Education
Adults
Nature Classes and Field Trips
august
Explore the Great Outdoors with the experts
Event Details
Sign up for our year-round Nature Classes and Outings! These programs offer nature novices and experienced naturalists alike an array of opportunities to explore and learn about our area’s natural history.
Event Details
Sign up for our year-round Nature Classes and Outings!
These programs offer nature novices and experienced naturalists alike an array of opportunities to explore and learn about our area’s natural history. Our experienced naturalists lead small group classes and trips to parks and wild spaces throughout the DC-metro region — and beyond. Lectures are held at our Woodend Sanctuary. Field trips are reached by private vehicle or carpool.
Map of Field Trip Destinations
Link to DC Audubon Society’s map of Wheelchair Accessible and Metro-accessible birding spots
Link to Maryland Ornithological Society’s “Best Birding Sites in Maryland and DC”
Want to see what programs you are registered for? Log into your online account here.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Event Details
Questions?
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.
Covid-19 Update – Adult Nature Programs
Thank you for your interest in our programs. Now that jurisdictions throughout the area have moved into Phase II of re-opening, we are beginning to offer some of our outdoor field trips in small groups— with both participants and the leader wearing face masks and social distancing required. The maximum number of participants for these field trips during July and early August will range from 5-7, depending on the field trip location and the focus of the outing. All participants and the leaders will be required to complete a health questionnaire close to the date of the field trip. Keep an eye on this space, plus anshome.org/covid-19-updates, emails, and our Facebook page for updates as this situation will no doubt continue to change for months to come.
Did you know that we are offering a number of great Naturalist Hour Zoom presentations this month, with more being planned in August? Visit www.anshome.org/naturalist-hour for an overview of dates and topics being offered—as well as to register for these nature learning opportunities.
AUGUST
How Does Her Garden Grow?
Wednesday, August 5 (10-11:30 am)
Leader: Marney Bruce
Members $24; nonmembers $34
Here’s your chance to visit the home garden of an ANS member who has worked to reduce lawn coverage, increase food and shelter for wildlife, and incorporate native plants whenever possible. Marney will share her successes and failures on a stroll through her yard, which includes sun-loving plants in the front, shade-loving species in the back, and a water feature. Our destination garden is located in the Bethesda, MD vicinity. Participants will meet at our Woodend Sanctuary at 9:45 to carpool over to Marney’s home, where parking is limited. Limited 10 participants. REGISTER
Introduction to Dragonflies and Damselflies
FIELD TRIP FULL, ONLINE LECTURE VIA ZOOM OPEN
Thursday, August 6 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Sunday, August 9 (9 am-12 pm)
Leader: Lisa Shannon
Members $46; nonmembers $64
Lecture only $24/$34
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. At our evening lecture, Lisa Shannon will discuss ID, biology, and behavior of the more common species of Odonates in our area. During our field trip to the Patuxent Research Refuge (North Tract) near Bowie, MD, everyone will have a chance to test their identification skills. REGISTER
Intro to the Natural History and ID of Shorebirds CANCELED
Thursday, August 6 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Saturday, August 8 (full-day field trip)
Leaders: Cyndie Loeper and Paul Pisano
Members $50; nonmembers $70
Lecture only $24/$34
Shorebirds are among the most spectacular migrants of the avian world. Many species breed as far north as the Arctic tundra and winter as far south as Patagonia. In this advanced session, our leaders will review the natural histories of shorebirds and offer ID pointers in the classroom part of the workshop. On the field trip to Delaware’s Bombay Hook, we’ll encounter the more difficult plumages of this time of year, including juveniles. Our August date will give us chances for rarities, such as Baird’s Sandpiper, and “grasspipers”, such as American Golden Plover and Buff-breasted Sandpiper. Although the IDs can be more challenging in late summer, beginners who wish to experience the great diversity of species in southbound migration are welcome to sign up. REGISTER
Summer Fungus Walk FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Saturday, August 8 (9-11 am)
Leader: Serenella Linares
Members $24; nonmembers $34
Summer is a great time to get introduced to the most common families of fungi in our area and find out more about their natural history and many ecological functions. We’ll visit a variety of habitats at our Woodend Sanctuary using natural surface trails. Note: the focus of our field trip is fungi’s important and under-appreciated role in forest ecology, not the edibility of particular species of mushrooms. REGISTER
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org. Covid-19 Update - Adult Nature Programs Thank you for your interest in our programs. Now that jurisdictions
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.
Covid-19 Update – Adult Nature Programs
Thank you for your interest in our programs. Now that jurisdictions throughout the area have moved into Phase II of re-opening, we are beginning to offer some of our outdoor field trips in small groups— with both participants and the leader wearing face masks and social distancing required. The maximum number of participants for these field trips during September will range from 5-8, depending on the field trip location and the focus of the outing. All participants and the leaders will be required to complete a health questionnaire close to the date of the field trip. Keep an eye on this space, plus anshome.org/covid-19-updates, emails, and our Facebook page for updates as this situation will no doubt continue to change for months to come.
Did you know that we are offering a number of great Naturalist Hour Zoom presentations in August, with more being planned in September and October? Visit www.anshome.org/naturalist-hour for an overview of dates and topics being offered—as well as to register for these nature learning opportunities.
SEPTEMBER
Woodend Garden Clinics
Thursdays, September 3, 10 and 17 (1-3 pm)
Leader: Jenny Brown
Members $100; nonmembers $125
Join ANS Garden Outreach Associate and Master Gardener, Jenny Brown, for three hands-on garden clinics in September. During these two-hour sessions conducted in the gardens of Woodend, you will gain practical experience with essential skills such as managing compost, thinning and transplanting, weed identification, and pruning. During each session, Jenny will highlight at least four native plants for you to learn common and scientific names, habit, growing conditions and wildlife value. You are encouraged to bring questions, clippings, and photos from home to get help with your own garden challenges. Plus, each session you will take home plant material – either seeds or plants – from the Woodend gardens to cultivate at home. Limited to 8 participants. REGISTER ONLINE.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Continuing Education / NHFS
august
Event Details
“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
Event Details
“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 Audubon Naturalist Society, natural history is becoming a passion.” Field Studies student R. Gray
Our Natural History Field Studies courses, offered quarterly on a rotating basis, provide a unique opportunity to learn natural science from experts while exploring the ecosystems of the Central Atlantic region. Intended for the lay person and taught at the college freshman level, these evening courses are open to anyone at least 18 years old. Individual courses are useful to professional and amateurs alike in acquiring knowledge of specific subject matter and enhancing enjoyment of the out-of-doors.
The Natural History Field Studies curriculum has been designed to provide participants with a comprehensive and stimulating overview of the regions natural history and conservation issues with an emphasis on learning in the field. A Certificate of Accomplishment is awarded for completion of a required curriculum of 39 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) taken in five subject areas.
SUMMARY OF REQUIRED COURSES
Classes are offered at the Audubon Naturalist Society’s Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD, and the metro-accessible Capital Gallery (L’Enfant Plaza stop) in downtown DC. The Natural History Field Studies program is cosponsored by the Audubon Naturalist Society and the Graduate School USA.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Event Details
SUMMER COURSES CANCELLED The summer term of Natural History Field Studies classes will not run due to the continuing “stay at home” and physical distancing orders from area governments in response
Event Details
SUMMER COURSES CANCELLED
The summer term of Natural History Field Studies classes will not run due to the continuing “stay at home” and physical distancing orders from area governments in response to the Covid 19 pandemic. Since the most important feature of these natural history and environmental courses is the linking of field experiences with classroom learning, we are pausing the program until we are able to safely offer field trips again. We hope that this will be possible by the fall quarter.
In late summer, we will assess the situation re: COVID-19 and if a return to the usual format of classroom lectures with 2-3 field trips is not possible we will consider the feasibility of another model. This might take the form of Zoom lectures with field trips in groups of no more than 10, with appropriate precautions. Courses currently under consideration for the fall include Bird Life, The Living Soil, Wildlife Ecology, and Fungi.
The Audubon Naturalist Society will communicate any changes regarding this status as soon as we are able. Keep an eye on our website, our monthly E-news, and our Facebook page for updates. We will also contact former NHFS students directly when fall plans are determined.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Nature Travel
november
05novAll Day13South Texas: Subtropical Habitats and Specialty Birds
Event Details
November 5-13, 2020 Leaders: Mark England & Paul Pisano Subtropical wildlife from Mexico barely crosses into the US in the Rio Grande Valley of extreme south Texas. Enjoy the great variety of
Event Details
November 5-13, 2020
Leaders: Mark England & Paul Pisano
Subtropical wildlife from Mexico barely crosses into the US in the Rio Grande Valley of extreme south Texas. Enjoy the great variety of birds, butterflies and other wildlife with a week-long exploration of this dynamic ecosystem. Plain Chachalaca, Great Kiskadee, Ringed Kingfisher, Altamira Oriole and Green Jay are just a few of the species rarely, if ever, found elsewhere in the US. We will take day trips to habitats ranging from the Chihuahuan desert scrub of Falcon State Park to the expansive coastal flats of Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge and nearby South Padre Island. Other great birding sites we will be sure to visit include Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park, Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge, and Estero Llano Grande State Park, among others. Contact Carol at carol.hayes@anshome.org or 301-652-9188 x10 if you’d like to receive further information when it’s available.
Itinerary| Cost Sheet| Registration
Time
november 5 (Thursday) - 13 (Friday)
january
Event Details
Panama with Terry Lawson Dunn & local guides: 01/2021 Costa Rica with Stephanie Mason & local guides: 02/2021 Northern Arizona & the Grand Canyon with Rob Gibbs & Mark
Event Details
- Panama with Terry Lawson Dunn & local guides: 01/2021
- Costa Rica with Stephanie Mason & local guides: 02/2021
- Northern Arizona & the Grand Canyon with Rob Gibbs & Mark England: May 2021 (rescheduled from May 2020)
- Galapagos with Stephanie Mason and local guides: Summer, 2022
Please email carol.hayes@anshome.org if you would like to receive information once the trips are confirmed.
Time
Year Around Event (2021)
Water Quality Monitoring
august
Event Details
Stream Science at ANS For 25 years, ANS has been teaching the natural history of aquatic ecology and training volunteer stream monitors who track the health of our region’s streams.
Event Details
Stream Science at ANS
For 25 years, ANS has been teaching the natural history of aquatic ecology and training volunteer stream monitors who track the health of our region’s streams. Learn from the experts: study stream science in our introductory classes, and you just might be inspired to become a stream monitor yourself! Our advanced classes are perfect for those interested in deepening their knowledge about biological stream monitoring and are taught by our Maryland Biological Stream Survey-certified instructor Cathy Wiss.
Registration & Fee Information
Registration required: click here to register online. The classes are open to anyone 10 years and older. Except for Macro ID Review & Quiz, prices for all classes are $15 Members/$25 non-members (plus a $1 non-refundable registration fee per class); waivers are available for existing monitors and students earning SSL credit—email cathy.wiss@anshome.org for details.
Typically we teach our Introductory series twice each year, in spring & fall, and our Advanced series (required for ANS volunteer team leaders) January – March.
See the full list of classes on our Water Quality Monitoring Page.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Conservation Café
september
2020 Conservation CafésEnjoy a fun evening, learn about conservation topics, and support ANS!
Event Details
Join us for virtual fellowship while enjoying inspiring presentations on a variety of nature conservation topics. Click the link for each event below to see more information and register. All
Event Details
Join us for virtual fellowship while enjoying inspiring presentations on a variety of nature conservation topics. Click the link for each event below to see more information and register. All programs run via Zoom, 7-8:30 pm. Registration fees ($5-15) go to support our ANS Conservation Program!
Thursday, September 17: Transforming our Cities: Imagining a future of equity and sustainability. With Maisie Hughes, Co-Founder and Board Treasurer of The Urban Studio, and Senior Director of Urban Forestry at American Forests.
Thursday, October 8: Grappling with racism, diversity, and justice in the environmental movement. Gabrielle Roffe (Manager of Equity and Community Engagement at Chesapeake Conservancy) will moderate this in-depth, engaging conversation with experts Chanté Coleman (Vice President of Equity and Justice at National Wildlife Federation) and Ruby Rivera (Conservation Partnerships Manager at The Nature Conservancy’s Global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Team).
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Master Naturalist
Free Birding Trips
august
Event Details
Directions Given the uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation this fall, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Free Birding Trips through at least the
Event Details
Directions
Given the uncertainty of the Covid-19 situation this fall, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Free Birding Trips through at least the end of the year. Keep an eye on anshome.org/covid-19-updates, emails, and our Facebook page for updates.
Did you know that we are offering a number of great Naturalist Hour Zoom presentations this month, with more being planned in August and throughout the fall? Visit www.anshome.org/naturalist-hour for an overview of dates and topics being offered—as well as to register for these nature learning opportunities.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Beginner Bird Walks
august
Beginner Bird Walks at Woodend
Event Details
Walks currently on hold due to CDC/state/county regulations. Please watch this space for when we can reopen these walks. Have you ever wanted to learn about the birds you
Event Details
Walks currently on hold due to CDC/state/county regulations. Please watch this space for when we can reopen these walks.
Have you ever wanted to learn about the birds you see regularly around Washington? Did you know that about 250 birds either pass through or make this area their home?
Join us every Saturday morning at Woodend for our Beginner Bird Walks. An excellent place to come for those just starting out or for those who want to learn more about our area’s birds. From 9-10 am a volunteer leader will guide you through the important how tos: from how to use binoculars to how to identify our most prevalent resident birds.
Meet at the Audubon Naturalist Shop parking lot. Bring binoculars or use ours. Register here.
These gentle walks happen every Saturday morning from March through June, and September through November. Walks take place only on the first Saturday of December through February. There are no walks in July and August.
Be sure to visit the Audubon Naturalist Shop after the bird walk. The shop opens at 9 am on Saturdays and if you let the cashier know you attended that morning’s bird walk they will provide you with a coupon for a discount in the shop.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Location
Woodend Nature Sanctuary
8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA