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.
October Bird Walk
8:00 - 10:00 AM Friday, October 9th
Scout for birds with Blandy Director Dr. Dave Carr!
What to expect: We will walk about a mile over gently rolling terrain.
Audience: This program is designed for adults. No pets, please!
What to bring: Dress for the weather. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can withstand 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.
Wild: Managing "Natural" Spaces in the 21st Century
2:00 - 4:00 PM Sunday, October 18th
In this final instalment of the 2026 centennial program series, join Assistant Curator for the Native Plant Trail Jack Monsted and Coordinator for the Virginia Grasslands Bird Initiative Justin Proctor as they reflect on managing wild spaces in the Anthropocene, and reflect on the the practices and philosophies that could inform land conservation in this era.
Speakers: Justin Proctor is a conservation biologist with the Smithsonian's Virginia Working Landscapes program based in Front Royal, has spent 15+ years working with the research, conservation, and outreach behind incentivizing a more sustainable land ethic at the community level.
What to expect: Talks followed by a discussion in the Blandy library.
Light refreshments provided (it’s a birthday celebration, after all!).
Audience: These programs are designed for adults.
Where to meet: The library at the Quarters building.
Can’t make it? Recordings of the program will be available online.
Geologic Histories and Environmental Futures
4:00 - 5:00 PM Friday, November 6th
This program will focus on the general geology of Virginia’s Valley and Ridge province. We will discuss the geologic history of the area and the processes involved in forming and shaping the karst landscape and its unique features. We will talk about how to identify the different rock types and how to recognize some of the different formations and geologic structures typical of the area. Finally, we will consider the geologic and environmental implications of different types of development in the area.
Speaker: Dr. Chrissy Hall is an assistant professor in the Natural Sciences department at UVA Wise. She is a paleontologist by training and teaches geology classes in the Earth and Environmental Science programs. Her research focuses on understanding how animals responded to past environmental changes with the goal of better understanding what impacts we might expect with modern environmental changes.
Audience: These programs are designed for adults.
Where to meet: The library at the Quarters building.
Registration link coming soon.