what's new at the nature network?

Events

ant on a dewberry flower

Upcoming Events

12

JUL

Anniversary Party

Gibson household 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

The Nature Network turns ONE this year! 

Make homemade pizza as we talk about where different foods come from. Please bring a pizza topping or (kid-friendly) drinks to share! :)

(Allergy alert: gluten, dairy. If your family has a food allergy, please let me know in advance so we can find a suitable substitute or take other precautions as necessary.)

Sign up here. Deadline to sign up: July 9, 2025.

forget-me-not

Past Events

21

JUN

Enjoy Arlington: Wiggling Worms

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Exploration of red earthworms in compost, wiggling paper towel worms, and gooey slime worms (made of sodium alginate and calcium chloride).

10

MAY

Enjoy Arlington: Textures of Nature

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of different textures in nature. Nature walk featuring tree bark art and collection of natural materials to make prints in clay.

12

APR

Enjoy Arlington: Mini Meteorologists

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of a globe; conversations about days and seasons. Simulation of different weather events, including sunny (flashlight), rainy (watering plants), windy (decorating kites and standing in front of the fan), and snowy (instant "pretend" snow made of water and sodium polyacrylate polymer).

22

MAR

Weekend Workshop for Families: Flower Fun

Bon Air Rose Garden Park, Arlington, VA 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of fresh flowers; plant-themed yoga; scavenger hunt/nature walk to find different colors of flowers.

8

MAR

Weekend Workshop for Families: Buzzing Bees

Lubber Run Park, Arlington, VA 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of animal sounds and movements. Art/sensory activity: sensory bottles.

1

MAR

Weekend Workshop for Families: All About Worms

Zitkala-Sa Park, Arlington, VA 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of live worms in mulch and gummy "worms" in pudding. Craft: wiggling paper towel worms.

11

JAN

Weekend Workshop for Families: Winter Wonderland

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of a globe; conversations about days and seasons. Comparison of instant "pretend" snow (water + sodium polyacrylate polymer) with real snow from the park. 

9

NOV

Enjoy Arlington: Wiggling Worms

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of red earthworms in compost and slime worms (made of sodium alginate and calcium chloride).

12

OCT

Enjoy Arlington: Parts of a Plant

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of a kalanchoe plant. Discussions of body parts of a plant and their functions.

14

SEP

Enjoy Arlington: All About Water

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM

Exploration of ice and water, and what it means for something to freeze, melt, float, or sink. Conversations of the scientific method. Practice of predicting and observing what happens.

31

AUG

Weekend Workshop for Families: Pollinators

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 4:05 PM - 4:55 PM

Exploration of flowers and fruit. Crafts: decorate a flower, create your own pollinator bug. Simulation of pollination.

3

AUG

Weekend Workshop for Families: All About Worms

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 4:05 PM - 4:55 PM

Exploration of worms in dirt and gummy "worms" in pudding.

25

MAY

Weekend Workshop for Families

Long Branch Nature Center, Arlington, VA 3:15 PM - 4:45 PM

The inaugural event of the Nature Network.

Exploration of animal movements, aloe vera plants, and the nature center.