Arlington County Dept. of Parks and Recreation Nature and History Programs for February 2017

Post date: Jan 25, 2017 8:24:12 PM

Arlington County Dept. of Parks and Recreation

Nature and History Programs for February 2017

To register:

Phone: 703-228-4747

On-line: https://registration.arlingtonva.us

Locations:

Gulf Branch Nature Center

3608 Military Rd.

Arlington, VA 22207

703-228-3403

gulfbranchnaturectr@arlingtonva.us

Long Branch Nature Center

625 S. Carlin Springs Rd.

Arlington, VA 22204

703-228-6535

longbranchnaturectr@arlingtonva.us

Fort C.F. Smith Park

2411 N. 24^th St.

Arlington, VA 22207

703-243-4342

dfarner@arlingtonva.us

Special Events

Bird Arlington! Waterfowl at Gravelly Point

Saturday, Feb. 4, 8 - 9:30am

Families ages 8 and up. Join our new bird watching series for families! We’ll visit different birding spots in Arlington throughout the year and build our County bird lists. Birders of all experience levels can participate and loaner binoculars are available. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gravelly Point - George Washington Memorial Pkwy, Arlington. Gravelly Point is a great spot for viewing winter waterfowl on the Potomac. We will bring spotting scopes, and stroll around the park looking for winter specialties and maybe a Peregrine Falcon. Flat terrain.

Free. Program #622857-J

Celestial Stroll

Friday, Feb. 10, 7 - 8pm

Families. Join us for a moonlit walk through the forest searching for nocturnal animals. Come learn how the moon moves, its phases, and its effect on wildlife. We'll also hear legends about the moon. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Fort C. F. Smith Park.

$5 fee due upon registration. Program #622857-N

Pola Negri Movie Afternoon

Sunday, Feb. 12, 3 - 5pm

Adults and teens ages 14 and up. Pola Negri was a famous silent screen siren who took Hollywood by storm. Legend has it she lived at Gulf Branch when it was a private home. We'll be screening her hit 'Barbed Wire', featuring Pola as a farm girl torn between love and patriotism during World War One. Refreshments and romance will be served. For more information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center.

$5 fee due upon registration. Program #622847-D

Arlington's Earliest Amphibians

Saturday, Feb. 18, 10 - 11am

Adults and teens ages 13 and up. Wood frogs, spring peepers and spotted salamanders that have spent the winter hibernating will soon begin to move to our ponds. Come learn about Arlington's amazing amphibians. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center. $5 fee due upon registration. Program #622847-E

Salamander Patrol Training

Saturday, Feb. 18, 11 - 11:30am

Adults and teens ages 13 and up. Every year with the first 'warm' rain, a dangerous journey begins for amphibians crossing driveways, parking lots and roads trying to get to ponds. Get trained to be added to our 'safety patrol' list, for a one or two hour shift some night in late February or early March (we can't predict the evening(s) more precisely). For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center. Free.Program #622847-F

Hanssen Spy Talk

Saturday, Feb. 18, 3 - 4:30pm

Adults. Back by popular demand! The infamous spy and traitor Robert Hanssen worked in secrecy all around the nation's capital for years before being discovered. Some of those clandestine affairs were conducted right here in the woods of the Long Branch Nature Center. Join us on the anniversary of his capture as we unfold the dramatic story of this notorious spy, his eventual downfall and arrest, including the FBI's nature center operations. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center. $7 per person. Program #622947-K

Keeping Warm Campfire

Saturday, Feb. 18, 6 - 7pm

Families ages 3 and up. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Spend a chilly evening by the warmth of our campfire while making S'mores. We'll learn how animals have adaptations to stay warm and survive winter outdoors. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center.

$5 fee due upon registration. Program #622857-O

Excursión Bilingüe por el Parque / Bilingual Walk

Sunday, Feb. 26, 1:30 - 3pm

Familias. Bienvenidos a una excursión bilingüe por el parque. Nos encontraremos en el Centro de Naturaleza Long Branch. Conoceremos a los animales en el centro y caminaremos por el parque para observar y hacer preguntas sobre la naturaleza. Regresaremos al centro de naturaleza para tomar chocolate caliente, té, o café. Nos reunimos en Long Branch Nature Center. Gratis. Families. Welcome to a bilingual walk in the park. We’ll meet at Long Branch Nature Center to learn about the animals there and we’ll take a hike out in the park to check out and ask questions about nature. We'll return to the nature center to have your choice of hot chocolate, coffee or tea. Free. Program #622957-N

Programs for Children, Families, and Adults

Northern Virginia Bird Club Walk

Wednesday, Feb. 1, 9:30 - 11am

Adults. Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for one or all of these informal walks through Long Branch and Glencarlyn Parks in search of resident and migratory birds. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at the parking lot at Long Branch Nature Center.

Free. Program #622947-F

Home Hunting is for the Birds

Friday, Feb. 3, 10 - 11am

Ages 6 to 10. The best time to spot bird nests is in the winter when the leaves are gone. We’ll examine some nests, learn how birds make and select the best locations for their homes, then go on a short hike to see some birds’ nests. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center. $5 fee due upon registration. Program #622827-F

Scatology

Friday, Feb. 3, 3 - 4:30pm

Ages 6 to 10. Come learn about the traces our animal friends leave behind! Each animal has its own unique footprints and scat that are clues for naturalists, field biologists and animal investigators. We'll practice identifying scat and make fake scat to take home. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center.

$5 fee due upon registration. Program #622927-G

Keeping Mini-Beasts! Beautiful Beetles

Friday, Feb. 3, 4:30 - 5:30pm

Ages 10 to 13. Get ready to (temporarily) own all sorts of mini-beasts and have a series of amazing, unique pets. Learn all about different animals’ lives while caring for them over a month. At each session, you'll return last month's critters and learn about and receive new ones. Over the year we'll work our way up to more demanding critters - graduating with tadpoles in the spring! Fee covers all three sessions and includes everything you'll need for the season: a container you'll keep, food, bedding, the critters themselves, and more. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center.

$30. ($20 material fee for first-time participants paid on site.) Call to register.

Animal Tracks

Saturday, Feb. 4, 2 - 3pm

Ages 8 to 12. Winter is a great time to see animal tracks in the snow or mud. We’ll make plaster casts of local animal’s footprints, and while it sets we’ll hike to look for real tracks and traces out on our trails. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center.

$5 fee due upon registration. Program #622927-H

Tree ID Without Leaves

Sunday, Feb. 5, 11am - 12:30pm

Adults and teens ages 14 and up. The leaves are all gone but we can still identify trees with other clues. We'll learn to ID the trees of Arlington by their bark, shape and other factors. Dress for the weather. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center.

$5 fee due upon registration. Program #622947-C

Birding Trip to Point Lookout State Park

Tuesday, Feb. 7, 7:30am - 5pm

Adults. Enjoy winter birding at the southernmost point in Maryland. We'll search for waterfowl in the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River, and brown-headed nuthatches in the woodlands. Participants should dress for the weather and bring binoculars, a bag lunch and a drink and snacks for the day. For information: 703-228-3403. Our vans leave from the parking lot at Lubber Run Recreation Center, 300 N. Park Drive, Arlington.

$45 fee due upon registration. Program #622847-C

Feeding Time!

Wednesday, Feb. 8, 4 - 5pm

Ages 6 to 10. Find out what's on the menu for our animals and what they would eat in the wild. We'll learn about the adaptations that help them find, capture and swallow their meals. Then we'll feed our snakes, turtles and frogs. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center. $5 fee due upon registration. Program #622827-H

Hawks in Arlington

Saturday, Feb. 11, 9 - 11:30am

Adults and teens ages 12 and up. Red-tailed, Red-shouldered, Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned Hawks all call Arlington home. We'll learn to tell these four hawks apart and how they survive in urban areas. After our discussion, we’ll go out to look for hawks and other birds. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center.

$10 fee due upon registration. Program #622947-J

Remove Invasive Plants

Saturday, Feb. 11, 2 - 4pm

Adults, teens, and families ages 8 and up. Want to increase native species diversity right here in Arlington? Work parties are held every month and are making a real difference, with the return of ferns and wildflowers, and the animals that depend on them, in areas once covered in destructive invasive plants. Help make it happen! No registration required. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center. Free. Call to register.

Flying Squirrel Lore & More

Saturday, Feb. 11, 6 - 7pm

Families ages 4 and up. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Flying squirrels are found throughout the wooded neighborhoods of Arlington, but are seldom seen. Join us to learn about these engaging nocturnal acrobats. After an indoor presentation, we'll tiptoe outside to see these little pixies glide in for an evening meal. These creatures are truly one of the natural wonders of the Arlington! For more information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center.

$5 fee due upon registration. Program #622957-E

We Love Animals!

Sunday, Feb. 12, 1 - 2pm

Ages 6 to 10. Happy Valentine's Day! Which animal at the nature centers - or in the whole world - do you love the most? Come show your love by making them a valentine, and learn ways you can help them in the wild. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center. $5 fee due upon registration. Program #622827-G

Notable Nature

Sunday, Feb. 12, 3 - 4pm

Families ages 5 and up. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Join us for lessons in nature journaling and sketching. We'll construct our own nature journals, hone our writing and drawing skills, and talk about the season during our hike. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center.

Free. Program #622957-H

Winter Storytime

Tuesday, Feb. 14, 10:30 - 11am

Families ages 2 and up. Register children only. Come in out of the cold and warm up as we read our favorite stories about winter. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center. Free.Program #622917-O

Third Sundays - Remove Invasives!

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2 - 4pm

Adults, families, and teens. Want to increase species diversity right here in Arlington? Join us as we keep the park free of destructive invasive plants. Work parties are held every month and are making a real difference. We are starting to see the return of ferns and wildflowers in areas once covered in ivy. Come for all or part of the time. No registration required. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center. Free. Call to register.

Wake up, Wood Frogs!

Saturday, Feb. 25, 10 - 11am

Families ages 5 and up. Register children and adults; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Get ready to learn all about our earliest amphibians! After the first warm rain of spring, you'll hear them "quacking" as we explore and search for them around our pond! For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center.

$5 fee due upon registration. Program #622857-P

Free Play Day - February

Saturday, Feb. 25, 1 - 2:30pm

Ages 5 to 9. Register child only. Give kids unstructured time they can call their own. Your child will love this chance to explore our woods, make snow forts, stoke the campfire, throw rocks in the creek and just be free. For information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center. Free. Program #622827-C

Tiny Tots

Ages: 18 - 35 months with adult. Tiny Tot programs provide a wonderful opportunity to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each program has a theme, but themes are not published ahead of time so that we have flexibility in exploring and incorporating all of the amazing and changeable aspects of the park and its wildlife into our programs. The theme for each program is repeated during the month, so please register for only one program at each nature center per month. Adults must remain during the entire program. $5 per child due at registration.

Gulf Branch Nature Center

Saturday, Feb. 4

10 - 10:45am #622817-S

Saturday, Feb. 11

10 - 10:45am #622817-T

Wednesday, Feb. 22

10 - 10:45am #622817-U

Long Branch Nature Center

Thursday, Feb. 23

10 - 10:45am #622917-V

Friday, Feb. 24

10 - 10:45am #622917-W

Tuesday, Feb. 28

10 - 10:45am #622917-X

Preschool

Ages 3 to 5. Preschoolers can actively explore their natural world with programs that build the foundation for a lifetime of wonder, appreciation and discovery. Hands-on interactive learning, crafts, mini-hikes and nature play provide a fun and engaging experience for your children. Parents can leave the classroom but must remain in the building. $5 per child due at registration.

Gulf Branch Nature Center

Animal Valentines

Thursday, Feb. 2

1 - 2pm #622817-I

Friday, Feb. 3

1 - 2pm #622817-J

Tuesday, Feb. 7

1 - 2pm #622817-K

Wednesday, Feb. 8

1 - 2pm #622817-L

Long Branch Nature Center

Red and Gray Foxes