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    Gulf Branch Nature Center

     

     

    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

    Monday: Closed
    Tuesday - Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
    Sunday: 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

    Features

    Exhibits, classroom (20 person capacity), children's Discovery Room, pollinator garden, live animal exhibit room, pond, restored log cabin, observation bee hive, birthday parties

    Pollinator Garden at Gulf Branch Nature Center

    Check out the pollinator garden at Gulf Branch Nature Center! It's filled with plenty of nectar- and pollen-rich flowers and many plants that are native not just to Virginia, but also to the Arlington area. Native gardens like this are deer resistant, attract pollinators, tough and easy to maintain and look beautiful!

    History

    Amenities

    Public restrooms, water fountain, not wheelchair accessible

    Blacksmiths at Gulf Branch

    blacksmith - click to enlargeThe Blacksmiths Guild of Potomac meets the first and third Friday at 7:30pm at Gulf Branch Nature center. Meetings are free and open to the public. The guild also shares its craft at Gulf Branch quarterly at special events and programs. The mission of the Guild to enhance and interpret ancient techniques for making beautiful and useful tools and treasures, to provide help and instruction to beginning and experienced smiths alike -- and to share their love of blacksmithing with the general public.

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    Gulf Branch Nature Center

    Gulf Branch Nature Center

    child observing bee hive

    Gulf Branch Nature Center Map
    Gulf Branch Nature Center Map
    click map to enlarge (2.42 MB PDF)

    UPCOMING EVENTS

     
    Adults. Every month we read and discuss a book or essay about the natural world. This month we'll enjoy Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. Join us every fourth Thursday for a fun conversation ...
    All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun -includin ...
    Families, ages 5 and up. Register children only, but an adult must attend as well. Dress to get wet as we spend some time exploring waterfalls, trying to catch water striders, and taking a closer ...
    Ages 6 - 10. Register child only. Learn how to identify the secretive skulls and bones of some of our more common animals in Arlington. Often times some of the only clues left behind are some of th ...
    View ALL Calendar Events

    CONTACT US

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

    RELATED RESOURCES

    • All About Trees
    • Citizen Monitoring on Gulf Branch
    • County Holiday Schedule
    • Enjoy Arlington! Classes
    • Flying Squirrels Video
    • Guide to Environmental Education Programs (PDF)
    • Mason Bees Video
    • Nature Centers
    • Nature Discovery Area
    • Nature Resources
    • Pollinator Garden at Gulf Branch
    • Seniors
    • Snag Newsletter
    • Snag Publications
    • Snake Video
    • Summer Camps
    • Upcoming Events
    • Virginia Herpetological Society
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Weather Cancellations

    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: May 15, 2013
    2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: 703-228-3000 TTY: 703-228-4611