DC Nature Guide 2023 Web

EDUCATOR’S GUIDE TO
Exploring Nature in Washington, DC

April 2023
Dear Educators,
At Conservation Nation, we are working to save wild animals, their habitats, and our planet
by building a more inclusive conservation movement. Traditionally, the path to a wildlife
conservation career has been one of privilege and exclusion, and we want to change that.
By investing in future leaders through education, career development, and funding, we are
creating opportunities to bring more voices and more solutions to the urgent biodiversity
challenges facing our planet.
The Conservation Nation Academy inspires
Because we want every child to experience the wonders of nature, we created this teachers and their students to cultivate a sense
of belonging in nature, explore a conservation
comprehensive guide to help you plan meaningful nature experiences for your students
mindset, and see themselves as conservation
in Washington, DC, where there is so much beauty to explore and enjoy outside! champions. We provide teachers with fun and
hands-on lessons that feature interactions with
SECTION 1 describes local Nature Destinations in the DC Metro area with information on counter-stereotypical role models from our
activity options, costs, and contact information to help you set up field trips. network of Conservation Nation grantees,
fellows, and partners. Our curriculum challenges
SECTION 2 provides Nature Learning Ideas & Resources including outdoor activity ideas and stereotypes by highlighting relatable and
links to recommended nature learning websites and online apps to help you and your students authentic conservation champions from around
get the most out of each nature learning experience. the world who come from diverse cultural, racial,
and ethnic backgrounds and communities that
SECTION 3 includes printable Nature Journal & Activity Pages to help you plan field trips at have long been underrepresented in
any nature destination. These include reflection pages and “Nature Detective” scavenger hunts conservation. You can sign up here or use the QR
code to join our Conservation Nation Academy
for students of all ages.
mailing list, receive information on how to access
This guide will be updated yearly, and we invite you to give us feedback on the last page. our lesson materials, and indicate your willingness
to test new lessons as they are available and give
Enjoy! us feedback.
Diane Lill Learn more about Conservation Nation at

Director of Education www.conservationnation.org.
Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org 2

Table of Contents
Map of Featured Destinations 4 Section 2: Nature Learning Ideas & Resources 39
Guide to Choosing Your Nature Experience 5 Nature-based Outdoor Activity Ideas 40
Nature Learning Resources & References 41
Section 1: Nature Destinations 6
Nature Near You: Local Park Visit 7-9 Section 3: Nature Journal & Activity Pages 42
Anacostia Park & River 10-13 Nature Log 43
Bladensburg Waterfront Park 14-17 See, Think, Wonder: Plant Exploration 44
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 18-20 See, Think, Wonder: Animal Exploration 45
Kingman Island 21-23 Forest or River Exploration 46
Potomac River 24-25 Nature Scavenger Hunts 47-50
Rock Creek Park 26-28

Feedback and Acknowledgements 51
Smithsonian’s National Zoo 29-30
The Well at Oxon Run 31-33
US Botanic Garden 34-35
US National Arboretum 36-38

FEATURED NATURE
EXPERIENCES
FOREST OR PARK EXPERIENCE
Local Park Visit
Rock Creek Park NW
PLANT EXPERIENCE
The Well at Oxon Run
US Botanic Garden SW
US National Arboretum NE
ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
AREC Center, Anacostia Park SE
Smithsonian National Zoo NW
RIVER & WATERSHED EXPERIENCE
Anacostia Park & River SE
Bladensburg Waterfront Park NE
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens NE
Kingman Island NE
Potomac River Boat Tour SW

Choose Your Nature Experience
TEACHER EFFORT SCALE: DESTINATION CATEGORIES:
LOW = book trip with organizer, show up and enjoy the tour! FOREST OR PARK EXPERIENCE
MEDIUM = easy to plan and lead with provided materials ANIMAL EXPERIENCE
HIGH (for the motivated teacher) = higher effort needed PLANT EXPERIENCE
to plan and lead, but lots of room for creativity and
RIVER & WATERSHED EXPERIENCE
customization!
SELF-GUIDED EXPERIENCE
Nature Near You: Local Park Experience p7
Anacostia Park & River p10
Bladensburg Waterfront Park p14
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens p18
Kingman Island p21
Rock Creek Park p26
Smithsonian’s National Zoo p29
US Botanic Garden p34
US National Arboretum p36
EDUCATOR-LED EXPERIENCE
Nature Near You: Local Park Experience p7
Anacostia Park & River p10
Bladensburg Waterfront Park p14
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens p18
Kingman Island p21
Potomac River p24
The Well at Oxon Run p31
US Botanic Garden p34
US National Arboretum p36 (Staff-Supported visit)

Section 1: Nature Destinations
Find information on local nature destinations in the Washington, DC Metro area including
highlights of the experience, field trip planning information, and destination-specific resources
to help students get the most out of their nature experience.
Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org

Nature Near You: Experience Neighborhood Parks and Green Spaces
THE NATURE NEAR YOU EXPERIENCE is all about finding a nature
Location: Any nearby green space
spot close to school that students can visit often and easily. Nature is
When to visit: Anytime! Ideally at least everywhere, so you don’t have to travel far to find it or experience it!
once per season (fall, winter, spring, Visiting the same nature space regularly (once a season or at least
summer) twice a year) is a great way to observe how plants, animals, and natural
ANY OUTDOOR NATURE
Visit options: Self-guided or cycles change through the year. Every visit will be a different SPACE AT OR NEAR SCHOOL
Naturalist-led field trips experience if students are watching closely. In this experience, teachers
can lead their own local nature experience using the resources listed on
the next page, or they can arrange for a naturalist to support them in an
LEARNING OBJECTIVES outdoor experience close to school.
Discover a nature destination close to
school that students can visit regularly
Observe how a local nature spot changes
through the seasons
Learn & Practice observation skills using
all the senses
Appreciate that you don’t have to go far
to find nature
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
SELF-GUIDED NATURE WALK at or near
school
NATURALIST-LED EXPERIENCE such as
a tree lesson & walk in a nearby park
Did you know Washington, DC has an

official tree? It’s the scarlet oak
(Quercus coccinea). The scarlet oak is
beloved for its bright red fall color and
its acorns, which are a favorite food of
gray squirrels, chipmunks, deer, and a
multitude of birds, especially blue jays!
04/2023

NATURE NEAR YOU: EXPERIENCE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND GREEN SPACES (continued)
QUICK FACTS DETAILS & RESOURCE LINKS FOR 2023
Grade Levels: PreK-12 Outdoor Education Trainings & Guides for Teachers
Activity Options: Guide to Outdoor Learning: A Resource for Schools & Communities by Urban
● Self-guided nature walks using resources and activity pages provided Adventure Squad: This online guide includes recommendations on how to pick a
in this guide destination and plan safety measures, logistics, lunch arrangements, weather
● Naturalist-led outdoor programs at school, in the neighborhood, management, communication with parents, etc.
or at a nearby green space Project Wild Professional Development Training by Aquatic Resources Center:
When to Visit: Any day, any time, any weather! In-person & online workshops on how to teach outdoors. Choose from 3 programs
Cost: Varies by program (FREE to $4 per person) noted below. Public sessions occur periodically (min 5 teachers required). FREE to all
teachers in the greater DC Metro area. Contact Kalie Johnson at 202-440-2731 or
Location & Transport: Walking is best!
[email protected].
Accessibility: Varies by location ● Growing Up Wild: Preschool Training on general outdoor learning (3 hr program)
Max Capacity: Any number of students you feel comfortable leading ● Project Wild Program: Terrestrial Guide for Grades K-12 (6 hr program)
Restrooms: Varies by location ● Aquatic Wild Program: Aquatic Guide for Grades K-12 (6 hr program)
Lunch/Snack Options: Varies by location See Other Useful Resources on the next page.
Information For Self-Guided Experience

Teacher Effort Required: LOW to book naturalist-led field trip listed on
Lead your students on a nature walk at school or in the neighborhood using the
the next page and HIGH to plan & lead self-guided nature walk using
resources listed below or in Sections 2 and 3 of this guide. Returning to the same place
the resources in this guide and
several times a year is recommended so students can observe the seasonal changes.
Where to go: Any outdoor green space at or near school
Contact: Varies by activity (see Details & Resource Links section)
What to bring and do: (source: UAS Guide to Outdoor Learning, 2023)
● Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers and anticipate cold, wet, and hot weather.
● Bring and use a map or guide.
● Stay hydrated: bring and drink water. And bring snacks for longer hikes.
● Stay on the trail to avoid poison ivy, snakes, and ticks.
Materials & Resources
● Urban Forestry Scavenger Hunt (English & Spanish versions) by the Urban Forestry
Division (All Ages)
● Tree Bingo K-2 & Tree Bingo 3-5 by Casey Trees
● Simple Outdoor Nature Activity Ideas listed on p34 of this guide
● Online Apps for plant and animal identification (recommended for ages 8+)
○ SEEK by iNaturalist for animals, plants & fungi
○ Merlin by Cornell Ornithology Lab for birds
○ Creek Critters by Nature Forward for small freshwater organisms
○ Picture This for plants, birds, and insects
○ Find Your Park website to find the closest National Park

NATURE NEAR YOU: EXPERIENCE NEIGHBORHOOD PARKS AND GREEN SPACES (continued)
DETAILS & RESOURCE LINKS FOR 2023
Information on Naturalist-led lessons

● Urban Forestry School Visit (Grades PreK-12): Tree education program
led by an urban forester includes a 30-45 minute lesson about the
benefits of trees, their needs, and how foresters and the local
community can support a healthy urban forest. Experience can include
tree plantings at schools. Maximum capacity: up to 25 students. Cost:
FREE. Contact: Kasey Yturralde at [email protected] or 202-671-5133.
● Nature Near Schools Program (Grade 4 only): A variety of
naturalist-led outdoor nature programs on different topics includes
tree education programs by Casey Trees, outdoor learning field trips by
KASEY YTURRALDE
FOREST HEALTH AND COMMUNITY Urban Adventure Squad, schoolyard greening & nature audits by Living
OUTREACH SPECIALIST, URBAN Classrooms, and watershed education programs by the Anacostia
FORESTRY DIVISION, DISTRICT
DEPT. OF TRANSPORTATION Watershed Society. Cost: FREE with priority given to Title 1 schools.
Contact: Adrienne Farfalla, [email protected] or 202-697-1112
“We love to share our passion for or Trinh Doan, [email protected].
trees with students and teachers,
● PG Parks Outdoor Nature Discovery Programs (Grades PreK-12):
and hope our work inspires future
Naturalist-led program includes nature discovery walks in green spaces
arborists, urban foresters and
neighborhood tree stewards.” at or near schools. Available to DC & Prince George’s County schools.
Cost: $4 per person with minimum $65 program fee. Contact
[email protected] or 301-779-0371.
OTHER USEFUL & RELATED RESOURCES
● Plant ID Games (Grades 4+): online game by the Alice Ferguson

Foundation for students to practice identifying local trees, vines,
shrubs and herbaceous plants in the field. Suitable for phone or tablet.
ournal ● Fishing for a Name (Grades 4+): online game by Alice Ferguson
Nature J Foundation for students to practice identifying different types of local
e f l ec t io n Pages
R fish in the field, Suitable for phone or ipad use.
re Log
p43 Natu ion ● NGSS-Aligned PreK-5 Environmental Literacy Guide: Outdoor activity
P la n t explorat ideas at school, in the neighborhood, or on off-site field trips by OSSE
p44 ion
A n im a l explorat (Office of State Superintendent of Education)
p45 ration
st o r R iver explo
p46 Fore

Anacostia Park & River: Experience a River and its Watershed
ANACOSTIA PARK is a destination where students can enjoy a wide
Location: Southeast DC range of nature experiences. Outdoors, they can tour the Anacostia
When to visit: Open year-round River by boat, learn to fish, help with river restoration projects, or enjoy
(Best seasons: spring & fall) walking along the Anacostia River Trail. Indoors, they can explore the
wonderful Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC), the District’s
Visit options: Self-guided or
only free education center/aquarium featuring local species of fish,
Naturalist-led field trips
amphibians, and reptiles.
The Anacostia River watershed was originally home to the Nacotchtank

LEARNING OBJECTIVES Indians who lived, farmed, hunted and traded there until the arrival of
Explore the Anacostia River by boat, bike, the Europeans in the 1600s. As the Europeans started farming and
or on foot building in the watershed, the river became polluted and began to fill up
Discover local aquatic life with sediment. That sediment was later used to fill in natural wetlands to
create parks & recreation areas such as Anacostia Park. Despite pollution
Learn about river systems and the aquatic
and trash, the river supports many plants and wildlife. This expansive
animals of the local watersheds
open park on the banks of the Anacostia River is a great place to learn
Understand how activities in the about rivers and watersheds and how human activities impact
watershed affect plants, animals, and everything that lives in the watershed.
people
Participate in fishing clinics or restoration
projects to improve river health
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
SELF-GUIDED EXPERIENCE includes visit
to the Aquatic Resources Education
Center and nature walk along the
Anacostia River
STAFF-LED TOURS including boat tours,
fishing clinics, and hands-on activities at
the Aquatic Resources Education Center
as well as restoration activities at the river
TERESA RODRIGUEZ
WILDLIFE BIOLOGIST at AREC
“My favorite aquatic animal of the Anacostia is the common

snapping turtle because it lives a very long time and has
adapted to many different habitats. People can see Snappy, a
live common snapping turtle, at the AREC aquariums!”
04/2023

ANACOSTIA PARK & RIVER: EXPERIENCE A RIVER AND ITS WATERSHED (continued)
Grade Levels: PreK-12 Anacostia Park Visit Information Reservations not required for
Activity Options: self-guided visit of park; contact organizations listed below to
● Self-guided Tour of AREC using AREC-provided activity book and Nature Walk on the visit AREC & book naturalist-led programs
Anacostia River Trail using the resources provided in this guide (1-2 hrs) National Park Service App: Interactive maps and basic information
● Guided Boat Tours & Fishing Clinics (1 hr) for visiting Anacostia Park or any national park
● Staff-led field trips include indoor tour & hand-on activities at AREC aquarium and
Anacostia Park Visitor Map
naturalist-led outdoor restoration projects
When to Visit: Open daily until sunset (best seasons: spring and fall)
Summary of Visit Options
Cost: FREE in 2023 (teacher arranges transport)
Self-Guided tour of the Aquatic Resources Education Center (AREC)
Location & Transport:
and Nature Walk on the Anacostia River Trail: See the fish, amphibians
● 1500 Anacostia Drive SE, 20020
and reptiles of the Anacostia River up close at AREC and walk along
● School bus drop-off and parking next to AREC & skating pavilion
the Anacostia River using a trail map and the Nature Detective
● Bike access from Anacostia River Trail
Scavenger Hunts in this guide. (Grades PreK-12)
● Boat access from Anacostia River boat ramp
● Closest Metro: Guided boat tours by Anacostia Riverkeeper & Anacostia Watershed
● Potomac Ave (Orange/Blue Lines) `+1.2-mile walk to AREC Society include information on the history, challenges, and restoration
● Anacostia (Green Line) + 5-min walk to NPS Offices & 1 mile (20 min) walk to AREC of the Anacostia River (Grades PreK-12). See specific program
details in the Naturalist-Led Program section.
Accessibility: Anacostia River Trail is paved and wheelchair accessible, and boat tours
are generally wheelchair accessible. See program information for details and additional Tour of AREC Aquariums by AREC staff introduce students to the
language translation services that may be available. aquatic life of the Anacostia River. Optional hands-on indoor or
outdoor activities also available. (Grades 1-5)
Maximum Capacity: Varies with activity
Mussel Power & Shad Restoration Programs led by educators from the
Restrooms: Available at AREC
Anacostia Watershed Society introduce students to the role of
Lunch/Snack Options: Outdoor picnic tables next to AREC freshwater mussels and the native American Shad fish in the Anacostia
River Watershed. (Grades 3-8)
Teacher Effort Required: LOW to book ahead & organize transport for naturalist-led Bridging the Watershed Program led by educators from the Alice
field trip and MEDIUM to lead self-guided tour with materials provided in this guide Ferguson Foundation covers various topics related to the Anacostia
River including water quality, pollution, watershed restoration, and
Contact: Varies by activity sustainability approaches. (Grades 6-12)
(see Details & Resource Links section)

Information for Self-Guided Tour Information on Naturalist-led programs:

Anacostia Riverkeeper Boat tour (All Ages): 1-hr guided boat tour highlights the
Start with a tour of the Aquatic Resources Education Center using the activity
history, threats to, and restoration of the Anacostia River. Launch points are the
book that is available on-site. AREC is open to groups Tu-Fr 10am-noon &
Anacostia Park boat ramp near the Aquatic Resources Education Center (to
1-3pm; max capacity 25-35 students with 2-3 accompanying adults. Contact
explore the upstream part of the river which is closer to its natural state) & Yards
Kalie Johnson at [email protected]. or 202-440-2731. (~1 hr)
Park Marina (to explore the more developed downstream part of the river). Tours
Then head outside for a nature walk along the Anacostia River Trail which runs in operate Apr-Oct, Mon-Sat; maximum capacity is 15-21 people per boat. The
front of the nature center. You can walk in either direction and explore the river Anacostia Riverkeeper boat is accessible to non-motorized wheelchair users.
using the resources listed below.. (~1 hr) Accommodations available for ASL, Spanish, and other translation needs by
Picnic tables, playground, and the park grounds are available outside AREC for request. Cost: FREE (teacher arranges transport). Contact
outdoor snack/lunch and free play after your nature walk. [email protected] or 202-863-0158 or use Teacher signup form.
Materials & Resources Aquatic Resource Education Center (AREC) Tour (Grades PreK-12): Guided 40
1. Aquatic Resources Education Center Activity Book (Grades 4+): Available for min tour + 45 min indoor or outdoor activity allows students to see native and
pick up upon arrival at AREC. invasive fish, amphibians, and turtles in the center’s aquariums; AREC lessons are
2. Map for Anacostia Water Trail walk DCPS Science curriculum-aligned and cover a variety of topics related to local
3. Nature Detective Scavenger Hunt activity pages included on p47-50 & watersheds and aquatic species. Outdoor activity options also include boating
Outdoor Activity Ideas on p40 of this guide. (Grades PreK-12) and fishing activities. AREC is open Tu-Fr 10am-noon & 1-3pm; maximum
4. Online Apps for plant and animal identification listed on p41 of this guide capacity is 25-35 students with 2-3 accompanying adults. Cost: FREE (teacher
(recommended for ages 8+) arranges transport). Contact Kalie Johnson at [email protected] or
202-440-2731 or use the AREC teacher signup form.
Anacostia Watershed Society Shad Restoration Program (Grades 3-8, offered

Mar-May) Students learn about efforts to restore the Anacostia River’s American
Shad fish population by hatching and raising shad eggs in the classroom and
releasing the juveniles into the river. This program includes a classroom visit, a
field trip at Anacostia Park to release the shad fry, and a boat tour on the river.
Maximum capacity 50-80 students with adult chaperones, divided into smaller
groups. Cost: FREE including transport if needed. Contact Kendra Bierman at
[email protected] or submit the Teacher Sign-up on the AWS Teacher
Resources webpage.
Alice Ferguson Foundation Bridging the Watershed Program (Grades 6-12):

3-5-hr educator-led field trips on the various watershed topics include trash,
invasive species, water quality and sustainability. Cost: FREE to teachers who
participate in a virtual or in-person training workshop. Contact
[email protected].

Other Useful & Related Resources

Introduction to Anacostia River: 2-minute introductory video to the river by
Anacostia Riverkeeper (suitable for all ages)
Anacostia River Explorers Virtual Boat Tour: This video series by Anacostia Nature Journal
Riverkeeper is a good way for teachers to familiarize themselves with the Anacostia Reflection Pages
River and the various topics students can learn about. View the full 50-minute video
discussing the environmental and cultural history of the Anacostia River OR learn
p43 Nature Log
about each segment of the river by clicking on the boat icons on the map under p45 Animal Exploration
“Interactive boat tour” at the bottom of the webpage. p46 River Exploration
Anacostia River Watershed Plant & Animal Downloadable Field Guide
(English Version and Spanish Version) (Grades 4+): Simple field guide with photos
of plant and animal species commonly found in the Anacostia River Watershed
Trace a Watershed Classroom Activity (Grades 6+): Exercise by Anacostia River
Watershed Society for students to trace Anacostia Watershed boundaries on a map
Swim for Your Life (Grades 6+): online game by Alice Ferguson Foundation to help
students learn about the journey and survival rates of migratory fish from birth to
adulthood and spawning
Macroinvertebrate ID Activity (Grades 4+): online game by the Alice Ferguson
Foundation for students to practice identifying Macroinvertebrates. This is a good
activity for students to do BEFORE they go on a field trip investigating stream
and river health.

Bladensburg Waterfront Park: Experience a River and its Watershed
BLADENSBURG WATERFRONT PARK is a destination where students
Location: Bladensburg, MD can experience the Anacostia River by boat or on the walking trail. The
When to visit: Year-round Anacostia River was originally home to the Nacotchtank, or
(Best seasons: spring and fall) Anacostans, who lived, farmed, hunted and traded by the river until the
arrival of the Europeans in the 1600s. As the Europeans started farming
and building in the watershed, the river became polluted and filled with
Naturalist-led field trips
sediment. That sediment was later used to create parks and recreation
areas. The last 50 years have seen many efforts to restore and protect
the Anacostia River. Today students can visit this nature destination to
LEARNING OBJECTIVES learn how human activities impact everything that lives in the
Explore the Anacostia River on a boat or watershed.
along the walking/biking trail
Understand the concept of a watershed
and how human activities can help or
harm plants and animals in the watershed
Learn the story of the Anacostia River
and its relationship with the people,
plants, and animals that live in and
alongside it The port of Bladensburg was
Participate in restoration projects to a bustling trade hub for large
improve watershed health vessels in the 1800s. The depth
of the river there used to be
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
40 feet. But through erosion
from tobacco farming and the
SELF-GUIDED NATURE WALKS on the
destruction of wetlands, the
waterfront or the Anacostia River Trail
depth is now as low as 3 feet.
NATURALIST-LED FIELD TRIPS including
guided boat tours, nature discovery walks,
and restoration activities
04/2023

BLADENSBURG WATERFRONT PARK: EXPERIENCE A RIVER AND ITS WATERSHED (continued)
Grade Levels: PreK-12 General Information on Bladensburg Waterfront Park

Activity Options: Visitor Map
● Self-guided nature walks at the Waterfront Park or on the Anacostia
River Trail (1-2 hrs)
● Naturalist-led boat tours, outdoor discovery walks, and restoration Summary of Visit Options
activities (1-4 hrs) Self-guided nature walks at the Waterfront Park or on the Anacostia River Trail using trail
When to Visit: Year-round (best season: spring or fall) map & outdoor activity ideas provided in this guide. (All Ages)
Cost: Varies by program ranging from FREE to $5 per person Guided Boat tours offered by Bladensburg Waterfront Park & Anacostia Watershed
(teacher arranges transport) Society provide information on Anacostia River history, wildlife, challenges, and
Location & Transport: restoration. (All Ages)
● 4601 Annapolis Rd, Bladensburg MD 20710 Bladensburg Waterfront Park Nature Programs are naturalist-led field trips which
● School bus drop-off and parking onsite include outdoor discovery walks and classroom ecology lessons. (Grades PreK-12)
Anacostia Watershed Society Outdoor Education & Restoration Programs are
● Boat access at Bladensburg Waterfront dock
naturalist-led field trips offering students an opportunity to participate in watershed
● Closest bus stop: Annapolis Road at 46th St + 5 minute walk
restoration activities at the Anacostia River. Program options include the SONG Meadow
Accessibility: Paved trails & boat tours are wheelchair accessible; Restoration Program for grades 1-12; Rice Rangers for grades 4-8; Mussel Power for
Support for vision & hearing-impaired visitors (program dependent) grades 2-8; and the Shad Restoration program for grades 3-8.
Maximum Capacity: Varies by activity (see Details section)
Restrooms: Available next to park office at waterfront and next to
picnic pavilion Information for Self-Guided Visit
Lunch/Snack Options: Covered picnic tables in pavilion (advance Lead your students on a Nature Discovery walk at the Waterfront or on the Anacostia
reservation required) River Trail. Pick up the paved trail behind the Bladensburg Waterfront Park office and
continue south towards Washington DC/Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. You can explore
the river using the resources listed below. Picnic tables and play areas (including a small
Teacher Effort Required: LOW to book ahead & organize transport for
playground) are available at the Waterfront for snacks/lunch and outdoor play.
naturalist-led trips and MEDIUM to lead self-guided walks using
materials provided in this guide
Recommended Resources & Materials
1. Map for Anacostia Water Trail walk
Contact: FOR ALL GROUP VISITS 2. Nature Detective Scavenger Hunt activity pages included on p47-50 & Outdoor
Call 301-779-0371 or email [email protected] Activity Ideas on p41 of this guide. (Grades preK-12)
Reservations strongly recommended for self-guided visits to ensure 3. Online Apps for plant and animal identification listed on p41 (Suitable for ages 8+)
bus parking and availability of picnic tables. For naturalist-led 4. Bring balls & jump ropes for free play.
programs, contact organizations listed on the next page.

DETAILS & RESOURCE LINKS FOR 2023 (continued)
Information on Naturalist-led Tours

Bladensburg Waterfront Park Boat Tours & Outdoor Nature Programs: Naturalist-led half
day field trips include boat tour and outdoor/indoor ecology lessons. Teachers can choose
one or both of the following programs:.
● River Boat Tours (Grades preK-12): 45-min guided natural history tour of the upper third of
the river. Lessons on Animal Characteristics & Adaptations (Grades PreK-5) or Wetlands &
Watersheds (Grades 5+) can be taught on boat for an extra fee.
● Outdoor Nature Programs (Grades PreK-12): Discovery Walks (Grades Prek-4) and
Ecosystem Explorers Walks (Grades 5+) introduce students to the flora and fauna of the
Anacostia. Classroom lessons can be taught in tandem with the nature walk. Topics include
Animals Characteristics & Adaptations (Grades PreK-5), Water & You (Grades 1-5), Geology
Rocks & Minerals (Grades 4-5), Plants, Cycles & Interactions (Grades 4-6), Weather,
JORGE BOGANTES MONTERO Meteorology & Climate (Grades 4-8), and Wetlands & Watersheds (Grades 3-12).
STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM SPECIALIST
ANACOSTIA WATERSHED SOCIETY Programs run Apr-Oct. Cost: $4 per person for boat tour OR program, and $5 per person for
program taught on boat ($50 minimum program fee.) Spanish-speaking educators available,
“My previous experience was mostly in and programs can be adapted for vision and hearing-impaired visitors. To book program, call
biodiversity conservation in my home 301-779-0371 or email [email protected].
country of Costa RIca. Here in the
Anacostia River watershed, a lot of the Anacostia Watershed Society Boat Tours & Outdoor Education Programs: AWS runs four
efforts are for restoration of degraded school programs offering different watershed experiences at Bladensburg Waterfront Park:
areas. Being part of these efforts in one
● Mussel Power Program (Grades 2-8 for DCPS schools & Grades 9-12 for PGCPS schools,
of the major metropolitan areas of the
US, learning about the local biodiversity,
offered Jan-Jun) Students learn about the importance of freshwater mussels in the
and venturing into new exciting projects Anacostia River by raising mussels in the classroom and then releasing them into the river.
like freshwater mussel propagation has ● Rice Rangers Wetland Restoration Program (Grades 4-8, offered Sep-Nov) Students learn
made this a truly unique experience about the importance of wetland plants by growing wild rice in the classroom and planting it
for me.” in the mudflats of the Anacostia River.
● Shad Restoration Program (Grades 3-8, offered Mar-May) Students learn about efforts to
restore the Anacostia River’s native American Shad fish population by hatching and raising
shad eggs in the classroom and releasing the juveniles into the Anacostia River.
● SONG Meadow Restoration program (Grades 1-3, offered Sep-Nov) Students learn about
the importance of meadow habitat to wildlife by collecting and planting native wildflower
seeds to restore meadows along the Anacostia River.
All programs include a classroom visit, a field trip at Bladensburg Waterfront Park and a boat
tour on the Anacostia River. Maximum capacity 50-80 students with adult chaperones,
divided into smaller groups. Cost: FREE including transport if needed. Contact Kendra
Bierman at [email protected] or submit the Teacher Signup form on the AWS
Teacher Resources webpage.

Introduction to Anacostia River: 2-minute introductory video to the

river by Anacostia Riverkeeper (suitable for all ages)
Bladensburg Waterfront Park Boat Tour: 15-minute video introduction
to the Anacostia River and Bladensburg Waterfront Park, wildlife and
surrounding landscapes as experienced by boat.
Anacostia River Explorers Virtual Boat Tour: This video series by
Anacostia Riverkeeper is a good way for teachers to familiarize
themselves with the Anacostia River and the various topics students
can learn about. View the full 50-minute video discussing the
environmental and cultural history of the Anacostia River or learn about
each segment of the river by clicking on the boat icons on the map
under “Interactive boat tour” at the bottom of the webpage.
Anacostia Riverkeeper Publications on Anacostia River Health
including study on microplastics in the River
Anacostia River Watershed Plant & Animal Downloadable Field Guide Related Nature
(English Version and Spanish Version) (Grades 4+): Simple field guide Journal Pages
with photos of plant and animal species commonly found in the
p43 Nature Log
Anacostia River Watershed
Trace a Watershed Classroom Activity (Grades 6+): Exercise by
p46 Forest or River
Anacostia River Watershed Society for students to trace Anacostia
Exploration
Watershed boundaries on a map.
Swim for Your Life (Grades 6+): online game by Alice Ferguson
Foundation to help students learn about the journey and survival rates
of migratory fish from birth until to adulthood and spawning
Macroinvertebrate ID Activity (Grades 4+): online game by the Alice
Ferguson Foundation for students to practice identifying
Macroinvertebrates. This is a good activity for students to do BEFORE
they go on a field trip investigating stream and river health.

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens: Experience a Wetland
KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS is a wonderful and easily
Location: Northeast DC
navigated nature destination for student to explore a wetland
When to visit: Year-round (Lotus
ecosystem. It is known as one of the best places in the DC Metro
blooms can be seen in Jun-Aug and
water lilies late Apr-Sep)
area to see wildlife, especially birds. Students will have a chance
to see the garden’s famous lotus and lily ponds which bloom in
Visit options: Self-guided, NPS Park
the summer, walk through the freshwater tidal marshes which
Ranger-led or Educator-led tours
are a habitat to many birds and aquatic animals, and view the
Anacostia River on the river trail. It is a great place to discuss
LEARNING OBJECTIVES how humans impact ecosystems both through development
Observe a wetland habitat and the plants and restoration activities. This nature destination offers an easy
and animals it supports self-guided field trip and a variety of staff-led science and
Participate in ecosystem monitoring and environmental education programs for a wide range of age
restoration projects groups. Students can also learn about local Native American
Understand how activities in the history and civil rights history in the context of the community
watershed affect plants, animals, & people efforts to protect and restore the marsh and the river.
Learn about community-based
restoration efforts and the rich cultural
history of the area
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
Did you know a frog uses its
SELF-GUIDED NATURE WALK using the
Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
eyes to eat? As it swallows,
Scavenger Hunts and lesson plans.
the frog pulls its eyes down
Self-guided visits can include a brief to help push the food down
introduction by NPS Park Ranger. its throat. Check out what
this looks like on this 1-minute
STAFF-LED TOURS include NPS
video by famous naturalist
Ranger-led programs to learn about
David Attenborough.
aquatic plants, animals, and the
Anacostia River as well as educator-led
watershed programs & restoration
activities
04/2023

KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS: EXPERIENCE A WETLAND (continued)
Grade Levels: PreK-12 Kenilworth Park Visit Information

● Self-guided walk & activities using Friends of Kenilworth scavenger
National Park Service App: interactive maps and basic information for visiting
hunt & lesson plans for PreK-4 (1-2 hrs)
Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and any other National Park
● NPS Ranger-led programs and Educator-led watershed programs by
Anacostia River Watershed & Alice Ferguson Foundation (2-5 hrs)
When to Visit: Year-round, open daily 8am–4pm
(lotus blooms in June & July) Self-guided visit with brief introduction by a Park Ranger.
Cost: FREE in 2023 (teacher arranges transport) NPS Park Ranger Programs highlighting the plants, animals, and ecosystem of
Location & Transport: the park. (Best suited for Grades 3-5)
● 1550 Anacostia Ave NE, 20019 Anacostia Watershed Society Outdoor Education Programs introduce students to
● School bus drop-off & parking in main parking lot watershed restoration activities in the Anacostia River ecosystem. (Grades 2-8)
Bridging the Watershed Program led by educators from the Alice Ferguson Foundation
● Closest Metro: Deanwood (Orange Line), 10-minute walk to entrance
on various topics. (Grades 6-12)
Accessibility: Parking lot has handicapped spaces. Main entrance,
pond trail, and Anacostia River trail have pea gravel surface. Walking
trails are NOT paved and may be uneven. Information for Self-Guided Visits
Max Capacity: Varies by program Explore the gardens and wetlands on the boardwalk trail using printable scavenger hunts,
nature guides, and lesson plans from the Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens website.
Restrooms: Available next to Visitor Center
Reservations are required by calling Visitor Center at 202-692-6080. (1-2 hrs)
Lunch/Snack Options: Outdoor picnic tables near Visitor Center
Land Acknowledgement Video (All Ages): 5-minute video on Native American history at
Kenilworth Gardens
Scavenger Hunt at Kenilworth Gardens (All Ages): Simple picture card with 10 plants
staff-led programs and MEDIUM to lead self-guided tour with provided
and animals for students to find in the gardens (pick up at Visitors Center OR print or
resources from Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
download beforehand on phone or iPad)
Plant, Bird & Animal Guides (All Ages): Easy-to-use picture cards help students identify
Contact: Varies by program (see species in the gardens (print or download beforehand on phone or iPad)
Details & Resources Section)
Pre, On-Site & Post Field Trip Lesson Plans (Grades PreK-4): NCSS-aligned activities
● Preschool-K: What Animals Need to Survive
● Gr 1: Plants & Structure
● Gr 2: Diversity of Life in Habitats
● Gr 3: Animal Adaptations
● Gr 4: Plant Structures & Functions

KENILWORTH AQUATIC GARDENS: EXPERIENCE A WETLAND (continued)
Information on NPS Ranger Programs & Other Educator-Led Programs

NPS Ranger-Led Programs (Grades K-12, offered year-round):
Programs cover a variety of science and environmental topics including: RANGER REMI
● Plant reproduction & adaptations for students in grades 3-5 (4 hr max) NPS PARK RANGER
● Anacostia River and watershed for students in grades 3-5 (2-4 hrs)
● Macroinvertebrates (pond dipping) for all age groups (2- 3 hrs) “Nature is not a place you visit,
it’s home. If you release good
Maximum capacity 60 students with adult chaperones. Cost: FREE energy, you can see that the
(teacher arranges transport). Contact Kenilworth Visitors Center at whole world is a garden, and it
takes nothing away from a human
202-692-6080 to reserve (Ward 7 & 8 schools given priority.)
to be kind to an animal. There are
Anacostia Watershed Society Outdoor Education Programs: AWS runs so many amazing animals to see
at this park.”
two school programs at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens:
● Mussel Power Program (Grades 2-8 for DCPS schools & Grades 9-12
for PGCPS schools, offered Jan-Jun) Students learn about the
important role of freshwater mussels in the Anacostia River by raising
mussels in the classroom and then releasing them into the river.
● Rice Rangers Wetland Restoration Program (Grades 4-8, offered
Sep-Nov) Students learn about the importance of wetland plants by
growing wild rice and planting it in the mudflats of the Anacostia River.
Both programs include a classroom visit, a field trip at Kenilworth to
release mussels or plant rice, and a boat tour on the Anacostia River. Nature Journal
Maximum capacity 50-80 students with adult chaperones, divided into Reflection Pages
smaller groups. Cost: FREE including transport if needed. Contact Kendra
p43 Nature Log
Bierman at [email protected] & submit the Teacher Signup
form on the AWS Teacher Resources webpage.
p44 Plant Exploration
Alice Ferguson Foundation Bridging the Watershed Program (Grades

6-12): 3-5-hr field trips on various watershed topics listed below.
● Water Canaries: Assessing Benthic Macroinvertebrates OTHER USEFUL & RELATED RESOURCES
● Talkin Trash: Make a Litter Difference
● Exotic Invaders: Assessing Exotic invasive species Anacostia Riverkeeper Publications on Anacostia River Health including study
● Watershed Watchdogs: Assessing Water Quality on microplastics in the River
● Don’t Get Sedimental: Runoff and Sediment in the River Anacostia River Watershed Plant & Animal Downloadable Field Guide
● Sustainability Module (English Version and Spanish Version) (Grades 4+): Simple field guide with photos of
plant and animal species commonly found in the Anacostia River Watershed
Cost: FREE to teachers who participate in a virtual or in-person training
workshop. Contact [email protected]. DC Fish Field Guide

Kingman Island: Experience an Island Wetland
AT KINGMAN ISLAND, students can discover how freshwater
Location: Northeast DC wetlands, vernal pools, wildflower meadows, and swamp forests
When to visit: Open year-round can exist right in the middle of the city surrounded by big roads
(Best seasons: spring and fall) and a sports stadium! Students can observe frogs and other
wildlife, monitor water quality, conduct trash cleanups from a kayak,
build bird and bat houses, help restore a meadow, and learn to fish.
Naturalist-led trips
They can also talk to the island rangers (many of whom grew up in
the neighborhood) and learn how they work to protect this amazing
island in the city.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Explore a wetland habitat and observe
the plants and animals it supports
Experience the Anacostia River on a boat
Learn how to kayak or fish
Participate in ecosystem monitoring and
restoration projects
Understand how activities in the
watershed affect plants, animals, and
people
Appreciate the value of nature in the
middle of a city and the role rangers play
in protecting it
ACTIVITY OPTIONS:
SELF-GUIDED NATURE WALK using
the resources in this guide
STAFF-LED FIELD TRIPS including
nature walks, wildlife observation, trash
cleanups, and restoration activities
Kingman Island is a man-made

island built from the sand
removed during a project to
make the Anacostia River deeper!
04/2023

KINGMAN ISLAND: EXPERIENCE AN ISLAND WETLAND (continued)
Grade Levels: PreK-12 General Information on visiting Kingman Island

● Self-guided visit using the materials in this guide (1-2 hrs)
● Staff-led tours include nature walks, restoration activities, and trash
cleanups (2-3 hrs) Summary of Visit Options
When to Visit: Year-round, open daily dawn to dusk Self-Guided Tour of Kingman Island trails using Nature Detective scavenger hunts and
(Best season: spring or fall) Outdoor Activity Ideas included in this guide (Grades PreK-12)
Cost: Varies by activity, FREE for self-guided visit in 2023 (teacher Living Classrooms Environmental Education Programs Educator and ranger-led
arranges transport) programs focus on watershed science, conservation and restoration (Grades K-12)
Location & Transport: Anacostia Watershed Society Boat Tours & Outdoor Education Programs
● Main entrance at RFK Stadium Lot 6, 575 Oklahoma Ave NE & Naturalist-led programs include SONG Meadow Restoration, Rice Rangers and Mussel
Pedestrian entrance at 3101 Benning Rd NE Restoration programs introducing students to watershed restoration activities in the
● School bus drop-off and parking at RFK parking lot Anacostia River ecosystem. (Grades 2-12)
● Bike & pedestrian access from Anacostia Riverwalk Trail
● Closest Metro: RFK Armory (Orange/Blue Line), with 1-mile walk
● DC Streetcar to Benning Rd & Oklahoma Ave NE with 2-4 mile walk Information for Self-Guided Visits
Accessibility: Trails have a mix of gravel and unpaved surfaces, docks Kingman Island offers many walking trails which are well-suited to nature walks, wildlife
and bathrooms are wheelchair accessible observation and nature learning activities. Plan 1-2 hrs for this nature experience. No
reservations required to visit.
Max Capacity: Varies by activity and program
Restrooms: Available near the main entrance; composting toilet Materials for Kingman Island Nature Walks (All Ages):
available on the Anacostia River side of island ● Outdoor Activity Ideas on p40 of this guide
● Nature Detective Scavenger Hunts on p47-50 of this guide
Lunch/Snack Options: Outdoor picnic tables on the Kingman Island
● Nature Resources and References p41 of this guide
pier and adjacent meadow
● Anacostia River Watershed Plant & Animal Downloadable Field Guide (English Guide
and Spanish Guide) (Grades 4+): Simple field guide with photos of plants and animals
Teacher Effort Required: LOW to book ahead & organize transport for commonly found in the Anacostia River Watershed
naturalist-led field trips & MEDIUM to lead self-guided tour with the
materials provided in this guide
Contact: [email protected]
(202) 488-0627 x232

KINGMAN ISLAND: EXPERIENCE AN ISLAND WETLAND (continued)
Information on Naturalist-Led Tours

WILLIAM DAVIS
Living Classroom Environmental Education Programs (All Ages) RANGERS & FACILITIES MANAGER
Educator-led field trips including nature walks, wildlife and habitat
observations, and restoration activities. Ranger-led field trips include “I love Kingman Island because I grew up
nature walks, trash cleanups from a kayak, and restoration activities such playing on the island as a youth. My favorite
as invasive species removal and building bird and bat boxes. Trip timings place on the island is the vernal pool area.”
generally 10am-2pm, maximum capacity 50 students with adult
chaperones. Cost varies depending on school & program choice.
Contact: Living Classrooms, 202-488-0627 x232,
[email protected]
Anacostia Watershed Society Boat Tours & Restoration Programs AWS
runs three school programs at Kingman Island:
● Mussel Power Program (Grades 2-8 for DCPS schools & Grades 9-12
for PGCPS schools, offered Jan-Jun) Students learn about the OTHER USEFUL & RELATED RESOURCES
importance of freshwater mussels in the Anacostia River by raising
mussels in the classroom and then releasing them into the river. Other Useful & Related Resources
● Rice Rangers Wetland Restoration Program (Grades 4-8, offered
Introduction to Anacostia River: 2-minute introductory video to the river by Anacostia
Sep-Nov) Students learn about the importance of wetland plants by
Riverkeeper (suitable for all ages)
growing wild rice and planting it in the mudflats of the Anacostia River.
● SONG Meadow Restoration Program (Grades 1-3, offered Sep-Nov) Anacostia River Explorers Virtual Boat Tour: This video series by Anacostia
Students learn about the importance of meadow habitat to wildlife by Riverkeeper is a good way for teachers to familiarize themselves with the Anacostia
collecting and planting native wildflower seeds to restore meadows River and the various topics students can learn about. View the full 50-minute video
along the Anacostia River. discussing the environmental and cultural history of the Anacostia River or learn about
each segment of the river by clicking on the boat icons on the map under “Interactive
All AWS programs include a classroom visit, a field trip to release
boat tour” at the bottom of the webpage.
mussels or do plantings at Kingman Island and a boat tour on the
Anacostia River. Maximum capacity 50-80 students with adult Anacostia Riverkeeper Publications on Anacostia River Health including study
chaperones, divided into smaller groups. Cost: FREE including transport on microplastics in the River
if needed. Contact Kendra Bierman at [email protected] or Anacostia River Watershed Plant & Animal Downloadable Field Guide
submit Teacher Signup form on the (English Version and Spanish Version) (Grades 4+): Simple field guide with photos of
AWS Teacher Resources webpage. plant and animal species commonly found in the Anacostia River Watershed
DC Fish Field Guide
nal
Nature Jour Trace a Watershed Classroom Activity (Grades 6+): Exercise by Anacostia River
ages
Reflection P Watershed Society for students to trace Anacostia Watershed boundaries on a map.
og
p43 Nature L
loration
4 6 Fo r e s t or River Exp
P
Potomac River: Experience a River and its Watershed
THE POTOMAC RIVER ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION PROGRAM
by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation helps students connect human
Location: Southwest DC
culture with the natural environment and challenges them to
When to visit: Spring (Mar-Jun) or brainstorm solutions to protect their local watershed. Students explore
Fall (Sep-Dec) the Potomac River on a research workboat and evaluate first-hand the
Visit options: Naturalist-led Boat Tours health of the local watershed. This is a full day, hands-on learning
experience in which students can observe aquatic life in the river, trawl
for fish, and monitor water quality by evaluating physical and chemical
biological indicators. This 5-minute video captures one student group’s
LEARNING OBJECTIVES experience on the river.
Explore the Potomac River on a research
workboat
Observe aquatic life and trawl for fish
Understand the concept of a watershed
Investigate the health of the Potomac
River and the Chesapeake Bay Watershed
through water quality testing
Discover how human activities can help
and harm plants and animals in the
watershed
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
GUIDED EXPERIENTIAL BOAT
PROGRAM on the Potomac River
DAMIEN GIBBONS
POTOMAC RIVER PROGRAM CAPTAIN
“I love the wide variety of students we can serve being

in an urban setting but closely adjacent to several
suburban neighborhoods. Their differences in age and
backgrounds all seem to fade away when they’re
engaged with the outdoor environment they share.”
04/2023

POTOMAC RIVER: EXPERIENCE A RIVER AND ITS WATERSHED (continued)
Grade Levels: 4-12 Field Trip Description

Activity Options: Potomac River Environmental Education Program by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Staff-led experiential boat program
When to Visit: Spring (Mar-Jun) or Fall (Sep-Dec) 9am-3pm Information on Experiential Boat Program (Grades 4-12)
Cost: $400 per program in 2023 (teacher arranges transport; fee Full-day field trip includes excursion on a research boat to learn about the Potomac
waivers available for Title 1 schools.) River and Chesapeake Bay Watershed. Students will evaluate watershed health by
Location & Transport: testing water quality, conducting plankton studies, trawling for fish and other activities.
● Wharf Marina, 650 Wharf St SW 20024 20-30 people per boat including chaperones. Cost: $400 (subsidies may be available
● School bus drop-off at Wharf Marina upon request). Contact: 800-445-5572, [email protected] or submit Program
● Free parking at East Potomac Park, Hains Point Application. Application window Oct-Dec for Spring programs (Mar-June) and
● Car parking at public garage: 1100 4th St SW (5-min walk to dock) mid-April to mid-May for Fall programs (Sep-Dec).
● Closest Metro: Waterfront Station (Green Line) + 2 block walk
Accessibility: Research boat is NOT wheelchair accessible
Max Capacity: 20-30 people (including adult chaperones) 1. Elementary School Materials: Pre-visit: Watershed Address &
Restrooms: Available on boat Post-visit What’s in Your Lunch
Lunch/Snack Options: School-supplied packed lunch eaten on boat 2. Middle School Materials: Pre-visit: When Rain Hits the Land &
Post Visit Think What’s Under your Sink
3. High School Materials: Pre-visit Data in the Classroom &
Teacher Effort Required: LOW to book ahead and organize transport Post visit Student Wave Action Projects
4. Ideas for Student Actions & Projects for Watershed Health from Chesapeake Bay
Foundation
Contact: 5. Fishing for a Name (Grades 4+): online game by the Alice Ferguson Foundation for
Chesapeake Bay Foundation students to practice identifying different types of local fish in the field. Can use on
2800-445-5572 phone or tablet.
[email protected] 6. Swim for Your Life (Grades 6+): online game by Alice Ferguson Foundation to help
students learn about the journey and survival rates of migratory fish from birth to
adulthood and spawning
7. Macroinvertebrate ID Activity (Grades 4+): online game by the Alice Ferguson
t ur e J ournal Foundation for students to practice identifying Macroinvertebrates. This is a good
Na Pages activity for students to do BEFORE they go on a field trip investigating the stream and
l e c t io n
Ref river health.
ure Log
p43 Nat tion
R ive r Explora
p46

Rock Creek Park: Learn to Hike a Trail
ROCK CREEK PARK is a fantastic place for students to start learning
about national parks and how to explore them. This national park is a
Location: Northwest DC
forested valley filled with native plants and animals with a stream
When to visit: Year-round flowing through it. It is the third oldest national park in the US and the
Visit options: Self-guided first national park established in a city. But people have been visiting
Rock Creek valley for more than 10,000 years! Until a few hundred
years ago, the Algonkian people used the Rock Creek valley for hunting,
fishing and winter shelter. Today, visitors can still see the annual spring
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
herring run when the fish migrate back from the Atlantic Ocean to their
Learn how to hike a trail, follow a map, spawning grounds in Rock Creek to lay eggs. In this nature experience,
and explore nature on foot students can learn how to hike a trail and explore a forest and a creek.
Practice using online apps to identify Rock Creek Park is also great place for students to learn about park
plant and animal species rangers and the value of protecting national parks in conservation.
Appreciate the value of natural places
especially in the middle of a big city
Discover how a forest changes through Every spring, Rock Creek’s
the seasons
native herring fish return
Talk to a park ranger and understand the
value of protecting national parks
from the mid Atlantic Ocean
to spawn in the creek of
ACTIVITY OPTIONS their birth. Visit Rock Creek
SELF-GUIDED HIKES using the National in April to see them (if you
Park App, resources in this guide and are lucky!)
online apps to identify plants and animals
04/2023

ROCK CREEK PARK: LEARN TO HIKE A TRAIL (continued)
Grade Levels: PreK-12 General Rock Creek Park Visit Information

● Self-guided hike using the NPS App and resources in this guide
When to Visit: Year-round, open daily until sunset Recommended Hiking Trails
Cost: FREE in 2023 (teacher arranges transport) ● Self-Guided Hike: Edge of Woods Trail highlights common trees of Rock Creek Park.
The trailhead is at the main entrance of the Nature Center. This ¼ mile paved flat loop
Location & Transport:
trail is suitable for Grades PK+ and wheelchair accessible (20-30 mins with stops).
● School bus drop off & ample parking at Nature Center at 5200
Afterwards students can enjoy lunch and nature games outside the Nature Center.
Glover Rd NW; dropoff & limited parking at Peirce Mill parking lots
(GPS: Picnic Grove #1 and #2A North) ● Self-Guided Hike: Milkhouse Ford Trail is a 1.75 mile loop trail through a forested valley
● Metro bus stop at McKinley and Beach Rd + 10-minute easy walk on to Rock Creek. Start at the Western Ridge Trailhead sign outside of the Nature Center,
paved trail to Nature Center just past the Edge of Woods sign, and head NORTH to Western Avenue. Cross the
● Nearest Metro stop at Cleveland Park or Van Ness + 20-minute walk busy road and follow the signs for Fort DeRussy to the footpath with YELLOW trail
on forested trail or Tilden Road sidewalk (north side) to Peirce Mill markers (Note: Milkhouse Ford is NOT signed at this location). Students will walk
downhill to the creek and then back up the historic Milkhouse Ford trail, once a major
Accessibility: Nature Center and the adjacent paved ¼ mile Edge of
route for wagons and horses to cross Rock Creek. The meadow next to the creek is a
Woods Trail are wheelchair accessible. Beach Road access from Miller
good spot for nature activities and snack/lunch before returning to the Nature Center.
Cabin is also paved and suitable for wheelchairs. Service animals are
This trail is suitable for Grades 2+ (60 min without stops).
allowed in the park.
● Self-Guided Hike: Reservation 630 Trail (formerly the Melvin Hazen trail) This 1 mile
Max Capacity: Any number of students you feel comfortable leading
out-and-back trail descends down a forested valley to Rock Creek. From Cleveland
Restrooms: Available at Nature Center and Peirce Mill Park Metro Station, head north on Connecticut Avenue 2 blocks, and find the trail sign
Lunch/Snack Options: Outdoor picnic tables at Nature Center and just past Rodman Street and Wilshire Park Condominium. Follow the footpath with
Peirce Mill YELLOW trail markers to Rock Creek and Peirce Mill.. The bridge crossing is a good
place to look for fish and see the fish ladder which helps fish reach their spawning
grounds. The meadow area is a good spot for nature activities and snack/lunch before
Teacher Effort Required: HIGH to lead self-guided hike using National
returning via the same trail. The trail has a medium descent, 3 creek crossings and an
Park Service app, other apps, and materials provided in this guide
uphill climb on the return. Suitable for Grades 3+ (60 mins without stops).
● Self-Guided Hike: Boulder Bridge Trail is a longer more strenuous trail through the
Contact: NPS Visitors Center, Wed-Sun 9am – 5pm, 202-895-6070 forest and along Rock Creek with downhill and uphill sections. The trail starts at the
Horse Center a short walk from the Nature Center. From the trailhead, follow the PINK
trail markers down through the forest and along Rock Creek to the bridge crossing to
Beach Road (now closed to cars). The return route will also be marked with GREEN
markers when it joins the Western Ridge Trail. There are many different spots for nature
observation, activities and breaks along the way, both in the forest and along the creek.
This 3.75 mile Loop trail is suitable for Grades 6+ (allow 3-4 hrs with stops at the creek
and other locations for rest and activities). Hiking the trail before guiding students is
highly recommended for this trail, as the route is not always well-marked.

ROCK CREEK PARK: LEARN TO HIKE A TRAIL & EXPERIENCE A FOREST AND STREAM (continued)
HOW TO READ A TRAIL SIGN
Information for Self-Guided Hikes TRAIL TRAIL DESTINATION

DISTANCE
If possible, check in at Nature Center to get trail maps, meet the Park Rangers, DESTINATION
and see the flora and fauna displays. The Ranger can introduce the park to
students, discuss trail hiking tips, and help teachers mark out their trail on the
Kids can
map. During the hike or at a rest stop, students can do one of the Nature ha
fun find ve
Detective Scavenger Hunts from this guide, and after the hike, they can ing
trail m
complete the Journal Reflection Pages. arkers
TRAIL MARKER on a hik
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is best to hike the trail BEFORE taking your students on it. Mark TO FOLLOW
e.
out the trail route on a map and/or download the National Parks App and load the trail
map before starting the hike. (Remember to turn on your phone location settings.).
Tips for Hiking a Nature Trail

What to Bring
1. Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and anticipate changes in weather.
2. Bring a map or guide, first aid kid, bug spray & sunscreen.
3. Bring snacks and water for longer hikes. Stay hydrated.
al
How to Find and Hike the Trail Nature Journ
ges TRAIL
Step #1: To start your hike, look for a sign similar to the one on this Reflection Pa MARKER
g
page with the name of your trail. Show students how to read the sign p43 Nature Lo
tion
for destinations, distances, and which color trail markers to follow as River E lora
xp
p46 Forest or
they hike. (For example, the sign in the photo indicates that hikers
should follow the YELLOW markers for this trail.) Materials and Resources
Step #2: Follow the colored trail markers painted on trees or marked on wooden ● Nature Detectives Scavenger Hunt pages included on p47-50 & Outdoor
posts throughout the hike. It’s fun for students to count the number of trail Activity Ideas on p40 of this guide.
markers they spot enroute, and this activity helps students learn to navigate ● National Park Service App: Interactive park maps and basic information
with and without GPS. Sometimes two trails merge on one route, so students ● Rock Creek Park Trails & Map
will see two different color trail markers on trees & posts. ● Species Identification Apps: SEEK for animals & plants,, Merlin for Bird ID,
Step #3: Be sure to take breaks to rest and hydrate, and plan stops for nature Creek Critters for stream organisms and Picture This for plants & trees.
observation & activities. Most importantly, enjoy the natural surroundings! ● (Optional) Junior Ranger books for ages 6-8 and 8+ are available at the Nature
Center. Students can get National Parks Badges from Park Rangers after
Tips while ON the Trail completing a few activities
1. Stay on the trail to avoid poison ivy, snakes, and ticks.
2. Walk & talk quietly so you see more animals. But don’t pet or feed them. OTHER USEFUL & RELATED RESOURCES
3. Take your time so you don’t miss anything.
Plant ID Games (Grades 4+): online game by the Alice Ferguson Foundation for
4. Use your senses to see, hear, smell, and touch.
students to practice identifying local trees, vines, shrubs and herbaceous plants
5. Take only pictures and leave only footprints!
in the field. Can use on phone or tablet.

Smithsonian’s National Zoo: Experience the Animal Kingdom
THE NATIONAL ZOO is a fantastic place to see animals from around
Location: Northwest DC the world without having to travel far. The Zoo is well-organized and
When to visit: Year-round (Jan-March easy to navigate with paved walkways. Students can see lions, pandas,
have fewer crowds) primates, reptiles, and much more! They can meet elephants, watch
sea lions catch fish, see sloth bears slurp ants, and watch the
Visit options: Self-guided tour or
zookeepers care for the animals in the daily programs. The Zoo is also a
Staff-led animal programs
great place to introduce students to the work of conservation
scientists to understand and protect animal species around the world.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Observe different animals from around
the world and see how animal keepers
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo
take care of them has a variety of animal webcams
Practice animal observation skills that are streaming live 24/7!
Discover & Appreciate the diversity of
animals on our planet and their many
amazing features
Understand the threats to different
animal species
Learn how conservation scientists are
working to protect animals
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
SELF-GUIDED TOUR using the National
Zoo Animal Adventure Online App
DAILY ANIMAL PROGRAMS:
various 15 to 20-minute feedings
or animal encounters
Nature Journal
Reflection Pages
p43 Nature Log
p45 Animal Exploration
04/2023

SMITHSONIAN’S NATIONAL ZOO: EXPERIENCE THE ANIMAL KINGDOM (continued)
Grade Levels: PreK-12 General Field Trip Information

● Self-guided tour with Animal Adventure Online App
Daily Animal Encounter Event Schedule (feedings & meet the animals)
● Staff-led Animal Encounter
● Live virtual field trip
When to Visit: Year-round, every day 8am–6pm (summer) & 8am-4pm (winter)
Information for Self-Guided Visit
Cost: FREE but entry passes required in 2023 (teacher arranges transport) Lead students through the zoo using the online Smithsonian guides
Location & Transport: listed below. The interactive Animal Adventure Guide leads visitors
● Main entrance at 3001 Connecticut Ave NW through key animal exhibits providing information and interactive
● Metro bus & school bus drop-off at main entrance with limited bus parking available M, questions about various animals enroute. Additional activities include
T, W at Parking Lot E in the lower zoo (Reservations required) 15-20 minute Daily Animal Encounter programs run by zoo staff
● Closest Metro: Woodley Park (Red Line), 10 min walk to zoo (check schedule for animal encounter options). Cost: FREE (~2-3 hrs).
Reserve passes (required) and bus parking (if needed) at least 72 hrs in
Accessibility: All exhibits are wheelchair accessible, wheelchair & stroller rentals
advance by submitting a Group Reservation Request and Bus Parking
available, service animals welcome. Social Narratives to support cognitive needs also
Reservation Request.
available.
Max Capacity: 385 max per group, tickets can be reserved in groups of 55 students
● Online App Animal Adventure Guide – All Ages (download
with accompanying adult chaperones (1 adult for every 10 students)
beforehand on phone or ideally iPad so students can see
Restrooms: Available at Visitor Center, Panda Plaza & Elephant Outpost, Bird House & pictures and do quizzes while on the tour)
Conservation Pavillion ● Zoo Crew Family Guide: English Version & Spanish Version
Lunch/Snack Options: Picnic tables at above locations with concession stands nearby (Prek-Grade 6) (print beforehand)

Teacher Effort Required: MEDIUM to book ahead, organize transport & lead self-guided
tour with Animal Adventure online app Social Narratives: Pre-visit Resources for students with cognitive
needs
Elementary School (Grades K-5)
Contact:
● Learning Lab Lessons
[email protected]
● Conservation Classroom: Live Virtual Monthly Programs run 1x per
month (30-45 minutes)
Middle School: Follow that Bird Curriculum & Resources
High School:
● Conservation Success Stories: Self-Paced E-learning unit with
Knowledge Checks (2 hr lesson)
● Secret World of Zoo Jobs: Zoo Curator Video interviews
(full zoo careers list)

The Well at Oxon Run: Experience an Urban Farm and Stream
HAVE YOU EVER walked through an urban fruit tree orchard where the
Location: Southeast DC fig trees are named after singers from the Temptations and Destiny’s
When to visit: Spring, Summer, or Fall Child, and the persimmon trees are named Marvin G and Duke E?
That’s just one of the fun learning features at the Well at Oxon Run! This
urban farm was built in 2020 by DC Greens and community members
Educator-led field trips
as a gathering and wellness space for the local Congress Heights
neighborhood. In addition to its harvest of fresh fruits and vegetables,
the Well also has an outdoor classroom to teach students about urban
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
farming and the connection between food, health, and the surrounding
Learn about urban farms, healthy ecosystem, including Oxon Run stream which flows through this urban
ecosystems, and the benefits of growing neighborhood.
your own food
Discover an urban stream that flows in
the middle of the city
Investigate stream health through
scientific testing
Participate in restoration activities like
trash cleanups to improve the health of
the stream and farm
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
SELF-GUIDED NATURE WALK at the Well
and along Oxon Run Stream
EDUCATOR-LED FIELD TRIPS including
tour of the farm and activities at adjacent
stream
PHOTO CREDIT: BEN ISRAEL, NATURE FORWARD, 2022
04/2023

THE WELL AT OXON RUN: EXPERIENCE AN URBAN FARM AND STREAM (continued)
Grade Levels: PreK-12 Well at Oxon Run General Information

Activity Options:
● Self-guided nature walk at the Well and along Oxon Run stream Summary of Visit Options
● Educator-led field trips with Green Scheme and Ward 8 Water
Ward 8 Water Watchers Program explores Oxon Run stream and healthy ecosystems
Watchers
(Grades PreK-12)
When to Visit: Open spring, summer and fall 11am–5pm Self-guided nature walks through the farm and along Oxon Run stream (All Ages)
Cost: Varies with activity: FREE to $10 per student (teacher arranges
transport)
Location & Transport: Information for Self-Guided Visit
● 300 Valley Ave SE, 20020 Lead students on a Nature Discovery walk through the Well’s garden space and on the
● School bus drop-off at The Well at Oxon Run entry gate trail next to Oxon Run stream. Students can explore using the resources listed below.
● Closest bus stop is Atlantic Ave SE & Valley Ave SE, 5 minute walk Picnic tables and play areas are available onsite for snacks/lunch and outdoor play.
from the Well. Closest metro stop is Southern Avenue Station on Recommended to bring balls & jump ropes. Cost: FREE. (~1-2 hrs)
Green Line + 35 minute walk.
Accessibility: Paved trails at the farm and along Oxon Run stream.
1. Nature Detectives Scavenger Hunt activity pages on p47-50 & Outdoor Activity Ideas
Maximum Capacity: 20 students per program, 2 programs can run at on p40 of this guide (Grades preK-12)
one time 2. Online Apps for plant and animal identification listed on p41 (recommended for
Restrooms: Two on-site Port-a-Potties INSIDE the Well ages 8+)
Lunch/Snack Options: Outdoor picnic tables
educator-led field trip and MEDIUM to lead self-guided nature walk
using the resources provided in this guide
Outside of the Tidal Basin,

Contact:
The Well at Oxon Run has
Lauren Parker, [email protected] OR Jerome Nesbitt,
[email protected]
the most Cherry Blossoms
in the District!

THE WELL AT OXON RUN: EXPERIENCE AN URBAN FARM AND STREAM (continued)
DETAILS & RESOURCE LINKS FOR 2023 (continued) OTHER USEFUL & RELATED RESOURCES
Information for Educator-led Field Trips: What’s up with Oxon Run? 8-minute video
Ward 8 Water Watchers Program led by the Green Scheme & Nature Forward educators (Grades PreK-12): Field introducing Oxon Run stream and tracing
experiences for students to learn about stream and ecosystem health through lessons at Oxon Run stream. This its flow from headwaters to mouth. Good
program includes 6 lessons (~60-90 mins each): intro for teachers and students to learn
● What’s Up with Oxon Run? explores current conditions in the park including pollution issues about the Oxon Run stream system and its
● What Grows in Oxon Run? explores plants in the ecosystem watersheds. (suitable for All Ages)
● What Lives in Oxon Run? explores the health of the creek Macroinvertebrate ID Activity (Grades 4+)
● From Stream to River explores the larger Anacostia Watershed, including a boat tour online game by the Alice Ferguson
● Let's Clean up Oxon Run includes trash cleanup activities Foundation for students to practice
● Let's Show Oxon Run Some Love identifying Macroinvertebrates. This is a
Offered from April-Dec, Tues & Thurs. between 11am-5pm. Maximum Capacity is 40 students divided into good activity for students to do BEFORE
2 groups. Cost: $10 per student with free admission for each adult chaperone per 5 students ($100 minimum they go on a field trip investigating the
program fee). Contact Lauren Parker, [email protected] OR Jerome Nesbitt, [email protected] stream and river health.
Nature Journal
Reflection Pages
p43 Nature Log
p44 Plant Exploration JAREN HILL LOCKERIDGE
p46 River Exploration DIRECTOR OF THE WELL AT OXON RUN
& RONNIE WEBB
COFOUNDER OF GREEN SCHEME
“Many schools have gardens,

but our garden has a school!!”

US Botanic Garden: Experience the Plant Kingdom
THE US BOTANIC GARDEN is a living plant museum and a wonderful
Location: National Mall near destination for students to explore the world of plants and understand
Capitol Hill, Southwest DC their importance and often irreplaceable value to people and our
When to visit: Year-round planet’s ecosystems. Students will have a chance to walk through a
warm and lush tropical plant environment, move through a dry and
sparse desert system, and experience many other plant ecosystems
Educator-led (on-site & virtual)
including a children’s garden, orchid garden, medicinal plants garden,
and primeval garden. In the outdoor gardens, students can observe
native plants and features of sustainable gardens.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Appreciate the diversity of plants from
around the world and their many
fascinating features
Practice plant observation skills
Discover the connection between
plants, food, air and climate change
Understand the often irreplaceable value
of plants and the threats to some species
Learn about explorers and expeditions,
botanists, and horticulturists
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
SELF-GUIDED TOUR using USBG-
provided materials to explore & learn
through a scavenger hunt
USBG STAFF-LED TOUR includes an
on-site 45-minute activity-based lesson
and 45-minute self-guided tour.
Some of the plants at the US
Live virtual field trips also available.
Botanic Garden are descended
This experience can be entirely indoors
from seeds collected in the 1830s
or combined with the outdoor gardens.
when the six ships of the US
Exploring Expedition set sail to
explore the world’s oceans,
continents and islands. The plants
brought back were the ones that
started the USBG plant collection!
04/2023

US BOTANIC GARDEN: EXPERIENCE THE PLANT KINGDOM (continued)
Grade Levels: PreK-12 Basic Field Trip Information Nature Jour

nal
● Field Trip Overview Reflection P
Activity Options: ages
● Visitors Map
● Self-guided tour with USBG materials (1-2 hrs) p43 Nature L
● Field Trip Logistics og
● Staff-led onsite lesson (1.5 hrs) or live virtual field trip (45 mins) p44 Plant E
xploration
When to Visit: Year-round, open daily 10am–4pm
Information For Self-Guided Visit
Cost: FREE in 2023 (teacher arranges transport)
Lead students through the indoor plant conservatory which hosts plants from all over
Location & Transport: the world. Weather-permitting, guide students through either the outdoor Regional
● 100 Maryland Ave SW, DC on the National Mall near Capitol Hill Garden or Bartholdi Park. Students can explore using the resources listed below. Cost:
● School bus drop-off at Garfield Circle 1 block away FREE (~1-2 hrs). Recommended to contact [email protected] in advance of trip.
● Closest Metro: Federal Triangle + 3-4 blk walk (Orange/Blue/Silver
Lines) OR Judiciary Square (Red Line) + 15 min walk Materials & Resources
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible, service dogs allowed. Plant Passports & Field Journals. Available onsite OR print from USBG webpage.
Detailed accessibility information. GRADES PREK-2: Plant Passport: Parts of a Plant (Tip! Plot route on passport map
Max Capacity: 40-50 students (divided in 2 groups) with BEFORE your visit)
1 accompanying adult chaperone for every 6-8 students GRADES 3-12: Field Journals
Restrooms: Available indoors ● Plant Explorer’s Field Journal: Students look for Explorer Plants from a real expedition
in this fun indoor plant scavenger hunt.
Lunch/Snack Options: Picnic at outdoor garden tables
● Field Journal: Observations in The Regional Garden: Outdoor scavenger hunt
highlights native plants (Best done in spring or fall)
Teacher Effort Required: LOW to book ahead & organize transport for ● Field Journal: Sustainability in Bartholdi Park: Outdoor scavenger hunt
staff-led visit and MEDIUM to lead self-guided tour using highlights sustainable landscapes (Best done in spring or fall)
USBG-provided resources.
Information on Staff-led trips

Contact: [email protected] USBG Educator-led field trips (Grades PreK-12) include a 45-minute lesson + 45
Website: usbg.gov/schools-families/fieldtripresources minute self-guided tour of the Conservatory. USBG lessons are activity-based and
NGSS standards-aligned. See USBG website for current offerings on a variety of plant
topics including Seeds, Plants & Pollinators, Plant Adaptations, Photosynthesis and
Conservation Investigation. Live virtual field trips are also available for Grades 3-5 only.
Cost: FREE.. Contact [email protected] to schedule visit.
Video Plant Conversations on topics like Plant Stress & Resilience or Growing
Carnivorous Plants at Home (suitable for Gr 9-12)

US National Arboretum: Experience the Plant Kingdom
THE US NATIONAL ARBORETUM is a beautiful outdoor space that
Location: Northeast DC
looks like a park but is actually a science center dedicated to growing
When to visit: Open year-round; Best and researching plants. The Arboretum grounds are large and showcase
months are spring (mid-Apr to June) many different plant collections, but it’s hard to see them all in one
or fall (until early Nov) visit. This guide details a few field trip options for students to
Visit options: Self-guided or experience selected Arboretum highlights including a scavenger hunt
staff-supported tours in the Fern Valley Native plant collection followed by a visit to the
Washington Youth Garden to learn about garden basics, pollination, and
nutrition. Older students can enjoy the Agents of Discovery augmented
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
reality game set around the Youth Garden and learn some basics of
Appreciate the diversity of plants and tree botany. Students can also walk through the Azalea Garden
their natural beauty well-known for its spring colors and see the famous Capitol Columns
Practice plant observation skills through which used to be part of the Capitol building!
an augmented reality game
Discover interesting plant features
Learn about horticulturists, plant research,
and how people rely on plants and
pollinators for food
Experience a community garden
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
SELF-GUIDED TOUR using Friends of CHRISTIN RIDDICK
the National Arboretum Scavenger Hunts PROGRAM MANAGER, FRIENDS OF
(for younger students) or the Agents of THE NATIONAL ARBORETUM
Discovery Mission App (for older

I started my career as a teacher,
students)
but I always had a passion for growing
STAFF-SUPPORTED FIELD TRIP to the food and become a Master Gardener.
Washington Youth Garden includes an Going to a teacher training at the
orientation and setup of garden-based Washington Youth Garden inspired me
to do more of this work.
activity station
The Arboretum is home to the District’s
most famous feathered couple: a pair of bald
eagles named Mr. President and Lady of the
United States (LOTUS for short!) You can
watch them every spring on this Eagle Cam
maintained by Earth Conservation Corps.
04/2023

US NATIONAL ARBORETUM:EXPERIENCE THE PLANT KINGDOM (continued)
QUICK FACTS
Grade Levels: PK-12 (Washington Youth Garden trips are geared toward PK-5)
Activity Options:
● Self-guided half-day tour using Friends of the National
Arboretum Scavenger Hunts, Agents of Discovery Mission App,
or the resources provided in this guide (1-2 hrs)
● Staff-supported trips to the Washington Youth Garden (1+ hrs)
When to Visit: Open year-round, 10am–5pm daily. Best in spring
(mid-Apr to Jun) or fall (Sep to early Nov)
Cost: FREE in 2023 (teacher arranges transport) EMILIA KAWASHIMA
GARDEN MANAGER, FRIENDS OF THE
Location & Transport: NATIONAL ARBORETUM
● Entrance at 2400 R St NE off Bladensburg (before 2pm) OR
3501 New York Ave NE “My very favorite trees in the US National
● School bus drop-off at Main Visitor Services Building with parking Arboretum are the weeping cherry trees
near the National Herb Garden. They bloom
At Grove of Trees parking lot
each March, and it is magical! It reminds
● For Washington Youth Garden, drop off at the Washington me of my family and heritage. The flowers
Youth Garden, NOT the Visitor Services Building are beautiful, and it is soothing for me to
Accessibility: The main corridors around the Capitol Columns, Herb Garden, look at and hang out underneath the
low-hanging branches.”
and Bonsai Museum are paved, and the Visitor Services Building has ADA
accessible bathrooms. Outlying areas include unpaved trails. The Washington
Youth Garden is flat but the surface is grass and mulch.
Max Capacity: Varies by activity (see Details & Resources section) General National Arboretum Visit Information
Restrooms: Available indoors at Visitor Services Building and Grove of State Trees Visitor Map
Parking Lot. A seasonal portable restroom is located at the Washington Youth Garden.
National Arboretum Recommended Educator Resources
Lunch/Snack Options: Picnic tables at Grove of State Trees & Washington Youth
Garden
● Staff-supported SPROUT field trip to Washington Youth Garden (60+
Teacher Effort Required: MEDIUM to reserve & organize staff-supported Washington minutes, preK-5)
Youth Garden trips and HIGH to lead self-guided tour with Friends of National ● Self-guided visit for younger students includes plant scavenger
Arboretum Scavenger Hunts and Agents of Discovery Arboretum Mission online App hunts in Fern Valley (30 mins) & visit to the Washington Youth Garden
(30 mins, preK-12)
Contact: ● Self-guided visit for older students includes nature walk & scavenger
[email protected] hunt at the Washington Youth Garden and adjacent meadow using
Brianne Studer, FONA Director of Programs the Online Agents of Discovery: National Arboretum Mission App
[email protected] • 202-544-8733 (Grades 5+)

US NATIONAL ARBORETUM: EXPERIENCE THE PLANT KINGDOM (continued)
Information for Self-Guided Visit

Recommended Walking Route:
● Park at Visitors Center and pick up Arboretum Map.
● Walk 10 mins through Herb Garden, past the National Capitol Columns to Fern Valley for Scavenger Hunt Activities.
● Walk 5 mins from Fern Valley to Washington Youth Garden. If you did not register for a field trip with Washington Youth Garden, please be respectful of FONA staff
who may be harvesting vegetables or doing garden work. They are happy to answer questions. (NOTE: Class can divide into groups of 10-15 students with one
group in Fern Valley & second group in Youth Garden and then switch locations.)
● Have snack/lunch at Washington Youth Garden picnic tables.
● Return to Visitors Center directly or via Azalea Garden trails.
Materials For Self-Guided Visit:
● Fern Valley Resources
Contact [email protected] to receive and print the materials listed below before your visit.
Nature Journal
- Grades PreK-1: Fern Valley Scavenger Hunt
- Grades K-2: Fern Valley Bingo
Reflection Pages
- Grades K-2: Washington Youth Garden Rainbow Scavenger Hunt p43 Nature Log
- Grades 3-5: Fern Valley Spring & Summer Scavenger Hunts (Note: teachers should p44 Plant Exploration
look through plant list beforehand to know what to look out for. Many plants are signed on the trail.)
● Agents of Discovery Mission App:
National Arboretum Augmented Reality Game – starts at Washington Youth Garden and surrounding
areas (download beforehand on smartphone or tablet). Suitable for Grades 5+.
Information on Staff-Supported field trips

SPROUT Field Trip (Grades PreK-5): Teachers can register for this staff-supported field trip to the Washington Youth Garden which includes a 15-minute staff-led
orientation and a staff-supported garden-based activity station. In addition, teachers and chaperones will lead students independently through the garden to explore
the pollinator garden and the Nature Explore classroom. Other self-guided activity options include a walk through Fern Valley directly across from the Washington
Youth Garden or the Capitol Columns nearby.
SPROUT field trips are offered on Wednesdays and Fridays in the spring and fall. Maximum capacity: 45 students divided into groups of 5-10 students with
accompanying chaperones. Picnic table are available at the Washington Youth Garden for snacks or lunch before or after the visit. More information and registration
details can be found on the Friends Of The National Arboretum School Garden Program webpage. Upon registration, staff will coordinate and help you plan your
visit in advance and discuss activity-station options which will be ready upon arrival.
National Arboretum Recommended Educator Resources

Section 2: Nature Learning Ideas & Resources
These pages include ideas for outdoor activities, recommendations for classroom learning resources
and online Nature Apps, and additional organized nature experiences in the DC Metro area.

Nature-Based Outdoor Activity Ideas for All Seasons and All Locations
Nature Discovery Activities Nature Art Ideas

1. Explore with a Nature Detective scavenger hunt. See p47-50 1. Leaf rubbings: place a sheet of paper on top of a leaf and use the
to choose and print age-appropriate activity pages. side of a crayon to rub all over the paper
2. Collect different leaf shapes & sort them into piles. 2. Draw different tree shapes (especially good to do in winter when
3. Count how many different types of trees you can find. the leaves have fallen)
4. Look for animal clues (homes, tracks & scat.) 3. Draw the same tree in each of the four seasons.
5. Look for different colors in nature. List them. 4. Pick up & make a collage of different nature objects like leaves,
pinecones, stones, or rocks. Arrange them into an animal shape with a
6. Look for different textures in nature: rough, smooth, wet, dry,
head, body and legs (or another pattern) on the ground.
cool, warm, sticky, soft, prickly.
5. Make your own paintbrush! Use twigs, evergreen leaves, or flowers
7. Look for signs of humans. How many different clues of
and some string to tie them together.
humans in the landscape can you find?
8. Find something in nature you can make something useful with:
Describe it! Draw it! Make it! Nature Games
1. Move! Jump like a frog. Dig like a mole. Flutter like a butterfly. Flap like
Nature Observation Activities a bird. Slither like a snake. Swim like a fish.
2. Animal Hide & Seek: Select one person to be the predator and choose
1. Feel the Earth! Breathe the air! Run in a field. Climb trees. Dig in the
which animal they are (owl, fox, spider, toad, snake, bear, robin, hawk).
soil. Feel the wind. Smell the flowers. Dip your feet in the river. Splash
The rest of the group chooses which prey they want to be (mosquito,
in the rain or a puddle.
mice, rabbit, moth, worm, fish, fly, squirrel). The predator counts to 10
2. Experience the seasons: while the prey find hiding spots. When the predator starts its hunt, the
-Fall Experience: jump in the leaves prey can run away. First prey caught becomes the next predator!
-Winter Experience: feel the cold, play in the snow
-Spring Experience: feel the rain, smell the flowers
-Summer Experience: feel the sun and the heat
3. Listen for nature sounds: birds, woodpeckers, crickets, grasshoppers,
frogs, animals foraging, flowing water, or raindrops. How many
different sounds can you hear?
4. Sniff it! A flower, green grass, a clump of soil, pine needles, tree sap,
wet leaves, fungus or moss. How many different smells can you find?
5. Look Up! What color is the sky? Is the sun shining? (But don’t look
directly at it.) Are there clouds in the sky? Are they white or grey? Can
you see the moon, even in the day?
6. Watch an animal closely: how do they eat, drink, move, sleep, play, Adapted from Backyard Explorer: On The Nature Trail. 2018.
communicate? Storey Publishing.

Nature Learning Resources & References
Useful Nature Apps

How to prepare for outdoor lessons Seek by iNaturalist: Easy to use phone app which identifies animals,
plants, and fungi based on photo uploads. Provides information on
(adapted from Outdoor Learning Training Manual by Urban Adventure Squad)
each species and how many other observations of that species
What to Bring have been made nearby. Users can earn virtual badges for
1. Wear sturdy shoes, dress in layers, and anticipate cold, wet, and hot weather. observations. Cost: FREE. Suitable for ages 8+.
2. Bring a map or guide, first aid kit, bug spray, and sunscreen. iNaturalist: Widely used community-based app helps identify plant,
3. Bring snacks and water for longer hikes. Stay hydrated. animal, bird, and insect species through photo uploads. Project
Tips on the Nature Trail initiated by California Academy of Sciences & National Geographic
1. Stay on the trail to avoid poison ivy, snakes, and ticks. Society. Cost: FREE. Recommended for age 13+.
2. Walk & talk quietly so you see more animals. But don’t try to pet or feed them. Merlin Bird ID by Cornell Lab of Ornithology: This user-friendly
3. Take your time so you don’t miss anything. phone app identifies birds around the world by answering simple
4. Use your senses to see, hear, smell, and touch. questions or through photo uploads. Cost: FREE with email signup.
5. Take only pictures and leave only footprints! Suitable for ages 8+.
Creek Critters by Nature Forward and the Izaak Walton League of
America: This user-friendly phone app guides users on how to find
Classroom Resources and identify small organisms in freshwater streams through simple
Project Wild Professional Development Training Program: Teacher training instructions and questions. Cost: FREE. Suitable for ages 4+.
workshops by DOEE on how to organize and lead outdoor nature experiences. Picture This: User-friendly phone app identifies plants, trees &
NGSS-Aligned PreK-5 Environmental Literacy Guide: Outdoor activity ideas at flowers based on photo uploads. Provides detailed descriptions,
school, in the neighborhood, or on off-site field trips by OSSE (Office of State facts and related-stories. Related apps (Picture Birds, Insects &
Superintendent of Education). Suitable for PreK-Grade 5. Fish) offer similar features. Cost: FREE one week trial, then $29.99
annual. Suitable for ages 13+.
Find Your Park: National Park Service website finds your closest national park
based on your location and preferred activity type.
More Organized Nature Experiences
National Junior Ranger Booklets: Downloadable National Park Service booklets
Camp Fraser Great Falls, VA
on various topics including park exploration, stargazing, caving, fishing,
3-day, 2-night overnight MWEE Experience by Living Classrooms
archaeology, and paleontology. Students can earn Junior Park Ranger badges by
completing and mailing booklet to NPS or showing them to a park ranger. Hard Bargain Farm, MD
3-day, 2-night overnight MWEE Experience by Alice Ferguson
City Nature Challenge: Annual 4-day challenge in April inspires people around
Foundation
the world to find and document wildlife in their cities using the iNaturalist App.
This is a wonderful opportunity to engage students in a global nature event! Prince Williams Forest, VA
Organized by the California Academy of Sciences. 3-day, 2-night overnight MWEE Experience by Nature Bridge
Check link to Washington DC Metro Area City Nature Challenge event.

Section 3: Nature Journal & Activity Pages
Teachers can use these printable activity pages to lead field trips at ANY nature destination.
Nature Journal Pages include a Nature Log for students to record general observations
and Plant Exploration, Animal Exploration, and Forest & River Exploration pages to help
students make detailed observations of specific plants, animals, forests, and water bodies.
Nature Detective Activity Pages include four scavenger hunts designed for different age groups.

Nature Log
Notes & Doodles
DATE LOCATION WEATHER Share something in nature
that you wondered about today:
write a poem, draw
What activities did you do?
a picture, tell a story!
Describe the plants you saw.
Describe the animals or signs of animals (like tracks, scat) you saw.
If you’ve been here before, is anything different than last time?
How did you feel at this nature place?
What words would you use to describe this place to others?
Name one thing you can do to keep this place healthy and beautiful.

See, Think, Wonder: Plant Exploration
Draw and label one plant you saw today. Be sure to show the plant’s best feature!
I SEE I THINK I WONDER

(What do you see?) (What important job does this plant do in nature?) (What questions do you have about this plant?)
Why did you pick this plant to draw? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name one feature about this plant you think is interesting. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Does this plant look happy/sad, healthy/unhealthy? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are any animals using this plant? What are they using it for? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
If you can’t see any animals using the plant, do you see any clues animals were there? ___________________________________________________________________________

See, Think, Wonder: Animal Exploration
Watch an animal closely for 5-10 minutes. It can be any animal, from a tiny insect to an elephant!
Write your observations in the table below. These question will help get you thinking:
1. What is this animal doing?
2. Is this animal alone or in a group?
3. How does this animal eat and drink?
4. How does this animal move?
5. How and where does this animal sleep? What position does it sleep in?
6. How does this animal play?
7. How does this animal communicate?
I SEE I THINK I WONDER
6 Draw this
animal.
Include all its main parts
7 and be sure to
show its best feature!

Forest or River Exploration
NATURE NOTES:
What did you EXPECT to see in this nature experience? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What did you ACTUALLY see in this nature experience? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What sounds did you hear? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What smells did you smell? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What colors did you observe? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What special things you did you see? (plants, animals, something else?) _________________________________________________________________________________________
If you explored a river or creek, what did the water look like? _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did you see any fish in the water (Y/N)? _____ Would you like to swim in this water? _____ Bathe in this water? _____ Drink this water? _____ Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did you see signs of humans in this landscape? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Did you see any litter (Y/N)? _____ If yes, how do you think it got there? _________________________________________________________________________________________
What was your favorite part of this nature experience? __________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Nature Map
Draw a word or picture map of your
forest walk or river experience. Show
the important features you saw on
the way: At the beginning? At the end?
What you saw in between?

Sensory Scavenger Hunt (All Ages)*
Use your senses do discover nature outdoors. Draw or write what you find in each box.
something something
round smooth
something
something
that
prickly
flies
something
something that
red makes
noise
something something
cold slimy
something
something
that
warm
crawls
*Adapted from Hike It Baby. 2023.

Rainbow Scavenger Hunt (PreK-Grade 1)
Find the colors of the rainbow in nature. Draw what you find in each box.
Red orange
yellow green
blue purple
pink multi

Nature Detectives Scavenger Hunt (Grades 2-4)
Look for these animals, plants, and other parts of nature on your nature walk.
Leaf Bird Animal tracks

(or bird sound) (or home)
Slug, snail Smooth rock Flower

(or worm)
Puddle Tall tree Berries

(or flowing water) (or tree stump) (or seeds)
Piece of litter
Moth Clouds (put it in the trash
(or butterfly) or recycle bin!)

Nature Detectives Scavenger Hunt (Grades 5+)
Look for these animals, plants, and nature objects on your nature walk. Find as many nature objects as you can.
BONUS: If you get five in a row, you have a Bingo!
Bird Puddle Fallen tree

(or bird call) (or flowing (or tree stump)
water)
A bug
(or signs of bugs
Wind through
like. Leaf holes) the trees
Fluffy cloud Woodpecker Something

holes to climb
Something
Flower made of wood
Bridge Sun through Wild card!

the leaves (write or draw
what you find)
Animal
Tall tree tracks
BUTTERFLY
Piece of litter A smooth rock (or MOTH)
(put in the trash
or recycle bin!)
A big leaf Berries
Soft feather Spider web

Animal home
Mushroom Acorn
(or lichen) (or nut)

Feedback Acknowledgements
This guide will be updated every spring, and we greatly value your feedback ABOUT THE WRITER: Ambika Anand Prokop
and ideas to help us improve! Ambika is a educator and travel writer who specializes
in nature and culture education for children. She is the
Whether you want to share your experience using the guide, suggest additional creator of Greenfeet Guides, a world adventure book
resources or nature destinations, or ask a question, we invite you to share your series that helps kids discover the unique cultures and
thoughts and contact us through a brief survey at the link below: landscapes of the world.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK Before creating Greenfeet Guides, Ambika taught environmental education
programs to schoolchildren in Washington DC, created a "Story of Water"
curriculum for children in rural India and Singapore, and worked as a stream
biologist looking for salmon in the creeks of Seattle, Washington. She has
worked in the environmental field since 1995.
We would love to see your students enjoying nature! If you post
any photos on social media that we can use, please use the hashtag
#ConservationNationAcademy
OR tag us at the following social media handles:
INSTAGRAM: @ConservationNation www.greenfeetguides.com
FACEBOOK: @BeConservation
ABOUT THE DESIGNER: Raissa Ludwig
TWITTER: @ConservNtn
Raissa is a graphic designer and (on occasion) illustrator
Learn more about Conservation Nation at with over 20 years of experience. She has received a
regional award in Print Magazine’s Design Annual, and
www.conservationnation.org multiple awards from the Council for Advancement and
Support of Education (CASE) for her work in publication
design with Georgetown University and University of
Maryland in College Park. She has also worked as a
graphic designer for WETA, National Public Radio, and
Friends of the National Zoo. Currently she is a full-time
graphic designer for the College of Engineering at
George Mason University, and continues to freelance.

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EDUCATOR’S GUIDE TO

Exploring Nature in Washington, DC

Diane Lill Learn more about Conservation Nation at

Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org 2

Map of Featured Destinations 4 Section 2: Nature Learning Ideas & Resources 39

Guide to Choosing Your Nature Experience 5 Nature-based Outdoor Activity Ideas 40

Nature Learning Resources & References 41

Section 1: Nature Destinations 6

Anacostia Park & River 10-13 Nature Log 43

Bladensburg Waterfront Park 14-17 See, Think, Wonder: Plant Exploration 44

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 18-20 See, Think, Wonder: Animal Exploration 45

Kingman Island 21-23 Forest or River Exploration 46

Potomac River 24-25 Nature Scavenger Hunts 47-50

Rock Creek Park 26-28

The Well at Oxon Run 31-33

US Botanic Garden 34-35

US National Arboretum 36-38

Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org 3

Local Park Visit

Rock Creek Park NW

The Well at Oxon Run

AREC Center, Anacostia Park SE

Smithsonian National Zoo NW

RIVER & WATERSHED EXPERIENCE

Anacostia Park & River SE

Bladensburg Waterfront Park NE

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens NE

Potomac River Boat Tour SW

Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org 4

Nature Near You: Local Park Experience p7

Anacostia Park & River p10

Bladensburg Waterfront Park p14

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens p18

Kingman Island p21

Rock Creek Park p26

Smithsonian’s National Zoo p29

US Botanic Garden p34

US National Arboretum p36

Nature Near You: Local Park Experience p7

Anacostia Park & River p10

Bladensburg Waterfront Park p14

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens p18

Kingman Island p21

Potomac River p24

The Well at Oxon Run p31

US Botanic Garden p34

US National Arboretum p36 (Staff-Supported visit)

Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org 5

Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org

Did you know Washington, DC has an

Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org 7

QUICK FACTS DETAILS & RESOURCE LINKS FOR 2023

Information For Self-Guided Experience

Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org 8

DETAILS & RESOURCE LINKS FOR 2023

Information on Naturalist-led lessons

OTHER USEFUL & RELATED RESOURCES

● Plant ID Games (Grades 4+): online game by the Alice Ferguson

Conservation Nation • conservationnation.org 9