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A note about our programs:
We hold most programs rain, snow, or shine, unless we notify you otherwise. If you cancel your registration seven days or more prior to the program date, we’ll refund your fee in full. If you cancel within seven days of the program date, we are unable to refund your fee. If the Foundation of the State Arboretum cancels a program for any reason, we will refund your fee in full. Programs open to children/youth require an adult to attend with them and the adult is responsible for their supervision for the duration of the program. Advance registration is required for all programs. Space is limited.
Blandy at 100: A century of scientific and community contributions
Unruly: When Nature Goes Wild and Doesn't Fit in A Box
2:00 - 4:00 PM Sunday, April 19
Science is neat, orderly, and predictable. Right?
Arboreta, botanical gardens, and field research stations are places where people try to understand the complexities of the natural world. We look for patterns and put things into categories. We plant maples over here and mahogany trees over there. We classify these bees as generalists and those bees as specialists. Sometimes this pattern-seeking unlocks amazing insights. Other times, nature refuses to be put into neat little boxes not matter how hard we try.
In this program, we’ll hear stories about trees with identity crises, squirrely research projects, and the quirkiest Grove at Blandy. Join us for three tales from the bizarre, perplexing, and intriguing side of the biological sciences, featuring Blandy Curator T’ai Roulston, Director of Scientific Engagement Ariel Firebaugh, and Blandy graduate student alumna Clare Rodenberg.
What to expect: Talks followed by a discussion in the Blandy library. Time and weather permitting, we may also go on a short walk outdoors to see points of interest featured in the talk.
Light refreshments provided (it’s a birthday celebration, after all!).
Audience: These programs are designed for adults.
Where to meet: The library at the Quarters building.
Can’t make it? Recordings of the program will be available online.
Registration required.
Neotropical Migrants Bird Walk
8:00 - 10:00 AM Thursday, April 23
Spring (migration) has sprung! Join Blandy Director and birding enthusiast Dr. Dave Carr in search of early breeding warblers (e.g., Pine, Yellow, Palm, and Yellow-rumped) and other neotropical migrants.
What to expect: We will walk ~1.5 miles over lawn and gravel paths with gently rolling terrain.
Audience: Adults and children aged 12 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times. No pets, please!
What to bring: Dress for the weather. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can withstand a bit of early morning dew on the grass. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from Blandy.
Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.
Registration required.
Wildflower Walk at the Thompson Wildlife Management Area
1:00-3:00 PM Tuesday, April 28th
Hunt for spring ephemeral wildflowers on the Trillium Trail with a plant expert!
Learn to recognize our spring wildflowers in their native habitat. Scout for trilliums, orchids, and other spring wildflowers alongside Blandy’s Assistant Curator for the Native Plant Trail Jack Monsted.
What to expect: We will walk ~1.5 on hiking trails with occasional steep uphill and downhill sections, stopping frequently to observe flowers.
Audience: This program is designed for adults and children aged 12 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times. No pets, please!
What to bring: Wear comfortable walking shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a full water bottle. Bug spray suggested (gnats). If you’d like, bring materials to take notes and a favorite wildflower field guide or smart phone identification app (e.g., iNaturalist).
Where to meet: Meet at the Thompson Wildlife Management Area Trillium Parking Lot (directions provided following registration).
Registration required.
Spring Migrants Bird Walk
8:00-10:00 AM Friday, May 1st
Spring (migration) has sprung! Join Blandy Director and birding enthusiast Dr. Dave Carr in search of early breeding warblers (e.g., Pine, Yellow, Palm, and Yellow-rumped) and other neotropical migrants.
What to expect: An outdoor program. We will walk around 1.5 miles over lawn and gravel paths with gently rolling terrain.
Audience: Adults and children aged 12 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times. No pets, please!
What to bring: Dress for the weather! Wear comfortable walking shoes that can withstand a bit of morning dew from the grass. Bring your own binoculars or borrow a pair from Blandy.
Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.
Blandy at 100 Tour
10:00-11:30 AM Wednesday, May 6th
Blandy has a big birthday coming up---we're turning 100! Find out about a century of research and discovery on this guided tour of the arboretum grounds.
What to expect: An outdoor program. We will walk around 1 mile over lawn and gravel paths with gently rolling terrain.
Audience: Adults and children aged 12 and up. Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times. No pets, please!
What to bring: Dress for the weather! Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a full water bottle.
Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk.
Blandy at 100: A Century of Scientific and Community Contributions
Quorum: The Communities That Give Rise to Scientific Discoveries
2:00-4:00 PM Sunday, May 17th
The “lonely genius” stereotype of a scientist laboring alone may be true for some folks, but most of the scientists we know do their best work as part of a team. You need a good group of collaborators to help you brainstorm ideas, de-bug your computer program, corral a loose bee in the lab, and bring you an iced coffee after seven hours of hot summer vegetation surveys. Blandy has been home to a vibrant research and education community for 100 years. This is a place where people together come to learn about the natural world---from first graders on field trips, to research students in college, to citizen scientists checking bluebird boxes. Hear stories about the power of learning together from Blandy K-12 Director Harrison Jackson, current Blandy students, and citizen scientists.
What to expect: Talks followed by a discussion in the Blandy library. Time and weather permitting, we may also go on a short walk outdoors to see points of interest featured in the talk.
Light refreshments provided (it’s a birthday celebration, after all!).
Audience: These programs are designed for adults.
Where to meet: The library at the Quarters building.
Can’t make it? Recordings of the program will be available online.
What's Going on at the Bee Wall?
11:00 - 12:00 Sunday, May 31st
Chimney bees (Anthophora) are the coolest (and strangest?) native bees you've never heard of. Teaser: they spit water onto the ground to soften clay when nesting! May is a great time to spy on chimney bees at Blandy's Bee Wall--- that big, pink cobb structure near Peetwood Pavilion and the Community Garden. Join Blandy graduate student Willow Lovecky to learn about chimney bees. Find out about their natural history, fascinating nesting behaviors, and what you can do to create better habitat for native bees on your property. This will be a casual program, so come curious and bring questions for this bee researcher!
What to expect: A casual outdoor program based at the Bee Wall (near Peetwood Pavilion).
Audience: All ages! Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times. No pets, please!
What to bring: Dress for the weather! Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a full water bottle.
Where to meet: Meet at the flagpole at the front parking lot close to the “Arboretum Information” kiosk. We'll walk to the Bee Wall as a group at the beginning of the program.
Note: The "Bee Wall's" official name is "Dwelling: Shenandoah Valley." This art instillation was created by Sarah Peebles. Learn more about the work here.
Virginia's Amazing Vultures
With the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center!
2:00 - 3:00 Sunday, May 31st
Vultures are a critical component of the ecosystem yet are frequently misunderstood and maligned. Today's talk will provide the facts and information you need to become an informed and enthusiastic advocate for these amazing species. The presentation will explore the natural history of vultures in Virginia, the unique biology and ecology of vultures, global conservation concerns, and human–vulture conflicts and mitigation strategies.
Speaker: Heather Shank-Givens has been a volunteer wildlife rehabilitator with Blue Ridge Wildlife Center since 2017 and a wildlife educator since 2018. She holds federal and state permits for a non-releasable vulture wildlife ambassador, Dusty. Over the past 7 years, in partnership with Dusty (and prior vulture ambassadors Gryphon and Vega), she's reached hundreds of people of all ages, sharing the critical role of vultures in the ecosystem and the challenges they face globally.
What to expect: An indoor program in the library featuring a vulture Animal Ambassador from the Blue Ridge Wildlife Center.
Audience: All ages! Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times. No pets, please!
Where to meet: The library at the Quarters building.
American Kestrels
6:00 - 7:30 PM Monday, June 1st
Join us to learn about conservation efforts to provide nesting habitat for American Kestrels across the Virginia Piedmont and Shenandoah Valley. October Greenfield, Wildlife Habitat Program Manager for The Piedmont Environmental Council, will present on American Kestrel ecology and conservation challenges, followed by a field walk to learn about monitoring nest boxes.
What to expect: A lecture-style talk in the library, followed by a walk to kestrel monitoring nest boxes.
Who can come: This program is designed for adults, but children accompanied by adults are welcome. Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times. No pets, please!
What to bring: Please be sure to wear appropriate footwear and clothing for longer grass and uneven terrain (sunscreen and bug spray recommended).
Where to meet: The library at the Quarters building.
Firefly Festival
8:00 - 9:30 PM Thursday, June 18th
Explore the fascinating world of fireflies with outdoor crafts, activities, games, and a short nature talk. As dusk falls, we'll catch and release fireflies and watch them in action.
What to expect: A family-friendly program with crafts, activities, and firefly programming.
Who can come: This program is suitable for all ages. Minors must be accompanied by a caregiver at all times.
What to bring: Firefly/bug-inspired attire encouraged! Wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather. Bring a flashlight if you wish. Bug spray recommended.
Where to meet: The courtyard at the Quarters building.