Naturalist Hour Enjoy this look at the tree canopy of Panama from EcoTripMatch founder, Terry Lawson Dunn. Half of all the species in tropical rainforests live in the canopy, far above the forest floor. With improved access in recent decades, scientists have discovered more about the animals that live there and the global impact…
Naturalist Hour Join Maryland Department of Agriculture Entomologist, Cathy Stragar, in an exploration of the world of spiders: their origins, habits, and homes. Learn about some of our local spiders and gain an appreciation for their sometimes brief but fascinating lives. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program HERE Recordings…
Naturalist Hour Did you know that Saharan dust storms have a big impact on soil, water, and human health in the Americas? Experience this enormous transcontinental transport of tiny particles with ANS Adult Programs Director Serenella Linares! Every year, many tons of dust travel from Africa to the Americas carrying a slew of creatures…
Naturalist Hour Costa Rica Native and Naturalist Jorge Bogantes Montero helps us experience the magic of his home country. Bigger than Maryland and smaller than West Virginia, the small Central American nation has long captivated naturalists from around the world. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea in the Ring of Fire,…
Naturalist Hour Christina de Jesus Villanueva and Maya Quiñones of the U.S. Forest Service discuss the benefits of urban trees in our neighborhoods and showcase the Capetillo Community Food Forest in the heart of San Juan, Puerto Rico. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program HERE Recordings will be sent to…
Naturalist Hour Cookbook writer and blogger Anne-Marie Bonneau, aka the Zero-Waste Chef, explains why the kitchen provides your best opportunity to achieve a lower-waste lifestyle. Have you heard about zero waste in the media and want to dip your toe in the water (unbottled tap, of course) but wonder, “Where do I even start?”…
Naturalist Hour Dig into the contents of your recycling bin during this hands-on workshop with Zero Waste in DC Founder Stephanie Miller. Identify what’s recyclable, what’s not, and how to reduce waste at home. Everyone will have an opportunity to ask specific questions related to their own recycling. Finally, we’ll know whether to recycle…
Naturalist Hour Join USDA Researcher Samuel Ramsey to ask: Is there such a thing as “diversity for diversity’s sake” or is diversity indispensable? The answer to that question is the same whether you’re discussing biology or biologists. In this presentation, you’ll get a better understanding of why ecosystems thrive with diversity, why human systems follow…
Naturalist Hour Celebrate Latino Conservation Week with our Naturally Latinos panelist and partner, Joe Toolan. Are you interested in the intersection of race, LGBTQ issues, and the environmental movement? All of these identities have their own challenges and histories, but also great resilience and strength. How are they connected but different? How can you…
Naturalist Hour What are the implications, opportunities, and challenges of the American Jobs Plan for Latinos? How can the implementation of this plan create good paying jobs for our communities while protecting our Madre Tierra? Join Felipe Benítez, Executive Director of Corazon Latino, for this discussion. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for…
Naturalist Hour Get inspired by ANS’s journey to reach a more diverse community with Maryland Advocate Denisse Guitarra. Denisse will share current advocacy outreach efforts, highlighting our most recent local advocacy campaigns and community engagement efforts with the Latinx communities in Montgomery County. Join us to learn how you can fight the good fight….
Naturalist Hour Join us in a meaningful nature encounter with 2020 Taking Nature Black Environmental Champion Akiima Price. Price will share innovative programming strategies that feature nature as a powerful medium to connect youth, adults, and families in positive experiences that affect the way they feel about themselves, their communities, and their parks. Learn…
Naturalist Hour Explore open questions about one of the most studied environments on Earth with Stanford Professor William Durham. How did tree finches evolve where there were no trees? Why are Nazca and blue-footed boobies so very aggressive, despite comical appearances? Why, in a place famous for species radiations, is there only one species…
Naturalist Hour Expand your palette with forager and naturalist, Matt Cohen! Covering dozens of wild edible plants and mushrooms, this presentation will expand your appetite for the vast array of wild foods that can be found within the DC metro area. Tasty wild mushrooms, fruits, vegetables, greens, seasonings, and teas can be found in many…
Naturalist Hour Get ready to visit Costa Rica with Bartsch Award winner and our most popular Naturalist Hour Speaker, Mark Garland! Costa Rica is a small Central American nation that’s home to a staggering diversity of tropical habitats and wildlife. It’s been a destination for ANS travel programs since 1988. This illustrated talk features…
Naturalist Hour Dr. Mathew Ogburn, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center Senior Scientist, will share the amazing life history of river herring! Each spring, millions of river herring swim from the ocean to spawn in streams throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. While that sounds like a lot of fish, their current numbers are only a small…
Naturalist Hour The Nature Conservancy’s Community Engagement Specialist, Debra Williams, will share her experiences awakening people’s interests in nature through the story of the monarch butterfly. This “charismatic microfauna” has been a long-time catalyst for connecting people with the environment. Learn about the monarch’s life history, its impacts on our food, and its role as…
Naturalist Hour Join Capital Naturalist Alonso Abugattas and learn all about the little things that run the world – the insects and arthropods, their importance and natural history. These invertebrates play a crucial role in nature in so many ways. Learn about their roles, conservation, and news of their decline during this eye-opening presentation. …
Naturalist Hour Can you tell the difference between a mole and a vole? What makes the Virginia opossum such an unusual North American mammal? What actually IS a manatee? Find out the answers to these and other questions with Dr. Darin Croft, as he discusses how Maryland’s mammals fit into the great mammal evolutionary…
Naturalist Hour Get inspired by artist Sue Fierston, and head outside to find your nature muse! Sue will share how she uses the natural world, its colors, shapes, and scale to influence all of her artwork. Become a close observer of nature by examining and printing leaves and fish and learn to meditate outdoors with…
Naturalist Hour “Accidental” naturalists and multimedia storytellers Christopher Lancette and Won-ok Kim share stories of joy and heartache from their work documenting life on Sligo Creek in Silver Spring, Maryland through their website EyeOnSligoCreek.com. Experience their passion for their favorite place – and gain tips for using your voice to inspire people to care about…
Naturalist Hour UMBC professor Mercedes Burns shows us the marvelous world of daddy long legs. From their common names to their bite, the arachnid order Opiliones, also known as “daddy-longlegs” or “harvestmen,” have been historically misunderstood. Dr. Burns dispels common myths about the wonderfully diverse Opilones of North America by discussing their physiology, behavior, and…
Naturalist Hour Let’s admire the summer sky, packed with beautiful gems in every direction. Dr. Carrie Fitzgerald, Physics and Astronomy professor, will lead our voyage through the constellations, bright stars, planets, and deep sky objects you can observe this time of year, as well as some of the history and mythology of the sky….
Naturalist Hour Bartsch Award winner and ANS Naturalist Mark Garland will introduce us to the 40 species of birds found in the DMV that you should know. Whether you already recognize these friends from your adventures, or are just beginning to observe the birds around you, this is an opportunity to get some inside…
Naturalist Hour In this presentation, Brenda María Soler-Figueroa will provide an introduction to the roles of phytoplankton in aquatic ecosystems. Enjoy learning about the the bioluminescent systems in Puerto Rico, the small creatures that produce it, and Soler’s research in the United States about phytoplankton, aquatic invasive species, and current ballast water regulations. Learn…
Naturalist Hour Defend our local ecosystems! Our Restoration Manager, Bradley Simpson, will teach us the most common invasive plants to look for in the DMV and how they came here. Garlic mustard, English Ivy, Lesser celandine, Japanese honeysuckle are some of the species that you’ll learn to recognize during his talk. Learn how to…
Naturalist Hour Enjoy a virtual walk with one of the most famous naturalists in our region. Alonso Abugattas, the Capital Naturalist, will take us on a virtual wildflower walk, and teach us about the folklore and natural history of many of our later blooming wildflowers. Summer is almost here, but there will still be plenty…
Naturalist Hour Tom McCoy, Programs Chair of the Mycological Association of Washington D.C., will introduce us to mushrooms that are villains and heroes to human civilization. Ergot and huitlacoche, parasites of cereal grains, have had incredible impacts on human history due to their close proximity to a choice edible food. Ergot is likely the…
Naturalist Hour Join Steven Lonker as he takes us to Western Tien Shan, home to exceptionally rich biodiversity and overflowing with endemic and globally rare species. With spectacular mountains, deep gorges, steppes and deserts, the Western Tien Shan is the place where many edible plants and cultivars evolved including: almonds, apples, apricots, grapes, irises,…
Naturalist Hour Senior Botanist Dennis Whigham will describe efforts to conserve native orchids in the U.S. and Canada through the development of the North American Orchid Conservation Center (NAOCC). NAOCC is based on ecological principles and the participation of community scientists in the collection of the genetic diversity of native orchids and the mycorrhizal fungi…
Naturalist Hour Senior Archaeologist Heather Bouslog explains how archaeology is a public service that promotes social justice now and has done so in the past. This presentation shares how the artifacts recovered from the excavations at Oakley Cabin illustrate a community’s on-going creativity, agency and aspiration to create a space for themselves in society….
Naturalist Hour Enjoy a virtual trip to the White Sands National Park in South Central New Mexico with ANS Naturalist Gail Melson. White Sands National Park is the largest gypsum sand dune system in the world, yet few people have heard of this unique ecosystem. Learn why gypsum sand is so rare and so…
Naturalist Hour Join ANS Adult Education Director Serenella Linares to learn about the microscopic heroes that are decomposing plastics, oils, and toxic metals. During this exploration into bioremediation research, we’ll explore how microscopic fungi are eating away toxins in the soil. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program…
Naturalist Hour Join Professor Mike Benard of Case Western University to examine the complex biology of amphibians from mating season through tadpole development, past metamorphosis, and over winter. We will unveil the fascinating ways that amphibians communicate, respond to natural challenges, and are affected by human-driven environmental change. From predators to pond drying, light…
Naturalist Hour Join Dr. Romita Ray, Syracuse University Professor of Art History, for a fascinating look at the world of tea. How was Chinese tea visualized in 18th century Britain? And how did this botanical “discovery” seed a thriving tea industry in India? Professor Ray will explore the visual world of these tea plantations where…
Naturalist Hour Dr. Mike Raupp, Professor Emeritus in Entomology at the University of Maryland, explores the natural history, ecology, and behavior of the seven species of periodical cicadas indigenous to North America. Learn about the fascinating life cycle of periodical cicadas, massive synchronous emergences and the cicada’s bizarre strategy for survival. Get ready for their…
Naturalist Hour Uncover the tales behind shark teeth with Calvert Marine Museum Paleontologist Dr. Victor Perez. Learn about the history of fossil collecting in Maryland, especially the fossil record of cartilaginous fish (sharks, rays, and chimaera). Learn how community scientists played a major role in documenting the fossil record of Maryland, as thousands collect fossils…
Naturalist Hour Join William Needham of the Mycological Association of Washington, D.C. to trace the history of “magic mushrooms” from ancient cave drawings to the LSD era and legal restrictions. Discover the recent renaissance in the use of psychoactive mushrooms in the medical field for the treatment of mental health disorders. Learn more…
Naturalist Hour Find the fairy… shrimp with Master Naturalist Hannah Bement! Enjoy a look at vernal pools, mystical and ephemeral bodies of water that serve as crucial habitat for the reproduction of spotted salamanders, wood frogs, and fairy shrimp. Rare across both time and space, these magical pools are a window into a world teeming…
This April and May take a deeper dive into the world of gardening. Using a curriculum developed by the US Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Garden Outreach Associate Jenny Brown will teach you to nurture both native and edible plants to feed wildlife, while making your own…
This April and May take a deeper dive into the world of gardening. Using a curriculum developed by the US Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Garden Outreach Associate Jenny Brown will teach you to nurture both native and edible plants to feed wildlife, while making your own…
This April and May take a deeper dive into the world of gardening. Using a curriculum developed by the US Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Garden Outreach Associate Jenny Brown will teach you to nurture both native and edible plants to feed wildlife, while making your own…
This April and May take a deeper dive into the world of gardening. Using a curriculum developed by the US Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Garden Outreach Associate Jenny Brown will teach you to nurture both native and edible plants to feed wildlife, while making your own…
This April and May take a deeper dive into the world of gardening. Using a curriculum developed by the US Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Garden Outreach Associate Jenny Brown will teach you to nurture both native and edible plants to feed wildlife, while making your own…
This April and May take a deeper dive into the world of gardening. Using a curriculum developed by the US Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Garden Outreach Associate Jenny Brown will teach you to nurture both native and edible plants to feed wildlife, while making your own…
This April and May take a deeper dive into the world of gardening. Using a curriculum developed by the US Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Garden Outreach Associate Jenny Brown will teach you to nurture both native and edible plants to feed wildlife, while making your own…
This April and May take a deeper dive into the world of gardening. Using a curriculum developed by the US Botanic Garden and the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS) Garden Outreach Associate Jenny Brown will teach you to nurture both native and edible plants to feed wildlife, while making your own…
Naturalist Hour Join ANS Restoration Manager Bradley Simpson to discover the beauty of trees and shrubs in the spring. Learn about the tree and shrub species flowering during this season and where they can be found throughout the DMV. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program HERE Recordings will be sent…
Naturalist Hour Melissa Boyle Acuti, Chief of Interpretation for the Maryland Park Service, introduces us to the “Create Your Own State Park” program, inspired by the research of Dr. Douglas Tallamy. This program was launched during the pandemic in 2020 while people were spending more time at home to encourage families to think of their…
Naturalist Hour Join Capital Naturalist founder Alonso Abugattas for a safari to explore milkweeds, their history, uses, folklore and some of the many animals who benefit from them. People may plant them for monarchs, but many other forms of wildlife benefit from this family of plants. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for…
Naturalist Hour What lives in your local stream and how healthy is it? Gregg Trilling, ANS Conservation Outreach Manager, will introduce you to several fascinating aquatic macroinvertebrates. He’ll show you how to use the ANS’s Creek Critters® app to identify them in your local stream and discover what they mean for stream health….
Naturalist Hour The Wildlife Host, Ashley Gray, knows all about social media and wildlife observations. Animal lovers often want to get up close and personal, even with dangerous animal species like tigers. Some organizations and individuals share media that put these animals at risk and portray unethical treatment as fun and cute. Ashley will share…
Naturalist Hour Geology Professor Joe Marx will explain how geologists determined a precise age for the Great Falls of the Potomac. Until about 20 years ago, the best estimate of the age of Great Falls was between “several thousand to several million years.” Rock dating techniques that became available in the late 1980s now allow…
Naturalist Hour Dare to discover the unknown with Mycological Society of Washington DC Treasurer Matt Cohen in this introduction to fungi and mushrooms. Learn about the ecological roles of fungi, as well as how to identify poisonous and edible mushrooms in our area. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program HERE Recordings…
Naturalist Hour Join ANS Garden Outreach Associate and Maryland Master Gardener Jenny Brown in the spring adventure of starting your garden! From testing your soil, to selecting your vegetable and herb seeds, to planting according to the amount of sun you have, Jenny will prepare your green thumb and transform you into a gardening hero….
Naturalist Hour Got deer? We all do in the DMV! Learn about deer management strategies from Arlington Regional Master Naturalist, Bill Browning. Humans practically drove the deer population of the mid-Atlantic to extinction by the early 20th century. Since then, the population has recovered to such an extent that overbrowsing degrades forest habitat for…
Naturalist Hour You don’t have to go very far to see great birds! Rediscover the wildlife value of our urban green spaces with our Naturally Latinos series speaker and Audubon New York Program Coordinator, Yamina Nater-Otero, as she walks you through beginning birding basics and redefines what it means to enjoy the outdoors. Learn more…
Naturalist Hour Listen to Biology Professor Mariana Abarca talk about the natural history and seasonality of one of your backyard friends: Eastern tent caterpillars (Malacosoma americanum). Learn about their food sources, their predators, and the threats to their survival in the face of climate change. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for…
Naturalist Hour Join mycologist and Naturally Latinos Conference Co-Chair, Serenella Linares, in her adventures through the forests of Maryland (and beyond) this winter. Take a peek at the cold-loving mushrooms she has discovered and learn how to find them in your neck of the woods! Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for…
Naturalist Hour Nature is WILD and, sometimes, competition for reproduction is fierce. From the birds to the bees (and even the orchids!), join MD-DNR Education and Outreach Specialist, Kerry Wixted, to learn how different plants and animals procreate in odd, interesting, and sometimes deadly ways. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this…
Naturalist Hour The Asian Giant Hornet grabbed the morbid curiosity of the public after being featured on Good Morning America. Join entomologist Dr. Samuel Ramsey to explore how sensationalism around these “Murder Hornets” could aid the fight against exotic pests and learn more about these invasive species. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register…
Naturalist Hour Get comfortable and ready to enjoy this talk by Capital Naturalist Founder Alonso Abugattas as he demystifies some misunderstood wildlife in our region. Many animals are the subjects of fear or disgust until people know more about their positive contributions and roles in our communities in the natural environment. Explore the little-understood world…
Naturalist Hour Patricia Welty, Executive Director of A Vegan Life, Inc, will share why elephant populations are declining, as well as their role as a keystone species that heavily influences other wildlife species and their habitats. Learn about fundraising efforts to help elephants in Africa, including Patricia’s Appalachian Trail hike. Patricia will discuss how CITES…
Naturalist Hour Join Steve Sheffield, Bowie State University Professor of Biology, who will detail examples of recent extirpations (losses) of mammals from Maryland, including information about their former ranges, the causes of their extirpation, and data on the last time these species were seen in the state. Learn more about efforts to reintroduce some of…
Naturalist Hour During the pandemic, Dr. Martha Weiss, Professor of Biology at Georgetown University, found inspiration, solace, and delight on her daily walks through her urban neighborhood. Enjoy the amazing ecological activity she observes along busy city streets, including flowers popping open like clockwork, lacewing larvae camouflaged under bits of bark and lichen, and colorful…
Naturalist Hour Join Steven Lonker, former researcher at Harvard University, Australian National University and Carnegie Institution for Science, on a virtual trip across the Eastern Himalayas of India following the footsteps of 19th century botanist-explorer Sir Joseph Hooker. Experience birds from accentors to yuhinas; rhododendron forests with white, pink, red and yellow flowers; and showy…
Naturalist Hour Conservation Ecologist Deborah Landau will discuss The Nature Conservancy’s work in western Maryland towards ensuring the health and resiliency of our natural areas. This work ranges from reviving natural processes, such as low-intensity wildfire, to restoring historic hydrology. She will discuss the importance of reviewing the past to better understand how to…
Naturalist Hour Join celebrated local naturalist Mark Garland for a look at some of the most interesting birds that exist across our marvelous planet. Mark will share stunning photographs and stories of beautiful and unusual birds from close to home and from halfway around the world. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register…
Naturalist Hour Do you have a camera roll full of blurry bird pictures? Shawn Weber can help! A middle school teacher by career, Shawn is also a self-taught wildlife photographer who loves to share what he’s learned with others. During this presentation he will introduce you to the basics of birding photography, including knowing your…
Naturalist Hour The work of a riverkeeper can be feast, famine, fun, and flummoxing. How does Patuxent riverkeeper, Fred Tutman, protect a precious water body and inspire others to do the same for 17 years when most people assume the work is either a lost cause or an endless one? Feast on hopeful anecdotes,…
Naturalist Hour At Echoes of Nature, animal ambassadors act as environmental educators to represent their wild counterparts in Maryland. During this Naturalist Hour talk from co-founder Echo Uzzo, you will meet animals live on camera including a box turtle, an eastern screech owl and three other surprise animal ambassadors. Learn about the natural history of…
Join National Aquarium Director of Equity & Community Engagement, Curtis Bennett, for a captivating reflection on how nature influenced his path and how the richness of his experiences made him the person he is today. We’ll explore stories about self, wildlife, community and culture. Bring your family along and connect with the commonalities of the…
Did you know that mushrooms are the reason we believe in flying reindeer? Grab your hot cocoa and join ANS Mycologist Serenella Linares for an evening of stories about how fungi have influenced our holiday traditions and cultural beliefs. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program HERE Recordings will be…
Every year, the oceans absorb almost a third of all human greenhouse gas emissions. Join ANS Conservation Advocate, Ari Einstadt, to learn how biology, chemistry, geology, and physics intersect to make the global oceans a powerful force in the fight against climate change, and what’s at risk if the oceans are thrown out of balance….
Join Dr. Amanda Stronza, Texas A&M University, Co-Director Applied Biodiversity Science Program and Co-Founder of EcoExist, for a night of breathtaking photography and stories about people and elephants in a shared landscape. In the eastern Okavango Panhandle of Botswana, roughly 18,000 elephants compete with 16,000 people for access to water, food, and land. Elephants roam…
Travel in time with Geology Instructor Joe Marx to the Battle of Antietam in 1862, the bloodiest day in American history. The terrain and underlying bedrock of the battlefield strongly influenced the contest. Learn how the geology of the region decided the outcome. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program…
Clearly all flies fly, right? Wrong! Dr. Samuel Ramsey researcher at the vanEngelsdorp’s Lab, University of Maryland explains why some flies have ditched what seems like such a clear advantage for a totally different, and completely fascinating, alternative life cycle. The Sheep Keds, Bat Flies, and Bee Lice have their own little world. Venture through…
Butterflies will be back next spring – will your community be ready for them? Join us on an information session to learn about the “Greening Your Neighborhood” program by the Audubon Naturalist Society (ANS). This program is made specifically for Loudoun County, VA HOAs and Condo Associations. Learn how ANS can help you, residents, and…
Explore the marvels of underground tree communication with ANS Mycologist Serenella Linares. Learn how plants and fungi are connected under your feet and the different signals that are sent to rule the forest, from the bottom up! Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program HERE Recordings will be sent to…
Capital Naturalist Alonso Abugattas will give you an in-depth look at how pieces of the nature puzzle fit together. Nature is intricately interconnected, and while we certainly don’t know how all the pieces fit, we can have fun trying to put them together. Get a peek at just how interdependent our plants, fungi, insects,…
Join Clare Walker, Ph.D., an Environmental Educator at the Irvine Nature Center, and learn some of the many ways that our woodland trees, wildflowers and wildlife interact, whether for food, pollination or seed dispersal. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program HERE Recordings will be sent to registrants who cannot attend…
What actions could you take today that would help solve the climate and waste crises? In this talk, author Stephanie Miller will describe 10 easy steps that busy people can take and know that they are having a positive environmental impact. These actions fall into three areas she calls her “magic three”: focus on food,…
Careful with what you spread! Entomologist Samuel Ramsey, Ph.D. illustrates how North American species have spread around the world and how we’re just beginning to realize the broader impacts of these invasions. Learn what makes a species likely to invade and what individual behaviors and policies can prevent invasions and address their aftermath. Learn…
Dr. Anneke DeLuycker, Associate Professor at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, explores the lives of our primate cousins, the threats they face, and why we should conserve them. Learn about her long-term research on the Andean titi monkey, a critically endangered species living in the foothills of the Andes Mountains in Peru. Peek into…
In 2016, Bill Young took a cruise from Southern Argentina to the Falklands, South Georgia, and the Antarctic Peninsula. On the trip, he saw nearly a million penguins from seven species. Enjoy his accounts of that adventure, and of the species he observed. Learn about the penguins’ biology, behavior, and the environmental issues affecting them….
Join ANS Restoration Manager Bradley Simpson to explore the top 10 tree species native to the DMV. We will discuss how these trees benefit the Chesapeake Bay region and the wildlife that depend on them for survival. You’ll also learn how to identify these trees and where to find them in our region. Learn more…
Dr. Matt Kasson and Dr. Brian Lovett will give you a fascinating look at the fungi pathogens controlling the minds of insects. Cicadas, flies and ants are doomed to become zombies through the infection of these organisms. Learn more about the Naturalist Hour series HERE Register for this program HERE Recordings will be sent to…
Native Plant Sale Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31st 10:00 am – 2:00 pm The Audubon Naturalist Society is hosting a plant sale at the Woodend Sanctuary this weekend on Friday, October 30th and Saturday, October 31st. Feel free to browse the native plants outside the Audubon Naturalist Shop at Woodend while supplies last….
Listen to fantastic nature stories by Alonso Abugattas, founder of Capital Naturalist, about fatal attractions, deceptive tricks, bioluminescence, and more. Like a moth to the flame, this presentation will lure participants into learning some of the mysteries of the natural world. Some of them can be explained, and others we have yet to find a…
Symone Johnson Barkley, Manager of Education Programs at the National Aquarium, takes us for a dive into the mysteries of the deep. The deep ocean contains some of the most fascinating creatures on Earth. Learn about these creatures, their adaptations, and their habitat by creating your own hydrothermal vent! Learn more about the Naturalist Hour…
Ana Ka’ahanui & Stella Tarnay, Co-founders of Capital Nature, bring the wonders of Community science to your fingertips! Community science, also known as citizen science, is a great way to connect to nature and help scientists collect data for research and conservation. Area residents are also employing community science to advocate for environmental justice and…
Jorge Bogantes, Natural Resources Specialist at the Anacostia Watershed Society, brings on the muscles! The Anacostia Watershed Society’s (AWS) freshwater mussel restoration program is a pioneering effort to help increase the biofiltration capacity and the biodiversity of the aquatic ecosystems in the Anacostia River. Learn how mussels – hardworking invertebrates – improve water quality, enhance…
Eliana Bookbinder, who is a nature educator, a homeschooling consultant and the founder of HomeschoolThriving.com, demystifies the outdoors and all of its scary things! Spiders, skeletons, creepy-crawlies, the list is almost endless. Get inspired to go outside and face your fears in a healthy and productive way, while exploring a whole new perspective! Learn…
Mark Garland, who is a naturalist and ANS Bartsch Award Winner, takes us on a closer look at the magical monarch butterfly, its biology, and its multi-generational migration between temperate North America and overwintering areas high in the mountains west of Mexico City. Learn about the research being conducted on monarchs in the mid-Atlantic region….
Experience a virtual visit to Theodore Roosevelt Island with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, an award-winning author of the new book, Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island. Melanie will bring the beauty and biological diversity of DC’s 88.5-acre Potomac island into your home as she shares island explorations through the seasons. Learn about the trees, wildflowers and birds…
Join Calvert County Natural Resources Naturalist, Tania Gale, for this up-close and personal look at the tiny, fierce, and fabulous inhabitants of the small garden in front of Battle Creek Nature Center. Like many such close-to-home spaces, this garden is full of mystery and drama. One never knows what will be unveiled for those who…
Dr. Geraldine N. Vega, a soil scientist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, takes us on an tour of the wide diversity of soils on earth. Please join the Audubon Naturalist Society for a virtual talk about the formation of a living environment told by layers and colors under the topsoil, and learn how…
The Anacostia Riverkeeper, Trey Sherard, takes us on a journey to explore the spooky things we can’t see in our waters, perfect for this Halloween. Please join Audubon Naturalist Society for a virtual talk about the bacteria that protect and pollute our waters, and learn about bacteria and their relationship to water quality in…
Dr. Clare Walker, who is an educator at the Irvine Nature Center, gets us up close and personal with Nature’s masters of deceit. From appearance to behavior, insects have developed elaborate ruses to deceive potential predators. Discover who is faking it, who is not faking it, and why some caterpillars squeak! Please join Audubon Naturalist…
Please join ANS Mycologist and Virtual Programs Manager, Serenella Linares, for a talk about the fantastic world of bioluminescent fungi and meet the exciting species behind this phenomenon called “fox fire.” Have you ever taken a night walk through the woods and seen a greenish glow on the forest floor? It might have been our friends…
Please join us in welcoming Amy Zanne, Ph.D., who is an ecologist at the George Washington University, for a virtual talk about the interplay between the structure of wood itself and the remarkably diverse community of organisms that takes it apart. This event is hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist…
Please join us in welcoming Joe Marx, who is an adjunct instructor in geology at Northern Virginia Community College, for a virtual talk about the earthquake in 2011, its possible causes and implications. This event is hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. Many people (including the presenter) were…
Please join us in welcoming Dr. Priscila Chaverri, Ph.D., a mycology professor at the University of Costa Rica and the University of Maryland, for a virtual talk about endophytes or fungi found in trees in the tropical regions. This event is hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. The…
Please join us in welcoming Chelsea Connor, who is a herpetology student at Midwestern State University and a science communicator who loves sharing fun facts about anoles on her Twitter page with #DidYouAnole. Join our virtual talk to learn more about anoles, their adaptations and their native habitats. This event is hosted by the…
Native Plants for Sale Pre-order a kit of native plants for your garden! Each kit contains 25 plugs from Northcreek Nurseries (five each of five native species) for either sunny or shady conditions in your garden. Pick up your pre-orders at Woodend and browse other native plants available for sale on September 17th and September…
Please join us in welcoming Manuela Dal Forno, Ph.D., a research botanist at the Botanical Research Institute of Texas in Fort Worth, for a virtual talk about lichens in our terrestrial ecosystems. This event is hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. The lichen lifestyle is about more than…
Please join Huzefa Raja, Ph.D., who is a research scientist at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro, for a virtual talk about microscopic fungi and some of their ecological functions and properties in our aquatic ecosystems. This event is hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. Swimming in…
Please join us in welcoming Samuel Ramsey, Ph.D., an entomologist at the University of Maryland, for a virtual talk about the types of invasive species in our neighborhood and in our greater global ecosystem. This event is hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. Murder hornets, fire ants, varroa…
Please join Coreen Weilminster, an Education Coordinator at the Chesapeake Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, for a virtual talk about how to best communicate climate change effectively. This event is hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. Learn to speak effectively, accurately, and confidently about climate change. Explore social…
Please join author Carol Allen, botanist and owner of Poplar Hill Horticultural Services, for a virtual talk about native orchids, hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. Finding native orchids while out hiking on a spring day is the ultimate bliss! Finding those same orchids at a nursery or…
Please join Clare Walker, Ph.D. who is an Environmental Educator at the Irvine Nature Center for a virtual talk about the interconnectedness of native plant and animals to seasonal change and their relationships to each other, hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. The life cycles of native plants…
Please join author Cindy Freland for a virtual talk about the natural bounty and beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, hosted by the Audubon Naturalist Society as part of the Naturalist Hour series. Her love of nature and children inspired her to write a series of books for children about the animals of the Bay. She’ll…
Please join the Audubon Naturalist Society in welcoming Amelia Merced, Ph. D and botanist, for a presentation about the wonders of bryophytes. Bryophytes is the collective name given to the group of plants that includes mosses, liverworts and hornworts. These small plants grow on many surfaces, including soil, rocks, and the bark and leaves of…