Sunday, May 19 | 4:00pm

Photographing Flowers

Almost anyone with a camera can photograph flowers.  They’re everywhere, they’re beautiful, and they sit patiently while you shoot. If you’d like to take your flower photography from where it is to a higher level, then this class will help with basic techniques.  Through demonstration and practical, hands-on assistance, you’ll learn the best ways to control light, deal with the wind, find the best perspectives, eliminate distracting background, and other strategies for getting the best flower photos you can.  This class is great for beginners or others who would like to improve their techniques! You must have your own camera and equipment for this class. This class is free and open to the public, but space is limited to 10. Registration is required. Register here: https://app.donorview.com/XPbGr

Sunday, May 19 | 5:00pm

Evening Bird Hike

Join us on May 19 at 5 PM at Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm to explore some of the diverse bird species that can be found at our site.  This hike will explore some of the birds that can be found during this time of year.  This hike is great for beginners! Registration: https://app.donorview.com/Kyw1l

Tuesday, May 21 | 1:00pm

River View Farm Tour

Join us for a tour of historic River View Farm on May 21 at 1 PM. We will explore the lives of the Carr/Greer family and their journey to landownership, farming, and education.  We will also learn about their contributions to their community and their legacy. 

This is free and open to the public but space is limited to 15.  Please register at https://app.donorview.com/Do6Wp

Thursday, May 23 | 10:00am

Little Naturalists

Introduce your three- to five-year-old to nature! Trained guides explore topics such as food chains, hibernation, how trees grow and more with three- to five-year-olds and their accompanying adults. The program starts indoors for 20-30 minutes where the children engage with the guides through reading nature centered books and doing a hands-on activity related to the learning in the book. This is followed with a short hike on one of the ICNA trails. Little Naturalists meet  on the second Mondays and fourth Thursdays of the month. Gatherings are held from 10:00 to 11:30 am. We prefer that people preregister for these programs. The link to register for the fourth Thursday in May (5/23) is here.  Siblings are also welcome to attend.

Little Naturalists follow the weather cancellation policies for Albemarle County Schools.  When the schools are closed or there is a late opening, the Little Naturalists will not meet on that day.

Thursday, May 23 | 10:00am

Habitat Hike: Spring Outing for Those with Mobility Challenges and Special Needs

Spring is here and it is a great time to experience all the wonders of the season! We will look for birds, examine new leaves on the trees, and more. Join us for an outing on May 23 at 10 AM with a special invitation to people with mobility challenges! While this outing will travel less than one-quarter mile over an hour there will be lots to see and learn!

This will take place on paved paths with gentle slopes, with frequent seated breaks.  There is an outhouse bathroom available, which is wheelchair accessible and has grab bars.  Please bring any equipment or assistants needed to help you complete the outing loop successfully.  We will begin in the parking lot and then enter onto the paved path.  This outing is limited to 10 participants, not including assistants.

We look forward to exploring this part of Ivy Creek Natural Area with you! Please register at https://app.donorview.com/lewbL

Friday, May 24 | 12:00pm

Fourth Friday Solar Viewing

Solar Observing sessions are scheduled for every fourth Friday of every month in 2024.  The Charlottesville Astronomical Society will present and bring their special Solar telescope(s), which will allow us to safely see sunspots, solar flares and prominences, and other features on the living cauldron that is our sun.  We'll start at noon in the education building for a short presentation, then go outside to the field next to the parking lot at 12:20.  

Cloudy weather cancels.

Although this event is free and open to the public, we ask that you contact the Charlottesville Astronomical Society at vicepresident@cvilleastro.com if you plan to attend.  Only if at least one visitor makes contact and confirms attendance, can the CAS guarantee that they will be at Ivy Creek for their presentation and telescope observing session.

Saturday, May 25 | 9:00am

Volunteer Work Day - Saturday

Have you been looking for a way to give back to your community? Do you love Ivy Creek Natural Area and Historic River View Farm? Do you love being outside and making a difference? Then join us for our monthly public work day! We will be working on removing invasive plants, trail maintenance, and landscape restoration from 9 AM - 12 PM on Saturday, May 25. Wear outdoor work clothes and close-toed shoes/boots. Email Mariah Payne for more information or to register.

Saturday, May 25 | 10:00am

Farm and Barn History Hours

Join us for the opening of the barn at Ivy Creek Natural Area! This was formerly the showpiece of the working farm known as River View Farm. It is also one of the reasons that River View Farm is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Enjoy the displays including natural history exhibits and farm equipment. Additionally, there are historical displays about the Carr/Greer family who built this barn and lived at River View Farm for over one hundred years.