Gulf Branch Nature Center

Gulf Branch Nature Center

Share

Hosting year-round nature programs featuring live animals, pollinator gardens, wooded trails, campfires, streams, ponds, and a 19th century log cabin.

Free and open to the public six days a week! We are currently open Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm. The park is open sunrise to sunset, 7 days/week. Set in a wooded stream valley, Gulf Branch Natural Area preserves and protects wildlife habitat while serving as an educational and recreational resource for the public. Staffed by friendly naturalists, the nature center houses exhibits about local na

18/06/2025

🌿🦌 It’s prime baby deer season!

Last week, we saw this adorable fawn curled up in the grass. It was very close to the main walkway, but fortunately, it was not disturbed.

If you see one, please do not approach or touch it. The fawn does not need your help; mom is nearby. It is normal for them to be alone!

For the protection of all animals in our park, please keep your dogs on a leash and admire wildlife from afar 💚

12/06/2025

All summer long we’ve got programs for the littles happening here at Gulf Branch Nature Center! 🌼☀️🌻

Each program will engage your child with hands-on learning and includes interactive lessons, crafts, and short hikes on our trails.

The program themes for July are Animal Defenses for Tiny Tots and Sunny Days for Pre-K. Join us!

Registraron is strongly recommended to reserve your spot. We may availability for walk-ins. Email [email protected] or call us at 703-228-3403

Photos from Gulf Branch Nature Center's post 10/06/2025

When you think of amphibians emerging in the spring, you usually think of the loud frogs and the swimming tadpoles. But in the forest, there’s a quieter amphibian also emerging: the salamander.

We spotted a spotted salamander (pictured here!) and the larva (second picture). They live primarily underground and are hardly seen out and about. That is until they come out to lay their eggs in vernal pools. The larva remains in this stage for about 2 to 4 months, eating small insects and aquatic invertebrate.

📸: Adrian J. Nielsen

03/06/2025

Vibrant colors are found in our park year-round. Even in the winter, where life in nature seems dull and lackluster, the bright colors of the cardinals and blue jays really stand out.

In celebration of Pride Month, we’ve picked all the rainbow colors we’ve found in the park that you can find in every season
🍄🍁🌼🌿🦋🪻

These colors remind us that everything is unique on its own!

21/05/2025

I am saddened to have to share the news of the passing of Bobbi Farley, our naturalist. We will be remembering her next week, on Wed. May 28th from 5-7pm. Please feel free to join us in sharing our memories of her. As such the center will close early, at 4:30pm, on that day.

10/05/2025

Today is World Migratory Bird Day! This day is to create awareness of obstacles bird face every year on their long migration journey.
Climate change, pollution, and habitat loss are just a few of those obstacles.

This year’s theme is shared spaces and how we can make our urban communities into thriving habitats for birds. Support your local parks, plant natives, and turn lights off for birds at night are just a few of the things you can easily do to support this initiative.

Pictured: Baltimore Oriole with food
📸: Calvin Schnure

08/05/2025

Copperheads are quite common in our park. These venomous snakes are easy to overlook, as they are often hiding under rocks, logs, and blend in incredibly well with fallen leaves. The snake pictured here was found under a rock!

You can see some of the copperhead’s distinct features here: the hourglass pattern, copper color, and vertical pupils. Another feature that stands out here, is the green tail! This tells us that it is a young snake, using the green tail as a lure to attract prey.

The most common question we get about any animal is “does it bite?” Well, yes! Technically any animal could bite and they’ll do it in self-defense. While copperheads are venomous, they won’t always inject venom. Their venom isn’t deadly, although it can be painful.

For your safety and the safety of the animals, it is important you only walk along the designated trail path and don’t venture off trail.

📸 Adrian J. Nielsen

Photos from Gulf Branch Nature Center's post 01/05/2025

Check out what we’ve got coming up now in May before summer break starts!

Programs vary in ages and have limited space. Secure your spot by registering at arlingtonva.us or contact us to see if there is availability for drop-in.

30/04/2025

The upcoming stream restoration project may affect some important plants in the park, so we’re going to rescue them before the project begins! Help us tag, remove and relocate native plants from areas along Gulf Branch.

Gloves, tools and training will be provided. Please bring whatever you may need for working outside for the duration of the workday (water, sunscreen etc.) Please wear closed-toed shoes and dress in clothes you don’t mind getting dirty, and layers appropriate for the weather. Some work may involve climbing up and down stream banks or moving along the stream. We should be able to keep our feet dry, but if you have waterproof boots you may want to wear them.

Please review the Sign Up Genius link below to sign up for either date.

Meet in the Gulf Branch Nature Center parking lot.

LINK:
signupgenius.com/go/GBPlantRescue

Photos from Gulf Branch Nature Center's post 14/04/2025

Meet Jack and his pulpit, or rather Jack-in-the-pulpit. You can see “Jack” as the long tentacle-like part (the spadix) in the middle of the “pulpit” (the spathe) which has a curved top that serves as a little hooded cover.

This North America native plant has a stinky fungus smell that attracts gnats that help pollinate the plant. That’s right, there’s more buzzing pollinators out there than just bees!

The coolest part about this plant however, is that it can change its s*x throughout its life. Known as sequential hermaphroditism or dichogamy, Jack-in-the-pulpit begins with a male flower. As it continues growing stronger with nutrients, it grows a larger, female flower. This cycle continues and the plant reverts from male to female year after year.

Photos from Gulf Branch Nature Center's post 12/04/2025

A month from today, we are celebrating World Migratory Bird Day! Migrate over and enjoy some bird-themed fun with us 🦅🦆🪶🪺

🗓️Saturday, May 10 from 10am to 1pm

📍Lacey Woods Park, 1200 N. George Mason Drive

We will feature live bird presentations, games, crafts, and bird-friendly coffee to give out.

This event is free and for people of all ages. Outdoor programs like these are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.

Contact us for any updates or questions at [email protected] or 703-228-3403

Want your school to be the top-listed School/college?

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10:00 - 18:00
Wednesday 10:00 - 18:00
Thursday 10:00 - 18:00
Friday 11:00 - 19:00
Saturday 11:00 - 19:00
Sunday 13:00 - 17:00