Adults
Nature Classes and Field Trips
november
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
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org. NOVEMBER Window into the World of Fungi Thursday, November 1 (7-9:30 pm) Leader:
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.
NOVEMBER
Window into the World of Fungi
Thursday, November 1 (7-9:30 pm)
Leader: Tovi Lehmann
Free, but registration required.
Rooted, yet not plants, heterotrophs, but not animals (growing in fairy rings, yet not even fairies), fungi are members of another kingdom. Mostly hidden under the surface, fungi have evolved their own solutions to life’s persistent problems. Gaining the recognition for their pivotal role in shaping the living world, they now reshape fundamental perceptions of biologists. In this lecture at our Woodend Sanctuary, we will explore the natural history and ecology of our local fungal neighbors, rather than focus on the edibility of particular species of mushrooms. REGISTER ONLINE.
Fall on Wheels Along the Canal SORRY CANCELED
Friday, November 2 (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. Image credit: Peter K Burian REGISTER ONLINE.
Fall Birding Series
G. Saturday, November 3: U.S. National Arboretum, DC (Paul Pisano) (8-11 am)
H. Sunday, November 11: Pennyfield Lock, MD (Lisa Norwalk & Len Bisson) (8-11 am) WAITLIST OPEN
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.
A Year in Rock Creek Park
D: Fall Nature Hike in Rock Creek Park
Saturday, November 3 (9:30 am-3:30 pm)
Members $34; nonmembers $42
Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of the award-winning book, A Year in Rock Creek Park and the critically acclaimed, City of Trees, will offer her twelfth year of popular nature walks for ANS in the country’s oldest urban national park, created in 1890. Autumn will find us hiking the Western Ridge and Valley Trails during peak fall foliage and fruiting season, stopping to study and admire oaks, maples, hickories and many other trees along the route. The Boundary Bridge Walks will cover a 2.5 mile loop on natural surface trails with moderate uphill and downhill. The Fall Hike will traverse 4-6 miles, with uphill and downhill on natural surface trails which may be rocky and uneven. Image credit: Dcrjsr REGISTER HERE
Fall Tree ID for Birders
Sunday, November 4 (2:30-4 pm) DATE CHANGED FROM 10/28 WAITLIST OPEN
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.
A Year at Theodore Roosevelt Island
C: Autumn Tree Walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, Wednesday, November 7 (10 am-2 pm) WAITLIST OPEN
D: Late Autumn Tree Walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, Wednesday, December 5 (10 am-2 pm)
Each walk: members $28; nonmembers $38
Join Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of A Year in Rock Creek Park and City of Trees, 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! 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 HERE
Fall Flora Fridays
Fridays (10 am-12:30 pm)
C. November 9: Widewater/C&O Canal, MD
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $25; nonmembers $35
On our Fall Flora Fridays, we’ll enjoy the area’s rich diversity of plant life during this season of lingering blooms, ripening fruits, and changing color. Although aimed at beginning to mid-level plant enthusiasts, all are welcome. On each field trip, we may walk up to 2 miles at a stop-and-go pace on natural surface trails. Trip A will include some uphill/downhill walking. REGISTER ONLINE.
Fall Along the Water
C. Saturday, November 10 (9 am-3 pm): White’s Ferry, MD
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $34; nonmembers $48
Join our Senior Naturalist for this series of field trips tracking the unfolding of fall along local waterways rich in natural history. We’ll enjoy the changing fall colors as we search for late-season blooms and fruits; migrant birds, butterflies, and dragonflies; and other still-active wildlife. On our first walk, we head to the shores of the Patuxent River in PG County to visit Jug Bay Natural Area. Next we explore the open, grassland habitats along Belmont and Occoquan Bays near Woodbridge, VA. Finally, we’ll head up the Potomac to White’s Ferry and stroll along the C&O Canal on our final walk, enjoying the peak of fall color. We’ll cover between 2-4 miles on each outing. Image credit: Image credit: Ken Thomas REGISTER ONLINE.
Fall Birding Series
H. Sunday, November 11: Pennyfield Lock, MD (8-11 am) WAITLIST OPEN
Leaders: Lisa Norwalk & Len Bisson
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 Leaf Drawing Workshop
Monday, November 12 (10 am-3 pm)
Leader: Tina Thieme Brown
Members $32; nonmembers $44
There is a long tradition of naturalists keeping field notes. Often their written notes are accompanied by drawings. If you want to learn how to add sketches to your field observations, we invite you to join an artist/illustrator, whose sketchbooks are filled with drawings of plant life, for a workshop at our Woodend Sanctuary. Tina will lead you on a walk in the woods, where you will carry along your sketchbook and reflect on the changing season. Returning to an indoor classroom, she will guide you through the steps to create a drawing of fall leaves and acorns. The only experience required is a love of nature, and a desire to look closely at the seasonal changes in our native trees. A suggested art supply list will be provided with confirmation letter. REGISTER ONLINE.
Midweek Meanders Along the Canal
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
E: November 14 – Widewater WAITLIST OPEN
F: November 28 – Swain’s Lock WAITLIST OPEN
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. Image credit: Mark A. Wilson REGISTER ONLINE.
Knock, Knock WAITLIST OPEN
Saturday, November 17 (9 am-12 pm)
Leaders: Pam and Chris Oves
Free, but registration required.
On this approximately 4-mile roundtrip bird walk along the Canal’s towpath at Riley’s Lock, we’ll work to see or at least hear all 7 species of woodpeckers (a grand-slam!) that frequent our woods this time of year. Our walk is aimed at beginning birders. This walk will go faster and farther than our usual “naturalist’s shuffle.” Limited to 12 participants. REGISTER ONLINE.
Chesapeake Wetlands
Sunday, November 18 (9:30 am-5:30 pm)
Leaders: Hal Wierenga and Lynn Davidson
Members $36; nonmembers $50
Discover the richness of autumn birding in the wetlands that line the Chesapeake Bay’s Eastern Shore with birders who know the area well. We’ll meet at the Blackwater Natural Wildlife Refuge, south of Cambridge, MD, about a 2-hour drive from Washington. After a leisurely visit to Blackwater, we’ll visit other wetlands in Dorchester and Talbot counties searching for migrant waterfowl, raptors, sparrows, and other seasonal birds. REGISTER ONLINE.
Midweek Meanders Along the Canal
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
F: November 28 – Swain’s Lock WAITLIST OPEN
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.
Bird ID Series: Waterfowl
Thursday, November 29 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Sunday, December 2 (3/4 day field trip)
Leader: Mike Bowen
Members $48; nonmembers $68
Lecture only $24/$32
Late fall signals the arrival of thousands of ducks and geese into the mid-Atlantic region. On Thursday evening, our leader will use an illustrated presentation to cover size, shape, plumages, habitat, and behaviors of the most common species in our area. On our field trip, we’ll visit several prime waterfowl areas, which will be chosen closer to the date of the workshop based on the pace of migration. This workshop is aimed at beginning and mid-level birders, but all are welcome. REGISTER ONLINE.
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org. DECEMBER Geology at Long Branch Saturday,
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.
DECEMBER
Geology at Long Branch
Saturday, December 1 (1- 4 pm)
Inclement weather date: Sunday, December 9
Leader: Joe Marx
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Arlington’s Long Branch Nature Center occupies a picturesque spot overlooking a short, misnamed tributary of Four Mile Run, itself a tributary of the Potomac. We will hike a mile or so out–and a mile back–down Long Branch and Four Mile Run, returning by the same route. A variety of rock units are exposed along the trail, including an undersea landslide frozen in time, long-vanished seaside flats, and the bottommost layer of the coastal plain. To add botanical icing to our geological cake, we will traverse an old-growth upland forest and a quicker-changing floodplain forest. The paved route is entirely on level to gently-inclined park trails. Note: Our geology hikes move faster than our usual “naturalist’s shuffle”. Image credit: Mrs. Gemstone. REGISTER HERE.
Birding the Shenandoah Valley
Saturday, December 1 (9 am-4 pm)
Leaders: Joe Coleman and Laura McGranaghan
Members (ANS & LWC) $36; nonmembers $50
Clarke County in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley is rich with excellent birding areas. Join two seasoned birders on a daylong search for hawks, sparrows, waterfowl, and other seasonal birds in the northeastern section of the Valley. We’ll meet at the Snicker’s Gap Hawkwatch in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Loudoun/Clarke County border. From here we’ll move along the Shenandoah River, and visit the Virginia State Arboretum and Blandy Farm. We’ll wrap up the day with a return to Snicker’s Gap Hawkwatch to see what’s moving overhead. All levels of birders are welcome, and we will carpool/caravan from our meeting point to the return. Our field trip is cosponsored with Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy (LWC). REGISTER HERE.
A Year at Theodore Roosevelt Island
D: Late Autumn Tree Walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island, Wednesday, December 5 (10 am-2 pm)
Each walk: members $28; nonmembers $38
Join Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of A Year in Rock Creek Park and City of Trees, 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! 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. REGISTER HERE
Natural History of Owls
Thursday, December 6 (7-9:30 pm)
Leader: Scott Baron
Free, but registration required.
Local owl populations swell during the winter as resident species are joined by northern migrants. Looking for owls and understanding their specialized adaptations is an exciting winter activity. This illustrated slide lecture at our Woodend Sanctuary, presented by a local birder and owl enthusiast, will cover field identification techniques, basic adaptations and natural history of owls. REGISTER HERE.
Winter Birding at Black Hill
Section A: Saturday, December 8 (8:30-11 am)
Section B: Saturday, January 5 (8:30-11 am)
Section C: Sunday, February 3 (8:30-11 am)
Section D: Saturday, March 2 (8:30-11 am)
Leader: Mark England
Each walk: members $24; nonmembers $32
Entire series $88/$120
The winter months can be an ideal time to learn more about birds and birding, and Black Hill Regional Park, in upper Montgomery County, is an ideal outdoor classroom for this study. Each walk in our series, intended for beginning to mid-level birders, will visit one or more sites in the Park in a search for waterfowl, sparrows, raptors, and other both resident and overwintering species. The Park’s habitats are varied and include wetlands and Little Seneca Lake, as well as forest and field. Join us for the entire series and observe the seasonal changes in numbers and species, or just sign up for individual walks. REGISTER HERE.
Winter Weeds
Friday, December 14 (10 am-2:30 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $28; nonmembers $38
Not all herbaceous plants disappear in the winter. Many persist as dried stalks and seed clusters, with a beauty to match the season. Join ANS Senior Naturalist Stephanie Mason for an indoor/outdoor introduction to winter weed and wildflower identification at our Woodend Sanctuary. We’ll also investigate seed dispersal strategies and examine plant skeletons for signs of summer insect activity, such as insect galls, chrysalids, cocoons, and egg cases. REGISTER HERE.
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
january
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org. JANUARY Winter Birding at Black Hill Section
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.
JANUARY
Winter Birding at Black Hill
Section B: Saturday, January 5 (8:30-11 am)
Section C: Sunday, February 3 (8:30-11 am)
Section D: Saturday, March 2 (8:30-11 am)
Leader: Mark England
Each walk: members $24; nonmembers $32
Entire series $88/$120
The winter months can be an ideal time to learn more about birds and birding, and Black Hill Regional Park, in upper Montgomery County, is an ideal outdoor classroom for this study. Each walk in our series, intended for beginning to mid-level birders, will visit one or more sites in the Park in a search for waterfowl, sparrows, raptors, and other both resident and overwintering species. The Park’s habitats are varied and include wetlands and Little Seneca Lake, as well as forest and field. Join us for the entire series and observe the seasonal changes in numbers and species, or just sign up for individual walks. Image credit: Connormah REGISTER HERE.
Winter Walks Along the Canal
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section A: January 9 – Carderock WAITLIST OPEN
Section B: January 23 – Widewater WAITLIST OPEN
Section C: February 6 – Swain’s Lock WAITLIST OPEN
Section D: February 20 – Violettes Lock WAITLIST OPEN
Sestion E: March 13 – Pennyfield Lock (note date change) WAITLIST OPEN
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk: members $25; nonmembers $35
Entire series 115/$160
Join our Senior Naturalist for one or all of these walks along the C&O Canal as we look for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, practice winter botany skills, and enjoy the expansive views along the Potomac River that this season provides. Carpooling will be available from Woodend. REGISTER ONLINE.
Introduction to the Winter Night Sky
Thursday, January 10 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Leader: Richard Orr
Members $24; nonmembers $32
Can you spot Orion the hunter rising up just over the treetops? This alone is a sure sign that winter has come once again to the northern hemisphere. Being able to read the sky in winter can give you a unique sense of cosmological wonder since most of the brighter stars are, in fact, winter stars. While our leader is best-known for his expertise in dragonflies, he’ll share his equally strong knowledge of astronomy in an indoor/outdoor presentation at our Woodend Sanctuary. We’ll be introduced to sky guideposts and the dozen or so “winter” constellations. Assuming skies are clear, we’ll bundle up to head outside and look for some of these wondrous celestial sights through a telescope. Image credit: Mouser REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter Hike Series: River and Rocks
A. Saturday, January 12 (3/4 day hike) Catoctin Mountain Park, MD
B. Sunday, January 27 (3/4 day hike) Riverbend Park, VA
C. Saturday, February 9 (3/4 day hike) C&O Canal, MD
Leaders: Stephanie Mason and Cathy Stragar
Each hike: members $34; nonmembers $48
Take on two of your New Year’s resolutions at once: spend more time outdoors exploring nature AND get more exercise by signing up for one or more of our winter hikes. This season’s series traverses the rocky trails of Catoctin Mountain Park just as the New Year begins. We’ll hike between 3.5-5 miles here, either as one long loop or as a series of shorter hikes. Our next two hikes visit the scenic bottomlands along the Potomac River. Hike B will use the Potomac Heritage Trail, which is mostly flat, but offers a small amount of rocky terrain, for a round trip hike of 3.8 miles. On our last outing, we will hike upriver on the flat C&O Canal towpath from Pennyfield Lock near Potomac, MD to Violettes Lock—and back—for a round trip total of 5 miles. On all three of these hikes, we will search for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, while practicing our winter botany skills. Hikes may be modified depending on weather and ground conditions, which could be muddy or snow-covered. These hikes are designed to offer a natural history experience for persons who want to move farther and faster than the pace of most ANS field trips. We will stop to observe and admire nature in it winter season, but will keep a pace necessary to cover the distance stated. REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter Waterfowl Prowl
Sunday, January 13 (8 am-12:30 pm)
Leader: Mike Bowen
Members $26; nonmembers $36
Early in the year is the best time to search for and learn to ID overwintering waterfowl in our area. Basing our search at wetlands and waterways relatively close-in to the metro area, we’ll visit sites in or near the District, Northern Virginia, or Montgomery County. Our exact locations will be determined closer to the date of the field trip, based on our leader’s scouting expeditions. While our focus will be waterfowl, we’ll keep an eye open for all birdlife. All levels of birders welcome. REGISTER ONLINE.
Native Plant Gardening
Winter Walk: Wednesday, January 16 (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.
New Year’s Moonwalk
Saturday, January 19 (6:30-8:30 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Members $25; nonmembers $35
Cross your fingers for clear skies as we celebrate the New Year with a brisk walk under the light of the year’s first full moon. We’ll head upriver on the C&O Canal towpath from Swain’s Lock, enjoying the shadows of arching sycamore trees and listening for the calls of owls and winter-active mammals. Distance covered will depend on the weather and conditions underfoot. REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter in Cape May
Saturday, January 19 (9 am) to Sunday, January 20 (4 pm)
Leader: Mark Garland
Members: $120; nonmembers $168
Visit the varied coastal habitats of Cape May at the heart of winter to search for wildlife during this seaside resort’s quietest season. We’ll start with a walk at Cape May Point State Park on Saturday morning. If it’s a mild winter there can be a good variety of lingering songbirds and waterfowl in the park. In harsh winters ice forms along the beaches, harbor seals rest on the floating ice, and woodcocks feed along the roadsides. After lunch, we’ll travel north to look for shorebirds and waterfowl at one or two inlets along the Atlantic Ocean coast. Big flocks of Dunlins winter here, and there are good chances to see scoters, Long-tailed Ducks, two species of loons, and other water birds. We end the day at Jakes Landing, where sometimes Short-eared Owls are seen patrolling the marsh at dusk. If it’s a calm evening we may try to call a Great Horned Owl or an Eastern Screech-Owl. We will plan to spend all day Sunday around the southern tip of the Cape, taking walks at several natural areas. If the weather is bitterly cold we will mix shorter walks with warming breaks inside. Overnight options include motels, B&Bs, and lodges in and around Cape May, which are booked by participants themselves. REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter Birding at Oaks Landfill
A: Sunday, January 20 (3-5:30 pm)
B: Sunday, February 10 (3:30-6 pm)
Leader: Mark England
Each walk members $24; nonmembers $32
You’ll want to bundle up for these birding treks to the now-closed landfill adjacent to the Blue Mash Nature Trail, a familiar birding spot in upper Montgomery County. As afternoon fades to dusk in the open terrain here, we’ll search for resident and overwintering species, including Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. Our leader will bring along a scope for distant bird viewing. Our visit to this area which is “closed to the public” is by special permission. Please register for one session only to allow for greater participation. REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter Walks Along the Canal
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section B: January 23 – Widewater WAITLIST OPEN
Section C: February 6 – Swain’s Lock WAITLIST OPEN
Section D: February 20 – Violettes Lock WAITLIST OPEN
Sestion E: March 13 – Pennyfield Lock (note date change) WAITLIST OPEN
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk: members $25; nonmembers $35
Entire series 115/$160
Join our Senior Naturalist for one or all of these walks along the C&O Canal as we look for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, practice winter botany skills, and enjoy the expansive views along the Potomac River that this season provides. Carpooling will be available from Woodend. REGISTER ONLINE.
Introduction to the Identification of Gulls
Thursday, January 24 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Saturday, January 26 (3/4 day field trip)
Leader: Paul Pisano
Members $48; nonmembers $68
Lecture only members $24; nonmembers $32
The variable plumages of gulls frustrate many observers, yet their behavior often allows careful and studied observation. This foray, designed for beginning and mid-level birders, will study the gulls that most commonly occur in the mid-Atlantic region. Thursday’s lecture will use slides to teach subadult and adult plumages, while Saturday’s field trip by carpool will take us to locations in DC and Virginia where the birds can be studied at length. Image credit: Richard001, Wikimedia REGISTER ONLINE.
Walk Among the Giants
A. Saturday, January 26 (9 am-1 pm)
B. Saturday, April 13 (8 am-Noon)
C. Sunday, July 21 (8 am-Noon)
D. Sunday, October 27 (8 am-Noon)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk members $28; nonmembers $38
Entire series $112/$156
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.
Winter Hike Series: River and Rocks
B. Sunday, January 27 (3/4 day hike) Riverbend Park, VA
C. Saturday, February 9 (3/4 day hike) C&O Canal, MD
Leaders: Stephanie Mason and Cathy Stragar
Each hike: members $34; nonmembers $48
Take on two of your New Year’s resolutions at once: spend more time outdoors exploring nature AND get more exercise by signing up for one or more of our winter hikes. Hike B will use the Potomac Heritage Trail, which is mostly flat, but offers a small amount of rocky terrain, for a round trip hike of 3.8 miles. On our last outing, we will hike upriver on the flat C&O Canal towpath from Pennyfield Lock near Potomac, MD to Violettes Lock—and back—for a round trip total of 5 miles. On all three of these hikes, we will search for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, while practicing our winter botany skills. Hikes may be modified depending on weather and ground conditions, which could be muddy or snow-covered. These hikes are designed to offer a natural history experience for persons who want to move farther and faster than the pace of most ANS field trips. We will stop to observe and admire nature in it winter season, but will keep a pace necessary to cover the distance stated. Image credit: MONGO REGISTER ONLINE.
Time
Year Around Event (2019)
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org. FEBRUARY Winter Tree ID for Birders Saturday,
Event Details
Questions? Call Pam at 301-652-9188 x16 or email pam.oves@anshome.org.
FEBRUARY
Winter Tree ID for Birders
Saturday, February 2 (2:30-4 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Free, but registration required.
We’re reprising this popular field trip to help birders learn to recognize the field marks of many common trees through binoculars. The outdoor classroom will be Scott’s Run Nature Preserve near McLean, VA, where we’ll ID trees in their winter aspect, all the while keeping our eyes and ears open for birds moving amongst them. Image credit: Famartin REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter Birding at Black Hill
Section C: Sunday, February 3 (8:30-11 am)
Section D: Saturday, March 2 (8:30-11 am)
Leader: Mark England
Each walk: members $24; nonmembers $32
The winter months can be an ideal time to learn more about birds and birding, and Black Hill Regional Park, in upper Montgomery County, is an ideal outdoor classroom for this study. Each walk in our series, intended for beginning to mid-level birders, will visit one or more sites in the Park in a search for waterfowl, sparrows, raptors, and other both resident and overwintering species. The Park’s habitats are varied and include wetlands and Little Seneca Lake, as well as forest and field. Join us for the entire series and observe the seasonal changes in numbers and species, or just sign up for individual walks. REGISTER HERE.
Winter Walks Along the Canal
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section C: February 6 – Swain’s Lock WAITLIST OPEN
Section D: February 20 – Violettes Lock WAITLIST OPEN
Sestion E: March 13 – Pennyfield Lock (note date change) WAITLIST OPEN
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk: members $25; nonmembers $35
Join our Senior Naturalist for one or all of these walks along the C&O Canal as we look for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, practice winter botany skills, and enjoy the expansive views along the Potomac River that this season provides. Carpooling will be available from Woodend. Image credit: Mark Harkin REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter Hike Series: River and Rocks
C. Saturday, February 9 (3/4 day hike) C&O Canal, MD
Leaders: Stephanie Mason and Cathy Stragar
Each hike: members $34; nonmembers $48
Take on two of your New Year’s resolutions at once: spend more time outdoors exploring nature AND get more exercise by signing up for one or more of our winter hikes. This season’s series traverses the rocky trails of Catoctin Mountain Park just as the New Year begins. We’ll hike between 3.5-5 miles here, either as one long loop or as a series of shorter hikes. Our next two hikes visit the scenic bottomlands along the Potomac River. On our last outing, we will hike upriver on the flat C&O Canal towpath from Pennyfield Lock near Potomac, MD to Violettes Lock—and back—for a round trip total of 5 miles. On all three of these hikes, we will search for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, while practicing our winter botany skills. Hikes may be modified depending on weather and ground conditions, which could be muddy or snow-covered. These hikes are designed to offer a natural history experience for persons who want to move farther and faster than the pace of most ANS field trips. We will stop to observe and admire nature in it winter season, but will keep a pace necessary to cover the distance stated. REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter Birding at Oaks Landfill
B: Sunday, February 10 (3:30-6 pm)
Leader: Mark England
Each walk members $24; nonmembers $32
You’ll want to bundle up for these birding treks to the now-closed landfill adjacent to the Blue Mash Nature Trail, a familiar birding spot in upper Montgomery County. As afternoon fades to dusk in the open terrain here, we’ll search for resident and overwintering species, including Northern Harriers and Short-eared Owls. Our leader will bring along a scope for distant bird viewing. Our visit to this area which is “closed to the public” is by special permission. Please register for one session only to allow for greater participation. Image credit: Dan Pancamo REGISTER ONLINE.
Winter Walks Along the Canal
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section D: February 20 – Violettes Lock WAITLIST OPEN
Sestion E: March 13 – Pennyfield Lock (note date change) WAITLIST OPEN
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Each walk: members $25; nonmembers $35
Join our Senior Naturalist for one or all of these walks along the C&O Canal as we look for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, practice winter botany skills, and enjoy the expansive views along the Potomac River that this season provides. Carpooling will be available from Woodend. REGISTER ONLINE.
Time
Year Around Event (2019)
Continuing Education / NHFS
november
Event Details
Fulfill your dream of becoming a naturalist! Our Natural History Field Studies courses, offered quarterly on a rotating basis, provide a unique opportunity to learn natural science from experts while exploring
Event Details
Fulfill your dream of becoming a naturalist!
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 (2018)
Event Details
October 1 – December 15, 2018 Bird Life NATH7115E, 3 CEUs Class night and time: Mondays, 7-9 pm Class meetings: October 1-December 10,
Event Details
October 1 – December 15, 2018
Bird Life
NATH7115E, 3 CEUs
Class night and time: Mondays, 7-9 pm
Class meetings: October 1-December 10, 2018
Field trip dates: October 13, November 3, and December 1 (full day to Blackwater NWR)
Location: Woodend Sanctuary, MD
Tuition: $365
Instructor: Mark England
REGISTER ONLINE
Study the life histories and ecology of resident and migrant birds of the Central Atlantic region. Emphasis is on birding techniques, use of field guides, introduction to birdsong, and identification of our area’s birds. Bird forms and adaptations, habitats, plumage, migration, and conservation are also covered. The course features a field trip to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge in Maryland as well as two other field trips. Image credit: Karen Wilhelm If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled.
Required text: any good field guide to the birds of eastern North America
Recommended text: Birding Essentials by Jon Dunn and Jonathan Alderfer, National Geographic Press. ISBN-10: 1426201354 ISBN-13: 978-1426201356
Wildlife Ecology
NATH8265E, 3 CEUs
Class night and time: Tuesdays, 6-8 p.m.
Class meetings: October 2-December 4, 2018
Field trip dates: October 20 (Patuxent), November 3, November 17
Location: Capital Gallery, DC (L’Enfant Metro)
Tuition: $365
Instructor: Sally Valdes
REGISTER ONLINE
Gain an understanding of wildlife techniques and theory, including the basics of life history, identification, population ecology, habitat management, and animal behavior. Learn how institutional missions and federal laws influence wildlife and habitat conservation, and how humans affect and are affected by wildlife in rural, suburban, and urban environments of the Mid-Atlantic region. Pressing concerns about invasive and introduced species, the effects of climate change on wildlife, and the influences of a changing economic environment will also be discussed. Previous courses such as Biology for Naturalists (NATH1110E) and Introduction to Ecology (NATH1160E), or equivalent, are recommended. Image credit: Frank Schulenburg. If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled.
Required text: National Audubon Society Field Guide to the Mid-Atlantic States, Chanticleer Press, Inc. 1999. ISBN-13: 978-0679446828
Recommended text: Wildlife of the Mid-Atlantic by John H. Rappole, University of Pennsylvania Press, 2012. ISBN-13: 978-0812222012
The Living Soil
NATH1175E, 2 credits
Class night and time: Wednesdays, 7-9 pm
Class meetings: October 3-December 5, 2018
Field trip dates: October 13, October 27, and November 17
Location: Woodend Sanctuary, MD
Tuition: $365
Instructor: Joel Cohen
REGISTER ONLINE
Knowledge of soils is basic to understanding plant communities and ecosystems. Examine the nature of soils and the ways they affect their local environment. Learn the structure, properties, nutrient supply, and classification of soils and the significance of these factors to plant growth and other uses. Discover the biodiversity of life in the soil, experience hands-on labs on soil groups and soil properties. Field trips to natural land resource areas of the Central Atlantic region. Previous courses in wetlands and biology are helpful. ACE College Credit Recommendation Service Reviewed. Image credit: Carlosblh. If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled.
Required text: Soil Science Simplified, Fourth Edition; by Helmut Kohnke and D.P. Franzmeier , Waveland Press, Inc.; Long Grove, Illinois ISBN: 978-0-88133-813-3
Introduction to Ecology
NATH1160E, 2 credits
Class night and time: Wednesdays, 7-9 pm
Class meetings: October 3-December 12, 2018
Field trip dates: October 13 and 27, November 17, and December 1 (3 of the 4 needed for completion)
Location: Woodend Sanctuary, MD
Tuition: $365
Instructor: Paula Wang
REGISTER ONLINE
A fundamental understanding of ecology and the physical and biological principles on which ecosystems depend is essential for any naturalist. In this course students learn to interpret the patterns and processes of nature by studying energy flow, food webs, biogeochemical cycles, population dynamics, communities, behavioral and evolutionary ecology, biodiversity, biomes and plant/animal interactions. No class on November 21. Previous courses such as Biology for Naturalists (NATH 1110E) or another biology course are recommended. ACE College Credit Recommendation Service Reviewed. If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled.
No required text.
Birds of Prey Sorry, but this course has been cancelled.
NATH7155E, 3 CEUs
Class night and time: Thursdays, 7-9 pm
Class meetings: October 4-December 13, 2018
Field trip dates: October 13 (Cape May, NJ), November 3 (Waggoner’s Gap, PA), and December 1 (Hawk Drive, VA)
Location: Oakton High School, Vienna, VA
Tuition: $365
Instructor: Liam McGranaghan
REGISTER ONLINE
Experience the wonder of the fall raptor migration and learn to identify raptors in flight. Study habitat requirements of birds of prey and their relationships to other species. This course will concentrate on species typically found in eastern North America but will also cover additional selected species. Three field trips are planned, with one likely to be to Cape May. Image credit: Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren. If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled.
Required text: The Raptor Almanac: A Comprehensive Guide to Eagles, Hawks, Falcons, and Vultures by Scott Weidensaul
Recommended text: a raptor identification guide, such as Crossley ID Guide: Raptors by Richard Crossley or Peterson Field Guides to Hawks of North America by William Clark and Brian Wheeler
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
Event Details
January 26–April 1, 2019 Geology NATH7175E, 3 CEUs Class night and time: Saturdays, 9 am-12 noon Class meetings: January 26-March 30,
Event Details
January 26–April 1, 2019
Geology
NATH7175E, 3 CEUs
Class night and time: Saturdays, 9 am-12 noon
Class meetings: January 26-March 30, 2019
Field trip dates: March 9 and March 24
Location: Capital Gallery, Washington D.C. (L’Enfant Metro)
Tuition: $365
Instructor: Joe Marx
We may not have the Rockies in our back yard, but we have the roots of mountains that were as high as the Alps. Although local earthquakes are rare now, this area broke in two twice and oceans flowed in. Central Atlantic geology tells a story as fascinating as any place on the planet. Course lectures introduce the landscapes, subsurface structures and geologic history of our region. Two field trips emphasize the recognition of local landforms and of the geological processes that created them. ACE College Credit Recommendation Service Reviewed. If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled. Image credit: NOAA Photo Library
Rock Identification
NATH7160E, 3 CEUs
Class night and time: Saturdays, 1-4 pm
Class meetings: January 26-March 30, 2019
Field trip dates: during every class
Location: Capital Gallery, Washington DC (L’Enfant Metro)
Tuition: $269
Instructor: Joe Marx
The field identification of rocks requires knowing how to conduct a simple chemical test, recognize six common minerals, and distinguish about ten aspects of rock texture and appearance. In this course, we will learn these skills and then apply them systematically to identify the twenty-five or so types of rock common in the Mid-Atlantic. A hand lens or magnifying glass with a magnification of 6 to 10x is required. Each class session will include a walk outside to look at rock samples. If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled. Image credit: United States Geological Survey and the Mineral Information Institute.
Land-Use Principles
NATH8255E, 3 CEUs
Class day and time: Mondays, 6:30-8:45 pm
Class duration: January 28-April 1, 2019
Field trip dates: February 9, March 2, and March 23 (all 9 am-1 pm)
Location: Woodend Sanctuary, Chevy Chase, MD
Tuition: $365
Instructor: Katherine Nelson
Register online
Land use planning decisions made in your community affect you every day: your decision to walk, drive or bike; the placement of parks and green space; your sense of place and connection to the past. Gain a working understanding of the legal and regulatory principles as well as the political forces at work in making land use decisions. Sustainable design and smart growth propose solutions to the tradeoffs between land and people, economic development and environmental protection. This course integrates aspects of ecosystems, conservation, and human ecology to explore how you can influence our existing and future built environment to fit into the natural environment. Field trips allow you to see how the principles and practices are being applied close to home. If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled. Image credit: Alan Scott Walker
Botany for Naturalists
NATH7125E, 1.5 CEUs
Class night and time: Wednesdays, 7-9 pm
Class meetings: January 30-February 27, 2019
Field trip dates: February 2 and 16
Location: Woodend Sanctuary, Chevy Chase, MD
Tuition: $269
Instructor: Sujata Roy
This course will provide the nature enthusiast with a grounding in the science of plants. Green plants (and algae) provide the oxygen that supports life as we know it on earth. Learn about the internal workings of vascular and avascular plants, their life histories, special adaptations for growth and reproduction and their place in ecological cycles. Two field trips are planned to local sites of great plant diversity. Students should have a 10x hand-lens. If minimum student enrollment is not reached by one week before the scheduled start date, the course may be canceled. Image credit: EncycloPetey
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
Nature Travel
november
Discover nature beyond the mid-Atlantic
Event Details
The Audubon Naturalist Society's Nature Travel Program offers exciting opportunities to search for wildlife and explore the wonders of nature in places outside the mid-Atlantic region. Group size is typically
Event Details
The Audubon Naturalist Society’s Nature Travel Program offers exciting opportunities to search for wildlife and explore the wonders of nature in places outside the mid-Atlantic region. Group size is typically limited to 15 or less persons and many trips fill early. For more information call the Travel Desk at 301-652-9188 x10 or email carol.hayes@anshome.org.
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
4nov - 17All DayAustralia: Birds & Wildlife in Southern Australia
Event Details
November 4-17, 2018 WAITLIST OPEN Optional extension to Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef November 17-23 Leaders: Mark
Event Details
November 4-17, 2018 WAITLIST OPEN
Optional extension to Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef
November 17-23
Leaders: Mark Garland & Steve Potter
Explore the rugged landscapes and rich wildlife communities of Australia on this new ANS Travel Program. Our tour is focused on the southern part of Australia, where spring will be in full splendor during the month of November. Our loop from Melbourne to Adelaide visits a wide variety of habitats, including forests, scrublands, plains, rivers, marshes, and mountains. Birds are a major focus, and there are many spectacular species for us to find, but we’ll also search for other wildlife, learn some of the more widespread plants, discuss geology, and learn about the long history of the Australian aboriginal people. Our optional extension visits Queensland, in the tropical northeast corner of Australia, and features a full day visit to the Great Barrier Reef. Image credit: Jim Bendon
Time
november 4 (Sunday) - 17 (Saturday)
january
31jan - 7febAll DayPanama: Travels to the Canopy Tower and Canopy Lodge
Event Details
January 31–February 7, 2019 Leaders: Terry Lawson Dunn & Carlos Bethancourt Panama’s geographic location as the link
Event Details
January 31–February 7, 2019
Leaders: Terry Lawson Dunn & Carlos Bethancourt
Panama’s geographic location as the link between South and Central America makes it a land of exceptional biological diversity. Our base of study is the remarkable Canopy Tower, a small ecotourism lodge built into the frame of a radar facility formerly run by the US Military during the Cold War era. We will take day trips to various nearby habitats, rich in a variety of tropical ecosystems. We’ll then visit the Canopy Lodge, a beautiful sister facility located in the low mountains just three hours to the west. Detailed itinerary and costs to follow. Contact Carol at carol.hayes@ANShome.org if you’d like to receive information on the trip when it´s available. Our local guide will be the exceptionally-talented Senior Bird Guide for the Canopy Tower, Carlos Bethancourt, the global winner of the EcoTripMatch.com Best Nature Tour Guide award in 2018. He has led previous ANS trips to Panama and always gets rave reviews from our travelers. Image credit: Francesco Veronesi.
Time
January 31 (Thursday) - February 7 (Friday)
february
22feb - 4marAll DayCosta Rica: A Trove of Tropical Birds—and Much More
Event Details
February 22-March 4, 2019 WAITLIST OPEN Optional Extension to March 7 Leaders: Stephanie Mason and Carlos “Charlie” Gomez This will be our
Event Details
February 22-March 4, 2019 WAITLIST OPEN
Optional Extension to March 7
Leaders: Stephanie Mason and Carlos “Charlie” Gomez
This will be our Senior Naturalist’s 21st year as an ANS leader to this small, tropical wonderland with amazing plant and animal diversity. Costa Rica’s colorful birds, from the tiny Scintillant Hummingbird to the large, comical Jabiru, will turn any nature enthusiast into a bird lover. Our basic trip will visit moist Caribbean lowlands, Caribbean slope, the Cano Negro wetlands in the north, and lush cloud forest habitat. Our optional extension moves to higher elevations, where tropical oaks grow tall and the dazzling Resplendent Quetzal nests. Our fee will include lodging: all but two meals; several boat trips; in-country transportation; and expert leadership. Email carol.hayes@anshome.org to receive a detailed itinerary and registration information as soon as they become available. Image credit: Charles J. Sharp.
Time
February 22 (Friday) - March 4 (Monday)
may
15may - 22All DayNew Mexico: A Natural History Exploration
Event Details
May 15-22, 2019 Leaders: Terry Lawson Dunn & Paul Pisano New Mexico is known as the land of enchantment, but it's also a land
Event Details
May 15-22, 2019
Leaders: Terry Lawson Dunn & Paul Pisano
New Mexico is known as the land of enchantment, but it’s also a land of great diversity– diverse wildlife, diverse ecosystems influenced by a huge range of elevations and past geological events, diverse cultures where Native American and Spanish influences dominate, and a history that is unlike any other. Visiting New Mexico in May means catching the birds while they are migrating and the desert blooms are opening! Image credit: Terry Lawson Dunn
Please contact Carol Hayes for more information at carol.hayes@ANShome.org or 301-652-9188 x10.
Itinerary | Cost Sheet| Registration
Time
may 15 (Wednesday) - 22 (Wednesday)
june
21jun - 30All DayGalapagos Islands: Darwin's Wild Classroom
Event Details
June 21-30, 2019 Leaders Stephanie Mason, Michael O’Brien, Louise Zemaitis & local guides A trip to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands is one of
Event Details
June 21-30, 2019
Leaders Stephanie Mason, Michael O’Brien, Louise Zemaitis & local guides
A trip to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands is one of the world’s greatest natural history excursions. ANS is happy to be collaborating once again with industry leader Victor Emmanuel Nature Tours for our 4th collaborative trip to this fascinating archipelago. The 2019 cruise itinerary will visit eight islands on board the M/V Evolution, providing a premium travel experience. An optional pre-trip visit to the Tandapaya region of mainland Ecuador and two optional post-trip extensions (one to Peru’s Machu Picchu and one to Napo Wildlife Center in Ecuador’s Amazonian lowlands) are also being planned. Contact carol.hayes@anshome.org or 301-652-9188, x10 for information on how to register for the trip. Prices per person will vary, depending on the size and location of individual cabins on the boat.
Time
june 21 (Friday) - 30 (Sunday)
august
16aug - 25All DayOregon: Columbia River Gorge to the Scenic Coast
Event Details
August 16-25, 2019 Leader: Mark Garland Search for birds and enjoy natural history in a diverse set of habitats on our new Oregon itinerary. We’ll visit the scenic Columbia River Gorge on
Event Details
August 16-25, 2019
Leader: Mark Garland
Search for birds and enjoy natural history in a diverse set of habitats on our new Oregon itinerary. We’ll visit the scenic Columbia River Gorge on our way to Bend, a pleasant town along the Deschutes River at the eastern foot of the Cascades. Here we’ll explore the sagebrush steppe of the high desert, the riparian corridor along the river, and montane forests and meadows of the Cascade Mountains. We then head to Newport along the scenic Oregon coast, searching for birds and marine mammals, A leisurely drive north along the coast takes us back to Portland, where the trip concludes. Contact Carol Hayes at carol.hayes@anshome.org or 301-652-9188 x10 to receive registration information when it becomes available.
Time
august 16 (Friday) - 25 (Sunday)
january
Tanzania: East African Wildlands and Wildlife
Event Details
Late 2019 or early 2020 Leaders: Stephanie Mason and local guides Our Senior Naturalist can't stop talking about the sights and
Event Details
Late 2019 or early 2020
Leaders: Stephanie Mason and local guides
Our Senior Naturalist can’t stop talking about the sights and sounds she experienced on a wildlife safari to Tanazania late last year. From giraffes to bee-eaters, from leopards to hornbills, an amazing assortment of animals were encountered and photographed in their natural environments. Planning has begun for an ANS trip to this stable East African nation with visits to the renowned Ngorongoro Crater and vast Serengetti grasslands. Contact Carol at carol.hayes@ANShome.org if you’d like to receive information on the trip when it’s available.
Time
Year Around Event (2020)
Water Quality Monitoring
november
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; waivers are available for existing monitors and students earning SSL credit—email cathy.wiss@anshome.org for details.
Introduction to Stream Science Series* |
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Healthy Stream BiologyWoodend Sanctuary, Chevy Chase, MD |
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Field Workshop (Ten Mile Creek, Boyds, MD)Section C: Saturday, September 22 (9:30 am-noon) |
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How to Read Your StreamThursday, September 27 (7-9:30 pm) |
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Know Your Invasive PlantsWoodend Sanctuary (Teale), Chevy Chase, MD |
Advanced Series: Aquatic Insect Family ID**Woodend Sanctuary, Chevy Chase, MD (7-9:30 pm) |
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Session A: Beetles, Megaloptera & Water BugsSession B: Caddisflies & Aquatic MothsSession C: Dragonflies, Damselflies & True FliesSession D: MayfliesSession E: Stoneflies & ReviewNone at this time Learn how to identify aquatic insects to the taxonomic level of family through this series of five classes. Identification to family level greatly enhances our understanding of stream ecology and the power of our monitoring data. These classes are great for fly fishermen, citizen science program or team leaders, aquatic resource biologists, and anyone interested in monitoring and understanding stream health. REGISTER HERE. |
Macroinvertebrate ID Review & Quiz Woodend Sanctuary, Chevy Chase, MD |
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*Recommended for anyone who plans to participate in the ANS Water Quality Monitoring Program
**Required for ANS Water Quality Monitoring Program team leaders
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
Conservation Café
december
Event Details
Enjoy a fun evening, learn about conservation topics, and support ANS! Join us in the mansion library for coffee and dessert while enjoying inspiring presentations on a variety of nature conservation
Event Details
Enjoy a fun evening, learn about conservation topics, and support ANS!
Join us in the mansion library for coffee and dessert while enjoying inspiring presentations on a variety of nature conservation topics. Click the link for each event below to see more information and register. Your registration fee goes to support our ANS Conservation Program! All programs are on Thursday evenings.
Upcoming events:
October 25 (7-8:30 pm at Woodend): Dr. Patricia Hernandez, George Washington University: “Great Jumping Carps! Anatomical specializations may be the secret behind the success of this invasive species in the Midwest.” ($15)
November 15 (7-8:30 pm at Woodend): Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, Executive Director of Maryland Environmental Health Network: “Making policy at the edge of risk: science and the precautionary principle in environmental health.” ($15)
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
Master Naturalist
november
Event Details
Master Naturalist Training at Woodend The Audubon Naturalist Society is pleased to partner with UMD Extension to offer Maryland Master Naturalist training. This program
Event Details
Master Naturalist Training at Woodend
The Audubon Naturalist Society is pleased to partner with UMD Extension to offer Maryland Master Naturalist training. This program engages citizens as stewards of Maryland’s ecosystems through science-based education and volunteer service. ANS’s top-notch instructors will provide:
- 52 hours of training in the ecology, flora, and fauna of Maryland
- 8 hours of hands-on field work
- A focus on the natural history of Maryland’s Piedmont region
Master Naturalist graduates commit 40 hours of volunteer service annually to support our education programs, stewardship of Woodend habitat, and conservation outreach.
DATES: Mondays and Wednesdays, September 17-November 12, 2018, 10 am-3 pm
To be admitted to a training course, you must be at least 18 years old, submit an application, and be interviewed. There is a $250 fee paid to UMD Extension for the cost of materials.
- Application period will open May 15, 2018 and deadline is July 15, 2018.
- Candidates will be notified of their admissions status by August 15, 2018.
For questions, contact Volunteer Coordinator Mitch Greene at mitch.greene@anshome.org or 301-652-9188 x20.
Current volunteers, update your contact information and track your volunteer service by logging into the ANS Volunteer Information Center:
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
Free Birding Trips
november
Event Details
Directions OCTOBER Sunday, October 14 Riverbend Park, Fairfax County, VA Half day. Sparrows and other late-season songbird migrants, waterfowl, raptors. Some hilly areas. Meet time/place: 7:30 am at
Event Details
Directions
OCTOBER
Sunday, October 14
Riverbend Park, Fairfax County, VA
Half day. Sparrows and other late-season songbird migrants, waterfowl, raptors. Some hilly areas. Meet time/place: 7:30 am at Nature Center parking lot at the end of Jeffery Rd. From I-495 in Virginia, exit at Rte 193; drive 4.5 miles west on 193, and turn right at traffic light onto Riverbend Rd. Drive 2.2 miles and bear right on Jeffery Rd, which dead-ends at parking lot. For more info, contact leader Scott Baron at baron.scott@gmail.com. Register online
Sunday, October 21
Meadowside Nature Center, Rockville, MD
Half day. Late songbird migrants and resident songbirds in varied habitat. Meet time/place: 7:30 am at the Nature Center parking lot on Meadowside Lane, off Muncaster Mill Road. For more info, contact leader Marc Liebermann at mdlieberm@gmail.com. Register online
Wednesday, October 31
Woodbridge/Occoquan Bay NWR, VA
Half day. Songbirds, waterfowl, eagles, and other raptors. Meet time/place: 7:30 am inside the refuge at central parking lot. Register online (6-adult limit). For more info, contact leader Jim Waggener at 703-567-3555.
NOVEMBER
Sunday, November 4
Blue Mash Nature Trail, Montgomery County, MD
One-third day. Hawks, sparrows, finches, and other woodland birds. Meet time/place: 8 am at Zion Road parking lot. Waterproof footwear strongly recommended. For more info, contact leader Jim Nelson at kingfishers2@verizon.net. REGISTER ONLINE (10 person limit).
Saturday, November 10
Eastern Neck NWR, Kent County, MD
Full day. Expect to finish around 2:30 pm. Good variety of waterfowl, some waterbirds, gulls, and terns as well as landbirds, hawks, and eagles in mixed farm, woodland, pond, and bay areas. Bring pack lunch and warm drinks. Meet time/place: 8:30 am at the Tundra Swan Boardwalk. Register online (15-person limit) at ANShome.org/adults. For more info, contact leader Paul DeAnna at ppdeanna47@gmail.com or 202-544-2680. REGISTER ONLINE (15 person limit).
Sunday, November 18
Mattawoman Wildlands, Marbury, Charles County
Half day. Joint trip with SoMD Audubon. Early waterfowl and late migrants on the George Wilmot Trail. Large concentrations of waterfowl expected on Mattawoman Creek, plus songbirds, woodpeckers (some red-headed), and raptors. Meet time/place: 7:45 am at Lackey High School parking lot, 3000 Chicamuxen Rd, Indian Head, MD 20640. Bring waterproof shoes/low boots, and dress for possible wind. One-mile walk to and from trail head and half-mile walk on uneven forest trail. For more info, contact leader Lynne Wheeler at 301-751-8097 (prefer text) orsomdaudubon@yahoo.com. REGISTER ONLINE.
Wednesday, November 28
Woodbridge/Occoquan Bay NWR, VA
Half day. Songbirds, waterfowl, eagles, and other raptors. Meet time/place: 7:30 am inside the refuge at central parking lot. Register online (6-adult limit). For more info, contact leader Jim Waggener at 703-567-3555.
DECEMBER
Saturday, December 8
Huntley Meadows, Fairfax County, VA
Half day. Wintering waterfowl and other winter residents, Bald Eagles a possibility. Meet time/place: 8 am at parking lot by the Visitor’s Center. For more info, contact leader Ben Jesup at benbreep@gmail.com. REGISTER ONLINE (12 person limit).
Wednesday, December 19
Woodbridge/Occoquan Bay NWR, VA
Half day. Songbirds, waterfowl, eagles, and other raptors. Meet time/place: 7:30 am inside the refuge at central parking lot. Register online (6-adult limit). For more info, contact leader Jim Waggener at 703-567-3555.
Time
Year Around Event (2018)
Beginner Bird Walks
november
Beginner Bird Walks at Woodend
Event Details
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
Event Details
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 8-9 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 (2018)
Location
Woodend Nature Sanctuary
8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD 20815, USA