A note about our programs
We hold most programs rain, snow, or shine, unless we notify you otherwise. If you cancel your registration seven days or more prior to the program date, we’ll refund your fee in full. If you cancel within seven days of the program date, we are unable to refund your fee. If the Foundation of the State Arboretum cancels a program for any reason, we will refund your fee in full. Advance registration is required for all programs. Space is limited.
Sold out! Insect ID for Pre-K
9:00-10:00 | Wednesday, May 31st
Join us for a short lesson in the library followed by a walk around the arboretum to find and identify common backyard insects! Children age 4 and under accompanied by a caregiver are welcome.
What to expect: A kid-friendly nature program with indoor and outdoor components.
Who can come: This program is designed for children age 4 and under accompanied by a caregiver. No more than 3 children per adult, please.
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Where to meet: TBD.
Registration required.
FOSA Member/UVA Alumni Family $8
Nonmember $10
Purple Martin (PUMA) Colony Program
6:00-8:00 PM | Saturday, June 3rd
Free program, but please RSVP at the Northern Shenandoah Audubon Society website.
Join us at this special event to learn about our continuing conservation efforts to provide safe and appropriate nesting habitat at the Shenandoah Audubon Purple Martin Colony at Blandy Experimental Farm. Dr. David Carr (Blandy Director) will present interesting facts about Purple Martins. After the presentation, Kaycee Lichliter and Ted Saunders (PUMA Colony Landlords) will lead a guided walk in the Purple Martin Colony. Information will be available on how you can support the colony by adopting a gourd.
Please bring along a lawn chair and dress in outdoor attire and protective footwear.
American Kestrels
6:30-8:00 PM | Friday, June 9th
Join us learn about conservation efforts to provide nesting habitat for American Kestrels across the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley. October Greenfield, Wildlife Habitat Restoration Coordinator for The Piedmont Environmental Council, will present on American Kestrel ecology and conservation challenges, followed by a field walk to learn about monitoring nest boxes.
What to expect: A lecture-style talk in the library, followed by a walk to kestrel monitoring nest boxes.
Who can come: This program is designed for adults, but children accompanied by adults are welcome.
What to bring: Please be sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing for longer grass and uneven terrain (sunscreen and bug spray recommended).
Where to meet: Meet in the library.
Registration required.
One FOSA Member/UVA Alumni $10; One Non Member $15
FOSA Family/UVA Alumni $20; Non-Member Family $35
Firefly Walk
8:00 – 9:30 PM | Tuesday, June 20th
Everyone loves fireflies, but how do they make their light, and why? Enjoy the light show while learning about these fascinating insects.
What to expect: An outdoor nature walk. We will walk about a mile over gently rolling terrain.
Who can come: This program is suitable for all ages.
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring a flashlight if you wish. Bug spray recommended.
Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.
Registration required.
FOSA members/UVa Alumni, $10; nonmembers $15
Member/UVa family $20; nonmember family $25
Firefly Festival
8:00-9:30 PM | Friday, June 30th
Rain date- Same time Saturday, July 1st
Everyone loves fireflies, but how do they make their light -- and why? Explore the fascinating world of fireflies with outdoor crafts, activities, games, and a short nature talk. As dusk falls, we'll catch and release fireflies and watch them in action.
What to expect: A family-friendly program with crafts, activities, and firefly programming.
Who can come: This program is suitable for all ages.
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring a flashlight if you wish. Bug spray recommended.
Where to meet: The courtyard at the Quarters building.
Registration required.
FOSA members/UVa Alumni, $10; nonmembers $15
Member/UVa family $20; nonmember family $25
Around the World in Ten Trees
10:00-11:30 | Tuesday, July 18th
Got the travel bug? Here’s your chance to see spectacular trees from around the world without leaving Virginia! Find out about the ecology and cultural significance of trees from Asia, Europe, North Africa, and across North America as you explore the arboretum with a naturalist. Depending on how fast we walk, we’ll see somewhere between eight and ten trees.
What to expect: We will walk about a mile over gently rolling terrain.Who can come: This program is designed for adults and children aged 8 and up.
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a full water bottle.
Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.
Free, but registration is required.
Wings of Life- Outdoor Movie Night with Shenandoah Film Collaborative
8:30-10:00 PM | Friday, July 21st
Rain date- Same time Saturday, July 22nd
Spread out a blanket on the lawn at Blandy's amphitheater and enjoy documentary film Wings of Life under the stars! Narrated by Meryl Streep, this intimate and unprecedented look at butterflies, hummingbirds, bees, bats and flowers is a celebration of life, as a third of the world’s food supply depends on these incredible–and increasingly threatened–creatures.
What to expect: A family-friendly (G-rated) outdoor film screening.
Who can come: This program is suitable for all ages.
What to bring: A blanket or folding chairs. Bug spray recommended. Bring drinks and snacks if you wish, but no alcohol please.
Where to meet: The Amphitheater at the Quarters building.
Free program!
Land Conservation Efforts in Clarke County
7:00-8:00 PM | Saturday, July 29th
The talk will focus on the work of the Clarke County Conservation Easement Authority since 2002 and general land conservation ethics. Led by Allison Teetor, recently retired Clarke County Natural Resource Planner. This program is co-sponsored by the FOSA Bridle Trail Committee. Photo credit- William I. Spinrad, Jr.
What to expect: A lecture-style talk in the library.
Who can come: This program is designed for an adult audience.
Where to meet: Meet in the library.
Registration required.
One FOSA Member/UVA Alumni $10; One Non Member $15
FOSA Family/UVA Alumni $20; Non-Member Family $35
Curious Critters "Camp" for Pre-K - Marvelous Meadow
6:00-7:00 PM | Friday, August 4th
Curiosity is encouraged at Curious Critters! Use your sense to explore wildlife at Blandy. You and a special gorwn-up will have fun learning about nature through games, crafts, songs, and stories.
What to expect: A nature program with crafts and activities.
Who can come: Children ages 4-6 accompanied by a caregiver. No more than three children per adult, please.
What to bring: Dress for the weather and bring a full water bottle.
Registration required.
$15 per family
Wild Asana: Animals, Yoga, and Connecting Our Practice to the Natural World
4:00-5:30 PM | Saturday, August 5th
Join author and yoga teacher Alison Zak as she discusses her debut collection of nature essays, Wild Asana: Animals, Yoga, and Connecting Our Practice to the Natural World. Ticket price includes author talk, 1 signed copy of the book, and a 45-minute outdoor, guided exploration of gentle mindfulness and movement practices.
Ever wonder about the dog in Downward Dog or the pigeon in Kapota? Rewild your yoga practice by connecting to the animals behind the asanas. From Downward Dog to Cobra, Wild Asana invites you into an embodied exploration of the animals that inspire familiar yoga poses. Drawing on wildlife science, anthropology, Hindu mythology, Eastern philosophy, and personal stories, this insightful guide by environmental educator and yoga instructor Alison Zak explores the connections among our bodies, our minds, and the animals that inspire our practice. In illustrated chapters on asanas like Tittibhasana (Firefly), Garudasana (Eagle), Bidalasana (Cat), and Ustrasana (Camel), Zak invites you to bring the deep nature of animals into breath and movement. With an encompassing ecological compassion, gorgeous original illustrations, profound insight into animal wisdom, and the humor and perspective of lived experience, Zak offers a path to deepen and enliven your practice. Whether you’re an animal lover, a first-time yoga student, or an experienced practitioner, Wild Asana is a practical and accessible guide to becoming animal on your yoga mat.
Registration required.
FOSA members/UVa Alumni, $25; nonmembers $30
Biodiversity: The Value of Variety
10:00-11:30 | Thursday, August 10th
Explore Virginia habitats with a naturalist! This program takes a closer look at how forest wildlife depends on the variety, number, and distribution of species in a habitat. Note: A similar program was offered January 2023, although the focus was on winter habitats.
What to expect: An outdoor nature program with activities. We will walk less than a mile over gently rolling terrain.
Who can come: All ages!
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a full water bottle, and dress for the weather.
Where to meet: Meet in the Blandy library at the Quarters building.
Registration required.
FOSA members/UVa Alumni, $10; nonmembers $15
Member/UVa family $20; nonmember family $25