(4-Adult) Barred owls inhabit our stream valley parks. Learn to identify these owls from other native owls while enjoying the campfire. Toast marshmallows over the embers. Canceled in case of inclement weather. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-8 yrs.) Dive into the art of deception in the animal kingdom. We will explore examples of how animals have adapted to blend seamlessly into their environments, outwit predators and enhance their survival strategies. Get ready to be fooled by animals' adaptions.

(10-Adult) Enjoy a naturalist-led hike and identify plants that are safe to eat and which ones to avoid. Learn the usefulness of plants for such rope making and folk remedies with connections to Eastern Woodland Indians. Meet at the visitor center.

(12-Adult) Hone your birding skills on the trail and learn to play our favorite bird themed board game: Wingspan. We will enjoy a round or more of this wonderful boardgame and take a bird walk in the park. All skill levels welcome.

(4-Adult) Enjoy a night hike to learn about nocturnal hunters. Listen to taped calls of owls and coyotes and possibly catch a glimpse of them in the forest. End the evening with s'mores round the campfire. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(2-6 yrs.) Walk with a naturalist and your child as we investigate the critters who make this park their home. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(4-13 yrs.) Join a naturalist as they demonstrate how we feed our site display animals. Make a birdfeeder to take home and use. Search for worms and insects and assist in serving dinner. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

(4-Adult) Bring your best frog voice as you learn about our native frogs while enjoying refreshments at a campfire. Hop along with a naturalist to our pond to sing with the chorus.

(6-Adult) Enjoy nature's tranquil beauty and the night sky under a full moon. Your naturalist guide points out signs of creatures that glide, fly and tiptoe through the woods in the dark. Enjoy a campfire after the hike with s'mores provided. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(8-Adult) Come to the garden to learn about and pick fresh herbs that will make your herbal tea the best its ever been. Sample herbal teas and get inspired to grow your own tea herbs at home to delight and inspire you. 

(8-15yrs.) Students receive hands-on instruction in wild bird identification, migration, habitats and conservation through citizen science. Instructors use preserved species, and wild birds to illustrate the concepts. All lessons are structured around the Virginia standards of Learning.

(8-15 yrs.) Dive into watershed education at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park. Receive hands on lessons about aspects of watershed education in a variety of water environments. Topics to include macroinvertebrate searches and identification, watershed ecology, life cycles, food chains, stream monitoring techniques, pollution problems and watershed protection. All lessons are structured around the Virginia Standards of Learning.

(8-15 yrs.) Delve in into the wonders of our local plants with hands-on activities and nature exploration in this four-week course. Sessions include searching for early spring wildflowers and other botanical signs of spring, discovering native herbaceous (non-woody) plants that stay green in winter, learning about identifying native trees by buds, bark, and fruit, and investigating the diversity and beauty of mosses in the park.

(8-Adult) Identify some of Fairfax County's common invasive plant species. Explore ways to lessen these plants around your home.

(2-5 yrs.) Introduce your little ones to the wonders of nature with hands-on activities that teach environmental stewardship and sustainability. Your little earth keepers will learn how their actions can help protect our planet. Adults must participate with children. 

(2-6 yrs.) Explore the ever-changing landscape of the garden. Each week, participants will explore and discover the changes in the garden. This program will feature seasonal activities that can include planting seeds, pollinators, harvesting vegetables, digging in the soil and exploring plant parts. Adults must attend with a registered child. 

(3-6 yrs.) Explore the parks through books. Hear a story, enjoy nature activities, take a short hike, and finish with a craft. Topics will change seasonally. A parent must accompany each registered child in the program.

(1-3 yrs.) Bring your toddler to explore nature through sight, sound, smell and touch. Programs include indoor and outdoor activities. Adult must be able to participate with children. A different amazing topic every month

(4-Adult) Join us as we search for tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs and water scorpions to catch and release. Learn about how they reflect the health of the pond. Meets at Walney Pond. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(6-Adult) Buzz through the ins and outs of a bee colony. Learn about the park's history of bees, how colonies thrive and grow and watch as we open the bee boxes. End the fun evening with a sweet taste of honey.

(4-Adult) Vernal pools are one of our parks most fascinating and elusive ecosystem. Join us after hours as we hike the trails and search for signs of new amphibian life. Learn about the life cycle and early development of local amphibians. Hike the trails at night and end with roasting s'mores over a campfire. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

(4-Adult) Take a hike through the woods with a naturalist to listen and look for the park’s winter avian residents and migrants. Find out what birds do to survive the winter weather. Feel free to bring your own guides, binoculars and spotting scopes. Site will have a limited number of supplies for participants to borrow for the duration of the program.

(7-Adult) Wander with a naturalist to discover wonderful wildflowers that grow at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park.

(4-Adult) Wood frogs are breeding in vernal pools. Assist in collecting and releasing frogs and recording data for our amphibian survey. Wear waterproof boots and bring flash lights. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(12-Adult) Join us for a full tour of the Woodlands Stewardship Education Center and learn about the Living Building Challenge. Explore technologies like reclaimed materials, solar energy generation, rainwater collection and reuse and wastewater treatment. This center demonstrates sustainable practices that can reshape our relationship with our environment. This tour is ADA compliant. Private tours available upon request. Please contact the site for details.