February

Winter Walks Along the Canal A & C switched from original locations
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section B: February 3 - Widewater Rescheduled to Wednesday, March 17 due to weather conditions
Section C: March 3 - Swains Lock
Section A: January 13 - Carderock
Leader: Stephanie Mason
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 which this season provides. Carpooling will be available from Woodend.
Each walk: Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Two walks: Members: $30; Nonmembers: $44
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Birds of the Coast   Moved to inclement weather date of Saturday, February 13. FULL - call to be added to waitlist
Saturday, February 6 (9:30 am-5:30 pm)
Inclement weather date: Saturday, February 13
Leader: John Bjerke
Bundle up and enjoy Ocean City, MD, without the crowds while we learn to identify birds that winter in and along the mid-Atlantic’s coastal habitats. Here and at several other locations, including Cape Henlopen and Broadkill Marsh, we’ll look for loons, sea ducks, raptors, and winter songbirds. We’ll hope to find, identify, and discuss the natural history of birds such as the Red-throated Loon, Harlequin Duck, Northern Gannet, Purple Sandpiper, and Snow Bunting. This class is aimed at beginning and mid-level birders, but all are welcome. Our meeting point is about a 3-hour drive from Woodend. Our leader regularly bundles up to search for birds in coastal habitats.
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Orienteering   Rescheduled to Sunday, March 14
Sunday, February 7 (2-4 pm)
Leader: Sarah Krizek
Ever wonder just how you might find your way in the woods with only a map and a compass? Join this class to learn how to use these tools of orienteering. You’ll find out how to measure distances by your own pace and how to follow a course using a map and compass. We’re also sure to spot some wildlife on our trek through the Woodend woods, parts of which will be off-trail. Compasses will be provided.
Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Hikes Along the C&O Canal
Hike B: Saturday, February 13 - White’s Ferry to Sycamore Landing (8.3 miles) Leader: Cliff Fairweather
Hike C: Saturday, March 13 - Sycamore Landing to Violettes Lock (5.9 miles) Leader: Stephanie Mason
Hike A: Sunday, January 10 - Monocacy Aqueduct to White’s Ferry (6.7 miles) Leader: Stephanie Mason
Take on two of your New Year’s resolutions at once -  to spend more time exploring nature AND to get more exercise - by signing up for one or all of these full-day hikes on the towpath along the C&O Canal and the Potomac River in western Montgomery County. We’ll begin the series at the mouth of the Monocacy River, about 40 miles upriver from the Canal’s beginning in Georgetown. Along the way to our terminus at Violettes Lock, we’ll pass by rich floodplain forests and canal wetlands, giving us many chances to look for overwintering birds and signs of other wildlife, as well as practice our winter botany skills. These hikes offer a natural history experience for persons who want to move farther and faster than the pace of most ANS programs. We will stop to observe natural phenomena, but will keep a pace necessary to cover the distance stated. Participants should be in adequate physical condition for such hiking. Hikes may be modified, based on weather or hiking conditions on the towpath.
Each Hike: Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Two Hikes: Members: $56; Nonmembers: $78
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Birding at Black Hill  
Section C: Sunday, February 14 (8:30-11 am)
FULL - call to be added to the waitlist
Section D: Sunday, March 7 (8:30-11 am)
Leader: Mark England
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.
Each walk: Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Two walks: Members: $30; Nonmembers: $44
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Building Stones of Pennsylvania Avenue
Sunday, February 14 (1-5 pm)
Leader: Joe Marx
The buildings and monuments along the Avenue of the Presidents are faced with a variety of granites, marbles, and sandstones. We will start at the Federal Triangle Metro station and walk about 3 miles, examining the exteriors of various structures between the White House and the Capitol. We will discuss the geology and place of origin of the building stones, as well as explore aspects of political, cultural, and economic history related to the choice and use of material. All portions of our route will be paved. The pace set and distance covered on this geology field trip is typically faster and farther than our usual "naturalist's shuffle."
Members: $23; Nonmembers: $32
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Tree Identification
Saturday, February 20 (9 am-3 pm)
Leader: Cris Fleming
Using the clues of bark, fruit, buds, and twigs, we’ll practice identifying trees in winter on the grounds of our Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase, MD. We’ll begin inside with a look at techniques of winter tree identification, then move outside to use our skills to identify the many species of woody plants that grow on our grounds.
Members: $28; Nonmembers: $39
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Saturday, February 20 (1-4 pm)
Leader: Cliff Fairweather
Despite the cold temperatures, nature is still out there waiting to be explored. Pull on a coat and join us for this indoor/outdoor program at our Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg, VA.  We’ll explore the basics of winter ecology and the many strategies organisms from grasses to grackles to gray tree frogs employ for winter survival.  Our leader, now pursuing his master’s in natural resources management, is the former Senior Naturalist at Rust. Free. Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Natural Heritage Hike: Catoctin Mountain Park
Sunday, February 21 (full-day hike)
Leader: Bob Pickett
A little more than an hour northwest of Washington lies Catoctin Mountain, the front edge of the Blue Ridge in Maryland.  We’ll explore the national park that protects this area during its quieter season, and observe the plants and animals that inhabit its woodlands and waterways.  We’ll also consider the Mountain’s cultural history and past land uses on our hike of 5-7 miles, with some uphill and downhill hiking over rocky ground.
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Geology of Antietam Battlefield  Rescheduled from Saturday, January 30
Saturday, February 27 (10 am-3 pm)
Leader: Joe Marx
Maryland’s battle of Antietam took place in 1862 not far from Harpers Ferry, ending Lee’s first invasion of the North. The style of fighting and the scale of casualties were strongly influenced by the underlying bedrock of the battlefield. The local geology, typical of that of the Great Valley, is sedimentary and reflects a coastal origin along a now vanished ocean. We will drive through the battlefield park, stopping for three easy hikes of various lengths, totaling about three miles. During our tour, we will discuss the origin of the rocks, the development of the present landscape, and the influence that the bedrock and topography had on the course of the battle. The pace set and distance covered on this geology field trip is typically faster and farther than our usual "naturalist's shuffle."
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Point Lookout Birding     
Sunday, February 28 (9 am-dusk)
Leaders: Hal Wierenga and Lynn Davidson
Maryland’s Point Lookout State Park marks the junction of the Potomac River and the Chesapeake. Here the waters are broad and deep, and during the cold water months, they’re home to loons, grebes, ducks, and other water birds. Join two birders who know this area well in an exploration of the Park’s shores and its shrub and woodland interior, which harbors songbirds, woodpeckers, and specialties such as the Brown-headed Nuthatch. Depending on time and weather conditions, the explorations may also move to nearby St. George.
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Night Gliders
Sunday, February 28 (5:45-7:30 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
In many woodlands they outnumber our common gray squirrel, yet flying squirrels remain mysterious mammals seldom encountered by diurnal creatures, such as ourselves. Join us for a walk to observe their nocturnal activities, followed by a slide discussion of flying squirrels’ natural history. The program will be conducted on our Woodend grounds where staff have hung flying squirrel nesting boxes, as well as a feeding platform.
Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

March

Woodcock Watch   Full - call to be added to waitlist
Saturday, March 6 (5:15-7:15 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
In his Sand County Almanac, Aldo Leopold described the mating display of the American Woodcock as a “sky dance.” Announcing its presence with nasal peents, the male woodcock ascends high in the sky at dusk. To the accompaniment of a constant twittering, it circles, then plummets back to earth in a series of zigzag movements, wings whistling. On this field program to a natural area in upper Montgomery County, we’ll hope to be lucky enough to catch a performance of this seasonal drama.
Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Winter Woods of Sugarloaf
Sunday, March 7 (12:30-4:30 pm)
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Tina Brown
Explore the winter woods of Sugarloaf Mountain with the co-authors/illustrators of two books on this monadnock’s natural and cultural history. We’ll hike from 1-3 miles, depending on trail and weather conditions, stopping to identify woody plants along the way, including oak species, heath family members, and the summit’s noteworthy table mountain pines. We’ll keep an eye out for seasonal birds, including chickadees, kinglets, woodpeckers, and even tundra swans. Melanie will talk about the mountain’s history and geology. Tina will share tips on gathering field information for your art/nature journal.  Our hike will include some uphill/downhill walking and, depending on trail conditions, a fairly steep ¼ mile hike up to the summit - all at a slow pace.
Members: $23; Nonmembers: $32
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Introduction to the Natural History of Mammals
Thursday, March 11 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Saturday, March 13 (2-8 pm)
Leader: Rob Gibbs
Mammals are abundant in most habitats in our region, but since many are small, secretive, or nocturnal, they are rarely seen. This class will increase your awareness of local mammals and their natural history by combining an evening slide lecture with a field trip to one or more sites in upper Montgomery County. Our leader is Natural Resources Manager for Montgomery County Parks.
Members: $38; Nonmembers: $52.50
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Late Winter Waterfowl Across the Bay
Sunday, March 14 (full-day field trip)
Leader:  Mike Bowen
With winter winding down, we’ll bundle up for one last foray out to the wetlands across the Bay Bridge to search for lingering winter waterfowl and other birds, as well as some of the first returning migrants.  We’ll explore the Horsehead Sanctuary and the Kent Narrows waters, as well as other several other natural areas relatively close-by.  Our final day’s itinerary will be determined closer to the date of our trip, based on weather, our leader’s scouting, and the size of the group.
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Mosses for Beginners: Part II
Saturday, March 20 (12:30-2:30 pm)
Leader: Linda Davis
Lilliputian mosses brighten up the forest floor this time of year.  This walk to look for common mosses along the C&O Canal at Widewater follows up on our indoor class of last year, which focused on the life history and ecology of these miniature plants. Our new field session is open to those who participated in that class—or who have attended the leader’s similar lectures at MNPS or BotSoc. Davis and her husband have inventoried mosses and liverworts for the National Park Service in our area.
Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Geology of Upper Rock Creek, DC
Sunday, March 21 (1-5 pm)
Leader: Joe Marx
The northern portion of Washington’s Rock Creek Park contains good exposures of ancient seafloor that has been transformed into complexly textured rock. The area lies in the Piedmont, just west of the Fall Line, and isolated remnants of Coastal Plain deposits form some of the upland surfaces. We will hike about 6 miles on park natural surface trails, discussing the evolution of the bedrock, soil, and landforms. We will also attend to plants, animals, and human artifacts as we enjoy our early spring walk. The hike will be moderately difficult, with some steep, rocky or muddy portions. The pace set and distance covered on this geology field trip is typically faster and farther than our usual "naturalist's shuffle."
Members: $23; Nonmembers: $32
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Spring Night Sky  
Thursday, March 25 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Leader: Richard Orr
When spring is in the air and the winter stars are setting in the west, Leo the Lion stands high overhead reigning in the spring constellations. Join Richard Orr in an indoor presentation at our Woodend Sanctuary to learn the spring sky constellations and begin your journey into the natural history of the universe, a wonderful mixture of mythology, science, and imagination. If luck provides us with a clear sky, we’ll head outside to test our new knowledge under the stars and view some of the best of the celestial sights through a telescope.
Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Spring Hikes Along the C&O Canal
Hike A:  Saturday, March 27 (8 am-5 pm) - Dam #4 to Snyder’s Landing (7.8 miles)
Hike B:  Sunday, April 25 (8 am-5 pm) - Snyder’s Landing to Antietam Creek Recreation Area (7.2  miles)
Hike C:  Saturday, May 22 (8 am-5 pm) - Antietam Creek Recreation Area to Harpers Ferry (8.7 miles)
Leader: Cliff Fairweather
Join us for this new series of hikes to explore the natural and cultural history along the C&O Canal towpath between Dam #4, near Sharpsburg, MD, and Harpers Ferry, at the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. We’ll follow spring’s unfolding along the Potomac’s rich floodplain forests and wetlands, while keeping our eyes and ear’s open for all manner of wildlife and the seasonal blooms of trees and wildflowers. We’ll also consider the Canal’s role in local and national history, and its importance for conservation today. These hikes offer a natural history experience for persons who want to move farther and faster than the pace of most ANS programs. We will stop to observe natural phenomena, but will keep a pace necessary to cover the distance stated on the Canal’s dirt or gravel surfaced towpath.
Each Hike: Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Two Hikes: Members: $56; Nonmembers: $78
Entire Series: Members: $78; Nonmembers: $108
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Beginning Birding
Wednesday, March 31 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Saturday, April 3 (8 am-2:30 pm)
Leader: Mark England
If you’re curious about birds and bird watching but don’t know where to begin, this class is for you. No experience is required! At our evening lecture, we’ll focus on the selection of field guides, binoculars, and other resources, and we’ll discuss the basic techniques of birding finding and identification. The goal of our field trip, which visits Black Hill and Little Bennett Regional Parks in upper Montgomery County, is to develop the ability to find, study, and identify birds in their natural environment.
Members: $38; Nonmembers: $52.50
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Spring Saunters Along the Canal  
Wednesdays (10 am-12:30 pm)
Section A: March 31 - Carderock
Section B: April 14 - Widewater
Section C: April 28 - Swains Lock
Section D: May 12 - Violettes Lock
Section E: May 26 - Riley’s Lock
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Enjoy one or all of these leisurely walks along portions of the C&O Canal. 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 Canal. We’ll proceed at a slow “naturalist’s shuffle” pace as we watch spring unfold. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, snakes, turtles, and whatever else we might find. Carpool from Woodend with the leader if you desire.
Each walk: Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Two walks: Members: $30; Nonmembers: $44
Three walks: Members: $43.50; Nonmembers: $60
Four walks: Members: $52; Nonmembers: $72
Entire Series: Members: $65; Nonmembers: $90  
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

April

Early Spring Wildflowers
Saturday, April 3 (9 am-3 pm)
Leader: Cris Fleming
Beat the winter blues by finding early spring wildflowers often missed by those who don’t get out until mid-April. We’ll search for early bloomers such as harbinger of spring, purple cress, early saxifrage, dutchman’s breeches, bloodroot, hepatica, trailing arbutus, and many other species. Our field trip will visit Great Falls Park and Difficult Run on the Virginia side of the Potomac River. Park entrance fee is waived for participants.
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Introduction to Wildflower Identification  
Thursday, April 8 (7:30-9:30 pm)
Saturday, April 10 (full-day field trip)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
In April, spring wildflowers in the Washington area are dazzling! We’ll spend Thursday evening at Woodend discussing books, equipment, and terminology for beginning wildflower identification. On Saturday we’ll travel to the Carderock area along the C&O Canal and explore several short trails between the Canal and the Potomac River. We’ll practice using keys to identify wildflowers and look for Virginia bluebells, dutchman’s breeches, twinleaf, toad trillium, and many other species.
Members: $38; Nonmembers: $52.50
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

A Year at Boundary Bridge
Saturdays (9 am-2 pm)
Section B: April 10
Section C: June 12 (note date change from catalog)
Section D: November 6
Section A: January 30
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Join the author of City of Trees for a series of hikes in one of Washington, D.C.’s most beautiful wild areas. Starting at Boundary Bridge and following the same 2.5 mile loop trail each season, we’ll explore the large trees, diverse shrubs, and exceptional wildflowers along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek, just inside the Maryland/ District Line. We’ll also see and hear many species of birds, butterflies, and amphibians. On our winter walk, an ideal time to admire the Park’s topography, we’ll look and listen for winter flocks and identify many species of woody plants. In April, we’ll witness the spring magic of Rock Creek’s myriad wildflowers. As summer arrives in the Park, we’ll hope for a glimpse of a kingfisher as we look for ferns and early seasonal wildflowers such as enchanter’s nightshade. Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we’ll conclude our series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike will be on trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking.
Two walks:  Members: $44; Nonmembers: $62
Three walks: Members: $63; Nonmembers: $88
Entire series:  Members: $80; Nonmembers: $112
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Spring Peepers
Sunday, April 11 (7-9 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Why should kids have all the fun? In this “grown-ups” session of our popular family program, we’ll use our eyes and ears to search for these small tree frogs. We’ll learn about spring peeper life histories, then walk to a nearby wetland to try and spot the singers. We may be lucky enough to eavesdrop on other early-spring amphibians, including American toads and pickerel frogs. Our location is ANS’s Woodend Sanctuary in Chevy Chase and adjacent Rock Creek Park.
Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Evening on the Canal
Saturday, April 17 (7-9 pm)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Early spring evenings can be alive with wildlife as you’ll discover on this stroll from Pennyfield Lock up the C&O Canal towpath. We’ll watch for wildlife as the sun sets, and as twilight gives way to the darkness of night, we’ll listen for calling frogs and hooting Barred Owls while discussing the adaptations of these and other nocturnal animals.
Members: $17; Nonmembers: $24
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Geology of Great Falls, VA
Saturday, April 17 (9 am-2 pm)
Leader: Joe Marx
The Potomac River drops about sixty feet at Great Falls and then enters a deep, narrow, mile-long gorge. For the last half century, geologists have conducted intensive studies of the Great Falls area, deciphering the evolution of the underlying bedrock and the present landforms. We will hike a 4-mile loop on the River Trail and the Old Carriage Road, discussing the sometimes surprising results of the research. The hike will be moderate, with some rocky, uneven, or muddy stretches and some uphill/downhill hiking. The pace set and distance covered on this geology field trip is typically faster and farther than our usual "naturalist's shuffle."
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

River Herring Return to Rock Creek
Saturday, April 17 (9 am-1 pm)
Leaders: Neal Fitzpatrick and Bill Yeaman
Tom Horton describes the annual Rock Creek migration of herring in Bay Country: “No finer parade, or one more unappreciated, ever swung through this capital than the quicksilver legions of Alosa pseudoharegus, the common river herring.” On our four-hour walk, we hope to view the spawning run and discuss opportunities for restoring fish migration to Rock Creek. We will visit the fish ladder construction site at Pierce Mill. Meet at the Cleveland Park Metro Station and end at the Woodley Park/National Zoo/Adams Morgan Station. 13th annual walk! Free.
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Spring Early Birds (7-10 am)
A. Saturday, April 17 - Huntley Meadows, VA
B. Sunday, April 25 - Meadowside Nature Center, MD
C. Saturday, May 1 - Great Falls Park, VA
D. Sunday, May 9 - Little Bennett, MD
E. Saturday, May 15 - Pennyfield Lock, MD
Leaders: Mike Bowen (A & C); Mark England (B & D); John Bjerke (E)
Immerse yourself in the phenomenon of spring migration with this series of short morning bird walks at nearby parks. These walks are designed for beginning and intermediate birders for whom the spring migration can sometimes be overwhelming. On each walk we’ll search for songbirds by sight and sound. We’ll discuss the arrival sequence of spring migrants, practice spotting them in the forest, and learn the songs of many species.
Each walk: Members: $20; Nonmembers: $28
Two walks: Members: $36: Nonmembers: $51
Three walks: Members: $49.50; Nonmembers: $72
Four walks: Members: $62; Nonmembers: $92
Entire series: Members: $72.50; Nonmembers: $105
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Hawks Aloft at Fort Smallwood Park
Saturday, April 17 (9 am-4 pm)
Leaders: Hal Wierenga and Lynn Davidson
Join us for a springtime exploration of Fort Smallwood Park, just south of Baltimore. Fort Smallwood, situated at the mouth of the Patapsco River where it empties into the Chesapeake Bay, provides one of the region’s premier hawkwatching sites for spring raptor migration. If weather conditions are favorable, we can hope to see good numbers of hawks passing over the park at this season. Though the focus of the day will be watching hawks, there may also be time to look for songbird migrants, early butterflies, and spring wildflowers, depending on the day’s weather, the number of hawks aloft, and the interest of the group.
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

A Spring Morning Along the River
Sunday, April 18 (7:30 am-Noon)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
Join this early spring exploration of the season’s great burst of life in the bottomland woods along the Potomac River just above Great Falls, MD. Our Senior Naturalist leads this search for spring wildflowers, swelling buds, and early spring wildlife activity, including birds, butterflies, and amphibians. The natural surface trail is mostly level, but could be muddy.
Members: $23; Nonmembers: $32
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Botanical Gems of Montgomery County: Rachel Carson Park
Sunday, April 18 (1-4:30 pm)
Leader: Carole Bergmann
Rachel Carson Park protects a variety of natural communities, including high quality oak-hickory woodlands, mountain laurel thickets, rocky outcroppings, and Hawlings River bottomlands. Under the guidance of the County’s forest ecologist, we’ll explore these communities identifying trees, ferns, and spring wildflowers along the way.  On this 2-3 mile walk, expect some uphill/downhill walking over terrain that may be uneven, rocky and/or muddy.
Members: $20; Nonmembers: $28
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Amphibians Astir  
Saturday, April 24 (4-10 pm)
Leader: Karyn Molines
April showers bring May flowers and initiate the annual mating ritual of frogs, toads, and salamanders. During our field trip to the Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Anne Arundel County, we will explore several breeding ponds to search for mating frogs and toads, and amphibian egg masses and larvae while discussing amphibian biology and breeding behavior.  After dinner, we’ll take a night hike to listen for breeding songs of spring peepers, cricket frogs, Southern leopard and pickerel frogs, and American toads. Karyn Molines was Chief Naturalist at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary for many years.
Members: $28; Nonmembers: $39
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Natural Heritage Series: Calvert Cliffs State Park
Saturday, April 24 (full-day field trip)
Leader: Stephanie Mason
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 walk up to 4 miles of trails, ending up at the Bay but with lots of stops along the way, as we explore the coastal plain forests, marshland, and stream valley habitats of this protected area. We’ll look and listen for spring migrants, butterflies and dragonflies, and reptiles and amphibians, as we stroll past spring blooms.
Members: $30; Nonmembers: $42
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

May

Spring Woods of Chapman’s Forest
Sunday, May 2 (10 am-3 pm)
Leader: Bob Pickett
Chapman’s Landing, on the Potomac River in Charles County, MD, is one of the state’s most unique places, with a diversity of magnificent old-growth trees, many near champion size. Protected since 1750 as a woodlot for the historic Mt. Aventine, this site contains 13 species with a trunk diameter of 9’ or more, including a tulip tree and chinquapin oak over 16’ in diameter, and a 15’ sycamore. We will hike through the various habitats and ravines in search of these behemoths, enjoying their fresh spring foliage, as well as the wildflowers that grow beneath them. We’ll plan to cover up to 4 miles, mostly on natural surface trails, but with some off-trail hiking and some steep, but short, ascents and descents. 
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35
Registration required. Please use the registration form .

Springtime in West Virginia
Monday, May 3 (8 am) -Wednesday, May 5 (4 pm)
Leader: Mark Garland
Enjoy early spring all over again by heading upward in elevation to the Appalachian peaks and hollows of West Virginia.  On this broad-based nature foray, highlights will include migrant songbirds, spring wildflowers, early season butterflies, and perhaps a salamander or two. We’ll take modest hikes of a mile or two in different habitats each morning and afternoon. Our explorations are based in the Seneca Rocks/Canaan Valley area, but we’ll also plan to visit Dolly Sods and/or Blackwater Falls.  Overnight options range from campgrounds and basic cabins to motels and park lodges.
Members: $150; Nonmembers: $210
Registration required. Please use the registration form .


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