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Join the Audubon Naturalist Society of Northern Virginia for one or more of their leisurely autumn walks along portions of the C&O Canal that see less foot and bicycle traffic during the week. The focus of the walks will be the natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and the Canal. Participants can expect to proceed at a “naturalist’s shuffle” pace, stopping often to observe birds, fall wildflowers, butterflies, snakes, turtles – whatever comes along. C&O locations include Widewater, Carderock, Violettes Lock, and Pennyfield Lock. Members $30; nonmembers $42. Sept. 22 and 29, Oct. 6, 13, 20, and 27. November Meanders will be added to this schedule in early October. More information and registration.
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The Pennsylvania elk herd is more than 1,000 animals and is expanding its range into areas in or near Parker Dam State Park. Watch an 85-minute video in its entirety at Parker Dam and learn about Pennsylvania elk history, reintroduction, and management. Make a full day of it by visiting Parker Dam State Park earlier in the day before the evening video. The park is surrounded by Moshannon State Forest where wildlife thrives in unbroken wilderness. A drive on Tyler Road might yield a coyote, fox, bobcat, and free-ranging elk (September and October are the best months to see elk.) Note: Never approach elk, especially during the autumn rutting season. In addition, The Elk Country Visitor Center is only a 30-minute drive away and features interactive displays and great elk viewing opportunities. If you have more time, the Central PA Elk Scenic Drive makes another great destination. Parker Dam video: Sept. 25, 7:30 pm; Parker Dam State Park, Penfield, PA. More information.
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Celebrate the St Marys River at the 16th Annual RiverFest, taking place at Historic St. Mary's City. Enjoy live music, try kayaking and seining, see tall ships, and enjoy boat rides and environmental activities. Visit exhibits about local flora and fauna and take home a free Bay-friendly backyard booklet. Get up-close with birds of prey, turtles, oysters, and other seldom-seen neighbors. At 1:45 pm join the ceremonial Wade-In for Clean Water with Bernie Fowler. The St. Maries Citty Militia will hold their annual muster in conjunction with RiverFest. March along as militia men practice drills and perform a mock battle. Rain or shine; free admission. Sept. 25, 11:00 am to 4:00 pm; Historic St. Mary's City Museum. More information.
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Machicomoco is an Algonquian word meaning “special meeting place.” Machicomoco State Park spans 643 acres and is bounded by the York River, Timberneck Creek, and Cedar Bush Creek. Visit Virginia’s newest state park and enjoy a guided hike through forests and meadows to Timberneck Creek. The hike will be about 2.4 miles and will launch from Rockwood Nature Center. Oct. 7, 8:00 am to 3:00 pm. For more information call Mark Battista at 804-318-8735 or [email protected]. Register at least one week before the program.
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Travel back in time and enjoy hunting for handcrafted treasures at the open air Mount Harmon Colonial & Artisan Market Faire. Handmade colonial and artisan crafts and collectibles will be on display for purchase, enjoy hearth cooking demos, colonial encampment, manor house tours, and the Eastern Shore Food Court and Tavern. $10 per person; children 12 and under free. Sept. 25, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and Sept. 26 10:00 am to 3:00 pm; Mount Harmon Plantation, Earleville, MD. More information and tickets.
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A scientist from Virginia Game and Inland Fisheries squeezes unfertilized eggs from a female American shad. Photo by Steve Droter/Chesapeake Bay Program.
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American shad was once one of the most important fish species in the James River. Once abundant, decades of overfishing, pollution, industrial water intakes, and dams have severely hurt the James River shad population. The James River Association is presenting a webinar reliving the stories of past shad abundance and its cultural significance, and discussing the current status of shad and restoration and protection efforts. Sep 29, 5:00 pm; registration required. More information and registration.
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Experience an insider's view of SERC, on a free outdoor walking tour led by volunteer docents. Walk along the waterfront, cross marsh boardwalks and hike through the forest, while learning about SERC’s cutting-edge research projects on climate change and other issues where the land meets the sea. Tours are available Sept. 22, 25, and 29. Public canoe trips are also available on Oct. 16, Oct. 23, and Oct. 30. $18 to $25. Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD.
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Join a Caledon State Park ranger for a guided exploration of the old growth forests in the western side of the park, which is rich with oak and poplar trees. Discover why these tree giants have been left untouched and how old they really are. There will be variable and steep terrain. Free with $5 parking fee. Sept. 24, 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. More information and registration.
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September 25 Is National Public Lands Day
National Public Lands Day is traditionally one of the nation's largest single-day volunteer efforts. Celebrate your connection with your community’s green space by volunteering your time or just getting out for some much-needed R&R. All National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone. Here is a link for searching Mid-Atlantic area events (just enter your state), including a clean up at Wolf Trap in Virginia, and trail work at Greenbelt Park in Maryland. Another great event is Masonville Cove's Urban Wildlife Conservation Celebration on Sept. 25-26 in Baltimore.
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Fall Foliage Updates and Happenings
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has a MD weekly foliage report that includes a color-coded map with four designations: changing, mid-point, peak and past peak. They also have a more detailed look at specific parks and specific trees, as well as suggestions for trips and fall events. Virginia fall foliage updates are also available, and you can also sign up for weekly updates and get suggestions for fall getaways. Shenandoah National Park has its own live webcams.
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Head out on the water and learn firsthand the experiences of Captain John Smith's Voyage on NOAA's Chesapeake Bay interpretive Buoy System. CBIBS provides real time weather and environmental information, as well as a glimpse into living Chesapeake Bay History. You can also download the app for your Android or iPhone from the website. Note: some buoys may be offline with no data currently available.
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Take a virtual tour of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail from your computer or mobile device! To help you plan your trip before you go, the Chesapeake Conservancy partnered with Terrain360 to bring you virtual tours of the trail’s great rivers. Sit back and virtually explore the Elk, James (sponsored by the James River Association), Nanticoke, Northeast, Patapsco, Patuxent, Potomac, Rappahannock, Sassafras, Susquehanna, and York rivers. Check out some of the Chesapeake’s special places like Werowocomoco, Fones Cliffs, Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and Mallows Bay. We hope to eventually bring you a virtual tour of the entire Chesapeake Trail! Explore the Chesapeake's great rivers on our website.
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