Park Alerts

Naturalists

A nature interpretation program

NOVA Parks is pleased to offer a nature interpretation program. The mission of the NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist Program is to connect the citizens of northern Virginia with the natural world in our parks.  Through guided nature walks, hikes, canoe and kayak tours, night explorations, stream and pond studies, and live animal programs, participants gain the opportunity to discover our native flora and fauna in a safe and fun environment. Programs are catered to kids, adults, and anyone interested in the natural world. 

Programs are offered in many NOVA Parks including Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Pohick Bay Regional Park, Bull Run Regional Park, Fountainhead Regional Park, Occoquan Regional Park, Algonkian Regional Park, Temple Hall Farm Regional Park, Hemlock Overlook Regional Park, and all five NOVA Parks waterpark facilities (in-season only). Join us for a chance to explore the natural world of northern Virginia. 

Group programs for scouts, homeschoolers, or other special interests can be arranged by contacting NOVA Parks at 703-268-6064.

REGISTER NOW

Jun 24
person sitting peacefully in nature

The Healing Dimensions of Nature

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

This program is an introduction on how nature welcomes us into its healing and health-giving qualities.

10:00am to 12:00pm
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Free
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
Event Details
Jun 28
kayaking under the moonlight

Fullmoon Kayak Tour

Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure under a moonlit and starry night to explore the natural beauty and diverse wildlife found along our gentle waterways.

7:30pm to 10:00pm
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
Event Details
Jun 30
stand up paddleboarders on the bay

Stand Up Paddleboarding (SUP) Nature Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

Join us on the most scenic nature tour in our region. Discover all the abundant wildlife found in our area as we journey into the marsh on SUP boards.

8:00am to 10:30am
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
Event Details
Jul 1
Pohick Birds of Prey

Birds of Prey Kayak Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

Join us on a paddle adventure in search of bald eagles, ospreys and other birds of prey found along the waterways of Pohick Bay Regional Park.
8:00am to 10:30am
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Jul 1
Fountainhead Kayaker

Sunset Kayak Tour

Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, VA

Explore the wildlife found along our local waterways during a picturesque sunset. The aquatic wildlife along with the variety of birds and raptors that abound make for a most memorable nature experience.
6:30pm to 9:00pm
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Jul 7
morning kayak

Morning Kayak Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure observe the natural beauty and local wildlife found along our gentle waterways of Occoquan Regional Park. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult. 

9:00am to 11:30am
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Jul 14
morning kayak

Morning Kayak Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure observe the natural beauty and local wildlife found along our gentle waterways of Occoquan Regional Park. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult. 

9:00am to 11:30am
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Jul 14
Sunset paddle

Sunset Stand Up Paddle Board Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

The exciting sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding will explore the magical wildlife found in the marsh wetlands as we "walk on water" through nature. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.
6:30pm to 9:00pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Jul 22
sunset on a kayak

Sunset Kayak Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

​Explore the wildlife found along the waterways of Occoquan Regional Park during a picturesque sunset.The aquatic wildlife along with the variety of birds and raptors that abound make for a most memorable nature experience. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.

6:30pm to 9:00pm
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Jul 27
kayakers Night

Full Moon Kayak Tour

Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure under a moonlit and starry night to explore the natural beauty and diverse wildlife found along our gentle waterways. This program will be lead by NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, David Garcia. 

7:30pm to 10:00pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Jul 28
Pohick Moonlight Paddle

Full Moon Kayak Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

Enjoy the natural beauty and diverse wildlife of Pohick Bay under a starry night and full moon. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.

8:00pm to 10:30pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Aug 5
morning kayak

Morning Kayak Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure observe the natural beauty and local wildlife found along our gentle waterways of Occoquan Regional Park. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult. 

9:00am to 11:30am
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Aug 11
paddleboarding in the marsh

Pollinator Stand Up Paddle Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

This special SUP tour will take you deep into the marshes to look at a unique area, which hosts numerous butterflies as they pollinate the flower clusters that can be found there. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.
8:00am to 10:30am
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Aug 12
perseids

Perseids Meteor Shower Kayak Tour

Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, VA

This is a kayaking adventure to observe the night sky and the Perseid meteor shower. It's one of the brightest meteor showers of the year. In addition, participants will experience the abundant wildlife found along the forest woodland surrounding the Occoquan Reservoir.

7:30pm to 10:00pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Aug 18
sunset on a kayak

Sunset Kayak Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

​Explore the wildlife found along the waterways of Occoquan Regional Park during a picturesque sunset.The aquatic wildlife along with the variety of birds and raptors that abound make for a most memorable nature experience. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.

6:30pm to 9:00pm
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Aug 24
kayaking under the moonlight

Moonlit Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure under a moonlit and starry night to explore the natural beauty and diverse wildlife found along the Occoquan River. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.

7:30pm to 10:00pm
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Aug 25
SUP at Night

Full Moon Stand Up Paddle Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

Enjoy the exciting sport of Stand Up Paddle Boarding under the light of a full moon!. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.

8:00pm to 10:30pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Aug 26
Saturday Morning Pohick

Morning Paddle Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure to observe the natural beauty and local wildlife found along our gentle waterways. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.
8:00am to 10:30am
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Sep 2
sunset on a kayak

Sunset Kayak Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

Explore the wildlife found along the waterways of Occoquan Regional Park during a picturesque sunset.The aquatic wildlife along with the variety of birds and raptors that abound make for a most memorable nature experience.

6:30pm to 9:00pm
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Sep 8
Pohick Moonlight Paddle

Night Sky Kayak Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure under a starry night sky to explore the natural beauty and diverse wildlife found along Pohick Bay Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.
8:00pm to 10:30pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Sep 9

Gifts from the Forest

Potomac Overlook Regional Park, Arlington, VA

What does nature really do for us? Discover the recycling miracles in the soil, the benefits we receive from birds to insects and much more. 

2:00pm to 3:00pm
  • History & Educational
  • Kids & Family
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
Event Details
Sep 15
morning kayak

Morning Kayak Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

Enjoy a kayaking adventure observe the natural beauty and local wildlife found along our gentle waterways of Occoquan Regional Park. Tours offered to ages 14 and older with an accompanying adult.

9:00am to 11:30am
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Oct 20
Fall Colors Fountainhead

Fall Colors Kayak Tour

Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, VA

Experience the changing of the seasons and enjoy the natural beauty of the Occoquan Reservoir. A fun and memorable outdoor experience while highlighting natural and historical features unique to the area.

12:00pm to 2:30pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Oct 20
`fall color kayak

Fall Color Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

Experience the changing of the seasons and enjoy the open waters as we view the beautiful fall colors and the changing of the leaves. This is a very specific timeframe for ideal fall colors, so don't miss out on the opportunity. 

2:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Oct 21
pohick_bay_fallcolors

Fall Colors Kayak Tour

Pohick Bay Regional Park, Lorton, VA

Experience the changing of the seasons and enjoy the open waters as we view the beautiful fall colors and the changing of the leaves. This is a very specific timeframe for ideal fall colors, so don't miss out on the opportunity.
10:00am to 12:30pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Oct 27
`fall color kayak

Fall Color Tour

Occoquan Regional Park , Lorton, VA

Experience the changing of the seasons and enjoy the open waters as we view the beautiful fall colors and the changing of the leaves. This is a very specific timeframe for ideal fall colors, so don't miss out on the opportunity. 

2:00pm to 5:00pm
  • Camps & Programs Guide
  • Nature
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Oct 28
Fall Colors Fountainhead

Fall Colors Kayak TOur

Fountainhead Regional Park, Fairfax Station, VA

Experience the changing of the seasons and enjoy the natural beauty of the Occoquan Reservoir. A fun and memorable outdoor experience while highlighting natural and historical features unique to the area. . This program will be led by NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, David Garcia.

12:00pm to 2:30pm
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
  • Sport, Fitness & Health
Event Details
Nov 11

Grandparents Day Hike – the Wisdom of the Elders in the Woods

Potomac Overlook Regional Park, Arlington, VA

Just like how grandparents can offer wisdom from years of experience, so too can the elders of the woods offer us much in the form of nature mentoring. 

2:00pm to 3:00pm
  • Kids & Family
  • Nature
  • Nature Nuts
  • Roving Naturalists
Event Details