Many butterfly-attracting nectar and host plants can be difficult to locate. Click here for a list of upcoming plant sales, along with local nurseries likely to carry some of these plants.

Starting February 15, 2008

Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution, SW Washington, D.C.

Daily 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Prices: Adults $6; Seniors $5.50; Children $4.50. Tuesdays are free.
Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance online at http://butterflies.si.edu, or by phone at 202.633.4629. Tickets are timed at 15-minute intervals from 10:15 a.m. until 5:15 p.m.
The Butterfly Pavilion is a fee-based, live butterfly experience. Take a stroll among live butterflies and exotic plants! Located adjacent to Partners in Evolution, this tropical oasis offers visitors a rare opportunity to get close to a variety of living butterflies from all over the world.
Partners in Evolution is a free-admission exploration into how insects and other animals have co-evolved with plants. Discover how natural selection has shaped animals and plants together through their ancient and persistent dependencies and defenses with one another.
Located at the National Museum of Natural History, 600 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, D.C. 20024. 202-633-1000.

Saturday, May 3 through Sunday, September 21

Wings of Fancy: World of Flight, Wheaton, MD

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. daily. Fees: $5 adults; $4 ages 3 - 12. Brookside Gardens South Conservatory. Groups of 15 or more by appointment only, call 301-962-1467 for reservations. We regret that we are unable to accommodate strollers in the Butterfly Exhibit. To volunteer at the exhibit, call 301-962-1429. Wings of Fancy Hotline: 301-962-1453.

Sundays, May through September

Weekly Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

12:00 p.m. (May and June); 3:00 p.m. (July - September). Reservations not required. Members free. Non-members: adults $4, seniors and children (7-17) $1.50 per person, 6 and under free. Walk into the winged world of butterflies and tour the garden with this introductory guided stroll with hobbyist/butterfly enthusiast Mona Miller. Learn how the gardens attract these enticing, magical creatures. Participants may get to help release butterflies, when available. Meet in the visitors center. Fee helps Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in its butterfly habitat restoration projects. Rental binoculars are available at the Visitor Center. Held at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. Weather dependent: Call (703) 255-3631, Ext. 0, to confirm walk.

Thursday, July 3

Author Signing with Vichai Malikul's book The Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies, Washington, D.C.

11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Vichai Malikul, scientific illustrator in the Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, signs copies of The Field Guide to Eastern Butterflies, which he illustrated. Prints of Vichai’s butterfly illustrations are available for purchase. This special sale is offered in connection with the Museum's exhibition Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution. Held in the Gallery Store at the Museum of Natural History, 10th Street and Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. 20560.

Saturday, July 5

Butterflies: Nature’s Festival of Colours, Laurel, MD

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Ages 10+. Free; reservations required. Discover the role that butterflies play in the ecosystem and learn to identify several common to Maryland on this guided 2.5-mile hike. Field guide recommended. Bring water and dress for the outdoors. The North Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge is located on Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32 in Laurel, MD. For more info, call 301-497-5887 or visit http://patuxent.fws.gov/

Saturday, July 5

Summer Bug Hunt, Sterling, VA

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ages 3 and up. $4. Call to register. Find out what makes a bug a bug, sing a fun song, then hunt for wild bugs on a walk. Held at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, VA. 571-258-3700. For information, call 703-777-0343 or visit http://www.loudoun.gov/prcs.

Sunday, July 6

Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

3:00 p.m. See Ongoing above, or click here to view a flyer.

Monday, Wednesday, and Friday July 7, 9, and 11

Bugs & Butterflies, Bluemont, VA

9:00 a.m. - noon. Ages 3 - 5. $54 (+$3 supplies). Discover and learn about creepy crawlers and the world of butterflies. Bring a snack. Held at the Bluemont Community Center, 33846 Snickersville Pike, Bluemont, VA. 540-554-8643. For information, call 703-777-0343 or visit http://www.loudoun.gov/prcs.

Tuesday, July 8

Bugs and Butterflies, Leesburg, VA

10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Ages 18 - 24 months. $4. Beautiful butterflies and wiggly bugs will be made in this class. Parent participation. Held at Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market Street, Leesburg, VA. 703-771-5913. For information, call 703-777-0343 or visit http://www.loudoun.gov/prcs.

Wednesday, July 9

Beekeeping for Teens, Arlington, VA

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Ages 12 - 17. $5. Registration required; register child only. Activity #: 642713C. There's a science and a craft to beekeeping, but you won't learn it in any book. Come check out our working hives at Fort C.F. Smith Park and get your hands sticky! Depending upon your level of interest, you can walk away with some basic hands-on knowledge of bees and beekeeping or continue to work with our hives through the season. For more information: 703-243-4342. Meet at Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th Street, Arlington, VA 22207. Register online at https://registration.arlingtonva.us/ or call 703-228-4747.

Wednesday, July 9

Insects, Wheaton, MD

1:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Ages 1 - 12. $2. ParkPASS #: 53850. Six legs, three body parts, an exoskeleton: I’m an insect! Meet lots of different insects and their kin. Held at Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Thursday, July 10

Baltimore Checkerspot Wetlands, Montgomery County, MD

8:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Rain date July 17th; limit 15. Visit three Montgomery Co. locations with the Howard County Bird Club where turtlehead has been planted and caterpillars have been relocated. Learn about efforts to save our state butterfly. Meet at Lisbon park (15901 E. Frederick Rd., Lisbon, MD) and ride on Rt. 94. There will be a van from Black Hill RP that holds eleven. First signups may travel in the van. Limited facilities. Contact Kate Tufts, ktufts@verizon.net, to sign up.

Thursday, July 10

Daring Dragonflies and Beautiful Butterflies, Purcellville, VA

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. $10. Ages 2 - 5. Enjoy a nature walk while searching for nature's daring pilot, the dragonfly, and nature's helicopter, the butterfly. Held at Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville, VA. 540-338-7603. For information, call 703-777-0343 or visit http://www.loudoun.gov/prcs.

Thursday, July 10

Storytime on the Lake: Damselflies or Dragonflies? Boyds, MD

1:00 p.m. - 2:15 p.m. Ages 3 and up. $4. ParkPASS #: 53457. Hop aboard our pontoon boat to explore the fascinating residents of Little Senceca Lake! We’ll watch these little "dragons" in action, learn how to tell a damselfly from a dragonfly, and more. Meet at the pontoon boat dock below the Visitor Center, left of the boat rental area. Held at the Black Hill Visitor Center, Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Thursday, July 10 and Saturday, July 12

Natural History of Beetles, Chevy Chase, MD

Thursday: 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Saturday: 2:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. ANS members: $36.50; Nonmembers: $52. Beetles comprise the most diverse group of insects in the world and are found in great variety and abundance as far afield as the tropics and as close to home as our backyards. Join Warren E. Steiner, Jr., entomologist with the Smithsonian Natural History Museum, for an introduction to the natural history and classification of beetles. The class combines a Thursday night lecture with Saturday's field trip to a nearby natural area, where we'll search for beetles in aquatic, field, and forest habitats, discussing their life histories, feeding strategies, and adaptations. After a dinner break, our field trip will continue after sunset so that we can observe nocturnal beetle activity. Woodend is located at 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD. Register by mailing or faxing the registration form (online at http://audubonnaturalist.org/Images2/nature_activities_catalog.pdf).

Friday, July 11

Beginner’s Citizen Science: Putting your Garden and Nature Observations to Work, Washington, D.C.

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Free. Pre-registration Required. Code: LH071108. Just about everyone who is a gardener or a birder makes observations that can help scientists chart the impact climate changes have on how and where we garden and whether or not our favorite bird or butterfly species might continue to prosper where we live in 20-30 years. Craig Tufts of the National Wildlife Federation will introduce Wildlife Watch, a fun, easy-to-do, introductory wildlife and plant observation program, and discuss FrogWatch USA, Budburst and eBird as internet-based programs that anyone with a keen eye for nature and basic internet abilities will enjoy. Held in the Conservatory Classroom of the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. Registration: http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Event-Listing-Date.cfm.

Friday, July 11

Tour: Gardening for Wildlife, Washington, D.C.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Free. Pre-registration Required. Code: TH071108. Craig Tufts of the National Wildlife Federation will introduce the how-to and "What’s that?" of a habitat garden. Craig will provide the information you need to have your garden certified by National Wildlife Federation as a Habitat Garden. This tour will take place on the USBG’s terrace in the exhibit created by NWF. The U.S. Botanic Garden is at 100 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. Registration: http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Event-Listing-Date.cfm.

Friday, July 11

Pizza and Program: Fireflies, Prince Frederick, MD

6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Bring your family to the swamp for a pizza dinner, then get outside for a firefly hunt! Learn what makes a firefly glow, and try your hand at being a firefly yourself! Please bring at least 2 flashlights per family, to take part in the game at the end. Held at Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, 2880 Grays Rd., Prince Frederick, MD. Call 410-535-5327 to register.

Saturday, July 12

Focus on Butterflies! Wheaton, MD

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Fee: $20; registration required. ParkPASS #51007. Don’t miss this opportunity to have the butterfly exhibit to yourself - almost! On this special morning, a limited number of photographers (10) will be welcomed (with their tripods) into the conservatory to photograph Brookside’s remarkable butterflies prior to the show opening to the public. Held in the Brookside Gardens Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Saturday, July 12

Butterfly Search, Upper Marlboro, MD

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. All ages welcome. Resident $1; Non-Resident $2. SMARTlink #: 121273. Search through various habitats for butterflies to list for the annual count. Held at Patuxent River Park, 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Call 301-627-6074 or sign up via SMARTlink.

Saturday, July 12

Delightful Dragonflies, Boyds, MD

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ages 6 and up. $4. ParkPASS #: 55501. With their vibrant colors, speed, and agility, dragonflies are among the most fascinating of insects. Learn more about these beautiful predators with volunteer Naturalists Donna Marino and Lynn Vetter. Held at the Black Hill Visitor Center, Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Saturday, July 12

Meadow Folk - The Tiny World of Insects, Huntingtown, MD

10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. For all family members. Young children will need assistance. Fee: $8. Was it a grasshopper or a fairy lord? Come explore on your hands and knees as we search the tiny realm of insects and the world in which they live. Find out how people all around the world see the world of sprites in the tiny creatures that inhabit our meadows. Together we'll make sculpy representations of insect and sprite alike. Bring a bag lunch; afternoon lemonade and cookies provided. Held at Kings Landing Park on Huntingtown Road in Huntingtown, MD. Call 410-535-5327 to make reservations.

Saturday, July 12

Honeybee Ecology and Behavior, Stevenson, MD

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Fee: $8. This past spring we set up a new honeybee hive at Irvine’s Caves Valley property. Come to the Nature Center to learn about their fascinating lives -- including queens, drones, workers, waggle dancing, honey making and pollination. We will (safely) view the hive and sample some of their finished product. Irvine Nature Center is located at 8400 Greenspring Avenue in Stevenson, MD. 410-484-2413.

Saturday, July 12

We’re Goin’ on a Bug Hunt! Wheaton, MD

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ages 4 - 15. $4. ParkPASS #: 54160. What creepy, crawly, cool critters will we come across? Held at Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Saturday, July 12

Glow in the Dark, Stevenson, MD

7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. Fee: $8. The summer night sky is aglow with lightening bugs! We will search for these luminescent bugs, also known as fireflies, and other night critters during this evening walk. Irvine Nature Center is located at 8400 Greenspring Avenue in Stevenson, MD. 410-484-2413.

Saturday, July 12

Goodnight Walk: Firefly Fun! Annandale, VA

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 4 years and up plus adult. Reservations required. $5. Discover the wonder of fireflies, then hike to find these amazing creatures of the night. Enjoy a story and make a craft. Held at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce Street, Annandale, VA. 703-941-1065. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Saturday, July 12

Rust After Hours, Leesburg, VA

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Free. Spend an evening eavesdropping on bats, hooting for owls, black-lighting for bugs, and finding out what else might be out in the dark and how they're adapted to the night life. Please RSVP to 703-737-0021. Rust Sanctuary is located at 802 Children's Center Road, Leesburg, VA.

Sunday, July 13

Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

3:00 p.m. See Ongoing above, or click here to view a flyer.

Sunday, July 13

First Annual Firefly Festival, Arlington, VA

6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. All ages. No registration needed. $5 fee per person ($20 max per family.) Celebrate summer’s natural night lights with us at Fort C.F. Smith. Enjoy tons of activities all about the critters that light up the night. Events include bug hunts, games, crafts, walks, contests, talks about fireflies, and much more. Bring your picnic blanket and dinner to enjoy as we wait for the sun to go down and the lights to come out. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th St., Arlington, VA 22207.

Tuesday, July 15

Power of Pollination! Laurel, MD

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Ages 8 - 10. Discover the buzz about bees and other amazing pollinators. Learn about how pollinators play a vital role in producing food for people and creatures all around us. The North Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge is located on Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32 in Laurel, MD. For more info, call 301-497-5887 or visit http://patuxent.fws.gov/

Wednesday, July 16

Van Trip: Clarksburg Wetlands, Boyds, MD

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Ages 18 and up. $8. ParkPASS #: 54700. Visit some wetland sites in the Clarksburg area that are home to our exquisite state butterfly, the Baltimore Checkerspot. Learn how local conservation efforts are helping to restore this species and its habitat, and find out how you can help. Bring binoculars or borrow ours. Offered by Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Wednesday, July 16

Summer Firefly Hike, Bethesda, MD

7:45 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Ages 4 and up. $2. ParkPASS #: 55064. Come learn about the beetles with built-in flashlights as we wander at dusk to watch the fireflies light up. Held at Locust Grove Nature Center, Cabin John Regional Park, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Thursday, July 17

The Dance of the Honeybee, Arlington, VA

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ages: 3 - 5 years. $3 per child will be collected on the day of the program. Activity #: 643231A. Preschoolers will learn about the fascinating life of the honeybee and practice the dance of the honeybee at this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Held at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Rd., Arlington, VA. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Friday, July 18

Lecture: Why Use Native Plants? Washington, D.C.

2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Free. Pre-registration Required. Code: LH071808. Andrea DeLong-Amaya, Director of Horticulture, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center will answer the questions what is a native plant, and why should you care? There are many compelling reasons why using regionally indigenous plants can support landscapes that are sustainable, low maintenance, and richly beautiful while honoring our natural heritage. Nature's palette is bountiful, diverse and well suited to any garden style. Using native plants shouldn't feel like eating your brussel sprouts. Come see the possibilities! Held in the Conservatory Classroom of the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. Registration: http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Event-Listing-Date.cfm.

Friday, July 18

The Dance of the Honeybee, Arlington, VA

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ages: 3 - 5 years. $3 per child will be collected on the day of the program. Activity #: 643231B. Preschoolers will learn about the fascinating life of the honeybee and practice the dance of the honeybee at this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Held at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Rd., Arlington, VA. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Saturday, July 19

Butterflies and Dragonflies at Claude Moore Park, Sterling, VA

10:30 a.m. - noon. Join Mona Miller and Andy Rabin for one of the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy's free, family butterfly and dragonfly walks. We will investigate some of the many diverse natural areas that comprise this beautiful park and identify all of the butterflies and dragonflies we can find. Claude Moore Park is located at 21544 Vestal’s Gap Rd. in Sterling, VA. If you own binoculars, please bring them. Questions: contact Andy Rabin.

Saturday, July 19

The Dance of the Honeybee, Arlington, VA

1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Ages: 3 - 5 years. $3 per child will be collected on the day of the program. Activity #: 643231C. Preschoolers will learn about the fascinating life of the honeybee and practice the dance of the honeybee at this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Held at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 N. Military Rd., Arlington, VA. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Sunday, July 20

Butterflies: Nature’s Festival of Colours, Laurel, MD

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Ages 10+. Free; reservations required. Discover the role that butterflies play in the ecosystem and learn to identify several common to Maryland on this guided 2.5-mile hike. Field guide recommended. Bring water and dress for the outdoors. The North Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge is located on Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32 in Laurel, MD. For more info, call 301-497-5887 or visit http://patuxent.fws.gov/

Sunday, July 20

The Buzz on Bees and Wasps, Chevy Chase, MD

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. ANS members: $16.50; Nonmembers: $23. From solitary parasitic wasps to the highly social honey bee, from potter wasps to carpenter bees, these related insects form a fascinating and critically important part of the natural world. We'll take a look at their diversity, fascinating life histories, significant ecological roles, and worrisome threats facing bees and wasps in our area with two naturalists. After a short indoor lecture, we'll spend our time outdoors combing the Woodend Sanctuary for wasps and bees, identifying them, and observing their habits. Register by mailing or faxing the registration form (online at http://audubonnaturalist.org/Images2/nature_activities_catalog.pdf).

Sunday, July 20

Dragonflies at Huntley Meadows, Alexandria, VA

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Registration required. An Audubon Society of Northern Virginia (ASNV) Field Trip. PJ Dunn will give a short introductory presentation in the Visitors’ Center and then lead our search for these acrobatic insects. Meet at the Visitors’ Center of Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA. 703-768-2525. To register, contact ASNV's office at (703) 256-6895 or e-mail info@audubonva.org.

Sunday, July 20

Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

3:00 p.m. See Ongoing above, or click here to view a flyer.

Monday, July 21

Nature Tots: Busy Bees! Laurel, MD

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ages 3 - 4 . Discover the busy world of bees in this interactive program. Enjoy songs, stories and crafts. The National Wildlife Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Rd. between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 197 in Laurel, MD. For info/reservations, call 301-497-5887 or visit http://patuxent.fws.gov/

Tuesday, July 22

Lecture and Tour: Sustainable Gardens, Washington, D.C.

10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Free. Pre-registration Required. Code: LH072208. Spend the morning with Kim Winter, Habitats Program Manager of the National Wildlife Federation, as she shares information on creating sustainable and wildlife-friendly gardens. The program will start with a lecture in the classroom and conclude with a tour of the National Wildlife Federation outdoor exhibit at the USBG. Held in the Conservatory Classroom of the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. Registration: http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Event-Listing-Date.cfm.

Tuesdays, July 22 and 29, and Saturday, August 2

Leap into Leps (Butterflies), Alexandria, VA

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Field Trip: Saturday, August 2 from 9:00 a.m. to noon at Huntley Meadows Park. Cost: $60. This Audubon Society of Northern Virginia workshop will provide an introduction into the wonderful natural history of Lepidoptera (butterflies and moths). Natural history, identification of common species, gardening, and much more will be covered. Numerous handouts will be provided along with some hands-on experience with these fascinating insects. Instructor: Alonso Abugattas. Held at Huntley Meadows Park, 3701 Lockheed Blvd., Alexandria, VA. To register, fill out the form at http://www.audubonva.org/education/LEAPP_ENROLLMENT.pdf and mail with your check to ASNV, 4022 Hummer Road, Annandale, VA 22003. Contact info@audubonva.org or 703-256-6895 with any questions.

Friday, July 25

Butterfly Search, Upper Marlboro, MD

9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. All ages welcome. Resident $1; Non-Resident $2. SMARTlink #: 121274. Search through various habitats for butterflies to list for the annual count. Held at Patuxent River Park, 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. Call 301-627-6074 or sign up via SMARTlink.

Friday, July 25

Panel Discussion—Sustainable Schoolyards to Green Communities: How Greening Your Schoolyard Can Help Create a More Active, Livable, and Environmentally-Friendly Community, Washington, D.C.

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Free. Pre-registration Required. Code: ST072508. Sustainable schoolyards are emerging as an important educational and recreational component of schools and communities, for youth and adults alike. Come learn how greening your local schoolyard can help create a more active, livable, and green community. Representatives from the Friends of Smart Growth and Sustainable Communities, a group of national organizations that created the sustainable schoolyard exhibit at the U.S. Botanic Garden, will provide an overview of the exhibit and sustainable schoolyards, as well as helpful tips for attendees to take back to their own communities. Held in the Conservatory Classroom of the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. Registration: http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Event-Listing-Date.cfm.

Friday, July 25 - Sunday, July 27

Butterflies & Passiflora (at Brookside Gardens), Bethesda, MD

10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 18 and up. 3 classes: $210. 44951. The Brookside Gardens School of Botanical Art & Illustration provides a comprehensive botanical drawing and painting curriculum. Instruction starts at the beginner level and follows a designated sequence of subjects. The School, located at McCrillis Gardens in Bethesda, also offers a certificate program. Call 301-962-1470 for more information.

Saturday, July 26

Butterflies, Bees, and Buds, Chevy Chase, MD

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Ages 3 - 5 with adult. ANS members: $12/child; Nonmembers: $14/child. Enjoy the beauty of summer as we read a special nature book under one of our large Tulip trees. After our story, we will take a nature walk through the meadow and forest to look for the real animals and plants we learned about. Held at Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD. Register by mailing or faxing the registration form (online at http://audubonnaturalist.org/Images2/nature_activities_catalog.pdf).

Saturday, July 26

Buglover's Paradise, Alexandria, VA

10:00 a.m. - noon. $2/child. Families with children 4 years and up. The park is buzzing with insect activity: grasshoppers, butterflies, ladybugs and leafhoppers. Stop by our classroom for self-guided activities, a craft, and videos. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Huntley Meadows Park is located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria, VA. 703-768-2525. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Saturday, July 26

Make Your Backyard a Wildlife Habitat, Annandale, VA

11:00 a.m. - noon. Free. Reservations required. Discover how you can easily and inexpensively make your backyard or apartment balcony into a habitat that provides food, shelter, water, and a place to raise young for area wildlife. Learn how to make a water source from materials you have at home and how to get your backyard certified as an official backyard habitat with the National Wildlife Federation. Information provided on using native plants to support native species. Held at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce Street, Annandale, VA. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Saturday, July 26

Butterfly Walk, Organic Farm Tour, and Potluck at the Blue Ridge Center, Neersville, VA

1:00 p.m. Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for a butterfly walk (1:00 p.m.) and tour of a seven-acre organic farm (2:00 p.m.). A potluck picnic lunch will follow, either outside on picnic tables or inside an open barn, depending on the weather. Guests are free to roam the trails and enjoy the different habitats, which include wetlands, meadows, rocky outcrops, creeks, seeps, and springs. This refreshing and informative event is co-sponsored by the Great Falls Group of the Sierra Club and Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy. The center is located just north of Neersville, at 11611 Harpers Ferry Road (Rte 671). Detailed directions can be found on the website, www.blueridgecenter.org. Questions: Contact Linda Burchfiel at 703-506-4310 or larva@attglobal.net.

Saturday, July 26

Butterflies and More, Wheaton, MD

1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. Ages 3 and up. $10. ParkPASS #: 54167. We’ll learn about insects through fun activities, inside and out, then walk to the Wings of Fancy butterfly exhibit. Held at Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton Regional Park, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Sunday, July 27

Focus on Butterflies! Wheaton, MD

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Fee: $20; registration required. ParkPASS #51008. Don’t miss this opportunity to have the butterfly exhibit to yourself - almost! On this special morning, a limited number of photographers (10) will be welcomed (with their tripods) into the conservatory to photograph Brookside’s remarkable butterflies prior to the show opening to the public. Held in the Brookside Gardens Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Sunday, July 27

Buglover's Paradise, Alexandria, VA

10:00 a.m. - noon. $2/child. Families with children 4 years and up. The park is buzzing with insect activity: grasshoppers, butterflies, ladybugs and leafhoppers. Stop by our classroom for self-guided activities, a craft, and videos. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Huntley Meadows Park is located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria, VA. 703-768-2525. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Sunday, July 27

An Introduction to Insects, Leesburg, VA

10:00 a.m. - noon. Free. Get to know a critical part of nature: insects! We'll search for insects at Rust to learn how to identify them and how they help make the natural world work. Please RSVP to 703-737-0021. Rust Sanctuary is located at 802 Children's Center Road, Leesburg, VA.

Sunday, July 27

Beautiful Butterflies, Washington, D.C.

2:00 p.m. Ages 4 and older. Learn about the secret lives of butterflies while looking for butterflies and doing a butterfly craft. Held in the Rock Creek Park Peirce Barn at Tilden and Beach Drive, Washington, D.C. 202-895-6070.

Sunday, July 27

Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

3:00 p.m. See Ongoing above, or click here to view a flyer.

Wednesday, July 30

Nature: Explore Insects, Clinton, MD

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Code: 121022. Explore the world of insects and learn about their life cycles and how they can be harmful or helpful. A short hike is included to search for some insects and a craft. Held in the auditorium at Clearwater Nature Center, 11000 Thrift Road in Clinton, MD. Call 301-297-4575; TTY 301-699-2544 for more information.

Wednesday, July 30

Brilliant Butterflies, Great Falls, VA

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Reservations required. Ages 3 - 6 years. $6. Butterfly wings brighten the summer garden. Learn more about these beautiful insects and the flowers on which they feed. Meet a butterfly and make a paper butterfly to take home. Cancelled if rain. Held at the Riverbend Visitor Center, 8814 Jeffery Road, Great Falls, VA. 703-759-9018. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Sunday, June 1

Arlington Green Living Home and Garden Tour, Arlington, VA

1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. $5. The 6th annual tour will be expanded this year to include green homes with solar elements, green roofs, recycled materials, and energy efficient technologies. The tour will also include beautiful yards and gardens full of native plants, rain gardens, rain barrels and cisterns, permeable pavement, wildlife habitat, and other environmentally friendly features. This tour is organized by Arlington County and Arlingtonians for a Clean Environment. Suggested donation is $5, payable at the first site you visit. The tour brochure with descriptions and addresses of the tour locations is available at http://www.arlingtonenvironment.org or by calling 703-228-6406.

Monday, June 2

Kids' Korner: Dragonflies at Walney Pond, Chantilly, VA

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. $5. Ages 3 - 5 years. Reservations required. Preschoolers learn a little nature and history, accompanied by an adult. An outdoor activity and craft included. Held at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA. 703-631-0013. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Monday, June 2

Nature Snoopers and Explorers: Dragonflies, Chantilly, VA

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Ages 5 - 7 years (who have completed kindergarten). $4. Reservations required. Watch a costumed volunteer turn into a beautiful dragonfly. Scoop out small critters from the edge of the pond, identify dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, and make a dragonfly craft. Held at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA. 703-631-0013. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Wednesday, June 4

Kids' Korner: Dragonflies at Walney Pond, Chantilly, VA

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. OR 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. $5. Ages 3 - 5 years. Reservations required. Preschoolers learn a little nature and history, accompanied by an adult. An outdoor activity and craft included. Held at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA. 703-631-0013. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Thursday, June 5

Kids' Korner: Dragonflies at Walney Pond, Chantilly, VA

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. $5. Ages 3 - 5 years. Reservations required. Preschoolers learn a little nature and history, accompanied by an adult. An outdoor activity and craft included. Held at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA. 703-631-0013. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Saturday, June 7

Butterflies: Nature’s Festival of Colours, Laurel, MD

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Ages 10+. Free; reservations required. Discover the role that butterflies play in the ecosystem and learn to identify several common to Maryland on this guided 2.5-mile hike. Field guide recommended. Bring water and dress for the outdoors. The North Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge is located on Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32 in Laurel, MD. For more info, call 301-497-5887 or visit http://patuxent.fws.gov/

Saturday, June 7

Saturdays In the Garden, Bristow, VA

9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Registration requested. This Prince William Environment and Natural Resources Class Lecture provides gardening ideas for four seasons of interest, deer resistance, and how to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to your garden. Held at the Teaching Garden on the Grounds of the Benedictine Monastery, 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA 20136. Please call Extension Horticulture Help Desk at 703-792-7747 to register.

Saturday, June 7

First Saturday Walk: Flowers and Insects, Boyce, VA

10:00 a.m. Free, no reservations required. Enjoy a casual stroll with an Arboretum guide. Meet at the Information Pavilion of Blandy Farm, Virginia State Arboretum, 400 Blandy Farm Lane, Boyce, VA. Call 540-837-1758 or e-mail fosaprograms@virginia.edu.

Saturday, June 7

Introduction to Beekeeping, Vienna, VA

10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Free. Join beekeeper Mary Ellen Kirkpatrick in the Visitor Center to learn about honeybees, their basic biology, what they eat and why, and the importance of bees in pollination. Hear about beekeeping equipment and the woodenware that make up a hive. Get a close look at the honey bees in each of their life stages in the observation colony during this free drop-in program. Held at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA. Phone: 703-255-363. E-mail: meadowlark@nvrpa.org.

Saturday, June 7

Bugging Out! Washington, D.C.

2:00 p.m. Ages 5 - 10. Explore the world of creeping, crawling, and burrowing insects while learning the important role that bugs play in nature. Held at Rock Creek Park's Peirce Barn at Tilden and Beach Drive, Washington, D.C. 202-895-6070.

Saturdays, June 7 and June 14

Butterfly & Garden Photography, Wheaton, MD

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ParkPASS #:47951. Fee: $44; registration required. Josh Taylor, Archiphoto Workshops. Photograph colorful butterflies in Brookside Gardens’ Conservatory and blooming flowers in the outdoor garden spaces. In a two-session workshop, learn how to capture striking images of butterflies and flowers. The focus of the workshop will be on butterfly and garden photography and the use of basic photographic equipment to capture memorable images. The workshop will include illustrated handouts and prints and a two-hour shooting session in the Conservatory with the instructor. The final session of the workshop will be a formal critique of participants’ photographs (in the Visitors Center Adult Classroom).
Note: Participants should have a working knowledge of their camera, and bring ALL photo equipment to both sessions, including a digital memory card or film, extra batteries, and camera manual. A tripod is optional, but highly recommended. While point-and-shoot cameras are welcome, dramatic photographs of butterflies can be a challenge with this type of camera. Held in the Brookside Gardens Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Sunday, June 8

Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

12 noon. See Ongoing above, or click here to view a flyer.

Sundays, June 8 and June 15

Butterfly & Garden Photography, Wheaton, MD

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. ParkPASS #:47952. Fee: $44; registration required. Josh Taylor, Archiphoto Workshops. Photograph colorful butterflies in Brookside Gardens’ Conservatory and blooming flowers in the outdoor garden spaces. In a two-session workshop, learn how to capture striking images of butterflies and flowers. The focus of the workshop will be on butterfly and garden photography and the use of basic photographic equipment to capture memorable images. The workshop will include illustrated handouts and prints and a two-hour shooting session in the Conservatory with the instructor. The final session of the workshop will be a formal critique of participants’ photographs (in the Visitors Center Adult Classroom).
Note: Participants should have a working knowledge of their camera, and bring ALL photo equipment to both sessions, including a digital memory card or film, extra batteries, and camera manual. A tripod is optional, but highly recommended. While point-and-shoot cameras are welcome, dramatic photographs of butterflies can be a challenge with this type of camera. Held in the Brookside Gardens Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Monday, June 9

Jr. Naturalists: Dragonflies, Chantilly, VA

2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Ages 8 - 11 years. $4. Watch a costumed volunteer turn into a beautiful dragonfly. Scoop out small critters from the edge of the pond, identify dragonfly and damselfly nymphs, and make a dragonfly craft. Held at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA. 703-631-0013. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Monday, June 9 - Friday, June 13

Lunch Bugs, Leesburg, VA

11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Ages 3 - 5. $40. Have lunch and then create a different bug every day with Mrs. Monarch. Bring a lunch. Held at Douglass Community Center, 407 E. Market Street, Leesburg, VA. 703-771-5913. For information, call 703-777-0343 or visit http://www.loudoun.gov/prcs.

Wednesday, June 11

Attracting Pollinators, Ridgely, MD

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. Fee: $18. Join entomologist Ted Suman to learn about native pollinators, and bees in particular! Pollinators provide an invaluable service by fertilizing many native plants, and there are numerous ways of attracting more of them to your yard. Ted will give an introduction to pollinators and lead a walk to observe pollinators around the Arboretum. Participants will also learn to make a simple bee box to install in their own yards. Held at Adkins Arboretum, 12610 Eveland Road, Ridgely, MD. 410-634-2847.

Wednesday, June 11

Beekeeping for Teens, Arlington, VA

3:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Ages 12 - 17. $5. Registration required; register child only. Activity #: 642713A. There's a science and a craft to beekeeping, but you won't learn it in any book. Come check out our working hives at Fort C.F. Smith Park and get your hands sticky! Depending upon your level of interest, you can walk away with some basic hands-on knowledge of bees and beekeeping or continue to work with our hives through the season. For more information: 703-243-4342. Meet at Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th Street, Arlington, VA 22207. Register online at https://registration.arlingtonva.us/ or call 703-228-4747.

Thursday, June 12

Kids' Korner: Dragonflies at Walney Pond, Chantilly, VA

1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. $5. Ages 3 - 5 years. Reservations required. Preschoolers learn a little nature and history, accompanied by an adult. An outdoor activity and craft included. Held at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA. 703-631-0013. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Friday, June 13

Kids' Korner: Dragonflies at Walney Pond, Chantilly, VA

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. $5. Ages 3 - 5 years. Reservations required. Preschoolers learn a little nature and history, accompanied by an adult. An outdoor activity and craft included. Held at Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Road, Chantilly, VA. 703-631-0013. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Friday, June 13

Beautiful Butterflies, Sterling, VA

9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. Ages 3 - 4. $7. Program #: 361106-07. Discover the outdoors with a grown-up friend. Look for tracks, listen for bird calls, look under logs, and more. Held at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, VA. 571-258-3700. For information, call 703-777-0343 or visit http://www.loudoun.gov/prcs.

Saturday, June 14

Riverbend Dragonfly Count, Great Falls, VA

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Ages 13 and up. Free. Reservations required. Learn some dragonfly identification basics as we count and net dragonflies in a variety of habitats. More than 40 species have been recorded, and there are more to find. Bring a lunch, water, and binoculars. Bring your own net or borrow one of ours. Held at the Riverbend Visitor Center, 8814 Jeffery Road, Great Falls, VA. 703-759-9018. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Saturday, June 14

Dragonfly Walk at Mount Pleasant, Woodstock, MD

10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Join the Howard County Bird Club and leaders Bob and Jo Solem to learn about these interesting insects. Meet in front of Gudelsky Nature Center. Cancelled in case of rain. Facilities at Howard County Conservancy, 10520 Old Frederick Road, Woodstock, Maryland. Reservations not required.

Saturday, June 14

Lecture and Tour: Butterfly Gardening, Washington, D.C.

1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. Code: LH061408. FREE. Pre-registration Required. Jim Gallion of the National Wildlife Federation reveals the secrets to establishing and maintaining a butterfly garden. Topics include design ideas, plant choices for nectar and larva, a review of their life cycle and many proven tips for a beautiful and sustainable garden. After the lecture, take a stroll through the NWF’s habitat garden on the USBG terrace. Held at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory Classroom, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. Register online at http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Event-Listing-Date.cfm.

Saturday and Sunday, June 14 and 15

Wildlife Habitat Garden Tour, Garrett County, MD

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Free guided tours at 10:00 a.m., noon and 2:00 p.m. Ron and Liz of Elk Ridge NatureWorks are hosting several open house events at their native plant nursery. Tour their wildlife garden to see a variety of conservation landscaping and wildlife habitat practices that individuals can use to enhance biodiversity around their homes, schools, and businesses. Experience the joys of conservation landscaping: a garden filled with bees, birds, butterflies and beautiful plants.
Directions: From I-68, take exit 22 and follow signs for New Germany State Park. Turn left into the park onto McAndrews Hill Road and travel ~ 2 miles to stop sign at Westernport Road. Turn right and travel .25 mile to Red Hill Road. Turn right and drive ~ .5 mile to Elk Ridge Lane. Turn left onto Elk Ridge Lane (private road) and travel .3 miles out gravel lane to site on right. Note: Native plants and habitat boxes available for purchase. Sorry, but no pets allowed and no rest room facilities available. For more information: contact Liz McDowell at 301-895-3686 or info@elkridgenatureworks.com.

Sunday, June 15

Dragonflies of Riverbend Park, McLean, VA

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. ANS members: $22; nonmembers: $30.50. The Potomac bottomlands of Riverbend Park near McLean, VA, are an ideal spot to study those aerial acrobats of wetland and meadow habitats: the dragonflies. Our leader Karen Sheffield, one of Riverbend's veteran naturalists, has conducted dragonfly surveys here for 8 years. 42 species have been tallied to date, 20% of which are uncommon to rare in the state. Setting a leisurely pace, we'll walk about 2 miles on natural surface trails, with some uphill and downhill, as we search for Blue Dashers, Green Darners, and other common and uncommon species. Held at the Riverbend Visitor Center, 8814 Jeffery Road, Great Falls, VA. 703-759-9018. Register by mailing or faxing the registration form (online at http://audubonnaturalist.org/Images2/nature_activities_catalog.pdf).

Sunday, June 15

Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

12 noon. See Ongoing above, or click here to view a flyer.

Tuesday, June 17

June Bugs, Arlington, VA

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. $3 per child will be collected on the day of the program. Registration Required. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Activity #:644511A. Preschoolers will learn about what makes a bug a bug, and go on a bug hunt in this highly interactive program which may include games, crafts, stories and a short hike. Parents are invited to stay and observe, or those with younger siblings may visit the rest of the building during the program. Parents must remain on-site. Held at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Tuesday, June 17

Butterflies and Caterpillars, Sterling, VA

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. $7. Ages: 2 - 4 years. Discover the outdoors with your grown-up pal. Parent/child class. Held at Claude Moore Park, 21544 Old Vestals Gap Road, Sterling, VA. 571-258-3700. For information, call 703-777-0343 or visit http://www.loudoun.gov/prcs.

Wednesday, June 18

June Bugs, Arlington, VA

10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.; OR 3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. $3 per child will be collected on the day of the program. Registration Required. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Activity #:644511D (10:30); 644511B (1:30); 644511C (3:30). Preschoolers will learn about what makes a bug a bug, and go on a bug hunt in this highly interactive program which may include games, crafts, stories and a short hike. Parents are invited to stay and observe, or those with younger siblings may visit the rest of the building during the program. Parents must remain on-site. Held at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Wednesdays, June 18 - July 16

Butterflies and Their Conservation, Arlington, VA

7:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. Field trips: June 21 and July 5. $249. 1 credit. Small-scale conservation projects can do much to help butterflies, whose populations are increasingly impacted by urbanization and other factors. Participants will learn to identify butterflies of the region and study the principles of butterfly conservation. They will work on plans for their own conservation projects, based on an expanded understanding of butterfly biology, behavior and habitat. Field trips will focus on identification and a variety of conservation approaches. Sponsored by the USDA Graduate School and the Audubon Naturalist Society of the Mid-Atlantic States (ANS). The instructor, Pat Durkin, is the director of the Baltimore Checkerspot Restoration Project. Held at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 Carlin Springs Road, Arlington, VA. To register: http://grad.usda.gov/course_details.php?cid=NATH2175E.

Thursday, June 19

Bug Detective, Washington, D.C.

4:00 p.m. Ages 4 and older. Search through the woods with bug tongs and discover the diversity of insect life that thrive in Rock Creek Park. Held at the Nature Center at 5200 Glover Road, NW (off Military Rd.), Washington, D.C. 202-895-6070.

Thursday, June 19 and Saturday, June 21

Searching for Rare Butterflies on the Eastern Shore, Cambridge, MD

Thursday, 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.; Saturday, full-day field trip. ANS members: $36.50; nonmembers: $52. Surveying for rare butterflies is not only challenging fun, but your observations can be invaluable to conservation efforts. In this program, Dick Smith, who has studied butterflies in the region for more than 30 years, will explain how amateur naturalists can assist with field research.
On Thursday night, he will use slides to present his work with the Maryland Natural Heritage Program, focusing on four rare butterflies in the state—Great Purple Hairstreak, Chermock's Mulberry Wing, Rare Skipper, and Southern Hairstreak—and their life histories and habitat requirements. On our field trip to the fields and freshwater and brackish marshes on the Eastern Shore near Cambridge, MD, we will search for these species as we attempt to develop a search image for their ideal habitat and the proper technique for surveying. Senior Naturalist Stephanie Mason will help with the ID of larval hosts, nectar plant concentrations, and other butterflies along the way. Register by mailing or faxing the registration form (online at http://audubonnaturalist.org/Images2/nature_activities_catalog.pdf).

Friday, June 20

The Buzz About Bees, Purcellville, VA

12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. $7. Ages: 2 - 5 years. Explore the world of bees from how pollination happens to what a bee dance is. Held at Franklin Park, 17501 Franklin Park Drive, Purcellville, VA. 540-338-7603. For information, call 703-777-0343 or visit http://www.loudoun.gov/prcs.

Saturday, June 21

Butterflies: Nature’s Festival of Colours, Laurel, MD

8:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Ages 10+. Free; reservations required. Discover the role that butterflies play in the ecosystem and learn to identify several common to Maryland on this guided 2.5-mile hike. Field guide recommended. Bring water and dress for the outdoors. The North Tract of Patuxent Research Refuge is located on Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32 in Laurel, MD. For more info, call 301-497-5887 or visit http://patuxent.fws.gov/

Saturday, June 21

Art & Science of Butterfly Photography, Vienna, VA

10:00 a.m. - Noon. $50. Bill Folsom teaches individuals the rare skills needed to photograph the tiny and fast-moving butterflies found all over the world. Individuals taking this class will learn when, where, and how to approach butterflies as well as technical tips for maximum results. Students then get to practice their new skills in the field. Butterfly photography opens up new opportunities for nature photographers who have spare time on their hands (butterflies are usually active after birds have finished feeding). If you learn to photograph these fast-moving creatures, you'll be able to photograph many other small subjects. Held at the Meadowlark Botanical Gardens Visitor's Center, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens Court, Vienna, VA 22182. 703-255-3631.
Each Sunday during the warm summer months, weather permitting, butterfly walks are held. Mona Miller, a member of the Washington Area Butterfly Club, frequently accompanies the group and often releases newly emerged butterflies; an excellent subject for novice photographers since many newly released butterflies will sit still for a few moments while they soak up the sun. Those who take the class will have ample opportunity to practice photographing Meadowlark's many species of butterflies.

Saturday, June 21

Dragonflies of Patuxent, Laurel, MD

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. All Ages. Come learn about dragonflies—the ferocious predator of pond and meadow—and how to identify several common ones in this hands-on hike. The National Wildlife Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Rd. between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Route 197 in Laurel, MD. For info/reservations, call 301-497-5887 or visit http://patuxent.fws.gov/.

Saturday, June 21

Butterflies at Banshee Reeks, Leesburg, VA

10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. Join the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Mona Miller, the “Butterfly Lady,” for one of our free, family butterfly walks. We will investigate some of the many diverse natural areas at Banshee Reeks and identify all of the butterflies we can find. If you own binoculars, please bring them. Questions: contact Nicole Hamilton at nhamilton@loudounwildlife.org or 540-882-9638.

Saturday, June 21

June Bugs, Arlington, VA

3:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m. $3 per child will be collected on the day of the program. Registration Required. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Activity #:644511E. Preschoolers will learn about what makes a bug a bug, and go on a bug hunt in this highly interactive program which may include games, crafts, stories and a short hike. Parents are invited to stay and observe, or those with younger siblings may visit the rest of the building during the program. Parents must remain on-site. Held at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Saturday, June 21

Firefly Friday, Marriottsville, MD

8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Reservations required. $2. All ages.Learn about the bug that carries its own light. Hear a firefly story and see the bugs dance in the night with their lights all aglow. We will meet at the contact station, Patapsco Valley State Park, Marriottsville, MD, and then follow the signs to area 600. Please call 410-461-5005 in advance to sign up or e-mail park-patapsco@dnr.state.md.us.

Sunday, June 22

Make Your Backyard a Wildlife Habitat, Annandale, VA

11:00 a.m. - noon. Free. Reservations required. Discover how you can easily and inexpensively make your backyard or apartment balcony into a habitat that provides food, shelter, water, and a place to raise young for area wildlife. Learn how to make a water source from materials you have at home and how to get your backyard certified as an official backyard habitat with the National Wildlife Federation. Information provided on using native plants to support native species. Held at Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce Street, Annandale, VA. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Sunday, June 22

Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

12 noon. See Ongoing above, or click here to view a flyer.

Sunday, June 22

Butterfly Gardening, Arlington, VA

2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. Adults. Free; registration required. Activity #: 643204A. Kick off National Pollinator Week with an informative presentation by Dr. Dexter Hinckley on butterfly gardening. Since retiring from the EPA, Dr. Hinckley now finds time to share his knowledge and passion for insects with others at the Smithsonian’s Butterfly Pavilion. On this special day at Gulf Branch, Dr. Hinckley will discuss local butterflies, their plant associations and local butterfly gardens that you can visit for inspiration and ideas to bring back to your own garden. He’ll cover everything you need to know to invite these beautiful creatures to your own yard! For more information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Rd., Arlington, VA 22207. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Tuesday, June 24

Don't Bug Me, Arlington, VA

2:00 p.m. - 3:15 p.m. Families with children 5 and up. $2. Activity #:643215B. Register children and adults; children must register with an accompanying adult. Explore the many adaptations that invertebrates, the little guys of the world, use to survive at this outdoor program. From shooting foul-smelling liquid to blending in with bark, they have some unique ways to stay alive. Hike in search of them, play a game about them, and have fun exploring their world. For more information: 703-228-3403. Meet at Gulf Branch Nature Center, 3608 Military Rd., Arlington, VA 22207. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Wednesday, June 25

Beekeeping for Teens, Arlington, VA

9:00 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. Ages 12-17. $5 fee. Register child only; registration required. Activity #: 642713B. There's a science and a craft to beekeeping, but you won't learn it in any book. Come check out our working hives at Fort C.F. Smith Park and get your hands sticky! Depending upon your level of interest, you can walk away with some basic hands-on knowledge of bees and beekeeping or continue to work with our hives through the season. For more information: 703-243-4342. Meet at Fort C.F. Smith Park, 2411 N. 24th Street, Arlington, VA 22207. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Wednesday, June 25

Mom 'n Me: Butterflies, Edgewater, MD

10:00 a.m. Ages 3 - 5. $5. Nature is more fun when you're outside, so children ages 3-5 yrs. and their parents/guardians are invited to join us monthly for a short hike or outdoor activity. Discover the world of butterflies, how they change from caterpillars, and what they eat! Held at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, Maryland 21037. 443-482-2300.

Wednesdays, June 25 - August 27

Insect Life, Chevy Chase, MD

7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Field trips: July 12, August 2, and August 23. $345. 2 credits. Learn to identify insects and discover their roles in the balance of nature. Study their life histories, the ecologies of important insect forms, the necessity of insects in biotic communities, and principal insect families of the Central Atlantic region. Instructor: Don Messersmith. Sponsored by the USDA Graduate School and the Audubon Naturalist Society of the Mid-Atlantic States (ANS). Held at the Woodend Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD. To register: http://grad.usda.gov/course_details.php?cid=NATH1130E.

Thursday, June 26

Firefly Fling, Chevy Chase, MD

7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. ANS members: $16.40; nonmembers: $23. As dusk descends, come and enjoy nature's fireworks: the courting of fireflies over the Woodend fields. The evening begins with a discussion of the life history and behavior of these luminescent beetles. We'll then move outdoors to observe the various flash and light patterns of different species and try to communicate with these insects ourselves. Woodend is located at 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD. Register by mailing or faxing the registration form (online at http://audubonnaturalist.org/Images2/nature_activities_catalog.pdf).

Friday, June 27

Botany from a Bee’s Eye View, Washington, DC

12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. Free; registration required. Honey bees evolved alongside flowering plants, and today they play a crucial role in the production of human food. In this talk, we will take a look at botany from the bee's perspective. The production of honey will be described, and the group will have the opportunity to taste honey produced from a range of floral nectar sources. There will be an observation hive with live bees to help illustrate all of the honey bee’s life stages and to aid in the understanding of the way these fascinating insects live. We will wrap up with a brief discussion about the challenges facing honey bees that have been so much in the news of late. Held in the Conservatory Classroom at the U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW., Washington, D.C. To register online, visit http://www.usbg.gov/education/events/Event-Listing-Date.cfm.

Friday, June 27

June Bugs, Reston, VA

7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. $5. Fireflies blinking, crickets chirping, moths on the prowl—the nighttime is alive with insects. Find out which insects prefer the dark and how they move with only the light of the moon to guide them. Go on a search to see how many June bugs we can find! Held at the Walker Nature Education Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA. Program information and reservations: 703-435-6530.

Saturday, June 28

Garden’s Little Helpers, Herndon, VA

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. All ages. $10/family. Ladybugs, worms, and bees, oh my! Bring the family to Runnymede Park, 195 Herndon Parkway, Herndon, VA and enjoy looking through our gardens during an interactive workshop on our little helpers. You and your children will learn about some of nature’s version of insecticide and fertilizer and learn to garden green. Each participant will be given a ladybug starter kit on completion of this workshop. To register online: http://www.herndon-va.gov/Content/Parks_rec/Programs_and_classes/Online_Registration/default.aspx.

Saturday, June 28

Little Hunters Chevy Chase, MD

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Ages 3 - 5. ANS members: $12/child; nonmembers, $14. Delve into the wild micro world of predatory invertebrates as we hunt for remarkable praying mantids, dragonflies, and spiders. Known for their unique hunting bodies and adept hunting skills, our local little predators play an important role in our meadow habitat. For more information, call 301-652-9188 x 26. Register by mailing or faxing the registration form (online at http://audubonnaturalist.org/Images2/nature_activities_catalog.pdf).

Saturday, June 28

Dragonflies and Damselflies of Loudoun, Ashburn, VA

10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. (Bad weather date: Sunday, June 29). Registration Required – limited to 12 participants. Join Andy Rabin and Kevin Munroe on a free, fun, and informative day of “dragon-hunting” as the Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy visits some of the best dragonfly and damselfly habitat in the county. We will learn how to catch, handle, identify, and release these insects, so bring an insect net if you have one (some extra nets will be provided). Other things to bring include a hat, sunscreen, lunch, snacks, water, and binoculars. We may be walking off-trail through some tall vegetation. To get the most out of this trip you will want to be an active participant, so be prepared to get your feet wet and muddy. Adults and interested children are welcome. Meet at Bles Park in Ashburn (for directions: http://www.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=924), and then we will visit one or two other sites in the county. To register and for questions please e-mail Andy Rabin at stylurus@gmail.com (preferred) or call 703-723-6926.

Saturday, June 28

Celebrate Pollinators Workshop, Arlington, VA

1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Free; registration not required. Adults and teens 16 and up. Conclude National Pollinator Week at Arlington’s Central Library with staff from the Arlington County Nature Centers, Audubon Society of Northern Virginia and Arlington’s Community Wildlife Habitat Team. Our afternoon of activities includes two presentations on how to attract pollinators to the garden and a bee bundling workshop. Bring native plants from your garden and join in our native plant swap. Learn about pollinators and their plant partners at our traveling plant display. Numerous handouts and lots of expert advice. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at the Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St., Arlington, VA 22201.

Saturday, June 28

Firefly Campfire, Arlington, VA

7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. Families. Register children and adults; children must register with an accompanying adult. Activity #644535H. $3. The whole family is invited to join us at the Long Branch amphitheater for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities, which may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, treats like s’mores. For information: 703-228-6535. Meet at Long Branch Nature Center, 625 S. Carlin Springs Rd., Arlington, VA 22204. Registration Office: 703-228-4747 or register online: https://registration.arlingtonva.us/.

Sunday, June 29

Focus on Butterflies! Wheaton, MD

8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. Fee: $20; registration required. ParkPASS #51002. Don’t miss this opportunity to have the butterfly exhibit to yourself - almost! On this special morning, a limited number of photographers (10) will be welcomed (with their tripods) into the conservatory to photograph Brookside’s remarkable butterflies prior to the show opening to the public. Held in the Brookside Gardens Conservatory, 1500 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton, MD. Program registration is through ParkPASS. Go online at www.parkpass.org or use automated phone registration at 301-962-1477.

Sunday, June 29

Butterfly Basics at Black Hill Park, Boyds, MD

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Free, but registration required. Made possible by a generous ANS member. On this slow stroll through several habitats at Black Hill Regional Park, near Boyds, MD, we'll offer an introduction to some of the butterflies of early summer: their habitats, how to identify them, and where to look for their caterpillars and host plants. We'll hope to see common species such as Pearl Crescent and Great Spangled Fritillary, while we keep an eye open for less common ones such as American Copper. Our areas of exploration will be predominantly open and sunny. Register by mailing or faxing the registration form (online at http://audubonnaturalist.org/Images2/nature_activities_catalog.pdf).

Sunday, June 29

Dragonflies, Alexandria, VA

9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Free. Reservations required. Cancelled if rain. Learn about the life cycle, behavior, and identification of Huntley's many dragonflies and damselflies. Venture to the wetland to observe these acrobatic fliers in action. Huntley Meadows Park is located at 3701 Lockheed Blvd. in Alexandria, VA. 703-768-2525. Register online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/parktakes.htm or by calling 703-449-8639 or 703-222-4664.

Sunday, June 29

Butterfly Walk, Vienna, VA

12 noon. See Ongoing above, or click here to view a flyer.

Monday, June 30

Nature: Explore Insects, Clinton, MD

10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Ages 6 yrs. and up. $4. Course #121021. Explore the world of insects and learn about their life cycles and how they can be harmful or helpful. A short hike is included to search for some insects and a craft. Children attending this program MUST be accompanied by a parent or adult chaperone who is also registered for this program. Held at Clearwater Nature Center, 11000 Thrift Road, Clinton, MD. Call 301-297-4575; TTY 301-699-2544 for more information.

Counts are led by people who can identify the butterflies of the region. Beginners are welcome (unless noted) as spotters and to learn. Contact count leaders several days ahead of time so they may plan the count.

Most counts take the better part of a day, with a break for lunch. Wear long pants, closed shoes, and socks. Bring a bag lunch, insect repellant, beverages, sunscreen, hat, etc. Bring a butterfly field guide and/or binoculars if you have them. Children under 13 must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

A fee of U.S. $3 is required for each adult field observer on each count (whether or not they want their names published in the Count Report) to help defray printing and program costs. Children 12 and under are not charged the fee.

The counts below were compiled from announcements supplied to WABC and from the NABA Mid-Atlantic Butterfly Counts map. Most of the information on the counts listed below has been verified by the count leaders. Report any inaccuracies to the webmaster.

Saturday, June 28
Western Montgomery Co., MD Butterfly Count
The count circle includes several natural areas in western Montgomery County, including Little Bennett and Black Hill Regional Parks; Sugarloaf Mountain, Seneca Creek State Park; and some areas along the C&O Canal. Not recommended for children under age 10, given heat, open sun, and tall vegetation.
Meet at 9:00 am outside the Visitors' Center at Black Hill Regional Park in Boyds, MD; or near the impoundments at Hughes Hollow (McKee-Beshers Wildlife Management Area) near Poolesville, MD.
Leader: Stephanie Mason, 301-652-9188, Ext. 37. Please contact if you plan to participate or have any questions.

Saturday, June 28
Occoquan Bay, VA Butterfly Count
Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, Woodbridge, VA. Survey Meadowood Farm, Occoquan Regional Park, Julia Metz Wetlands – all in Northern Virginia.
Leader: Jim Waggener

Saturday, July 5
Bath County, VA Butterfly Count
Leader: Frank Boyle

Saturday, July 5
Island Ford, VA Butterfly Count
Eastern Rockingham Co., VA.
Leader: Mike Smith

Monday, July 7
ACAS (Mt. Airy, MD) Butterfly Count
Leader: David Smith

Saturday, July 12
West Anne Arundel County, MD Butterfly Count
Leader: Clarence Sparks

Saturday, July 12
Blue Ridge Mountains, VA Butterfly Count
Leader: Richard Smythe

Saturday, July 12
Maidens, VA Butterfly Count
Leader: Carolyn Henly

Saturday, July 12
Prince George's County, MD Butterfly Count
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Experienced counters only this year, please, due to staffing challenges
Leader: Glenda Jordan

Saturday, July 19
Blue Ridge Parkway, VA Butterfly Count
Contact: Judy Molnar

Saturday, July 19
Giles County, VA Butterfly Count
Contact: Peggy Opengari

Sunday, July 19
Nassawango Creek, MD Butterfly Count
Leaders: Lynn Davidson and Hal Wierenga

Saturday, July 19
Howard County, MD Butterfly Count
Leader: Suzanne Klick

Sunday, July 20
District of Columbia Butterfly Count
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the National Arboretum Visitor Center parking lot.
Leader: Pat Durkin, 202-255-3629

Sunday, July 20
Delmarva Tip, VA Butterfly Count
Leaders: Lynn Davidson and Hal Wierenga

Thursday, July 23
Harford County, MD (Churchville) Butterfly Count
Leader: Richard Cheicante Jr

Friday, July 25
Dismal Swamp, VA Butterfly Count
Meet at the Washington Ditch Parking Lot at 8:00 a.m.
Leader: Donald Schwab

Saturday, August 2
Waterford, VA Butterfly Count
Leader: Nicole Hamilton

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