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

SEPTEMBER

Confusing Composites 
Saturday, September 7 (9 am-1 pm) 
Leader: Sujata Roy 
Members $26; nonmembers $36 
Most of our area’s late summer and fall-blooming wildflowers belong to the composite (Asteraceae) plant family. With many local species of asters, goldenrods, sunflowers, bonesets and more, it can be intimidating even to begin to consider IDing them. In this introductory field class, our leader will use both meadow and woodland at Little Bennett Park in Montgomery County, MD to explain the differences between the main groups of “confusing composites” while offering tips on how to begin identifying them. Image credit: L. Shyamal REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Birding Series 
A. Sunday, September 8: Swain’s Lock, MD (Mike Bowen) (7:30-10:30 am)  FULL 
B. Saturday, September 21: Huntley Meadows, VA (Jim Nelson) (7:30-10:30 am)  FULL
C. Sunday, September 29: Oaks Landfill, MD (Mark England) (7:30-10:30 am) FULL
D. Saturday, October 12: Patuxent River Park/Jug Bay Natural Area, MD (Mark England) (8-11am) FULL
E. Sunday, October 20: Blue Mash Nature Trail, MD (Lisa Norwalk & Len Bisson) (8-11 am) FULL
F. Saturday, November 2: Dyke Marsh, VA  (Paul Pisano) (8-11 am)   
G. Sunday, November 10: Hughes Hollow, MD  (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am) FULL
H. Saturday, November 23: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am)
Each walk members $26; nonmembers $36
Entire series $177/$245
Our fall birding series visits eight protected areas, all under an hour’s drive from D.C., where a variety of habitats — including field, forest, and wetland — provide good opportunities for the observation and identification of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants. As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Most of our explorations will be on natural surface trails that may be uneven or muddy, but some destinations include mild uphill and downhill. REGISTER ONLINE.

Midweek Meanders Along the Canal 
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm) 
A: September 11 – Riley’s Lock  FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
B: September 25 – Carderock FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
C: October 9 – Violettes Lock FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
D: October 23 – Pennyfield Lock  FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
E: November 20 – Widewater FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
F: December 4 – Swain’s Lock FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35 
Entire series $135/$190 
Enjoy one or all of these leisurely autumn walks along portions of the C&O Canal that enjoy less traffic than the towpath stretches close to Washington. The focus of our walks, each beginning from a different location, will be general natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe birds, fall wildflowers and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles — and whatever else we might find. Participants interested in carpooling will meet at Woodend. REGISTER ONLINE.

Insects After Dark 
Thursday, September 12 (7:30-9:30 pm) 
Leader: Cliff Fairweather 
Members $24; nonmembers $34 
We’ve enlisted a passionate bug-hugger to help us investigate the variety of insects going about their nightly business in the habitats of our Woodend Sanctuary. Using black lights, which are high in the ultraviolet range, we’ll hope to attract moths, beetles, katydids and other nocturnal insects. We’ll use catch-and-release for closer inspections of these creatures, while enjoying the splendid, late-summer chorus of katydids and tree crickets. Image credit: Alan Schmierer REGISTER ONLINE.

Evening on the Canal 
Friday, September 13 (6:30-8:30 pm) 
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Join senior naturalist Stephanie Mason on a walk through the woods and along the Potomac River’s C&O Canal beginning at Swain’s Lock near Potomac, MD. As day gives way to dusk — and then to nightfall — we’ll look and listen for owls, foxes, bats, katydids, moths, and other nocturnal and crepuscular animals, discussing the adaptations of creatures whose “day” begins as ours ends. REGISTER ONLINE. 

Butterfly Migrants at Glendening Preserve  
Saturday, September 14 (10 am-2 pm) 
Rain date: Sunday, September 15 
Leader: Tom Stock 
Members $26; nonmembers $36 
The Parris N. Glendening Preserve in Anne Arundel Co.’s Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary maintains a large butterfly garden that is one of the best area locations for late-summer migrant butterflies, including Long-tailed Skippers, Ocola Skippers, Fiery Skippers, Cloudless Skippers and Sleepy Oranges, and, of course, Monarchs. We’ll spend most of our time exploring this active garden, boosting participants’ skills identifying difficult-to-ID skippers, with a short walk into surrounding fields for late summer dragonfly and damselflies as well as other insects. REGISTER ONLINE.  

Sleuthing for Spiders 
Sunday, September 15 (1-4:30 pm) 
Leader: Cathy Stragar 
Members $26; nonmembers $36 
Spiders are ubiquitous creatures in our basements, meadows, and woodlots. While they inspire feelings of fear among many, they are a source of wonderment and mystery to the nature enthusiast. Join a naturalist for an introduction to the natural history and identification of spiders. On our field trip to McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area, near Poolesville, MD, we’ll search for spiders in a variety of habitats and discuss their life histories, feeding strategies, and adaptations. Image credit: Judy Gallagher  REGISTER ONLINE. 

Botanical Gems of Monocacy Aqueduct and Dickerson Conservation Park 
Sunday, September 15 (9 am-12:30 pm) 
Leader: Carole Bergmann 
Members: $26; nonmembers $36 
As summer winds down and the growing season comes to an end, join our forest ecologist leader for an exploration of the floodplain plant communities along the Potomac River at Monocacy Aqueduct (Frederick County) and Dickerson Conservation Park (Montgomery County).  We’ll walk amongst towering Cottonwoods, Sycamores, Silver Maples and more, as the ripening and spreading of fruits and seeds tells us that fall is on the way. REGISTER ONLINE.

Geology of Sugarloaf Mountain 
Sunday, September 15 (9 am-Noon) 
Leader:  Joe Marx 
Members $26; nonmembers $36 
Sugarloaf Mountain, in southernmost Frederick County, MD, has long been something of an enigma to geologists. Where did all the sand originate to make such a heap of quartzite? Recent work on the surrounding terrain has provided answers. To study the mountain’s origin, we’ll drive to two overlooks and then hike to the summit and back on a one-mile loop. We’ll ascend using the steep stone steps of the Green trail and then descend, more gently, on the Red and Blue natural surface trails.  Don’t bring a bucket and shovel for a day at the beach—you’re already 500 million years too late.  Although the trails are well-marked and maintained, their surfaces include notably rocky and uneven stretches, which may also be muddy. Good balance and sturdy hiking shoes are a must.  Our geology hikes typically move at a faster pace than our normal naturalists’ shuffle. REGISTER ONLINE.  

Natural Heritage Series: Blue Ridge Beginnings FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Friday, September 20 (10 am-4:30 pm) 
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Members $34; nonmembers $48
A little more than an hour northwest of Washington lies Catoctin Mountain, the front edge of the Blue Ridge. Here, on a day of the week when visitors are few, we’ll enjoy the first day of fall in Catoctin Mountain Park. We’ll hike around 4 miles, at a leisurely pace, as we look for the plants and animals that inhabit the Park’s woods and waterways. In addition to natural history, we’ll consider the Mountain’s cultural history and past land uses. Our explorations will include some uphill and downhill hiking over rocky ground. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Birding Series 
B. Saturday, September 21: Huntley Meadows, VA (Jim Nelson) (7:30-10:30 am)  FULL
C. Sunday, September 29: Oaks Landfill, MD (Mark England) (7:30-10:30 am) FULL 
D. Saturday, October 12: Patuxent River Park/Jug Bay Natural Area, MD (Mark England) (8-11am) FULL
E. Sunday, October 20: Blue Mash Nature Trail, MD (Lisa Norwalk & Len Bisson) (8-11 am) FULL
F. Saturday, November 2: Dyke Marsh, VA  (Paul Pisano) (8-11 am)   
G. Sunday, November 10: Hughes Hollow, MD  (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am) FULL
H. Saturday, November 23: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am)
Each walk members $26; nonmembers $36
Our fall birding series visits eight protected areas, all under an hour’s drive from D.C., where a variety of habitats — including field, forest, and wetland — provide good opportunities for the observation and identification of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants. As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Most of our explorations will be on natural surface trails that may be uneven or muddy, but some destinations include mild uphill and downhill. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall in the Parks 
Sundays (8:30 am-1 pm) 
A: September 22—Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, VA 
B. October 20—Pennyfield Lock, C&O Canal, MD 
C. November 17—US National Arboretum, DC 
Leaders: Stephanie Mason & Cathy Stragar
Each walk: members $28; nonmembers $38 
Entire Series: $76/$103 
Sign up for one or all of these seasonal, broad-based nature explorations of nearby parks rich in natural history. We’ll walk between 3-4 miles, on natural surface and possibly muddy trails, as we enjoy the development of fall color, late season blooms and butterflies, resident and migrating birds, and all manner of wildlife. Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge near Woodbridge, VA, protects open grassland habitat as well as bottomlands along Belmont and Occoquan Bays. The C&O Canal Towpath will be our trail along the Potomac as we walk upriver from Pennyfield Lock, MD, near Potomac, MD. Our explorations in the National Arboretum in Southeast DC will visit the Fern Valley area and adjacent woodlands and prairie habitat plantings. REGISTER ONLINE.

Here Comes Fall 
Monday, September 23 (10 am-12:30 pm) 
Leader: Marney Bruce 
Members: $24; nonmembers $34
Celebrate autumn’s arrival with a plant-lovers’ walk along the C&O Canal Towpath around Riley’s Lock along the Potomac River. Our leader will focus on identification and natural history of the many local trees with compound leaves (think hickory, locust,
black walnut and more) but there will also be time to enjoy fall wildflowers along the way. REGISTER ONLINE.

Midweek Meanders Along the Canal 
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm) 
B: September 25 – Carderock FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
C: October 9 – Violettes Lock FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
D: October 23 – Pennyfield Lock  FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
E: November 20 – Widewater FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
F: December 4 – Swain’s Lock FULL – REGISTER FOR WAITLIST ONLINE
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35 
Enjoy one or all of these leisurely autumn walks along portions of the C&O Canal that enjoy less traffic than the towpath stretches close to Washington. The focus of our walks, each beginning from a different location, will be general natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe birds, fall wildflowers and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles — and whatever else we might find. Participants interested in carpooling will meet at Woodend. REGISTER ONLINE.

Wings and Wildflowers 
Saturday, September 28 (8 am-12:30 pm)  
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Members $28; nonmembers $38 
A park in upper Montgomery County, the Lois Green Conservation Area offers open meadows, pond and stream, and forested edges as an ideal spot for broad-based nature exploration. We’ll look for butterflies and other insects, migrant and resident birds, and other wildlife against the backdrop of late season, sun-loving wildflowers and fruiting trees. We’ll walk several miles on natural surface trails with some uphill/downhill. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Birding Series 
C. Sunday, September 29: Oaks Landfill, MD (Mark England) (7:30-10:30 am) FULL
D. Saturday, October 12: Patuxent River Park/Jug Bay Natural Area, MD (Mark England) (8-11am) FULL
E. Sunday, October 20: Blue Mash Nature Trail, MD (Lisa Norwalk & Len Bisson) (8-11 am) FULL
F. Saturday, November 2: Dyke Marsh, VA  (Paul Pisano) (8-11 am)   
G. Sunday, November 10: Hughes Hollow, MD  (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am) FULL
H. Saturday, November 23: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am)
Each walk members $26; nonmembers $36
Our fall birding series visits eight protected areas, all under an hour’s drive from D.C., where a variety of habitats — including field, forest, and wetland — provide good opportunities for the observation and identification of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants. As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Most of our explorations will be on natural surface trails that may be uneven or muddy, but some destinations include mild uphill and downhill. REGISTER ONLINE.

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

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

OCTOBER

For Goodness Snakes 
Thursday, October 3 (7-9 pm) 
Leader: Kerry Wixted 
Free, but registration required. 
Snakes are fascinating yet highly misunderstood creatures. Learn the basics about snake biology and why we should care about them, as well as information on several of the species that call Maryland home. From the secretive rainbow snake to the social timber rattlesnake, Maryland’s snake species are highly diverse. Our presenter is Wildlife Education and Outreach Specialist for the MD Dept. of Natural Resources. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Fungus Walk 
Saturday, October 5 (9 am-12:30 pm) 
Leader: Serenella Linares 
Members $26; nonmembers $36 
Fall 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. Our outdoor classroom will be our own Woodend Sanctuary, where the natural surface trails will include some uphill and downhill walking. 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 ONLINE.

On the Move at Cape May 
Monday, October 7 (8 am) to Tuesday, October 8 (4 pm) 
Optional 3rd day: Wednesday, October 9 (8 am-4 pm) 
Leader: Mark Garland 
Two-day trip: Members $120; nonmembers $168 
Optional 3rd day: $50
Cape May is an astounding place to witness autumn migration.  Under the right weather conditions, a single day can bring several thousand southbound hawks, tens of thousands of migrating songbirds, and thousands of Monarch butterflies onto the southern tip of New Jersey.  Waterfowl, herons, dragonflies and even bats also travel through Cape May in October.  Under the guidance of an expert naturalist and birder who’s a local, we’ll visit many of the diverse natural areas around Cape May and celebrate the rich spectacle of fall migration.  Overnight options include hotels, B&B’s, owner rentals, and campgrounds in and around Cape May, which are booked by participants themselves. REGISTER ONLINE.

Midweek Meanders Along the Canal 
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm) 
C: October 9 – Violettes Lock FULL
D: October 23 – Pennyfield Lock  FULL
E: November 20 – Widewater FULL
F: December 4 – Swain’s Lock FULL
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35 
Enjoy one or all of these leisurely autumn walks along portions of the C&O Canal that enjoy less traffic than the towpath stretches close to Washington. The focus of our walks, each beginning from a different location, will be general natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe birds, fall wildflowers and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles — and whatever else we might find. Participants interested in carpooling will meet at Woodend. REGISTER ONLINE.

Intro to Tree Identification 
Friday, October 11 (10 am-3 pm) 
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Members $34; nonmembers $48 
Fall is a great time to learn to identify our local trees and shrubs. With brilliant leaves highlighting the twigs, new buds already formed, and many fruits hanging on, there are lots of distinguishing features that help sort out the various species. This program at our Woodend Sanctuary will begin indoors with a look at some techniques of tree identification, coupled with practice using a simple key. We’ll then move outdoors to use our new skills to identify many of the trees growing on the grounds. Both beginners and those who want to brush up on their ID skills are welcome. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Birding Series 
D. Saturday, October 12: Patuxent River Park/Jug Bay Natural Area, MD (Mark England) (8-11am) FULL
E. Sunday, October 20: Blue Mash Nature Trail, MD (Lisa Norwalk & Len Bisson) (8-11 am) FULL
F. Saturday, November 2: Dyke Marsh, VA  (Paul Pisano) (8-11 am)   
G. Sunday, November 10: Hughes Hollow, MD  (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am) FULL
H. Saturday, November 23: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am)
Each walk members $26; nonmembers $36
Our fall birding series visits eight protected areas, all under an hour’s drive from D.C., where a variety of habitats — including field, forest, and wetland — provide good opportunities for the observation and identification of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants. As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Most of our explorations will be on natural surface trails that may be uneven or muddy, but some destinations include mild uphill and downhill.  Image credit: Cephas REGISTER ONLINE.

Natural Heritage Hike: Calvert Cliffs State Park 
Sunday, October 13 (10 am-4:30 pm) 
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Members $34; nonmembers $48 
While most visit Calvert Cliffs State Park for the marine fossils along its Chesapeake Bay Beach, this park in southern Maryland offers rich natural history as well. We’ll hike out to the Bay and back (total of 4 miles) as we explore coastal plain forests, marshland, and stream valley habitats. We’ll look and listen for all manner of fall wildlife activity, as we make stops along the way to study plant communities in their seasonal aspects. The Park charges a per car admission fee. Carpooling will be encouraged and facilitated with a central meeting point not far outside the Beltway. REGISTER ONLINE.

Wonders at Woodend: Forest Bathing through the Seasons
Wednesdays (10 am-Noon)
Section D: October 16 FULL
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 ONLINE.

Native Plant Gardening
Fall Walk: Thursday, October 17 (10 am-Noon)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $20; nonmembers $28
Explore the Blair Native Plant Garden, located just outside the Sanctuary Shop, with our Senior Naturalist who helped develop the garden and its educational focus. Find out more about the values of gardening with native plant species, including: lower maintenance; more value to native birds, butterflies and other insects, including pollinators; reduced negative impact on local ecosystems, and more. We’ll discuss native alternatives to popular non-native species such as English ivy, as well as resources for broadening one’s knowledge and understanding of plants natives to the mid-Atlantic. You’re welcome to bring along a bag lunch to eat with the leader after the walks, which are scheduled to highlight seasonal aspects of the garden. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Birding Series 
E. Sunday, October 20: Blue Mash Nature Trail, MD (Lisa Norwalk & Len Bisson) (8-11 am) FULL
F. Saturday, November 2: Dyke Marsh, VA  (Paul Pisano) (8-11 am)   
G. Sunday, November 10: Hughes Hollow, MD  (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am) FULL
H. Saturday, November 23: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am)
Each walk members $26; nonmembers $36
Our fall birding series visits eight protected areas, all under an hour’s drive from D.C., where a variety of habitats — including field, forest, and wetland — provide good opportunities for the observation and identification of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants. As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Most of our explorations will be on natural surface trails that may be uneven or muddy, but some destinations include mild uphill and downhill. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall in the Parks 
Sundays (8:30 am-1 pm) 
B. October 20—Pennyfield Lock, C&O Canal, MD 
C. November 17—US National Arboretum, DC 
Leaders: Stephanie Mason & Cathy Stragar
Each walk: members $28; nonmembers $38 
Sign up for one or all of these seasonal, broad-based nature explorations of nearby parks rich in natural history. We’ll walk between 3-4 miles, on natural surface and possibly muddy trails, as we enjoy the development of fall color, late season blooms and butterflies, resident and migrating birds, and all manner of wildlife.  The C&O Canal Towpath will be our trail along the Potomac as we walk upriver from Pennyfield Lock, MD, near Potomac, MD. Our explorations in the National Arboretum in Southeast DC will visit the Fern Valley area and adjacent woodlands and prairie habitat plantings. REGISTER ONLINE.

Midweek Meanders Along the Canal 
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm) 
D: October 23 – Pennyfield Lock FULL 
E: November 20 – Widewater FULL
F: December 4 – Swain’s Lock FULL
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35 
Enjoy one or all of these leisurely autumn walks along portions of the C&O Canal that enjoy less traffic than the towpath stretches close to Washington. The focus of our walks, each beginning from a different location, will be general natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe birds, fall wildflowers and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles — and whatever else we might find. Participants interested in carpooling will meet at Woodend. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall on Wheels Along the Canal 
Friday, October 25 (9 am-3 pm) 
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Members $34; nonmembers $48 
Fall colors are ablaze and the towpath along the Potomac River is one of the finest places in the D.C. Metro area to experience this season’s richness. In order to cover more territory and visit more habitats, we’ll use bikes to explore the stretch from Swain’s Lock to Riley’s Lock, a 12.3 mile round-trip ride. We’ll dismount often to look for fall fruits and admire lingering fall foliage, while keeping an eye and ear open for fall migrants, overwintering birds, and other still-active wildlife. Bring your own bike. REGISTER ONLINE.

Geology of Soapstone Valley FULL
Saturday, October 26 (1-4 pm) 
Leader: Joe Marx 
Members $26; Nonmembers $36 
Soapstone Valley, in the Van Ness section of the District of Columbia, provides a pleasant, surprisingly quiet hike through deep woods. Extending about a mile from Connecticut Avenue to Broad Branch, the valley cuts across no less than four geological formations, all related to the Taconic Orogeny. We will walk about two miles, out-and-back, from the trailhead on Albemarle St. NW, near UDC. Although the trail, an old, unpaved road, is wide and relatively easy, there are seven crossings of the little stream, none with bridges. Ups and downs are gentle, but the trail drops several hundred vertical feet on its way to Broad Branch and, of course, the altitude must be regained on the return. Our geology hikes typically move at a faster pace than our normal naturalists’ shuffle. REGISTER ONLINE.  

Walk Among the Giants
D. Sunday, October 27 (8 am-Noon)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $28; nonmembers $38
Walk among the giant Sycamores, Oaks, and River Birches on this seasonal series of explorations along the Potomac River just upstream of Great Falls, MD. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for all manner of wildlife, and watch the winter woods turn green, and then summer sultry before fall colors herald the coming of another winter. Our floodplain trail, connecting with the Towpath, is mostly level, but could be muddy as we walk our loop of roughly 2.5 miles.  REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Tree ID for Birders 
Sunday, October 27 (2:30-4 pm) 
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Free, but registration required. 
With trees ablaze in fall colors and their fruits hanging high, we’ll learn the identifying characteristics visible through binoculars of the most common species of trees and shrubs along the C&O Canal towpath upstream of Carderock. REGISTER ONLINE. 

Botanical Gems of Little Bennett Park 
Sunday, October 27 (9 am-12:30 pm) 
Leader: Carole Bergmann 
Members $26; Nonmembers: $36
At 3,700 acres, Little Bennett Regional Park near Clarksburg, MD is a park where you can still get lost.  But don’t worry: our leader knows this park well.  With autumn color nearing peak, she’ll focus on the ID of fall fruits and seeds in the Park’s varied plant communities: mature forest, shrub thicket, riparian wetlands, and open meadows.  Expect some uphill and downhill on this hike of 2-3 miles. REGISTER ONLINE.  

The Natural and Cultural History of the Ag Reserve 
Tuesday, October 29 (9:30 am-4 pm) 
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley & Stephanie Mason 
Members $36; nonmembers $54 
Thirty-five years ago, with regional farmland rapidly diminishing, Montgomery County had the foresight to set aside more than 90,000 acres of farms and open space in the western and northern third of the county as an “Agricultural Reserve.” Come explore this scenic, biologically diverse area and learn how it contributes to clean air and water, the availability of fresh local produce, and the overall quality of life for residents of the metro area. Our trip will visit a working CSA farm, a fall produce and pumpkin stand, an historical site, and perhaps an artist’s studio, time permitting, to experience the rich diversity of plants and wildlife (and human livelihoods) that thrive in the Reserve’s fields, meadows, wetlands, and rocky woodlands. Image credit: Don Graham REGISTER ONLINE. 

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

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

NOVEMBER

Fall Birding Series 
F. Saturday, November 2: Dyke Marsh, VA  (Paul Pisano) (8-11 am)   
G. Sunday, November 10: Hughes Hollow, MD  (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am) FULL
H. Saturday, November 23: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am)
Each walk members $26; nonmembers $36
Our fall birding series visits eight protected areas, all under an hour’s drive from D.C., where a variety of habitats — including field, forest, and wetland — provide good opportunities for the observation and identification of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants. As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Most of our explorations will be on natural surface trails that may be uneven or muddy, but some destinations include mild uphill and downhill. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Birding Series 
G. Sunday, November 10: Hughes Hollow, MD  (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am) FULL
H. Saturday, November 23: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am)
Each walk members $26; nonmembers $36
Our fall birding series visits eight protected areas, all under an hour’s drive from D.C., where a variety of habitats — including field, forest, and wetland — provide good opportunities for the observation and identification of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants. As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Most of our explorations will be on natural surface trails that may be uneven or muddy, but some destinations include mild uphill and downhill. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall in the Parks 
Sundays (8:30 am-1 pm) 
C. November 17 – US National Arboretum, DC 
Leaders: Stephanie Mason & Cathy Stragar
Each walk: members $28; nonmembers $38 
Sign up for one or all of these seasonal, broad-based nature explorations of nearby parks rich in natural history. We’ll walk between 3-4 miles, on natural surface and possibly muddy trails, as we enjoy the development of fall color, late season blooms and butterflies, resident and migrating birds, and all manner of wildlife. Our explorations in the National Arboretum in Southeast DC will visit the Fern Valley area and adjacent woodlands and prairie habitat plantings. Image credit: Megan McCarty REGISTER ONLINE.

Midweek Meanders Along the Canal 
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm) 
E: November 20 – Widewater FULL 
F: December 4 – Swain’s Lock FULL
Leader: Stephanie Mason 
Each walk members $25; nonmembers $35 
Enjoy one or all of these leisurely autumn walks along portions of the C&O Canal that enjoy less traffic than the towpath stretches close to Washington. The focus of our walks, each beginning from a different location, will be general natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and the C&O Canal. We’ll proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe birds, fall wildflowers and foliage, butterflies, snakes, turtles — and whatever else we might find. Participants interested in carpooling will meet at Woodend. REGISTER ONLINE.

Fall Birding Series 
H. Saturday, November 23: Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, DC (Lisa Shannon & Rob Hilton) (8-11 am)
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Our fall birding series visits eight protected areas, all under an hour’s drive from D.C., where a variety of habitats — including field, forest, and wetland — provide good opportunities for the observation and identification of birds in autumn. On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants. As the season progresses, we’ll watch for sparrows, raptors, waterfowl, and other birds. These teaching walks are aimed at beginning to mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Most of our explorations will be on natural surface trails that may be uneven or muddy, but some destinations include mild uphill and downhill. REGISTER ONLINE.

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