Potomac Overlook Regional Park

01/17/2025

There’s always neat things to discover in nature, and our Cool Park Sightings show you what’s being observed at our park! This week’s sighting features a White-tailed Deer. One of the largest mammals in VA, they may reach between 50 to 300 pounds! Male deer (like the one seen here) have antlers that are shed in winter and regrown in spring. Deer populations have greatly increased in many areas due to the decline of their native predators, such as coyotes, bobcats, and wolves. You can see more park sightings by following the link below to our park’s iNaturalist project!

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?project_id=biodiversity-in-potomac-overlook-regional-park

01/13/2025

Our staff had a wonderful experience at our Raptor Training today! This annual training goes more in depth into the husbandry techniques we use to keep our rehabilitated, non-releasable education birds at the park safe, healthy, and well cared for. It even included the first glove training experience for each of our staff here! We continue to appreciate the opportunity to educate the public on these amazing animals, while giving them a second chance at life. Come out to the nature center and to our programs to see our birds yourself!

01/11/2025

Summer may still be months away, but it’s never too early to explore the natural world! Join us for our Junior Naturalist Winter Day Camp and participate in plenty of winter-themed games, activities, and more as we get out into the park! A perfect intro for any young naturalists interested in our summer camp offerings as well. Camp meets Thursday, January 30th from 9am-4pm. For more information and to register, follow the link here: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/events/junior-naturalist-winter-day-camp-0 NOVA Parks

01/09/2025

Our community continues to fight the battle against invasive plant species! Thank you to our volunteers this past weekend, who removed some of the Asiatic Bittersweet and Bush Honeysuckle from our park. Invasive plants are a threat to our park's native biodiversity, and it takes active management (and lots of hands!) to keep it healthy.

You can join us in protecting this ecosystem on our park's Volunteer Service Days, which meet every Saturday morning. To learn more and sign up, visit our webpage here: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/things-to-do/volunteer-service-days

01/08/2025

Are you tired of the cold weather and already looking ahead to the warmth of summer? Are you seeking a cool job that gets you out into nature? Camp Overlook is hiring Nature Camp Counselors and we want people like YOU!

We are seeking highly motivated individuals with a passion for education and nature to join our camp team. Lead camp activities that include live animal interactions, nature hikes, team games, survival skills, scavenger hunts, nature crafts, and much more!

Learn more about the position and submit your application here: https://www.novaparks.com/employment?p=job%2Fo5JYufw0

01/07/2025

We are OPEN! The nature center will be open from 10am to 5pm and the park from dawn to dusk as usual. Please be careful driving in and out, and watch your step!

01/01/2025

Start the new year with a special forest bathing experience on January 4, when Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun for the year (perihelion)! Join us to release stress, boost creativity, and embrace the sunlight that sustains life even in winter.

🎟️ Register: https://bit.ly/warmthwithin

🌲 What is forest bathing? More than just a walk in nature, this experience with a certified forest bathing guide, Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature, will guide you to:
- Tune in to the present moment
- Reawaken your senses
- Find peace among the winter forest
- Connect with others seeking calm

All adults are welcome! No experience needed. Just bring yourself, dressed warmly. Beautiful scenery, a warm welcome and mindful guidance, hand warmers, and local tea will be provided. Registration required.

12/31/2024

There’s always neat things to discover in nature, and our Cool Park Sightings show you what’s being observed at our park! This week’s sighting comes from iNaturalist user “turtleboy92" and features a Red-shouldered Hawk. This medium-sized bird of prey possesses a wingspan of up to 50 inches, with females typically larger than the males. The species name comes from reddish-brown "shoulders" seen on the bird's wings when it's perched. One of the most widespread hawks in North America, Red-shouldered Hawks primarily live in forest habitat, where they prey on small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, birds, fish, and large insects. You can see more park sightings by following the link below to our park’s iNaturalist project!

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?project_id=biodiversity-in-potomac-overlook-regional-park

12/28/2024

LAST DAY for Search for Santa's Critters Scavenger Hunt today! Stop by the Nature Center between 11am-4pm to pick an answer sheet for $5 per participant and then run around the park looking for the 8 stations with Santa's Critters!

12/27/2024

12/27/2024

Still full of holiday cheer and looking for merriment? Our Search for Santa's Critters Event wraps up this weekend! Drop by the nature center anytime today, tomorrow, or Sunday between 11am and 3pm to participate. $5 per participant, all ages welcome and no advanced registration required!

12/21/2024

☀️ Warmth Within Winter: Reconnecting with Nature on Earth’s Perihelion ☀️

Start the new year with us with a special forest bathing experience of mindfulness and nature connection on January 4! That’s the day when Earth reaches its closest point to the Sun for the year, known as perihelion! Join us to release stress, boost creativity, and embrace the sunlight that sustains life even in winter.

📅 Saturday, January 4 at 10am-12pm
📍 Potomac Overlook Regional Park, Arlington, VA
🎟️ Register here: https://bit.ly/warmthwithin

🌲 What is forest bathing? More than just a walk in nature, this experience with a certified forest bathing guide, Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature, will guide you to:
• Tune in to the present moment
• Reawaken your senses
• Find peace among the winter forest
• Connect with others seeking calm

All adults are welcome! No experience needed. Just bring yourself, dressed warmly. Beautiful scenery, a warm welcome and mindful guidance, hand warmers, and local tea will be provided. Registration required.

Join for this unique opportunity to embrace the Sun’s nearness through mindfulness on this day of perihelion!

Kindred Nature NOVA Parks

12/20/2024

Our beloved holiday scavenger hunt kicks into high gear this weekend! Join us this upcoming Saturday, Sunday, and Monday anytime between 11 am and 3pm to get started. We look forward to seeing you, and happy holidays to all!

Santa’s animal friends are lost in our park and need rescuing! Join us for our popular "Search for Santa's Critters" event and go on a scavenger hunt to locate the critters so they can help Santa deliver candy and treats for the holidays! $5 per child. Appropriate for families and children of all ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Check in at the nature center anytime between 11am-3pm to pick up your scavenger hunt sheet, hunt ends at 4pm. No reservations required. Event cancelled for the day in the event of inclement weather. Event takes place on December 14th and 15th, 21st through 23rd, and 27th through 29th.

12/20/2024

Volunteers like YOU keep our park healthy and beautiful! Join your community in protecting this environment on our park's Volunteer Service Days, as we remove non-native invasive plants and replace them with native plants. Anyone can help (families with children, youth groups, seniors, etc.) and no experience is needed. It's a great way to get outside, be active, and make a difference! To learn more and sign up, visit our webpage here: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/things-to-do/volunteer-service-days

12/18/2024

There’s always neat things to discover in nature, and our Cool Park Sightings show you what’s being observed at our park! This week’s sighting comes from iNaturalist user “mmmmbugs” and features the European Earwig. This omnivorous insect gets its name from its hindwings, which when unfolded, resemble human ears. Thankfully, they do NOT have any interest in our own ears, a common myth! While often considered to be pests, earwigs are great garden predators, and eat organisms such as aphids, slugs, and mites that feed on your plants. You can see more park sightings by following the link below to our park’s iNaturalist project.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?project_id=biodiversity-in-potomac-overlook-regional-park

12/13/2024

Join us this Saturday and Sunday as we kick off our ever-popular holiday scavenger hunt!

12/12/2024

Looking for a perfect holiday gift for the nature-enthusiast in your family? Consider an Animal Adoption! Your sponsorship of our lovable animals will support their ongoing care, and you'll receive a plush, thank you card, photo, and more. Through December 31st, your adoption will also include a festive hat, scarf, and holiday-themed bag for your plush animal, with an additional option to have the materials shipped to an address of your choosing.

To learn more and make your adoption, visit our adoption page at the following link: https://www.novaparks.com/.../things-to-do/adopt-an-animal

12/11/2024

Our first offerings of our Search for Santa's Critters event are this Saturday and Sunday! Come join us for holiday fun the whole family will enjoy. Hunt takes place from 11am-4pm each day, no reservations needed. $5 per child, all ages welcome!