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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Map of Field Trip Destinations

Want to see what programs you are registered for? Log into your online account here.

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.

JULY

Summer Shuffles Along the Canal
Wednesdays (9-11:30 am)
Section B: July 1 – Riley’s Lock FULL
Section C: July 15 – Carderock FULL
Section D: July 29 – Swain’s Lock FULL
Leader: Carol Hayes
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35
Summer’s here and it may be hot, so we’ll keep our pace to a shuffle as we visit four areas along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, and whatever else we may find underfoot or overhead. REGISTER

Six-legged Songsters of Summer CANCELLED
Wednesday, July 8 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Leader: Cathy Stragar
Free, but registration is required.
Sticky summer has arrived, and the songs of insects such as cicadas, crickets, and katydids begin to swell into a noisy and riotous chorus. Join naturalist Cathy Stragar at our Woodend Sanctuary for a slide introduction to the most common of these songsters: who they are, why they sing, and how they make their amazing sounds. She’ll also describe how to get involved with the eighth annual Cricket Crawl citizen science activity in late August. REGISTER

Art and Nature Journaling  CANCELLED
Saturday, July 11 (10 am-1:30 pm)
Leader: Tina Thieme Brown
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Create an art journal page under the guidance of the artist of the Sugarloaf Mountain books and the illustrated Agricultural Reserve Map. Following a short stroll looking closely at nature, participants will share observations of native trees along the trail. Tina will show you how to create an art journal page using sketches and handwritten notes that reflect your walk in the woods. The only experience required is a love for our native woodland trees. Site for this outdoor drawing workshop will be Black Hill Regional Park. A list of art supplies will be provided with the confirmation letter. REGISTER

On the Wing at Lilypons FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Saturday, July 11 (8 am-Noon)
Rain date: July 12 (8 am-Noon)
Leader: Tom Stock
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Because of its on-site manmade ponds combined with adjacent open fields and riparian woodlands along the Monocacy River and Bennett Creek, Lilypons Water Gardens in Frederick County attracts an abundance of bird species in all seasons. Its varied habitats can also be a productive spot for summer butterfly watching, according to our leader. Join him for a morning walk in search of both birds and butterflies—wings feathered and scaled, respectively—as he shares tips for field ID of the species we encounter. Don’t forget your binoculars! REGISTER

Summer Shuffles Along the Canal
Wednesdays (9-11:30 am)
Section C: July 15 – Carderock FULL
Section D: July 29 – Swain’s Lock FULL
Leader: Carol Hayes
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35
Summer’s here and it may be hot, so we’ll keep our pace to a shuffle as we visit four areas along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, and whatever else we may find underfoot or overhead. REGISTER

Wonders at Woodend: Forest Bathing through the Seasons
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section C: July 15 CANCELLED
Section D: October 14
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Each walk members $26; nonmembers $36
Savor the natural joys of each season on forest bathing walks led by Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a longtime ANS field trip leader and the author of The Joy of Forest Bathing—Reconnect with Wild Places & Rejuvenate Your Life. Discover the magic of shinrin-yoku, translated as “forest bathing,” a nature-oriented mindfulness practice that originated in Japan and has become popular all over the world. Our leader is a Nature & Forest Therapy Guide with certification from the Association of Nature & Forest Therapy Guides and Programs of Sonoma County, California. Experience the restoration of Woodend as we explore and commune with the living things in our meadows, forest, and Blair Garden. A serving of maple sap “tea” and a sharing of nature poetry will conclude each walk. REGISTER

Dragons of the Air FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Saturday, July 18 (9-11:30 am)
Raindate: Sunday, July 19
Leader: Lisa Shannon
Members $24; nonmembers $34
The wetlands around Pine Lake in Wheaton Regional Park, MD, are an ideal spot to start learning how to ID the most common dragonflies in our area. Naturalist Lisa Shannon will help beginning dragonfly enthusiasts focus on identifying characteristics, as well as the life histories, of these aerial insects. Close-focusing binoculars are recommended for optimal dragon-watching.  Image credit:  Frankenplant REGISTER

Summer Morning in the Hollow FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Sunday, July 26 (8-11:30 am)
Leader: Cathy Stragar
Members $26; nonmembers $36
The McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area near Poolesville, MD—affectionately known as Hughes Hollow by its enthusiasts—is alive with wildlife sights and sounds during the long, hot, muggy days of July. Enjoy a slow stroll through and around the field, forest, and wetland habitats here in search of summer insect life and all manner of seasonal animal activity and plant life. REGISTER

Summer Shuffles Along the Canal
Wednesdays (9-11:30 am)
Section D: July 29 – Swain’s Lock FULL
Leader: Carol Hayes
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35
Summer’s here and it may be hot, so we’ll keep our pace to a shuffle as we visit four areas along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, and whatever else we may find underfoot or overhead. REGISTER

A Year at Theodore Roosevelt Island
B: Summer Kayaking Trip, Wednesday, July 29 (10 am-1:30 pm)  CANCELLED
C: Autumn Tree Walk, Wednesday, November 4 (10 am-2 pm)
D: Late Autumn Tree Walk, Wednesday, December 2 (10 am-2 pm)
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Each walk: members $28; nonmembers $38
Join Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of the forthcoming Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island (August 2020), for a year-long exploration of Theodore Roosevelt Island, a 90-acre island in the Potomac that serves as a fitting memorial to our conservationist and naturalist 26th president—and Audubon Naturalist Society member! In the early spring, we’ll witness the miracle of budbreak among the island’s remarkable trees and see the floodplain forest come alive with Virginia bluebells, spring beauties, trout lilies, and trilliums. During summer, we will kayak around the island, launching from Key Bridge Boathouse on the Georgetown waterfront. We’ll paddle under the island’s graceful silver maples and sycamores, get close to the summer wildflowers along the shore, and watch herons, egrets, wood ducks and—hopefully—the noisy kingfisher! As a bonus, we’ll be treated to stunning views of the Lincoln Memorial and the “City of Trees” on the horizon. Our fall tree walks will take us deep into the swamp and tidal inlet along the boardwalk where willows, bald-cypresses and cattails frame views of the city behind it. Melanie will share details of the island’s fascinating history during this year-long exploration and we’ll witness the ebb and flow of the Potomac tides along with the changing seasons. Fee for trip B does not include canoe or kayak rental. REGISTER

Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.