Fall Woody Plant Identification Course, Natural History Field Studies Offered by the Graduate School USA and the Audubon Naturalist Society
Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees
The Natural History Field Studies Certificate Program is offered through Evening and Weekend Programs.
Fall Woody Plant Identification NATH1145E, 2 credits Autumn's glory is created by colorful trees and shrubs, so fall is the ideal time to study techniques of woody plant field identification. Participants study the major woody plant families and species found in the Central Atlantic's forest communities. Field trips feature the use of recognition characteristics and botanical keys to identify many local woody plants. Students should have a 10x hand lens.
Class Night and Time: Wednesdays, 7-9:15 pm Class meetings: September 21-November 16 Field Trip Dates: Oct. 1, 22 and Nov. 5 Location: Woodend Sanctuary, MD Tuition: $355 Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley To Register Online: please clickhere.
You may apply for the certificate program online. For more information on certificate courses offered, please contact the certificate counselor at (202) 314-3349 or certificates@graduateschool.edu.
September 24, 2011
Tree Walk:
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees
City of Trees author Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead a tree tour at the historic Anacostia home of Frederick Douglass. The tree tour will immediately follow a 9:30 house tour of the Cedar Hill home where Douglass, a renowned 19th century abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, spent the happy and productive final years of his life. Many venerable trees grace the scenic property including several species of oaks and hickories, white ash, hackberry, and southern magnolia. The walk will cover a moderate distance over uneven terrain and will take place rain or shine, barring hazardous weather. Please dress accordingly.
Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for ISA certified arborists.
Getting there: Take Green Line to the Anacostia Metrorail Station and take the B2 bus in the direction of Mt. Ranier. There is a bus stop directly in front of the Douglass home at the corner of 14th and W streets. Continue along the sidewalk in the direction the bus is traveling until you reach the visitor center (15th and W Streets SE). Parking is also available at the site.
Date:
Saturday, September 24, 2011 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
If you'd like to attend this event you can RSVP online here.
October 8, 2011, 10:00pm - 1:00pm
United States Botanic Garden Tree Tour of Capitol Grounds
Autumn Tree Tour of the Capitol Grounds with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees.
Autumn is a magnificent time to appreciate the architecture and colorful foliage of the historic trees that grace the U.S. Capitol Grounds. Meet in front of the Conservatory to stroll around the Capitol, admiring and learning about its grand old tree specimens from around the country and the world, including many official state trees and memorial plantings. Melanie Choukas-Bradley will focus on autumn fruits and leaves and teach how to identify diverse species of oak, maple, beech, buckeye and many other trees. Melanie will share history of the Capitol Grounds and the city of Washington. Binoculars optional but recommended. Participants are encouraged to bring their own brown bag lunch to enjoy with Melanie after the tour!
Please note: This tour is held outdoors. We suggest bringing sunscreen, protective clothing and water. The tour is canceled if it rains or during times of extreme heat (heat index of 95 degrees or higher/ Code Red weather alert).
Code: TH100811
Location: Conservatory Terrace
FREE: Pre-registration required: register online www.usbg.gov or call (202) 225-1116
National Mall Bike Tour of Trees
National Mall, Washington DC
Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley,
author of City of Trees
Bike along the National Mall at a leisurely pace, stopping to explore the trees and grounds of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Museums, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG). As a grand finale we will loop our way back through the lushly landscaped Capitol grounds, home to many venerable and impressive tree specimens, arriving back at Union Station.
Barring severe weather, this event will take place rain or shine. Please dress accordingly. Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered for ISA certified arborists.
If you'd like to attend this event you can RSVP online.
Once you have reservations, you can still click Sign Me Up to increase or decrease the number of people in your party (subject to availability).
October 29, 2011 - 9am-2pm
A Year at Boundary Bridge, Audubon Naturalist Society Saturday (9am-2pm) Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Melanie Choukas-Bradley at Carderock
Photo by Sophie Choukas-Bradley
Join the author of City of Trees for the fourth in a series of 2011 seasonal hikes in one of Washington, DC’s most beautiful wild areas. Starting at Boundary Bridge and following the same 2.5 mile loop trail each season, we’ll explore the large trees, diverse shrubs, and exceptional wildflowers along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek, just inside the Maryland/ District Line. We’ll also see and hear many species of birds, butterflies, and amphibians. Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we’ll conclude our series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike will be on trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking.
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Tina Thieme Brown
November is the perfect time for a hike to observe Sugarloaf Mountain’s rocky outcrops, free of summer shadows, and to develop an appreciation for the monadnock’s unique place in the historic Maryland Piedmont. There should still be some autumn color in the trees, and we’ll see fall fruits such as persimmons and hickory nuts. Common witch-hazel will be in bloom and we’ll work on winter diagnostics of Sugarloaf’s trees and shrubs. Our leaders are co-authors of two books on Sugarloaf. Tina will give pointers on drawing in the field, and Melanie will share historic and geologic highlights of this popular destination. Our hike will be short (less than two miles), but will include uphill and downhill walking and a fairly steep quarter mile hike up to the summit and back—all at a slow pace.
Natural Heritage Series: Peirce Mill to Pulpit Rock
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Steve Dryden Join Steve Dryden (author of Peirce Mill: Two Hundred Years in the Nation’s Capital) and Melanie Choukas-Bradley (author of City of Trees) for a winter stroll from Peirce Mill, which is nearing completion of a 10-year restoration, to the scenic crest of Pulpit Rock. Learn about the historic mill that has been grinding grain in the nation’s capital since before the Revolutionary War. Our leaders will share some of the history of Rock Creek Park as it celebrates 120 years as one of America’s first and most beloved federal parks. As we walk to Pulpit Rock at a leisurely pace, Melanie will point out the woody plants along the hillside above Rock Creek and teach some tricks for winter identification. Our distance will be 2-3 miles, on a mix of natural and paved-surface trails. Most of the hike is over relatively flat terrain, but there will be a half mile of relatively-steep woodland trail.
National Mall Bike Tour of Trees
National Mall, Washington DC
Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley,
author of City of Trees
Beginning at 9 am we will bike along the National Mall at a leisurely pace, stopping to explore the gardens and grounds of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Museums, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG). As a grand finale we will loop our way back through the lushly landscaped Capitol grounds, home to many venerable and impressive tree specimens, arriving back at Union Station at noon.
Meet at the southwest corner of Union Station (near the Metro entrance) at 9 a.m. The instructor and assistant will be wearing Casey Trees safety vests. Bring your own bicycle (which you can transport on the Metro according to their regulations) or rent a bike at Union Station. Wear a hat and sunscreen and bring water and snacks. Casey Trees will issue safety vests for the tour.
This event is free. Registration is required and is limited to 15 people.
Date: Saturday, June 4, 2011 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Address:
50 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
If you'd like to attend this event you can RSVP online.
Once you have reservations, you can still click Sign Me Up to increase or decrease the number of people in your party (subject to availability).
June 18, 2011 - 9am-2pm
Melanie Choukas-Bradley at Carderock
Photo by Sophie Choukas-Bradley
A Year at Boundary Bridge Saturdays (9am-2pm) Section B: April 9 Section C: June 18 Section D: October 29 Section A: January 29
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Join the author of City of Trees for our fifth year of hikes in one of Washington, D.C.’s most beautiful wild areas. Starting at Boundary Bridge and following the same 2.5 mile loop trail each season, we’ll explore the large trees, diverse shrubs, and exceptional wildflowers along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek. We’ll also see and hear many species of birds, butterflies, and amphibians. On our winter walk, an ideal time to admire the Park’s topography, we’ll look and listen for winter flocks and identify many species of woody plants. In April, we’ll witness the spring magic of Rock Creek’s myriad wildflowers. As summer arrives in the Park, we’ll hope for a glimpse of a kingfisher as we look for ferns and early seasonal wildflowers such as enchanter’s nightshade. Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we’ll conclude our series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike will be on trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking.
Each walk: Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35 Two walks: Members: $44; Nonmembers: $62 Three walks: Members: $63; Nonmembers: $88
Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley,
author of City of Trees
Spend a summer evening learning to identify trees of the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Coastal Plain as you tour the Regional Garden. Melanie will teach you how to identify tupelo, hophornbeam, red buckeye, pawpaw, oaks, pines and many other native trees as you stroll the grounds of the National Garden. She will also share some of the arboreal history of Washington, D.C., which has long been known as the “City of Trees,” and offer ideas for self-guided tree tours in and around the nation’s capital.
Code: TH072111 Date: Thursday, July 21 Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Location: National Garden Lawn Terrace
Early registration ends on 05/05/2011.
Regular registration starts on 05/06/2011 and ends on 07/22/2011.
Late registration starts on 07/22/2011.
All times are 12:00am (GMT-05:00) Eastern Time (US & Canada).
July 6-July 27, 2011, Wednesdays, 7-9:30 pm
Natural History Field Studies Course
Summer Wildflower Identification
Co-Sponsored by the Audubon Naturalist Society
and the Graduate School
Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley,
author of City of Trees
NATH 1149E, 1 credit
From milkweeds and morning glories to orchids and asters, summer presents a diverse array of wildflowers for study of plant family characteristics and ways to identify different species. Field trips to two scenic locations for summer wildflowers provide an opportunity for practice in the use of identification guides. Previous Spring Flower Identification class or similar course is recommended but not required.
Class night and time: Wednesdays, 7-9:30 pm Class meetings: July 6-July 27 Field Trip Dates: July 16 (Comus farms) and July 23 (Sugarloaf). Optional kayaking trip at Fletcher’s Cove, July 30 Location: Woodend Sanctuary, MD Tuition: $259 Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley To Register Online:http://www.graduateschool.edu/course_details.php?cid=NATH1149E
Required text:Newcomb's Wildflower Guide by Lawrence Newcomb.
Recommended text:An Illustrated Guide to Eastern Woodland Wildflowers and Trees: 350 Plants Observed at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland by Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Tine Thieme Brown. (Instructor has loaner copies).
Recommended text:Finding Wildflowers in the Washington-Baltimore Area by Cristol Fleming, Marion Blois Lobstein and Barbara Tufty.
Melanie Choukas-Bradley is the author of three natural history books, including two botanical field guides, and she is a free-lance contributor to the Washington Post. She has led many field trips for ANS. B.A., University of Vermont.
April 9, 2011 - 9am-2pm
Melanie Choukas-Bradley at Carderock
Photo by Sophie Choukas-Bradley
A Year at Boundary Bridge Saturdays (9am-2pm) Section B: April 9 Section C: June 18 Section D: October 29 Section A: January 29
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Join the author of City of Trees for our fifth year of hikes in one of Washington, D.C.’s most beautiful wild areas. Starting at Boundary Bridge and following the same 2.5 mile loop trail each season, we’ll explore the large trees, diverse shrubs, and exceptional wildflowers along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek. We’ll also see and hear many species of birds, butterflies, and amphibians. On our winter walk, an ideal time to admire the Park’s topography, we’ll look and listen for winter flocks and identify many species of woody plants. In April, we’ll witness the spring magic of Rock Creek’s myriad wildflowers. As summer arrives in the Park, we’ll hope for a glimpse of a kingfisher as we look for ferns and early seasonal wildflowers such as enchanter’s nightshade. Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we’ll conclude our series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike will be on trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking.
Each walk: Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35 Two walks: Members: $44; Nonmembers: $62 Three walks: Members: $63; Nonmembers: $88
Tree Walk: Lincoln Cottage & Rock Creek Cemetery
President Lincoln's Cottage
Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley - Author, City of Trees
Author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead participants around the grounds of President Lincoln's Civil War era summer home. Explore the noteworthy trees around the newly renovated cottage and pay a visit to the nearby Rock Creek Cemetery. The cemetery is home to many historic trees and the gravesite of Alexander "Boss" Shepherd, who planted 60,000 trees during the 1870s as the second and last governor of D.C., contributing to the lasting legacy known as the "City of Trees."
If you would like to purchase an autographed copy of City of Trees the day of the event, please email Melanie Choukas-Bradley (mcb@melaniechoukas-bradley.com) by April 8.
Each copy is $20. Cash or check - made out to University of Virginia Press - are accepted.
Comfortable walking attire and footwear is recommended.
Advance registration is required; space is limited. This class is FREE.
Other Notes:
Please pack a picnic lunch.
While the event is Metro-accessible, we encourage cars or bicylces as we will be shuttling between locations. Casey Trees has made special arrangements for Cottage tour reservations. The tour will begin promptly at 10am. Please arrive by 9:30.
This tour is in high demand. Please let us know as soon as possible if you need to cancel.
Date: Saturday, April 16, 2011 Time: 9:30am - 3:00pm
If you'd like to attend this event you can RSVP online.
Once you have reservations, you can still click Sign Me Up to increase or decrease the number of people in your party (subject to availability).
April 29, 2011 (11am-2pm)
Arbor Day Celebration in the City of Trees
Tudor Place Historic House and Garden
1644 31st Street, NW
Washington, DC 20007
City of Trees author Melanie Choukas-Bradley will give a slide presentation highlighting the historic and botanically diverse trees of our city. She will discuss the involvement of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other leaders in creating a "city of trees."
Box lunch and tour of Tudor Place's "witness" trees follows the lecture.
$20/person (Tudor Place Landmark Society members $15)
Saturday, May 21 (10am-3pm)
Spring Hike on Sugarloaf Mountain Leaders Melanie-Choukas Bradley and Tina Brown Members $25; nonmembers $35
Join Sugarloaf author Melanie Choukas-Bradley and illustrator Tina Thieme Brown for an outing devoted to the botany, wildlife, geology, and history of Sugarloaf Mountain, a monadnock in the rural Piedmont northwest of Washington, D.C. The 1.5-2.5 mile hike, with some uphill and downhill on rocky terrain, is timed to coincide with the flowering of many woodland plants, including fringe-tree, Canada Mayflower, several violet species, and possibly one or more orchids. Bring binoculars to look for wood thrushes, worm-eating warblers, ravens, and other bird species. Tina will give a brief demonstration on illustrating plants in the field during our lunch break.
May 31, 2011 at 7:30 p.m., White Oak Library—Large Meeting Room, White Oak, Maryland
Speakers: Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author, teacher and MNPS board member & Tina Thieme Brown, botanical artist, teacher and environmental activist.
“Wildflowers in Focus”
Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Tina Thieme Brown, author and artist of two books about Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland, will talk about their “Wildflower in Focus” column for Marilandica, formerly the Native News. Over the past few years they have described and illustrated nearly two dozen Maryland wildflowers for MNPS. Their articles and artwork can be viewed on www.mdflora.org. They will describe their creative process from field work to finished article and art. As each wildflower is discussed they will invite input from the audience about their favorite places to see the plants. Melanie and Tina will also talk about their ten year project to document and celebrate the natural history and flora of Sugarloaf. Melanie teaches the summer wildflower identification course through ANS and the Graduate School and Tina teaches botanical art at the US Botanic Garden. They are longtime field trip leaders for ANS and other organizations. Tina’s art studio in Barnesville, MD is part of the Countryside Artisans open studio tours.
National Mall Bike Tour of Trees
National Mall, Washington DC
Instructor: Melanie Choukas-Bradley,
author of City of Trees
Beginning at 9 am we will bike along the National Mall at a leisurely pace, stopping to explore the gardens and grounds of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Museums, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG). As a grand finale we will loop our way back through the lushly landscaped Capitol grounds, home to many venerable and impressive tree specimens, arriving back at Union Station at noon.
Meet at the southwest corner of Union Station (near the Metro entrance) at 9 a.m. The instructor and assistant will be wearing Casey Trees safety vests. Bring your own bicycle (which you can transport on the Metro according to their regulations) or rent a bike at Union Station. Wear a hat and sunscreen and bring water and snacks. Casey Trees will issue safety vests for the tour.
This event is free. Registration is required and is limited to 15 people.
Date: Saturday, June 4, 2011 Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Address:
50 Massachusetts Avenue NE
Washington, DC 20002
If you'd like to attend this event you can RSVP online.
Once you have reservations, you can still click Sign Me Up to increase or decrease the number of people in your party (subject to availability).
Audubon Naturalist Society - Rock Creek Park Forays
A Year at Boundary Bridge Saturdays (9 am-2 pm) Section A: January 29 Section B: April 9 Section C: June 18 Section D: October 29 Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Join the author of City of Trees for our fifth year of hikes in one of Washington, D.C.’s most beautiful wild areas. Starting at Boundary Bridge and following the same 2.5 mile loop trail each season, we’ll explore the large trees, diverse shrubs, and exceptional wildflowers along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek.
Melanie Choukas-Bradley at Carderock
Photo by Sophie Choukas-Bradley
We’ll also see and hear many species of birds, butterflies, and amphibians. On our winter walk, an ideal time to admire the Park’s topography, we’ll look and listen for winter flocks and identify many species of woody plants. In April, we’ll witness the spring magic of Rock Creek’s myriad wildflowers. As summer arrives in the Park, we’ll hope for a glimpse of a kingfisher as we look for ferns and early seasonal wildflowers such as enchanter’s nightshade. Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we’ll conclude our series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike will be on trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking.
Each walk: Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35 Two walks: Members: $44; Nonmembers: $62 Three walks: Members: $63; Nonmembers: $88 Entire series: Members: $80; Nonmembers: $112 Registration required. Please use the registration form.
February 19, 2011, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
The United States Botanic GardenTour - Winter Tree Tour of the Capitol Grounds
Melanie Choukas-Bradley, Author, “City of Trees”
Winter is the best time to appreciate the architecture of the historic trees gracing the U.S. Capitol Grounds. Participants will meet in front of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory and stroll around the Capitol, admiring and learning about its magnificent trees from around the country and the world. We’ll learn to identify Kentucky coffee trees, Japanese pagoda trees, beeches, magnolias, and dogwoods during winter. We’ll focus on the bark, buds, and overall growth habit of grand old trees, including many official state trees and memorial plantings. Giant sequoias and a massive willow oak are among the trees we’ll see. Melanie Choukas-Bradley will share history of the Capitol Grounds and the city of Washington as you tour the trees.
Code: TH021911 Date: Saturday, February 19 (Snow/Rain Date: Saturday, February 26) Time: 1:00–3:30 p.m. Location: Conservatory Terrace
FREE: Pre-registration required: Visit www.usbg.gov or call (202) 225–1116
Nature photographs by Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Polly Alexander.
Fall 2010 Tree Tours, Nature Walks and Public Lectures
Saturday, December 4 (9 am-12:30 pm)
Natural Heritage Series: Peirce Mill to Pulpit Rock
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Steve Dryden Join Steve Dryden (author of Peirce Mill: Two Hundred Years in the Nation’s Capital) and Melanie Choukas-Bradley (author of City of Trees) for a winter stroll from Peirce Mill, which is nearing completion of a 10-year restoration, to the scenic crest of Pulpit Rock. Learn about the historic mill that has been grinding grain in the nation’s capital since before the Revolutionary War. Our leaders will share some of the history of Rock Creek Park as it celebrates 120 years as one of America’s first and most beloved federal parks. As we walk to Pulpit Rock at a leisurely pace, Melanie will point out the woody plants along the hillside above Rock Creek and teach some tricks for winter identification. Our distance will be 2-3 miles, on a mix of natural and paved-surface trails. Most of the hike is over relatively flat terrain, but there will be a half mile of relatively-steep woodland trail.
A Slide Presentation by Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley
Celebrate seasonal beauty and regional history with a virtual tour of Sugarloaf Mountain, located in Maryland’s historic rural piedmont region. During the Civil War, Sugarloaf was an important lookout and signal station.
During the 1930s, it was FDR's first choice for a White House retreat. Frank Lloyd Wright designed a dramatic project for the mountain summit that was later adapted for the Guggenheim Museum. Always a delightful destination for a hike, picnic, or weekend drive, Sugarloaf Mountain is still a haven for hundreds of flowering plants, including the lovely fringe-tree and the endangered yellow-fringed orchid. In this slide presentation, you can experience Sugarloaf in all four seasons and learn highlights of its history, geology, and more.
Melanie Choukas-Bradley is the author of two natural history books about Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland (illustrated by Tina Thieme Brown) and City of Trees (illustrated by Polly Alexander). The author will sign copies of her books following the presentation.
WHEN: Monday, November 15, 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm WHERE: Brookside Gardens Visitors Center/Education Building, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD
This event is FREE and is open to the general public.
Silver Spring Garden Club dues are just $10 per year per individual/couple/household. Please consider joining and supporting this great organization.
Description:
Author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead four historic tree walks for Casey Trees during 2010 and early 2011. Join us on these tours to learn about the integral role that trees have played in the evolution of our nation’s capital.
On October 30th, Melanie will be taking us on the THIRD walk in her series. We will visit the grounds of the U.S. Capitol where official state trees from around the country will be blazing in full autumn glory. Learn about how President Lincoln urged construction of the half-finished Capitol dome to proceed during the uncertain Civil War years. Contemplate the Capitol grounds design that is the handiwork of Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned 19th century landscape architect who also designed New York City’s Central Park.
Next Spring (2011), the fourth walk will take place at President Lincoln’s summer home during the Civil War. During the summers of 1862-1864 the Lincoln family resided at the Soldiers’ Home property (now known as the Armed Forces Retirement Home) in northwest D.C., it was here that Lincoln rode on horseback the day before his assassination. Explore the noteworthy trees around the newly renovated Lincoln Cottage and pay a visit afterwards to nearby Rock Creek Cemetery. Rock Creek Cemetery is home to many historic trees and the gravesite of Alexander “Boss” Shepherd, who planted 60,000 trees during the 1870s as the second and last governor of D.C., contributing to the lasting legacy known as the “City of Trees.” This will be held on Saturday, April 16th.
You must sign up for each of four tree walks individually. Space is limited.
If you would like to receive an autographed copy of City of Trees, check the box in the registration form and bring a $20 in cash or check made out to the University of Virginia Press to the walk.
Prerequisite: None and open to the public.
Instructor: Melanie Choukas Bradley, author of "City of Trees." Date: Saturday, October 30th 2010 Time: 9:00 a.m. to noon.
October 16, 2010, 1:00pm - 3:30pm
United States Botanic Garden Tree Tour of Capitol Grounds
Autumn Tree Tour of the Capitol Grounds with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees
Autumn is a magnificent time to appreciate the architecture and colorful foliage of the historic trees that grace the U.S. Capitol Grounds. We’ll meet in front of the Conservatory and stroll around the Capitol, admiring and learning about its grand old tree specimens from around the country and the world, including many official state trees and memorial plantings. We’ll focus on autumn fruits and leaves and learn how to identify diverse species of oak, maple, beech, buckeye and many other trees. A large pecan and a massive willow oak are among the trees we’ll encounter. Ms. Choukas-Bradley will share history of the Capitol Grounds and the city of Washington. Binoculars optional but recommended. Please note: This tour will take place outside. Please dress for the weather and wear sunscreen.
FREE: Pre-registration required: register online www.usbg.gov or call (202) 225-1116
October 9, 2010, 9:00am - Noon
Casey Trees Historic Tree Walk with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of “City of Trees.”
Author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead us on two historic tree tours in October: the first walk at Rock Creek Park (October 9th), which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Learn to identify magnificent specimens of native oaks, maples, ashes, and hickories that grace the winding paths through the urban woodland park. Hear about conservation issues that were as relevant in 1890 as they are in 2010. During the second walk attendees visit the grounds of the U.S. Capitol (October 30th) where official state trees from around the country will be blazing in full autumn glory. Learn about how President Lincoln urged construction of the half-finished Capitol dome to proceed during the uncertain Civil War years. Contemplate the Capitol grounds design that is the handiwork of Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned 19th century landscape architect who also designed New York City’s Central Park.
You must sign up for each of tree walk individually. Space is limited.
If you would like to receive an autographed copy of City of Trees, check the box in the registration form and bring a $20 in cash or check made out to the University of Virginia Press to the walk.
Spring-Summer 2010 Tree Tours, Nature Walks and Public Lectures
July 22, 2010, Thursday evening 5:00-7:00
United States Botanic Garden "Trees of the Regional Garden" Melanie Choukas-Bradley, Author of City of Trees
Spend a summer evening learning to identify trees of the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Coastal Plan as you tour the Regional Garden. Melanie will trach you how to identify tupelo, hop hornbeam, red buckeye, pawpaw, oaks, pines, and many other native trees as you stroll the grounds of the National Garden. She will also share some of the arboreal history of Washington, DC, which has long been known as the "City of Trees," and offer ideas for self-guided tree tours in and around the nation's capitol.
Code: TH072210
Date: Thursday, July 22
Time: 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: National Garden Lawn Terrace
FREE: Pre-registration required: register online www.usbg.gov or call (202) 225-1116
United States Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20001 Contact Us | 202-225-8333
July 7-28, 2010, Wednesday 7:00-9:00pm
Natural History Field Studies Course
Co-Sponsored by the Audubon Naturalist Society and the Graduate School
Instructor Bio:
Melanie Choukas-Bradley is the author of three natural history books and a free-lance nature writer for the Washington Post, Naturalist News and other publications. She serves on the board of the Maryland Native Plant Society and authors their bi-monthly "Wildflower in Focus" column. Melanie frequently leads field trips for the Audubon Naturalist Society and other organizations. Melanie received her BA in English from the University of Vermont. She also attended Pierce College in Athens, Greece as an undergraduate.
Overview:
From milkweeds and morning glories to orchids and asters, summer presents a diverse array of wildflowers for study of plant family characteristics and ways to identify different species. Field trips to two scenic locations for summer wildflowers provide an opportunity for practice in the use of identification guides. Previous Spring Flower Identification class or similar course is recommended but not required. Field Trips: July 17 and July 24.
Leaders: Melanie-Choukas Bradley and Tina Brown Join Sugarloaf author Melanie Choukas-Bradley and illustrator Tina Brown for an outing devoted to the botany, wildlife, geology, and history of Sugarloaf Mountain, a monadnock in the rural Piedmont northwest of Washington, DC. The 1.5-2.5 mile hike, with some uphill and downhill on rocky terrain, is timed to coincide with the flowering of many woodland plants, including fringe-tree, pinxter, Canada Mayflower, an uncommon form of Jack-in-the-Pulpit, several violet species, and possibly one or more orchids. Bring binoculars to look for wood thrushes, worm-eating warblers, ravens, and other bird species. Tina will give a brief demonstration on illustrating plants in the field during our lunch break.
Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35 Registration required, please use registration form.
April 22, 2010, Thursday evening 7:00pm
Discover the Stories Behind Washington's Lush Trees at the DC Public
Library.
Celebrate Earth Day with Local Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley.
(Washington, DC) What stories do the trees in your neighborhood tell? Are
any of them willow oaks? If so, Thomas Jefferson, who designed and executed
the first D.C. street tree planting on record, would have loved them. Learn
more about Washington's trees on April 22nd at 7:00 pm, when author Melanie
Choukas-Bradley gives a lecture at the Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library
entitled "City of Trees."
Choukas-Bradley will take the public on a virtual tour of Washington's
botanic history and diversity. She will share pictures and stories behind
the trees in Cleveland Park, the White House, the Capitol, Mount Vernon and
other historic sites.
Choukas-Bradley has written three natural-history books including"City of Trees: The Complete Field Guide to the Trees of Washington, DC"
In
addition, Choukas-Bradley has been a long-time free-lance contributor to
The Washington
Post and other publications. A book sale and signing of her book courtesy
of Books-A-Million, will follow the program.
The Cleveland Park Neighborhood Library located at 3310 Connecticut Ave.,
NW near the Cleveland Park Metro Station. All District of Columbia
Library activities are free. For more information, please call 202-
282-3080. Click here for flyer.
April 17, 2010, 8:45am-12pm
Tree Tour of Historic Frederick Douglass's Home (“Cedar Hill”), Washington, DC, Casey Trees
Discover historic Cedar Hill, Frederick Douglass's family home overlooking the Anacostia River, with Melanie Choukas Bradley. Marvel at the impressive views stretching past Navy Yard and tour the ground's historic collection of trees. Participants will also be treated to a guided tour of the home led by U.S. National Park Service staff. Bring your camera and binoculars!
Code: TW101009
Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010
Location: 1411 W. St. SE
Time: 8:45am to 12pm
Fee: Free
Winter 2009 - 2010 Tree Tours, Nature Walks and Public Lectures
January 30, 2010, 9am-2pm
April 10, 2010, 9am-2pm
June 12, 2010, 9am-2pm
November 6, 2010, 9am-2pm
A Year at Boundary Bridge, Audubon Naturalist Society www.audubonnaturalist.org Saturdays (9 am-2 pm) Section A: January 30 Section B: April 10 Section C: June 12 Section D: November 6 Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
(ANS Boundary Bridge walks with Melanie Choukas-Bradley will continue in 2011 on January 29, April 9, June 18 and October 29.)
Melanie Choukas-Bradley at Carderock
Photo by Sophie Choukas-Bradley
Join the author of City of Trees for a series of hikes in one of Washington, DC’s most beautiful wild areas. Starting at Boundary Bridge and following the same 2.5 mile loop trail each season, we’ll explore the large trees, diverse shrubs, and exceptional wildflowers along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek, just inside the Maryland/ District Line. We’ll also see and hear many species of birds, butterflies, and amphibians. On our winter walk, an ideal time to admire the Park’s topography, we’ll look and listen for winter flocks
Melanie Choukas-Bradley with Virginia Bluebells on an Audubon Naturalist Society walk near Rock Creek.
Photo by Kathy Reiser.
and identify many species of woody plants. In April, we’ll witness the spring magic of Rock Creek’s myriad wildflowers. As summer arrives in the Park, we’ll hope for a glimpse of a kingfisher as we look for ferns and early seasonal wildflowers such as enchanter’s nightshade. Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we’ll conclude our series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike will be on trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking.
Each walk: Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35 Two walks: Members: $44; Nonmembers: $62 Three walks: Members: $63; Nonmembers: $88 Entire series: Members: $80; Nonmembers: $112 Registration required. Please use the registration form.
February 20 (Snow/Rain Date: February 27), 1- 3pm
United States Botanic Garden Winter Tree Tour of Capitol Grounds
Melanie Choukas–Bradley, Author of City of Trees
Winter is the best time to appreciate the architecture of the historic trees that grace the U.S. Capitol Grounds. We’ll meet in front of the Conservatory and stroll around the Capitol, admiring and learning about its magnificent trees from around the country and the world, including many official state trees and memorial plantings. We’ll learn how to identify Kentucky coffee trees, Japanese pagoda trees, beeches, magnolias, and dogwoods during winter, and focus on the bark, buds, and overall growth habit of grand old specimens. Giant sequoias and a massive willow oak are among the trees we’ll see. Ms. Choukas-Bradley will share history of the Capitol Grounds and the city of Washington. Binoculars optional but recommended. Please note: This tour will take place outside. Please dress warm. Snow/rain date is February 27.
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Tina Thieme Brown
Explore the winter woods of Sugarloaf Mountain with the co-authors/illustrators of two books on this monadnock’s natural and cultural history. We’ll hike from 1-3 miles, depending on trail and weather conditions, stopping to identify woody plants along the way, including oak species, heath family members, and the summit’s noteworthy table mountain pines. We’ll keep an eye out for seasonal birds, including chickadees, kinglets, woodpeckers, and even tundra swans. Melanie will talk about the mountain’s history and geology. Tina will share tips on gathering field information for your art/nature journal. Our hike will include some uphill/downhill walking and, depending on trail conditions, a fairly steep ¼ mile hike up to the summit - all at a slow pace. Members: $23; Nonmembers: $32
Registration required. Please use the registration form .
Fall 2009 Schedule of Field Trips, Tree Tours, and Public Lectures
September 27, 10am-3pm
Sugarloaf Mountain Field Trip, Maryland Native Plant Society Fall Conference www.mdflora.org.
Join Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of Sugarloaf: The Mountain's History, Geology, and Natural Lore and An Illustrated Guide to Eastern Woodland Wildflowers and Trees: 350 Plants Observed at Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland for a field trip to Sugarloaf Mountain. The trip will include a short steep slow hike to the summit of Sugarloaf, a quartzite monadnock and the only real mountain in Maryland’s historic Piedmont. The black birches and tupelos along the way may be showing some early autumn color. Table mountain pines, several species of oak, American chestnuts and witch-hazels grow near the trail as well as many shrubby members of the heath family. We will then explore the springs and creeks along the western side of the mountain looking for fall wildflowers such as great blue lobelia, two species of jewelweed, and aster family members. We will talk about the history and geology of this National Natural Landmark and Montgomery County’s adjacent Agricultural Reserve, a national model for farmland preservation.
Registration Required
October 3, 1-3pm
Fall Tour of the National Garden Trees, United States Botanic Garden on the Mall in Washington, D.C. www.usbg.gov
Spend an autumn afternoon learning to identify trees of the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Coastal Plain as you tour the National Garden of the US Botanic Gardens. Melanie will teach you how to identify tupelo, hop hornbeam, red buckeye, pawpaw, oaks, pines, and many other native trees as you spend time strolling the grounds of the National Garden. She will also share some of the arboreal history of Washington, DC, which has long been known as the “City of Trees,” and offer ideas for self-guided tree tours in and around the nation’s capital.
Code: TH100309
Date: Saturday, October 3
Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm
Location: National Garden Lawn Terrace
FREE: Pre-registration Required
October 10, 9:30am-12pm
Casey Trees Historic Tree Walk www.caseytrees.org Frederick Douglass Home and Grounds, Anacostia, Washington, D.C.
Melanie Choukas-Bradley - Author
Discover historic Cedar Hill, Frederick Douglass' family home, overlooking the Anacostia River with Melanie Choukas Bradley. Marvel at the impressive views stretching past Navy Yard and the ground's collection of trees just beginning to take on vibrant fall colors. Participants will also be treated to a guided tour of the home led by U.S. National Park Service staff. Bring your camera and binoculars! View slideshows from past tree walks here.
Code: TW101009
Date: Saturday, October 10, 2009
Location: 1411 W. St. SE
Time: 9:30 AM - 12:00 pm
Donation: $20.00 per person - includes signed copy of City of Trees
Pre-registration required
October 15, 7pm
Melanie Choukas-Bradley—Klingenstein Lecture Series presentation Washington, City of Trees and Sugarloaf Mountain
Slide Presentation and Book Signing
Location: The Barnesville School, Barnesville, Maryland
Time: 7:00 pm
October 17, Noon-3pm
Celebrate Tree Hugger Day at the Jefferson Memorial
in the Nation’s Capital
Presented by American Forests and IKEA in cooperation with The National Cherry Blossom Festival and the National Park Service
[NOTE: Music and Melanie's guided tree walks cancelled due to heavy
and cold rains.]
Free musical performance by folk duo Cathy Fink & Marcy Marxer!
Tree walks at the Tidal Basin by Melanie Choukas-Bradley (2:00-3:00) and National Park Naturalists
Free I’m a Tree Hugger t-shirts and buttons
Community Tree Hug at 1:30 pm
Special activities, crafts and photo opportunities for children
Appearance by the larger than life Treeture character, Blossom.
Free raffle of historic trees, new tree guide books from Melanie Choukas-Bradley and David Sibley, and more.
Help begin a new national tradition. Be part of the first Tree Hugger Day in the Nation’s Capital.
For information on National Tree Hugger Day, the photo contest and more, visit: www.imatreehugger.com.
October 21, 7-10pm
Chez Nous Reston Evening Salon
Melanie Choukas-Bradley, Naturalist “Historic Trees of Washington”
Slide Presentation and Book Signing
Buffet and Wine
11180 Ridge Heights Road, Reston, VA 20191
Tickets: $30 advance, $35 door
Checks for $30 (advance or $35 door) should be issued payable to Najwa Saad and mailed to
Najwa at 2036 Lakebreeze Way, Reston, VA 20191.
Questions: 571-235-3556.
October 31, 10am-2pm
Casey Trees Rock Creek Park Tree Walk www.caseytrees.org
Tree Tour of Rock Creek Park
"City of Trees"
Walk with Melanie Choukas Bradley as she highlights trees in Rock Creek Park. The autumn tree hike will cover 2 ½ miles of scenic Rock Creek woodlands. Participants will learn to identify many native trees and see large specimens growing along the creek and in the upland woods.
Code: TW103109
Date: Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009
Location: Boundary Bridge at Beach Drive and the Washington DC border.
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Fee: $20.00. Hikers will receive a copy of the newest edition of Ms. Choukas Bradley's book, City of Trees. To pay by credit card, go to: http://bit.ly/rEOdu. Or send a check, payable to Casey Trees, to Rukshani Lye, 1123 11th St. NW, Washington DC 20001.
For questions, call 202-349-1907 or email cherwig@caseytrees.org
Preregistration required
A Year at Boundary Bridge Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley Autumn is glorious in Rock Creek Park, and we'll conclude our seasonal series with a walk through colorful oaks, maples, and ashes, searching for the flowers of an early witch hazel in bloom. Our 2.5 mile circuit hike, starting at Boundary Bridge just inside the Maryland/District line and following along Rock Creek, will be on natural surface trails with moderate uphill and downhill walking. Our leader is the author of City of Trees and knows this area well. Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35 Registration required. Please use the registration form.
Saturday, November 14, 10am-3pm
Fall Hike on Sugarloaf Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Tina Thieme Brown
November is the perfect time for a hike to observe Sugarloaf Mountain’s rocky outcrops, free of summer shadows, and to develop an appreciation for the monadnock’s unique place in the historic Maryland Piedmont. There should still be some autumn color in the trees, and we’ll see fall fruits such as persimmons and hickory nuts. Common witch-hazel will be in bloom and we’ll work on winter diagnostics of Sugarloaf’s trees and shrubs. Bring binoculars to observe resident birds. Our leaders are co-authors of two books on Sugarloaf. Tina will give pointers on drawing in the field, and Melanie will share historic and geologic highlights of this popular destination. Our hike will be short (less than two miles), but will include uphill and downhill walking and a fairly steep ¼ mile hike up to the summit and back—all at a slow pace. Members: $25; Nonmembers: $35 Registration required. Please use the registration form.
Monday, November 16, 8pm
Please join the Silver Spring Garden Club for:
City Of Trees: Washington, DC
Celebrate autumn and winter beauty and regional history through the trees! Join the author of City of Trees: The Complete Field Guide to the Trees of Washington, D.C. for a slide presentation on the history and botanic diversity of the capital city’s trees. Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley will highlight Washington’s trees from George Washington and Thomas Jefferson’s time to the present day. Learn how Washington, DC, came to be known as the "City of Trees" and why our historic canopy is more essential than ever in the 21st century. Melanie will share stunning visual images of trees through the seasons at the White House, Capitol, National Arboretum, Mount Vernon, Tidal Basin, and other storied locations.
Melanie Choukas-Bradley is also the author of two natural history books about Sugarloaf Mountain, Maryland (illustrated by Tina Thieme Brown) and she has been a long-time free-lance contributor to The Washington Post and other publications. Melanie leads tree tours and field trips for the Audubon Naturalist Society, the Nature Conservancy, the US Botanic Garden, and Casey Trees and she teaches summer wildflower identification through the Natural History Field Studies Program of the Graduate School and ANS. She lectures widely and has been a guest on the Diane Rehm Show, the Kojo Nnamdi Show and All Things Considered. She was interviewed earlier this year on WAMU’s Metro Connection. In 2005, Melanie served as Programs and Education Director for the 25th anniversary celebration of Montgomery County Maryland’s nationally recognized Agricultural Reserve. As a staff member of the House Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Melanie played a major role in the first post-Love Canal Congressional hearing on hazardous waste disposal. The hearing was chaired by Al Gore. Melanie is a former news director for a New Hampshire radio station. She is Vice President of the Maryland Native Plant Society and she serves on the Chevy Chase Tree Ordinance Board. Melanie lives in Chevy Chase, MD with her husband, Jim, an energy attorney. Her daughter is in graduate school and her son is a college freshman.
WHEN: Monday, November 16, 8:00pm, doors open at 7:30pm
WHERE: Brookside Gardens Visitors Center/Education Building, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD
This event is FREE and is open to the general public.
Silver Spring Garden Club dues are just $10 per year per individual/couple/household. Please consider joining and supporting this great organization.
Feel free to forward this announcement on.
Nature photographs by Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Polly Alexander.
The Natural History Field Studies Certificate Program is offered through 
City of Trees author Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead a tree tour at the historic Anacostia home of Frederick Douglass. The tree tour will immediately follow a 9:30 house tour of the Cedar Hill home where Douglass, a renowned 19th century abolitionist and women’s rights advocate, spent the happy and productive final years of his life. Many venerable trees grace the scenic property including several species of oaks and hickories, white ash, hackberry, and southern magnolia. The walk will cover a moderate distance over uneven terrain and will take place rain or shine, barring hazardous weather. Please dress accordingly.
Autumn is a magnificent time to appreciate the architecture and colorful foliage of the historic trees that grace the U.S. Capitol Grounds. Meet in front of the Conservatory to stroll around the Capitol, admiring and learning about its grand old tree specimens from around the country and the world, including many official state trees and memorial plantings. Melanie Choukas-Bradley will focus on autumn fruits and leaves and teach how to identify diverse species of oak, maple, beech, buckeye and many other trees. Melanie will share history of the Capitol Grounds and the city of Washington. Binoculars optional but recommended. Participants are encouraged to bring their own brown bag lunch to enjoy with Melanie after the tour! 
Bike along the National Mall at a leisurely pace, stopping to explore the trees and grounds of the National Gallery of Art, the Smithsonian Museums, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the United States Botanic Garden (USBG). As a grand finale we will loop our way back through the lushly landscaped Capitol grounds, home to many venerable and impressive tree specimens, arriving back at Union Station. 
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Tina Thieme Brown 
Leaders: Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Steve Dryden
July 21, 2011
Summer Wildflower Identification 
Author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead participants around the grounds of President Lincoln's Civil War era summer home. Explore the noteworthy trees around the newly renovated cottage and pay a visit to the nearby Rock Creek Cemetery. The cemetery is home to many historic trees and the gravesite of Alexander "Boss" Shepherd, who planted 60,000 trees during the 1870s as the second and last governor of D.C., contributing to the lasting legacy known as the "City of Trees."
Spring Hike on Sugarloaf Mountain
“Wildflowers in Focus”
Celebrate seasonal beauty and regional history with a virtual tour of Sugarloaf Mountain, located in Maryland’s historic rural piedmont region. During the Civil War, Sugarloaf was an important lookout and signal station.
Author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley will lead us on two historic tree tours in October: the first walk at Rock Creek Park (October 9th), which is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Learn to identify magnificent specimens of native oaks, maples, ashes, and hickories that grace the winding paths through the urban woodland park. Hear about conservation issues that were as relevant in 1890 as they are in 2010. During the second walk attendees visit the grounds of the U.S. Capitol (October 30th) where official state trees from around the country will be blazing in full autumn glory. Learn about how President Lincoln urged construction of the half-finished Capitol dome to proceed during the uncertain Civil War years. Contemplate the Capitol grounds design that is the handiwork of Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned 19th century landscape architect who also designed New York City’s Central Park. 
Spend a summer evening learning to identify trees of the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Coastal Plan as you tour the Regional Garden. Melanie will trach you how to identify tupelo, hop hornbeam, red buckeye, pawpaw, oaks, pines, and many other native trees as you stroll the grounds of the National Garden. She will also share some of the arboreal history of Washington, DC, which has long been known as the "City of Trees," and offer ideas for self-guided tree tours in and around the nation's capitol. 
Instructor Bio: