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Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

Gulf Branch Nature Center

 





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  3608 N. Military Road
Arlington, VA 22207
Our nature centers are nestled in lovely park settings and are staffed with friendly and knowledgeable people. They provide interpretive environmental education programs for all ages and for a wide variety of audiences including small groups. To search for nature center activities, visit the county calendar and select the "Environment" category and the appropriate audience group for the type of activities you are looking for.

Hours of Operation
Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday - Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Features
Exhibits, classroom (20 person capacity), children's Discovery Room, live animal exhibit room, pond, restored log cabin

Amenities
Public restrooms, water fountain, not wheelchair accessible

UPCOMING EVENTS

 
Webelos Forester Badge - 11/21/2009 10:00AM
Ages 8-10. Register child only. Webelos Scouts will complete the requirements for the forester badge at this program. Start a rock collection, learn about geysers, and have fun with other Webelos More>>>
Girl Scout Water Wonders Badge - 11/21/2009 2:00PM
Ages 8-11. Register child only. Junior Girl Scouts may earn a "Wildlife" badge by attending this event. Find out about the water we drink, learn about animals that live in water, and other water wo More>>>
Tiny Tot - 12/01/2009 10:00AM
Ages: 18 - 35 months with adult. Tiny Tot programs provide a wonderful opportunity to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each fun and educational program wil More>>>
Tiny Tot - 12/01/2009 11:15AM
Ages: 18 - 35 months with adult. Tiny Tot programs provide a wonderful opportunity to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each fun and educational program wil More>>>
Solstice Stories - 12/01/2009 3:30PM
The longest night of the year is spent by animals in many different ways. Come learn a few at this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years More>>>
Solstice Stories - 12/02/2009 9:30AM
The longest night of the year is spent by animals in many different ways. Come learn a few at this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years More>>>
Solstice Stories - 12/02/2009 11:00AM
The longest night of the year is spent by animals in many different ways. Come learn a few at this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years More>>>
Gemstone Club - Turquoise - 12/02/2009 2:30PM
Ages 7 - 11. Register child only. Budding geologists and gem lovers are invited to join us for a year's worth of fun and collecting at the Gemstone Club. Attend one or all of the sessions; we meet on More>>>
Gemstone Club - Turquoise - 12/02/2009 4:15PM
Ages 7 - 11. Register child only. Budding geologists and gem lovers are invited to join us for a year's worth of fun and collecting at the Gemstone Club. Attend one or all of the sessions; we meet on More>>>
Tiny Tot - 12/03/2009 10:00AM
Ages: 18 - 35 months with adult. Tiny Tot programs provide a wonderful opportunity to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each fun and educational program wil More>>>
Tiny Tot - 12/03/2009 11:15AM
Ages: 18 - 35 months with adult. Tiny Tot programs provide a wonderful opportunity to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each fun and educational program wil More>>>
Solstice Stories - 12/03/2009 3:30PM
The longest night of the year is spent by animals in many different ways. Come learn a few at this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years More>>>
Mother's Evening Out - 12/09/2009 6:30PM
Adults. All interested mothers and other adults are invited for an evening of holiday fun. Enjoy cider and cookies by the Gulf Branch fireplace and take part in our green gift wrap workshop. We'll More>>>
Christmas for the Animals - 12/10/2009 4:15PM
Ages 5-9. Register child only. There are many lovely stories of the animals' winter holidays. Children are invited to this story time to hear stories of nature and the holidays. To get into the s More>>>
Gem Collector - 12/11/2009 4:15PM
Ages 10 - 14. Register child only. Kids who love collecting rocks and mineralsl are eligible to join this group of gem-ophiles. There will be a fun activity each meeting, and participants will rec More>>>
Deer Family in the Forest - 12/12/2009 10:00AM
Ages 5 - 7. Register child only. Get some fresh air and enjoy the winter forest while learning about the North American deer family, including Arlington's white tail deer, then we'll take a walk in More>>>
Second Sundays @ Gulf Branch Nature Center - 12/13/2009 12:00PM
Take Action - Adopt an Area! For adults and teens. Spend more time outside while helping improve the environment. Become a trained volunteer who keeps a special patch of the park free of noxious inva More>>>
Take Action - Remove Invasives! - 12/13/2009 1:00PM
Adults and teens. No registration needed. Make good on those New Year's resolutions…. spend more time outside and help improve the environment. Become a trained volunteer who keeps a special patch of More>>>
Nature for Beginners: Winter Stars - 12/13/2009 3:30PM
Adults. Join us on the second Sunday of each month to learn the 'top ten' items in a different nature category. You’ll learn not only names but enough natural history to make you feel like a natura More>>>
Graduate Gemologists - Zircon - 12/16/2009 4:15PM
Ages 8 - 13. Register child only. Kids who have completed 12 months of the Gemstone Club at Gulf Branch Nature Center can add to their knowledge of gems and increase their collections at this monthly More>>>

CONTACT US

Gulf Branch Nature Center
3608 N. Military Road
Arlington, VA 22207
703-228-3403 phone


:: Weather Cancellations
:: County Holiday Schedule

SUBSCRIBE ONLINE!

Icon - Email SubscriptionSign-up to receive our publications, The Snag and The Snag for Wee Ones, electronically or via the mail.

There are two ways to sign-up to receive our publications, The Snag and The Snag for Wee Ones :

  1. Subscribe online for a quarterly e-mail notification with a link to the publications (electronic, text-only versions or pdf versions available to view on-line or download); or
  2. Fill out a Registration Form (64 KB PDF) and return it to Long Branch Nature Center to receive a copy of the quarterly publications for a yearly subscription rate of five dollars.

You will find programs for families, school-aged children and adults listed in The Snag . The Snag for Wee Ones lists programs for preschoolers (ages 3-5) and tiny tots (ages 18-35 months).


Last Modified: October 15, 2009
2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: 703-228-3000 TTY: 703-228-4611