Potomac Overlook Regional Park

It is with heavy hearts that Potomac Overlook says goodbye to our resident common snapping turtle, Shelby, who passed away earlier this week. Shelby was an education animal at our nature center since the summer of 2019, where she was a star attraction for thousands of school children, campers, visitors, and anyone else who got a chance to see her. Despite her species’ fearsome reputation, Shelby was relatively docile and quite curious about those who came to look at her in her aquatic tank, and quickly became a favorite of the team who worked with her. While she was rarely used by our staff for animal presentations due to the challenges of handling her, she was a major hit at our feeding programs, where she frequently left visitors in awe at the speed of which she would strike at and gobble up her food. Sadly, Shelby’s health had declined in recent months due to a rare fungal disease, and despite multiple treatments, her prognosis did not improve. She helped to educate countless people on snapping turtles, whether it was their importance to their ecosystems, their amazing adaptations, or the ways we can protect them. We remember Shelby for the “WOW” she elicited from many visitors, her fondness for basking under her heat lamp, and (in the words of our staff) for being our “little dinosaur”. She will be missed.

Our picnic shelter is the perfect spot to host an outdoor gathering! This space is equipped with picnic tables, restrooms, a grill and even a playground. Shelter reservations include use of the space for up to 8 hours (9am-5:30pm) for as little as $135 total. To learn more and book your event today, follow the link below:
https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/things-to-do/picnic-shelter

Gotta identify them all! Our ever-popular Pokemon in Real Life program is back with another offering. Learn from a Naturalist about how nature has influenced Pokémon, and imagine your very own Pokémon that could call the park home! Along the way you’ll explore the park, find a habitat for your Pokémon to live, identify a variety of species, complete challenges, and help collect citizen science data for our real life Pokédex, the iNaturalist app.

Event meets on May 27th from 2:30-3:30pm. $7 per participant for ages 5 and up. To learn more and register, follow the link here: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/events/pok%C3%A9mon-in-real-life-5

Many animals have incredible abilities that seem almost super-human…have you ever wondered how your abilities would stack up? In our “Animal Olympics” program, participants will not only learn about what feats animals are capable of, but try these feats themselves! How far away can an owl hear something? What distance can a deer leap? How strong is an eagle’s grip? How do bats use smell to find their offspring? Play games and take part in active learning, and who knows…you may just earn an Olympic medal at the end!

Event meets on May 30th from 2-3pm. $10 per participant for ages 7 and up. To learn more and register, follow the link here: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/events/animal-olympics

Hike on down to our Wildlife Walk program, and explore the park with a NOVA Parks Naturalist! You’ll discover the wildlife that calls the forest home, walk the trails, stop at several diverse locations, and even set out trail cameras to try and catch nocturnal wildlife! Binoculars will be provided for use during the program upon request.

Event meets on May 23rd from 10-11:30am. $10 per participant for ages 7 and up. To learn more and register, follow the link here: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/events/wildlife-walk-0

Love the animals at the nature center like we do? You can sponsor them through our popular Adopt an Animal Campaign! It’s a great way for you or a loved one to feel closer to an animal of your choosing while supporting their ongoing care. Each adoption comes with a plush of the animal, a thank you card and photo, and your name will be displayed at our nature center as a certified sponsor! To learn more and submit your adoption request, follow the link here: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/things-to-do/adopt-an-animal

Join us on May 9th for our “Mother’s Day Weekend Morning Retreat: Forest Bathing, Stories and Tea” event, and celebrate Mother’s Day weekend surrounded by spring’s fullness at Potomac Overlook Regional Park during a Saturday morning retreat. Slow down with forest bathing and journaling in the comfort of nature—whether attending as a mother, sharing the experience with a mother, or simply seeking a deeper connection with the natural world. This restorative experience is guided by certified nature therapy guide and story weaving facilitator Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature.

Event meets on May 9th from 9:30am-12:30pm. $50 per participant for ages 18 and up. To learn more and register, follow the link here: https://www.novaparks.com/parks/potomac-overlook-regional-park/events/mother%E2%80%99s-day-weekend-morning-retreat-forest-bathing

Today, April 27, is the last day to record observations as part of the City Nature Challenge. What interesting species did you discover using the iNaturalist app? What else could you discover today?

Learn more: novaparks.com/NatureChallenge

iNaturalist app: inaturalist.org

City Nature Challenge - Washington, DC Area

Ready...Set...Go! The City Nature Challenge starts today, April 24!

Help the DC region beat our competing cities by taking photos and identifying the species in the iNaturalist app! And—your observations help scientists identify the biodiversity in the DC area.

Learn more: novaparks.com/NatureChallenge

iNaturalist app: inaturalist.org

City Nature Challenge - Washington, DC Area