carrie Fitzgerald
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Summer is the perfect time to learn about the night sky. In this program, an astronomer from Montgomery College will demonstrate how to find and identify summer constellations as well as how to use the stars for basic navigation. Perched on the lawn at our Woodend Sanctuary, participants will view visible solar system objects, star clusters, and nebulae through a telescope provided by the leader. You’ll leave with an enriched understanding of the science of astronomy, as well as the ability to locate, identify, and navigate by constellations and other celestial objects using your very own star map! Keep your fingers crossed for clear skies. Rain date 8/21. REGISTER.

Leaders: Rob Hilton and Lisa Shannon
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Summertime…and the living is easy – unless you’re a bird busy with nesting chores and the many challenges of raising young. That means summertime can be a more challenging period for nature lovers to encounter birds as they quiet down and move around with greater stealth. Still, the challenge is worth the reward: there is lots to observe, discuss, and enjoy on a summer birding walk, as the nesting, feeding, and fledging stages of life are full of drama, risk, and fascination! When the series begins, breeding bird activity will still be ongoing, but as summer moves into late July and August, the movement of southbound migrants will be underway. This series is geared towards beginning and mid-level birders. Expect some open and sunny field conditions at all of our locations. There will be chances, however, to duck into the shade periodically. REGISTER.

Leader: Bradley Simpson
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Join Habitat Manager, Bradley Simpson, to explore three local wetland areas in the DC region: Dyke Marsh, McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area, and Jug Bay Natural Area. While the forest blooms in spring and the meadows in fall, wetlands come alive in the summer months. From water lilies to swamp rose mallow to bog orchids, these saturated environments are a summer spotlight. REGISTER.

Leader: Danielle Brigida
Members $33; nonmembers $46
During the heat of the day, many wildlife hunker down to rest. But as afternoon deepens into evening and the low-angle sunlight sets the marsh aglow, a flurry of foraging activity begins! On this walk, we’ll enjoy the woods and wetlands of Huntley Meadows. We will hope to encounter amphibians, herons, or even beaver along the boardwalk. We’ll enjoy the lush late summer plant life as well. As we wind down at dusk, we may glimpse some nocturnal creatures beginning their nighttime routines. No matter the season, Huntley Meadows never disappoints! REGISTER.

Leader: Paul Pisano
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Summertime…and the living is easy – unless you’re a bird busy with nesting chores and the many challenges of raising young. That means summertime can be a more challenging period for nature lovers to encounter birds as they quiet down and move around with greater stealth. Still, the challenge is worth the reward: there is lots to observe, discuss, and enjoy on a summer birding walk, as the nesting, feeding, and fledging stages of life are full of drama, risk, and fascination! When the series begins, breeding bird activity will still be ongoing, but as summer moves into late July and August, the movement of southbound migrants will be underway. This series is geared towards beginning and mid-level birders. Expect some open and sunny field conditions at all of our locations. There will be chances, however, to duck into the shade periodically. REGISTER.

Leader: Karoline Anders
Location: Boyds, MD
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Here’s your chance to visit the home garden of a Nature Forward member who has worked to reduce lawn coverage, increase food and shelter for wildlife, and incorporate native plants whenever possible. Karoline will share her successes and failures while guiding you on a leisurely stroll through her yard. Karoline’s 2/3-acre yard includes more than 101 native plant species in multiple sun and moisture combinations, plus an extensive vegetable garden. REGISTER.

Leader: Jen Brown
Members $33; nonmembers $46
In this class at Woodend Nature Sanctuary, we will learn basic watercolor techniques. We’ll put our new skills into practice by painting all the different parts of a coneflower (ray flowers, disc flowers, leaves and stem). And, if there is time, we will put them altogether and paint a complete coneflower. Along the way, we’ll hone our observations and bring vivid summer wildflowers to life on the page. REGISTER.

Leaders: Rob Hilton and Lisa Shannon
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Summertime…and the living is easy – unless you’re a bird busy with nesting chores and the many challenges of raising young. That means summertime can be a more challenging period for nature lovers to encounter birds as they quiet down and move around with greater stealth. Still, the challenge is worth the reward: there is lots to observe, discuss, and enjoy on a summer birding walk, as the nesting, feeding, and fledging stages of life are full of drama, risk, and fascination! When the series begins, breeding bird activity will still be ongoing, but as summer moves into late July and August, the movement of southbound migrants will be underway. This series is geared towards beginning and mid-level birders. Expect some open and sunny field conditions at all of our locations. There will be chances, however, to duck into the shade periodically. REGISTER.

Leader: Lisa Shannon
Location: Brookside Gardens and Pine Lake, Wheaton Regional Park, MD
Members $33; nonmembers $46
September may be autumn, calendrically, but here in DC early September still has summer weather and, most importantly, summer insects! We’ll start at the Brookside Gardens pollinator garden to see what butterflies are around and then walk through the beautiful gardens to Pine Lake to look at dragonflies. (It’s about a 1.5-mile walk total, on mostly flat paved or gravel trails.) REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Enjoy one or more of these leisurely late-summer through late-fall strolls on relatively close-in portions of the C&O Canal’s historic Towpath which see less foot and bicycle traffic on weekdays than weekends. The focus of these naturalist-led walks will be the rich natural history of the varied habitats long the Potomac River and the Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe and enjoy seasonal plant and animal life, including birds, fall wildflowers, fruits, and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles – and whatever else we might find. The Towpath is flat, but could be muddy and/or uneven.  Access to the towpath at Riley’s Lock includes stairs or a steeply-inclined foot trail. REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $35; nonmembers $49
Join a naturalist for these seasonal, broad-based nature explorations of nearby parks rich in natural history. We’ll walk between 2-4 miles as we enjoy the development of fall color and fruits amongst lingering blooms and all manner of wildlife, including insects, resident and migrating birds, mammals, and reptiles and amphibians. At Riverbend Park, which sits along the Potomac River near Great Falls, VA, we’ll use both bottomland and upland trails to enjoy fall colors and fruits. At the Patuxent Research Refuge/North Tract near Laurel, MD, we’ll explore Coastal Plain woodlands and wetlands. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, on the banks of the Anacostia River inside the Beltway, features protected swamp, marsh, and woodland habitats within sight of DC’s urban sprawl. Our explorations on trips A&B will occur on mostly-level natural surface trails which may be muddy, slippery, and/or rutted. The natural surface trails at Riverbend will include uphill and downhill walking. REGISTER.

Leader: Paul Pisano
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Our fall birding series visit natural areas under an hour’s drive from DC where a variety of habitats – including field, forest, and wetland – provide good opportunities for the observation and ID of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants – including those “confusing fall warblers.” As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds, both resident and overwintering in the region. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Our explorations will be on mostly level, natural surface trails that may be uneven, muddy, and/or somewhat slippery. REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Enjoy one or more of these leisurely late-summer through late-fall strolls on relatively close-in portions of the C&O Canal’s historic Towpath which see less foot and bicycle traffic on weekdays than weekends. The focus of these naturalist-led walks will be the rich natural history of the varied habitats long the Potomac River and the Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe and enjoy seasonal plant and animal life, including birds, fall wildflowers, fruits, and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles – and whatever else we might find. The Towpath is flat, but could be muddy and/or uneven.  Access to the towpath at Riley’s Lock includes stairs or a steeply-inclined foot trail. REGISTER.

Leader: Genevieve Wall
Location: Southeast of Richmond, VA
Members $280; nonmembers $330
Experience the beauty of autumn on the James, America’s founding river, as Senior Naturalist Genevieve Wall leads us on an immersive two-day adventure. The tidal wetlands on the James River come alive in fall, as migrating flocks of red-winged blackbirds descend on native wild rice, deciduous trees don their autumn apparel, and fresh pecans crunch underfoot. We’ll explore one of Virginia’s most remarkable ecosystems and its rich natural and cultural history by canoe, pontoon boat, and guided hikes through riverside habitat. Paddle through blackwater creeks and tidal marshland, then ferry over to Presquile National Wildlife Refuge. Because you can only reach this island by boat, this hidden gem and Important Bird Area is an ecological treasure that few members of the public ever get to visit. We’ll spend the night at the refuge’s rustic bunkhouse, with optional night and sunrise hikes to enjoy the rich plant and animal life on the island. On day two, we’ll embark on a leisurely hike on the trails out to the interior creeks, where the forest floods twice a day at high tide. We’ll close our exploration by conducting a scientific collection fish trawl from the pontoon boat to learn about the fauna of tidal freshwater ecosystems. Bald Eagles (and perhaps any lingering first-year Osprey) will fish alongside us as we identify Hogchokers, White Perch, Bluegill, and other aquatic species. There will be an option to share a meal together at a nearby riverside restaurant. Families with youth ages 10+ welcome! (All minors must have a parent/guardian accompany them on the trip.) Program cost covers all guided activities, overnight accommodation at a rustic shared bunkhouse, and three group meals during our stay. Participants should be able to be able to walk up to two miles at a relaxed pace; to sit and stand for extended periods, to climb a short step; to enter and exit a canoe (with assistance); and to gently paddle a canoe on flat water. Genevieve may adjust the order of activities if needed to best serve the needs of the trip. Important note: the shared bunkhouse is the only lodging option for this outing. Alternate accommodation is not available. Should severe weather force us to postpone the trip, we will reschedule to November 7-8. REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Enjoy one or more of these leisurely late-summer through late-fall strolls on relatively close-in portions of the C&O Canal’s historic Towpath which see less foot and bicycle traffic on weekdays than weekends. The focus of these naturalist-led walks will be the rich natural history of the varied habitats long the Potomac River and the Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe and enjoy seasonal plant and animal life, including birds, fall wildflowers, fruits, and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles – and whatever else we might find. The Towpath is flat, but could be muddy and/or uneven.  Access to the towpath at Riley’s Lock includes stairs or a steeply-inclined foot trail. REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $35; nonmembers $49
Join a naturalist for these seasonal, broad-based nature explorations of nearby parks rich in natural history. We’ll walk between 2-4 miles as we enjoy the development of fall color and fruits amongst lingering blooms and all manner of wildlife, including insects, resident and migrating birds, mammals, and reptiles and amphibians. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, on the banks of the Anacostia River inside the Beltway, features protected swamp, marsh, and woodland habitats within sight of DC’s urban sprawl. At the Patuxent Research Refuge/North Tract near Laurel, MD, we’ll explore Coastal Plain woodlands and wetlands. At Riverbend Park, which sits along the Potomac River near Great Falls, VA, we’ll use both bottomland and upland trails to enjoy fall colors and fruits. Our explorations on trips A&B will occur on mostly-level natural surface trails which may be muddy, slippery, and/or rutted. The natural surface trails at Riverbend will include uphill and downhill walking. REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Enjoy one or more of these leisurely late-summer through late-fall strolls on relatively close-in portions of the C&O Canal’s historic Towpath which see less foot and bicycle traffic on weekdays than weekends. The focus of these naturalist-led walks will be the rich natural history of the varied habitats long the Potomac River and the Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe and enjoy seasonal plant and animal life, including birds, fall wildflowers, fruits, and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles – and whatever else we might find. The Towpath is flat, but could be muddy and/or uneven.  Access to the towpath at Riley’s Lock includes stairs or a steeply-inclined foot trail. REGISTER.

Leader: Genevieve Wall
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Visit Maryland’s oldest state park! From the banks of the Patapsco river, we’ll set off uphill along the Cascade Trail, hugging close to the stream at first and then returning on the uplands side. Along the way, we’ll pay close attention to the progression of summer, as well as the wildflowers, trees, mammal tracks and signs, birds, or reptiles we encounter. We will cover nearly three miles on natural surface trails, which include a couple of steep uphill/downhill sections and some rocky terrain. There is a $2 entry fee per car to enter the park. REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Enjoy one or more of these leisurely late-summer through late-fall strolls on relatively close-in portions of the C&O Canal’s historic Towpath which see less foot and bicycle traffic on weekdays than weekends. The focus of these naturalist-led walks will be the rich natural history of the varied habitats long the Potomac River and the Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe and enjoy seasonal plant and animal life, including birds, fall wildflowers, fruits, and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles – and whatever else we might find. The Towpath is flat, but could be muddy and/or uneven.  Access to the towpath at Riley’s Lock includes stairs or a steeply-inclined foot trail. REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $35; nonmembers $49
Join a naturalist for these seasonal, broad-based nature explorations of nearby parks rich in natural history. We’ll walk between 2-4 miles as we enjoy the development of fall color and fruits amongst lingering blooms and all manner of wildlife, including insects, resident and migrating birds, mammals, and reptiles and amphibians. At Riverbend Park, which sits along the Potomac River near Great Falls, VA, we’ll use both bottomland and upland trails to enjoy fall colors and fruits. At the Patuxent Research Refuge/North Tract near Laurel, MD, we’ll explore Coastal Plain woodlands and wetlands. Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, on the banks of the Anacostia River inside the Beltway, features protected swamp, marsh, and woodland habitats within sight of DC’s urban sprawl. Our explorations on trips A&B will occur on mostly-level natural surface trails which may be muddy, slippery, and/or rutted. The natural surface trails at Riverbend will include uphill and downhill walking. REGISTER.

Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $33; nonmembers $46
Enjoy one or more of these leisurely late-summer through late-fall strolls on relatively close-in portions of the C&O Canal’s historic Towpath which see less foot and bicycle traffic on weekdays than weekends. The focus of these naturalist-led walks will be the rich natural history of the varied habitats long the Potomac River and the Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe and enjoy seasonal plant and animal life, including birds, fall wildflowers, fruits, and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles – and whatever else we might find. The Towpath is flat, but could be muddy and/or uneven.  Access to the towpath at Riley’s Lock includes stairs or a steeply-inclined foot trail. REGISTER.