Parks, Recreation & Cultural Resources

Long Branch Nature Center

 

Long Branch Nature Center building

Long Branch Nature Center terrariums

Long Branch Nature Center indoor pond

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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 and Monday: Closed
Tuesday - Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday: 12 noon - 5:00 p.m.

Features

Exhibits, classroom (40 person capacity), children's Discovery Room, live animal displays, interpretive gardens, viewing pond

Amenities

Public restrooms, water fountains, fully wheelchair-accessible with some accessible trails

Snake Video
watch our snake video
Watch our snake video!

UPCOMING EVENTS

 
Cricket Crawl - 09/03/2010 6:00PM
All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. In late summer and early fall the cricket chorus begins. Many different species are found in our area and More>>>
Babies in Backpacks - 09/04/2010 10:00AM
Families with children who can ride in a back pack. Register child only; however an accompanying adult must attend. Join a park naturalist (and her child) as we take our babes into the woods! We'll l More>>>
Wild Ones: What's In Our Stream? - 09/08/2010 3:30PM
Ages 6 - 10. Register child only. Your child is invited to join our exciting nature club which meets twice a month. What do you think we can find in Long Branch? Help a naturalist sample the stream More>>>
Tiny Tot - 09/09/2010 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 - 09/10/2010 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>>>
Tiny Tot - 09/10/2010 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>>>
Secretive Spiders - 09/15/2010 1:30PM
Children 3-5. Preschoolers will learn about spiders, in this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered through More>>>
Secretive Spiders - 09/15/2010 3:30PM
Children 3-5. Preschoolers will learn about spiders, in this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered through More>>>
Secretive Spiders - 09/16/2010 1:30PM
Children 3-5. Preschoolers will learn about spiders, in this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered through More>>>
Secretive Spiders - 09/17/2010 10:30AM
Preschoolers will learn about spiders, in this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered throughout the year a More>>>
Gold Mining Van Trip - 09/18/2010 9:00AM
Meet with Northern Virginia Mineral Club member, Barry Remer, at Long Branch Nature Center where we will carpool to the Museum in Goldvein, Virginia at 9:00 A.M. We will tour the Museum at 11:00 A.M. More>>>
Notable Nature - 09/18/2010 3:00PM
All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family is invited to join us at Long Branch for a lesson in nature journaling. We'll begin by con More>>>
Bat Campfire - 09/18/2010 6:30PM
All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family is invited to join us at the Long Branch Amphitheater for lots of old-fashioned fun. This More>>>
Third Sundays - Remove Invasive Plants! - 09/19/2010 2:00PM
Ages 9-Adult. Not all plants are good for the environment. Kids and adults will learn what these trouble-some beasts look like and can help rescue the park from these alien invaders! No registration More>>>
Sceretive Spiders - 09/21/2010 10:30AM
Children 3-5. Preschoolers will learn about spiders, in this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered through More>>>
Tiny Tot - 09/22/2010 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>>>
Fall Plant Sale - 09/25/2010 1:00PM
Adults. No registration required. Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to help wildlife by growing native, and support Long Branch Nature Center at the same time! The vast majority of our pla More>>>
Family Camping Trip: Loudon, VA - 09/25/2010 5:00PM
All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Move over Griswalds, we're goin' camping Arlington style! Your familiy is invited to join two naturalists More>>>
Bilingual Campfire - 09/25/2010 6:30PM
All ages. Register adults and children; children must be accompanied by a registered adult. The whole family is invited to join us at the Long Branch Amphitheater for lots of old-fashioned fun. This More>>>
Frisky Foxes - 10/02/2010 1:30PM
Children 3-5. Preschoolers will learn about foxes, in this highly interactive program which may include stories, a craft, and a short hike. Ages: 3 - 5 years. Preschool programs are offered throughou More>>>

CONTACT US

Long Branch Nature Center
625 S. Carlin Springs Road
Arlington, VA 22204
703-228-6535
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).

BIRDS BIRDS BIRDS!

Nature abounds at Long Branch Nature Center and Park! Check out these beautiful photos of birds at Long Branch taken by photographer Paula Sullivan. View Photo Gallery! (Note: By clicking on the link, you will be taken outside the County website. Arlington County is not responsible for images and content contained therein.)

GROWING NATIVE

Did you know that Long Branch Nature Center is a collection site for the Growing Native program? Growing Native is a year-round volunteer project that collects hardwood seeds and plants trees to help restore and protect rivers and streams in the Potomac River watershed. Find out more!


Last Modified: August 16, 2010
2100 Clarendon Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 Tel: 703-228-3000 TTY: 703-228-4611