Naturalists

Experience the magic and wonder of the Bluebell Trail in its full glory!

"Whooooo cooks for youuuu? Whoooo cooks for youuuu allllll?" No, this is not a chef looking for a job! This is the call of a Barred Owl, perhaps Northern Virginia's most frequently observed owl. Join the roving naturalist on a quest to find these feathered friends. Learn more about owl adaptations, behavior, and role in the ecosystem before we hit the trails to find them! Even if we aren't able to find owls in the wild, you'll be able to meet Smoke, our resident Eastern Screech-owl and learn about the smallest breeding owls in Northern Virginia! $8, ages 5+

Experience the magic and wonder of the Bluebell Trail in its full glory! Take a relaxing stroll on Bull Run Regional Park's most famous trail while being enveloped by a sea of blue. Learn about spring ephemeral plants such as the Virginia Bluebell and why these fleeting flowers bloom for such a short time. $5, Ages 8+

Spring is here, so that means all sorts of critters are active again! Join the Roving Naturalist to find all sorts of insects and other bugs crawling around at Potomac Overlook Regional Park. We are likely to find ants, beetles, centipedes, millipedes, spiders, and more! Learn more about the role each of these creepy crawlies play in the ecosystem, and imagine life on their level. Eeek! $5, ages 5+

Join the Roving Naturalist and look for migrating warblers, a family of small insect-eating birds that often display striking plumage! While some warblers stay here for the warm season to breed, most of these birds only use our forests as a pit stop between their breeding grounds further north and their wintering grounds in Central and South America. September is the peak month for fall migration, while May is the peak month for spring migration. Learn the stories of these lightning fast little beauties, and where they explore when they're not passing through. $5, ages 10+

"Whooooo cooks for youuuu? Whoooo cooks for youuuu allllll?" No, this is not a chef looking for a job! This is the call of a Barred Owl, perhaps Northern Virginia's most frequently observed owl. Join the roving naturalist on a quest to find these feathered friends. Learn more about owl adaptations, behavior, and role in the ecosystem before we hit the trails to find them! Even if we aren't able to find owls in the wild, you'll be able to meet Smoke, our resident Eastern Screech-owl and learn about the smallest breeding owls in Northern Virginia! $8, ages 5+

Join the Roving Naturalist and look for migrating warblers, a family of small insect-eating birds that often display striking plumage! While some warblers stay here for the warm season to breed, most of these birds only use our forests as a pit stop between their breeding grounds further north and their wintering grounds in Central and South America. September is the peak month for fall migration, while May is the peak month for spring migration. Learn the stories of these lightning fast little beauties, and where they explore when they're not passing through. $5, ages 8+

"Whooooo cooks for youuuu? Whoooo cooks for youuuu allllll?" No, this is not a chef looking for a job! This is the call of a Barred Owl, perhaps Northern Virginia's most frequently observed owl. Join the roving naturalist on a quest to find these feathered friends. Learn more about owl adaptations, behavior, and role in the ecosystem before we hit the trails to find them! Even if we aren't able to find owls in the wild, you'll be able to meet Smoke, our resident Eastern Screech-owl and learn about the smallest breeding owls in Northern Virginia! $8, ages 5+

Tag along with Roving Naturalist Matt Felperin and Park Specialist/reptile expert David Deem on a quest to seek some slithery friends! The wooded ridges and valleys at Fountainhead are an excellent habitat for a variety of snakes. David, the park's own Steve Irwin reincarnated, spends much of his free time seeking serpents all over the country and has claimed multiple state records. Proper safety precautions will be taken as Copperheads are known to inhabit these woods. $8, ages 8+

Join the Roving Naturalist and look for migrating warblers, a family of small insect-eating birds that often display striking plumage! While some warblers stay here for the warm season to breed, most of these birds only use our forests as a pit stop between their breeding grounds further north and their wintering grounds in Central and South America. September is the peak month for fall migration, while May is the peak month for spring migration. Learn the stories of these lightning fast little beauties, and where they explore when they're not passing through. $5, ages 8+

What's all the buzz about? Brood X Cicadas are emerging, so prepare for an insect party like you've never seen before! Not to worry, these bugs cannot bite or sting. Some Cicadas are annual every summer, so what makes this year special? Tag along with the Roving Naturalist and learn more about these incredibly loud insects and why they take over in such large numbers.

Social distancing will be observed, please bring a mask and good hiking shoes. Meet at Volcano Island Waterpark. $5, ages 5+

Contact Matt Felperin at mfelperin@nvrpa.org or 703.268.6064 for more information.

Tag along with Roving Naturalist Matt Felperin and Park Specialist/reptile expert David Deem on a quest to seek some slithery friends! The wooded ridges and valleys at Fountainhead are an excellent habitat for a variety of snakes. David, the park's own Steve Irwin reincarnated, spends much of his free time seeking serpents all over the country and has claimed multiple state records. Proper safety precautions will be taken as Copperheads are known to inhabit these woods. $8, ages 8+

Join us for a guided kayak paddle tour led by ACA certified paddling instructor and NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, Matt Felperin. Learn about the cultural and natural history of the area and observe local wildlife! We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous kayak experience suggested, but not required. $35, Ages 12+