Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

Gulf Branch Nature Center

 





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

Sunday hours at Gulf Branch Nature Center are due to the support of the Friends of Gulf Branch Nature Center.

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

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.

UPCOMING EVENTS

 
Calling Crickets Campfire - 08/06/2010 7:00PM
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. This eng More>>>
Second Sundays - Remove Invasive Plants! - 08/08/2010 3:00PM
Adults, families, and teens. Keep the park free of destructive invasive plants. Work parties are held every month and are making a real difference. We are starting to see the return of wildflowers More>>>
Tiny Tot - 08/10/2010 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>>>
Let's Camp Out! - 08/10/2010 3:30PM
Come camping! Join us in our 'tent' as we pretend to wake up having spent a night under the stars. What animals will we see today? Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered throughout the y More>>>
Tiny Tot - 08/11/2010 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 - 08/12/2010 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>>>
Let's Camp Out! - 08/12/2010 10:00AM
Come camping! Join us in our 'tent' as we pretend to wake up having spent a night under the stars. What animals will we see today? Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered throughout the y More>>>
Tiny Tot - 08/12/2010 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>>>
Let's Camp Out! - 08/12/2010 3:30PM
Come camping! Join us in our 'tent' as we pretend to wake up having spent a night under the stars. What animals will we see today? Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered throughout the y More>>>
Let's Camp Out! - 08/14/2010 10:00AM
Come camping! Join us in our 'tent' as we pretend to wake up having spent a night under the stars. What animals will we see today? Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered throughout the y More>>>
Bat Fest Arlington 2010 - 08/14/2010 6:30PM
Adults and Families. Register children and adults; children under 14 must register with an accompanying adult. Registration not required for children age 2 and under. Enjoy a thoroughly batty evening More>>>
Nature Lover's Book Club: Essays on Turtles - 08/19/2010 7:30PM
Adults. If you love a great book as much as a great hike, this one's for you! Every month we read and discuss a book or essay about the natural world. This month we'll enjoy Essays on Turtles by vari More>>>
Super Snakes Campfire - 08/20/2010 7:00PM
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. This eng More>>>
Reptiles of Arlington - 08/21/2010 10:00AM
Where can you touch a turtle, or spot a snake? Meet the common reptiles of Arlington and learn to identify them as both juveniles and adults. Participants will receive a copy of 'A Guide to the Snak More>>>
Survival Skills: Traps and Snares - 08/21/2010 2:00PM
Adults and teens ages 12 and up. These hands on classes teach traditional survival skills. In Traps and Snares, we'll cover everything from finding game trails, to making rope, to choosing and find More>>>
Super Snakes Campfire - 08/21/2010 7:30PM
Adults are invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities, which may include stories, special animal More>>>

CONTACT US

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

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: July 28, 2010
2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: 703-228-3000 TTY: 703-228-4611