grassy field with row of conifer trees behind

Programs, Workshops & Walks

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. Programs open to children/youth require an adult to attend with them and the adult is responsible for their supervision for the duration of the program. Advance registration is required for all programs. Space is limited.

Eclipse Ecology: How Wildlife Respond to Solar Eclipses

10:30-11:30 AM Sunday, March 24th

Register on Eventbrite.

Much of North America will experience a solar eclipse on Monday, April 8th. As eclipse chasers seek out primo viewing spots along the path of totality from Mexico through Maine, here in northern Virginia, we’ll have a chance to see around 90% of the sun obscured by the moon’s shadow (weather permitting)! But how will wildlife respond to the unusual changes in light and temperature that take place during the eclipse? Will bats come out and birds return to their roosts? Find out in this talk overviewing current scientific research! You’ll leave with 2024 solar eclipse glasses and ideas about how you can observe changes in the natural world during the upcoming eclipse.

What to expect: An interactive indoor talk.
Who can come: This program is designed for adults and children aged 8+. No pets, please!
Where to meet: Meet in the Blandy library.

Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.

Image: NASA, 2017 Total Solar Ecplise-ISS Transit

 

EARLY MIGRANTS BIRD WALK

8:00-10:00 AM  Friday, March 29th

Register on Eventbite.

Join Blandy Director and birding enthusiast Dr. Dave Carr to hunt for tree swallows, eastern phoebes, migrating waterfowl, and more!

What to expect: An outdoor program. We will walk around 1.5 miles over lawn and gravel paths with gently rolling terrain.

Who can come: Adults and children aged 12 and up. No pets, please!

What to bring: Dress for the weather! Wear comfortable walking shoes that can withstand a bit of morning dew from the grass. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from Blandy.

Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.

Registration required. Register on Eventbite.

Around the World in Ten Trees

2:00-3:30 PM Friday, April 12th

Register on Eventbrite.

Got the travel bug? Here’s your chance to see unique trees form around the world without leaving the Clarke County! 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 eight to 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. No pets, please!

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 required. Register on Eventbrite.

Spring Wildflower Walk

1:00-2:30 Saturday, April 20th

Register on Eventbrite.

Discover Virginia’s spring wildflowers! Tour the woodland section of the

Native Plant Trail with Blandy’s Assistant Curator Jack Monsted. Scout for trillium, bluebells, and other “spring beauties” as you learn all about the natural history of these fascinating flowers.

What to expect: We will walk ~0.5 miles over lawn and mulch paths, with frequent stops to observe flowers.  

Who can come: Adults and children aged 8 and up. No pets, please!

What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a full water bottle. If you’d like, bring materials to take notes and a favorite wildflower field guide or smartphone identification app (e.g., iNaturalist).

Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.

Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.

Neotropical Migrants Bird Walk

8:00-10:00 Friday, April 26th

Register on Eventbrite.

Spring (migration) has sprung! Join Blandy Director and birding enthusiast Dr. Dave Carr in search of early breeding warblers (e.g., Pine, Yellow, Palm, and Yellow-rumped) and other neotropical migrants.

What to expect: We will walk ~1.5 miles over lawn and gravel paths with gently rolling terrain.

Who can come: Adults and children aged 12 and up. No pets, please!

What to bring: Dress for the weather. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can withstand a bit of early morning dew on the grass. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from Blandy.

Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.

Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.

WILDFLOWER WALK AT THE THOMPSON WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA

1:00-3:00 PM Thursday, May 2nd
Learn to recognize our spring wildflowers in their native habitat. Scout for trilliums, orchids, and other spring wildflowers alongside Blandy’s Assistant Curator for the Native Plant Trail Jack Monsted.

What to expect: We will walk ~1.5 on hiking trails with occasional steep uphill and downhill sections, stopping frequently to observe flowers.

Who can come: This program is designed for adults and children aged 12 and up.

What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a full water bottle. Ifyou’d like, bring materials to take notes and a favorite wildflower field guide or smartphoneidentification app (e.g., iNaturalist).

Where to meet: Meet at the Thompson Wildlife Management Area Trillium Parking Lot (directionsprovided following registration).

Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.
 

PEAK OF SPRING MIGRATION BIRD WALK

8:00-10:00 AM Friday, May 10th

We’re close to the peak of spring migration! Join Blandy Director and birding enthusiast Dr. Dave Carr to spy on neotropical migrants. We hope to see vireos, wrens, gnatcatchers, orioles, buntings, grosbeaks, and more!

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 12 and up.

What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring your own binocularsor borrow a pair from Blandy.

Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.

Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.

Conservation Easements for Small and Large Rural Properties

7:00-8:30 PM Tuesday, May 14th

Have you ever wondered whether a conservation easement is a good fit for you and your property?  Come talk with representatives of some of Virginia’s best land trusts, and find out for yourself!  In this interactive workshop, you will find out how to:

  • Qualify for state and federal tax deductions and Virginia’s Land Preservation Tax Credits;
  • Protect your property from residential, commercial, and industrial development;
  • Retain ownership and rights to use the property, for yourself and future generations; and 
  • Protect conservation values, including water quality, farmland, forest land, and wildlife habitat.  

Conservation easements are entirely voluntary.  Each conservation easement is individually tailored to meet the needs of each landowner.  And conservation easements do not allow the public access to your property (unless granted by you). 

This workshop will teach you the basics of conservation easements, suggest ideas on how you might conserve your property, and answer any questions you may have. Presenters will discuss their programs, explain how to qualify for an easement on your property and the financial benefits of conserving your land, and talk with you about whether your land might qualify for a conservation easement. This workshop is designed primarily for landowners who own at least 20 acres of land. 

Light refreshments will be provided.  

Speakers:

Ashton Cole- Director of Conservation and Stewardship for the Land Trust of Virginia

Leslie Grayson- Deputy Director at Virginia Outdoors Foundation

John McCarthy- Senior Advisor & Director of Strategic Partnerships, Piedmont Environmental Council

Alison Teetor- Natural Resource Planner, Clarke County Planning Department (recently retired)

Registration required. Register on Eventbrite.