Autumn Tree Walk at Theodore Roosevelt Island — Audubon Naturalist Society
2022-11-16 09:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Theodore Roosevelt Island
Join longtime ANS field trip leader and author of the award-winning book, Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island, and several other nature books, for a seasonal exploration of this 90-acre island in the Potomac River which serves as a fitting memorial to our conservationist and naturalist 26th President—and Audubon Naturalist Society member.
This fall tree walk will take you deep into the island, where swamp and tidal inlet can be explored by boardwalk as willows, bald cypresses and cattails frame views of the city behind it. We’ll see autumn color among the trees as well as exciting new vistas as the leaves fall. In addition to sharing her knowledge and love of the Island’s trees, Melanie will share details of this National Park’s fascinating history.
Expect a flat walk of nearly two miles at a leisurely pace.
Our circuit walk will traverse natural surface trails as well as boardwalk, both of which may be muddy and/or slippery.

The Beauty and Magic of Winter Trees
2023-02-14 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Online
A lively lunchtime talk about the amazing life and beauty of DC area trees in winter.
Winter reveals the forms and details of trees that often go unnoticed during nature’s busy seasons. There is magic in the air, even if we’ve had no snow!
Join Capital Nature and naturalists Melanie Choukas-Bradley and Alonso Abugattas as we explore the subtle beauty of trees in winter. We’ll look at trees you may find in your neighborhood or local parks, highlighting their winter garb and their special stories.
We’ll draw on plant science and folklore from Chesapeake indigenous and European traditions. And as winter inches toward spring, our naturalists will show us how close observation will reveal the signs of budding life.

Zoom Talk: Potomac Conservancy
2023-02-28 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Explore the Potomac Gorge’s fascinating landscapes & plant life through the seasons with Melanie Choukas-Bradley via Zoom.
Zoom link will be sent to confirmed participants. RSVP to Melissa Rodriguez at 301-608-1188 x204 or Rodriguez@potomac.org

A Journey Through the Potomac Gorge: Afternoon Lecture/Seminar (Smithsonian Associates)
2023-03-29 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Online
Potomac River, Great Falls National Park

The Potomac Gorge is one of the most biologically diverse and ecologically significant landmarks in the nation, supporting a wide range of habitats, plants, and animals, including many rare species. It has held an important place in human history since the Ice Age. Although many people are aware of sections of this treasured landscape, few know and appreciate the Potomac Gorge as a whole.

Naturalist and popular study leader Melanie Choukas-Bradley has spent the past year exploring the gorge on foot, by bicycle, and by kayak. She leads a virtual journey into what’s perhaps the most dramatic section of the 405-mile-long river: the 15-mile stretch in the backyard of the nation’s capital where the Potomac drops 130 feet from the hard bedrock of the Piedmont to the flat Atlantic Coastal Plain.
She traces the Potomac Gorge from its origin at the scenic wonder of Great Falls in Maryland and Virginia and follows it as it flows, often through dramatic cliffs and bluffs, to Theodore Roosevelt Island in the District. She spotlights aspects of the spectacular parkland on both sides of the river, including the C&O Canal, Billy Goat Trail, Carderock, Cabin John Creek in Maryland, Difficult Run, Turkey Run, Scott’s Run, and the Potomac Heritage Trail in Virginia. The program offers the perfect way to plan your outdoor adventures for the coming seasons.
Choukas-Bradley is the author of City of Trees: A Year in Rock Creek Park; and Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island.
May We Suggest
If you are interested in this program, check out our Springtime on the Potomac Heritage Trail: A Wildflower Hike at Turkey Run Park in-person tours on April 11, April 12, or April 13.
General Information

View Common FAQs and Policies about our Online Programs on Zoom.

U.S. Capitol Grounds Tree Walk With Melanie Choukas-Bradley
2023-04-02 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum, Washington, DC, United States
Washington DC has been known as “The City of Trees” for over 100 years. With a rich arboreal history and amazing ecological diversity, it’s easy to understand how we’ve earned this name! Join us for an exciting opportunity with DC naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees and several other nature books, for an early spring tree tour of the historic and botanically diverse trees of the Capitol Grounds and Arboretum(the new official name of the site).
During this tree walk we will circumnavigate the Capitol, admiring and studying the trees in earliest springtime splendor including several species of maple and magnolia, century-old oaks, pecans, giant sequoias, and the intriguing jujube. In addition to the earliest blooms at the Capitol, we’ll get a last look at many winter buds just before budbreak.
Learn about the many official state trees on the grounds and get an overview of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design for the Capitol landscape, which shares elements of his plan for Central Park. Stop at notable sections of the grounds to see the five crabapple trees planted to honor the five Sullivan brothers who died when their naval ship went down during World War II; a horse-chestnut propagated from Anne Frank’s tree in Amsterdam; and a white oak planted by House Speaker Sam Rayburn.
Melanie is intimately acquainted with the Capitol’s trees, having studied them for over 40 years beginning with research for the first edition of her local nature classic, City of Trees.
In addition to City of Trees: The Complete Field Guide to the Trees of Washington, DC; Melanie is the award-winning author of six other regional nature titles, including: A Year in Rock Creek Park, Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island, and The Joy of Forest Bathing.
Register today to learn from Melanie and see some of our District’s most beautiful trees as they start to transform and blossom for Spring!

Bluebells and Budbreak at Boundary Bridge (Nature Forward)
2023-04-07 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Boundary Bridge at Rock Creek Park
The author of the award-winning book, A Year in Rock Creek Park and the critically acclaimed City of Trees will offer her 17th year of Nature Forward walks in the country’s oldest urban national park. Under her expert guidance, you will witness the annual floral miracle of Virginia bluebells, spring beauties, and trout lilies in the floodplain forest, while the leaves of tulip tree and American beech begin to spill from their buds.
We’ll hope to catch bloodroot, wild ginger, cut-leafed toothwort and other blooming spring ephemerals as we explore both floodplain and upland woods at a leisurely pace. Time permitting, we’ll do a bit of “forest bathing.” Throughout, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for belted kingfishers, wood ducks, migrant songbirds, and tiny spring peeper frogs. Expect some uphill/downhill walking on natural surface trails which may be muddy and/or slippery.

Springtime on the Potomac Heritage Trail: A Wildflower Hike at Turkey Run Park (Smithsonian Associates)
2023-04-11 10:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Turkey Run Park, (first parking lot from Park's George Washington Memorial Parkway exit), McLean, VA, 22101, United States
Discover the spring splendors of the Potomac Gorge, a 1,900-acre natural area spanning Maryland and Virginia, and one of the most geologically diverse places on Earth. Hiking north from Turkey Run Park along the Potomac Heritage Trail, experience the contrasting terrains of the more gentle, terraced landscape in Maryland and the steeper, dissected area in Virginia.
Trek along one of the most scenic sections of the Potomac River on a wilderness adventure inside the Beltway as you admire lush upland forests and floodplains brilliantly decorated by Virginia bluebells. Don’t forget to keep an eye out for great blue herons and other native fauna found in the temporary pools and side channels.
Study leader Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a naturalist and author of several Washington-area nature books, has spent a year exploring the Potomac Gorge from Great Falls to Theodore Roosevelt Island for a forthcoming book, and this trek covers one of her favorite sections of the gorge. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the adventure.
Know Before You Go

Tour participants meet at on site at Parking Lot C in Turkey Run Park (the first parking lot from George Washington Memorial Parkway).
Additional information is emailed two weeks prior to the tour.
While the hike includes mostly flat terrain, tour participants must be in good physical condition. The route includes a long flight of well-engineered wooden steps descending into the gorge and back up, plus a stream crossing on stepping stones. Total hike distance is 2–2.5 miles, and many stops are made en route.
Lunch is not included; please pack your own food to enjoy while on the trail.
The tour is limited to 20 participants.

Additional Date Options for this Tour

April 12
April 13

May We Suggest
If you are interested in this tour, check out A Journey Through the Potomac Gorge program on Wednesday, March 29, 12 p.m. ET on Zoom.
General Information

Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Monday, April 10, 2023.
For additional tour information:

Study Tour Policies
Refund/Cancellation Policy

Forest Bathing Walk with Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley — Politics & Prose
2023-05-05 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Tregaron Conservancy, 3031 Klingle Road, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
RESCHEDULED FOR MAY 5 BECAUSE OF RAIN

Join Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of The Joy of Forest Bathing and A Year in Rock Creek Park, and several other nature books for a spring forest bathing walk through the enchanting Tregaron Conservancy, a woodland garden tucked away in the midst of northwest Washington that has been restored and stewarded by a non-profit organization since 2006. We will meander under tall trees, cross picturesque bridges over musical streams, and climb stone steps through a century-old cultivated and wild woodland landscape reminiscent of “the secret garden.”
Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, began in the 1980s in Japan and it is rooted in the traditional Japanese reverence for nature. Forest bathing is a mindfulness practice akin to meditation, yoga and tai chi that involves tuning in to the beauty and wonder of your natural surroundings with all of your senses.
Melanie is a nature and forest therapy guide with certification from the Association of Nature and Forest Therapy Guides & Programs and she has participated in guided shinrin-yoku walks throughout Japan. She will guide you on a calming and rejuvenating walk through the Tregaron woodland with plenty of time to slow down and soak up the beauty of this enchanting wild garden, one of the best kept secrets in our city.
Meet at the iron gate entrance on Klingle Road, NW. Please note there is another entrance to the Conservancy on Macomb Street, NW and also pedestrian access from the Rock Creek Park Klingle Valley Trail.
Know Before You Go:
Preparation for the Walk: Dress in comfortable clothing and be prepared for slow walking on natural trails and stone steps with some hill climbing. Bring rain gear if showers are expected.
Weather Policy: We will go ahead in light intermittent rain but will reschedule if steady heavy rain is in the forecast.
Directions, Map and other information: Tregaron is a 10-15 minute walk from the Cleveland Park and Woodley Metro stops and can be accessed on foot or by bicycle (no bikes allowed within Tregaron) from the Klingle Valley Trail in Rock Creek Park.
We will meet at the iron gate entrance at 3031 Klingle Road, NW. You may also enter from 3100 Macomb Street, NW and walk through the park to meet up with us at the gate on Klingle.
Please note: there are no restrooms at Tregaron. There is a Starbucks on Connecticut Avenue across from the Zoo on Connecticut Avenue in Cleveland Park, each of which is a 10-15 minute walk from the meeting place.
Please visit this site for detailed transportation options and directions, a map and information about the Tregaron Conservancy.
Registration Limited to 15 people.
Please let us know any questions. Email: classes@politics-prose.com

Forest Bathing Trip Product

$50.00

click here for details

Capitol Tree Walk with Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley — Politics & Prose
2023-05-13 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20016, United States
Join naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees and several other nature books, for a spring walking tour of historic and botanically diverse trees of the U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum (the new official name of the site). The visit offers the chance to admire trees in springtime splendor including several species of maple and magnolia, century-old oaks, pecans, giant sequoia, and the intriguing jujube.
Learn about the many official state trees on the grounds and get an overview of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design for the Capitol landscape, which shares elements of his plan for Central Park. Stop at notable sections of the grounds to see the five crabapple trees planted to honor the five Sullivan brothers who died when their naval ship went down during World War II; a horse-chestnut propagated from Anne Frank’s tree in Amsterdam; and a white oak planted by House Speaker Sam Rayburn.
Melanie is intimately acquainted with the Capitol’s trees, having studied them for 40 years beginning with research for the first edition of her local nature classic, City of Trees.
In addition to City of Trees: The Complete Field Guide to the Trees of Washington, DC, Melanie is the award-winning author of six other regional nature titles, including A Year in Rock Creek Park, Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island and The Joy of Forest Bathing, all available for sale through Politics and Prose.
We will meet in front of the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, at 10 AM.
Know Before You Go: Politics and Prose is now following DC Government and CDC guidelines for Covid protocol. Masks are optional. We are encouraging the use of wearing masks but will not be checking vaccination cards or mandating that everyone wear a mask. We’ll continue monitoring the covid situation closely, and any decision to reinstate a mask mandate or vaccine acknowledgement requirement will be tied to the community rating system recently introduced by the CDC.
Preparation for the Walk: Dress in comfortable clothing and be prepared for slow walking around the Capitol grounds. (No stairs). Bring rain gear if showers are expected.
Weather Policy: We will go ahead in light intermittent rain but will reschedule if steady heavy rain is in the forecast.
Directions, Map and other information: Please visit this site for directions, a map and information about the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory: https://www.usbg.gov/conservatory
Registration Limited to 20 participants.
Please let us know any questions. Email: classes@politics-prose.com

Capitol Tree Walk Trip Product

$50.00

Botanical Bliss: An Immersive Nature Walk (On-site Tour)
2023-05-20 10:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20016, United States
Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of The Joy of Forest Bathing, City of Trees, and other regional nature books leads this slow-moving, immersive tour through the USBG outdoor gardens. The tour aims to promote wellness and reflection on nature. Join Melanie as she guides you to explore the beauty and wonder of the gated outdoor gardens through all five senses. You will pause throughout to witness exquisite May flowers and abundant pollinators of the Garden, share experiences, and explore observations. At the conclusion of the journey, you will have the opportunity to reflect and sip some pure maple sap “tea.”
Intended Audience: All Levels: Suitable for all learners, this program will provide a variety of content. Program provider will answer both introductory and more advanced questions.
DATE: Saturday, May 20
TIME: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
LOCATION: Group will meet on the Terrace by the entrance to the Conservatory
FREE: Pre-registration required

A Spring Walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island (Smithsonian Associates)
2023-05-23 08:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Theodore Roosevelt Island
Stone steps and bridge at Theodore Roosevelt Island
Enjoy a spring morning walk on a natural oasis in the Potomac with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, the author of the book Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island. The nearly 2-mile path follows the island’s shore and moves deep into the swamp and tidal inlet along the boardwalk where willows, bald cypresses, and cattails frame views of Washington, D.C.
She shares an overview of the landscape’s fascinating mix of trees, wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife and highlights the island’s history and the legacy of the naturalist and conservationist president it memorializes. The morning also includes pauses for moments of guided forest bathing to quietly soak up the beauty of this wild island set against the capital city.
In addition to her book on Theodore Roosevelt Island, Choukas-Bradley is the award-winning author of six other regional nature titles, including The Joy of Forest Bathing and City of Trees, available for sale through Politics & Prose.
Know Before You Go

Tour participants meet at the Theodore Roosevelt Island Bridge off the parking lot (George Washington Memorial Parkway northbound lanes between Roosevelt Bridge and Key Bridge).
Bring water, a snack, and comfortable, sturdy shoes.
This is an easy-to-moderate walk.

Additional Date Options for this Tour

May 24
May 25

Book Sale Information

Purchase your copy of City of Trees by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
Purchase your copy of Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
Purchase your copy of The Joy of Forest Bathing by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
SPECIAL NOTE: Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 (no space between letters and numbers) in the “Coupon discount” section on Politics and Prose’s check-out page.

General Information

Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Monday, May 22, 2023.
Smithsonian is a mask-friendly environment. Masks are strongly recommended but not required.
For additional tour information:

Study Tour Policies
Refund/Cancellation Policy

Paddle on the Potomac (Nature Forward)
2023-07-19 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Key Ridge Boathouse – Georgetown Waterfront, WA, 20007, United States
Join us at the Key Bridge Boathouse for a summer paddling trip around Theodore Roosevelt Island. Discover the magic of paddling around DC’s historic 88.5 acre island in the Potomac beneath the boughs of magnificent sycamores, cottonwoods, silver maples, black walnuts, basswoods and river birches.
Witness the blooms of summer wildflowers growing along the shoreline and the thrill of spotting ospreys, bald eagles, herons and egrets, and the noisy kingfisher!
Our leader is the author of Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island, so she knows this area well. Canoes or kayaks can be rented or you can bring your own. Registration fee does not include boat rental.

Literary Hill Bookfest
2023-09-17 11:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | North Hall at Eastern Market, Capitol Hill
The Literary Hill BookFest showcases 40+ authors, booksellers, and literary organizations. The event takes place this Sunday, September 17 from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the North Hall at Eastern Market on Capitol Hill.

The festival shines a spotlight on Capitol Hill-based booksellers, publishers, and other literary organizations and celebrates the Hill as a respected center for literacy and the humanities.
BEFORE THE BOOKFEST
— Use the official event hashtag #LHBF2023 in your tweets and tag us on your social media accounts with @theliteraryhill. We will “like” and retweet to share your post!
— Keep your fans up-to-date on BookFest developments by sharing or retweeting our posts! We are actively promoting this year’s event on Instagram, Twitter (X), and Facebook.
DURING THE BOOKFEST
— Go live from your table on Instagram or Facebook, or record some snippets of your author talk (if you’re scheduled for one) for Reels. Send out live posts or threads.
— Tag other BookFest authors in your posts. Who else is writing in your genre? Whe else is participating onyour panel?
AFTER THE BOOKFEST
— Thank all your visitors and invite them to see you again at next year’s BookFest!

Theodore Roosevelt’s North Dakota: Badlands, Bison, and the Making of a Conservationist — Smithsonian Associates
2023-10-07 18:00 - 2023-10-11 12:00 (America/North_Dakota/Center) | Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
In 1883, Theodore Roosevelt looked to the Badlands of western North Dakota as a place where he could transform himself from an asthmatic 24-year-old New Yorker into a big-game hunter, rancher, and authentic cowboy. A year later, it took on new meaning as a place of refuge and solace after the deaths of his wife and mother.
Over the course of the more than three decades he lived or visited there, the Badlands did indeed transform Roosevelt into the kind of vigorous outdoorsman that he’d idealized as a youth—and that shaped his public image as president. Perhaps more importantly, this corner of the West turned him into a passionate conservationist dedicated to the preservation of the rugged landscapes and native wildlife of the place he described as “where the romance of my life began.”
Experience those landscapes—filled with dramatic vistas, vividly colored canyons, and wandering herds of wild bison—on a 5-day study tour led by author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley that brings you into the heart of Roosevelt’s Badlands and the national park that bears his name.
The tour begins in Bismarck with a welcome dinner and introduction by the tour staff. The following morning, travel by bus to the historic town of Medora, where the Rough Riders Hotel (the modern incarnation of an inn where TR once stayed) provides a base for the group. Over the course of the next days, explore the north and south units of Theodore Roosevelt National Park by bus and on foot, as well as the site of Roosevelt’s Elkhorn Ranch along the Little Missouri River (easy and moderate hiking options offered). Clay Jenkinson, Theodore Roosevelt Humanities Scholar at Dickinson State University’s Theodore Roosevelt Center, and National Park Service rangers offer insights into Roosevelt’s pivotal years in the Badlands and the area’s natural history.
Say farewell to North Dakota with an intimate private reception and a performance by local musician Jessie Veeder at the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame in Medora.
The next morning, the return trip to Bismarck includes a stop at the North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum before your transfer to the airport.
Know Before You Go

Program begins Saturday, October 7, at 6 p.m. with dinner in Bismarck and ends Wednesday, October 11, with a midday transfer to Bismarck Airport.
Cost includes 4 nights of accommodations, bus transportation, services of a study leader and Smithsonian representative, 10 meals (4 breakfasts, 3 lunches, 3 dinners), gratuities, taxes, and entrance fees. An airport shuttle is provided by the hotel.
Single-room supplement $325 (factored into the Single Room Member and Single Room Non-Member pricing).
Singles registering at the double-room rate are paired (on a nonsmoking basis) if possible, but must pay the single-room supplement otherwise.
Once participants are registered, additional information will be sent via email. For questions, please call the tours office at 202-633-8599. We highly suggest registrants consider personal trip insurance. Travel insurance provides additional coverage against unforeseen incidents that require last-minute cancellations.
Travel information: Flights are not included; participants make independent flight arrangements to Bismarck, North Dakota. Round-trip fares typically range from $400 to $600 from Washington-area airports; American, United, and Delta serve this route.
Important note: Once the tour has reached its minimum registration, participants will be notified and encouraged to purchase airline tickets.

General Information

Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Friday, October 6, 2023.
Smithsonian is a mask-friendly environment. Masks are strongly recommended to be worn on buses at all times and may also be required at various indoor sites.
For additional tour information:

Study Tour Policies
Refund/Cancellation Policy

$1,865
Double Room Member

$2,215
Double Room Non-Member

$2,190
Single Room Member

$2,540
Single Room Non-Member

Location:

Detailed information for overnight tours
is mailed approximately FOUR WEEKS
prior to departure.

Fall Tree Walk through the Regional Garden (On-site Tour)
2023-10-20 17:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory, 100 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20016, United States
Spend an autumn evening strolling through the Regional Garden, where native fall fruits are abundant and splashes of leaf color are beginning to show through. Join Melanie as you walk and learn to identify trees of the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Coastal Plain. During the walk, Melanie will guide you in identifying tupelo, hop-hornbeam, red buckeye, pawpaw, common persimmon, oaks, and many other native trees. 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.
Intended Audience: Adult All Levels: Suitable for all learners, this program will provide a variety of content. Program providers will answer both introductory and more advanced questions.
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).
DATE: Friday, October 20
TIME: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. ET
LOCATION: Gated Outdoor Garden; Please meet on the Terrace by the entrance to the Conservatory
FREE: Pre-registration required –
REGISTER HERE: https://usbg.doubleknot.com/registration/register.aspx#

CANCELLATION POLICY
The U.S. Botanic Garden reserves the right to substitute instructors or cancel programs when necessary.

Nature Hike in the Potomac Gorge at Carderock, Maryland — Smithsonian Associates
2023-10-24 09:00 - 2023-10-26 12:00 (America/New_York) | Billy Goat Trail, C North Parking Lot, Carderock., MD, 20817, United States
Join author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley for an autumn nature hike in the scenic Potomac Gorge at Carderock, Maryland, and learn how to forest bathe. Hike on the Billy Goat Trail, section C, starting at the Carderock climbing area.
The trail offers dramatic river vistas and passes through a mature forest of oaks, hickories, maples, beeches, black walnuts, and sycamores. Stop along the route to admire trees with their autumn foliage and fruit, notice birds and other wildlife, and see wildflowers. Midway in the walk, enjoy a few moments of forest bathing, quietly appreciating the splendor of the surroundings. The hike returns to the Carderock climbing area parking lot on the C&O Canal towpath.
Choukas-Bradley is the author of City of Trees, The Joy of Forest Bathing, and several other nature books.
Know Before You Go

Tour participants meet at Billy Goat Trail C, North Parking Lot.
Bring water, a snack, and comfortable, sturdy shoes. You must be in good physical condition for this hike.
The trail covers some ups and downs and traverses rocks and tree roots. The hike is approximately 2 miles round trip.
Additional information will be emailed the week before the tour.

Additional Date Options for this Tour

October 25
October 26

Book Sales Information

Purchase your copy of City of Trees by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
Purchase your copy of A Year in Rock Creek Park by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
Purchase your copy of Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
SPECIAL NOTE: Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 (no space between letters and numbers) in the “Coupon discount” or “Comments” section on Politics and Prose’s check-out page.

General Information

Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Monday, October 23, 2023.
Smithsonian is a mask-friendly environment. Masks are strongly recommended to be worn on buses at all times and may also be required at various indoor sites.
For additional tour information:

Study Tour Policies
Refund/Cancellation Policy

Politics and Prose: Capitol Tree Walk with Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley
2023-11-04 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum, Washington, DC, United States
Join naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees and several other nature books, for a fall walking tour of the historic and botanically diverse trees of the U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum (the new official name of the site). The visit offers the chance to admire trees in early autumn splendor including several species of maple and magnolia, century-old oaks, pecans, giant sequoia, and the intriguing jujube. Many of the trees, such as oaks, pecans, black walnuts and dogwoods, will be bearing fall fruit, a perfect time to study and appreciate them.
Learn about the many official state trees on the grounds and get an overview of Frederick Law Olmsted’s design for the Capitol landscape, which shares elements of his plan for Central Park. Stop at notable sections of the grounds to see the five crabapple trees planted to honor the five Sullivan brothers who died when their naval ship went down during World War II; a horse-chestnut propagated from Anne Frank’s tree in Amsterdam; and a white oak planted by House Speaker Sam Rayburn.
Melanie is intimately acquainted with the Capitol’s trees, having studied them for 40 years beginning with research for the first edition of her local nature classic, City of Trees. In addition to City of Trees: The Complete Field Guide to the Trees of Washington, DC, Melanie Choukas-Bradley is the award-winning author of six other regional nature titles, including A Year in Rock Creek Park, Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island and The Joy of Forest Bathing, all available for sale through Politics and Prose.
We will meet in Front of the US Botanic Garden Conservatory, at 10 AM on Saturday, November 4th.
Know Before You Go:
Politics and Prose is now following DC Government and CDC guidelines for Covid protocol. Masks are optional. We are encouraging the use of wearing masks but will not be checking vaccination cards or mandating that everyone wear a mask. We’ll continue monitoring the covid situation closely, and any decision to reinstate a mask mandate or vaccine acknowledgement requirment will be tied to the community rating system recently introduced by the CDC.
Preparation for the Walk: Dress in comfortable clothing and be prepared for slow walking around the Capitol grounds. (No stairs). Bring rain gear if showers are expected.
Weather Policy: We will go ahead in light intermittent rain but will reschedule if steady heavy rain is in the forecast.
Directions, Map and other information: Please visit this site for directions, a map and information about the US Botanic Garden Conservatory: https://www.usbg.gov/conservatory
Registration Limited to 20 participants.
Please let us know any questions. Email: classes@politics-prose.com

Autumn Tree Walk at Theodore Roosevelt Island — Nature Forward
2023-11-09 09:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Theodore Roosevelt Island
Join long-time Nature Forward field trip leader and author of the award-winning book, Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island, and several other nature books, for a seasonal exploration of this 90-acre island in the Potomac River which serves as a fitting memorial to our conservationist and naturalist 26th President—and member of our organization in its early days.
This walk will take you deep into the island, where swamp and tidal inlet can be explored by boardwalk as willows, bald cypresses and cattails frame views of the city behind it. We’ll see autumn color among the trees as well as exciting new vistas as the leaves fall.
In addition to sharing her knowledge and love of the Island’s trees, Melanie will share details of this National Park’s fascinating history. Expect a flat walk of nearly two miles at a leisurely pace. Our circuit walk will traverse natural surface trails as well as boardwalk, both of which may be muddy and/or slippery.

Forest Bathing 101 — Smithsonian Associates
2023-11-29 12:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | Zoom
Immerse yourself in the Japanese practice of forest bathing as Melanie Choukas-Bradley introduces its history and how-tos. Learn creative ways to reduce holiday stress and banish winter blues by connecting with nature close to home.
Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, originated in the 1980s as a restorative and meditative practice of connecting with nature and disconnecting from the distractions of daily life and has since become popular around the world.
In this workshop, learn about the development of and global enthusiasm for forest bathing as Choukas-Bradley guides you through techniques to incorporate this soulful practice into your life. She also shares tips on how to conduct your own forest-bathing walks using the environments around you, including your own backyard.
Choukas-Bradley, a certified forest therapy guide who has spent time in Japan learning the techniques of forest bathing and participating in walks with Shinrin-yoku guides, has led many walks for organizations in the Washington area, including Smithsonian Associates. She has authored several nature books including The Joy of Forest Bathing: Reconnect with Wild Places and Rejuvenate Your Life and Resilience: Connecting with Nature in a Time of Crisis. These nature books are available through Politics & Prose with a discount for workshop participants.
Book Sales Information

Purchase your copy of The Joy of Forest Bathing by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
Purchase your copy of Resilience: Connecting with Nature in a Time of Crisis by Melanie Choukas-Bradley here.
SPECIAL NOTE: Politics and Prose is offering a 10% discount to Smithsonian Associates ticket-holders. To claim your discount, enter the code SPECIAL10 (no space between letters and numbers) in the “Coupon discount” or “Comments” section on Politics and Prose’s check-out page.

General Information

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Springtime on the Potomac Heritage Trail: A Wildflower Hike at Turkey Run Park (Smithsonian Associates)
2024-04-02 10:00 - 13:30, 2024-04-03 10:00 - 13:30, 2024-04-04 11:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
Discover the spring splendors of the Potomac Gorge, a 1,900-acre natural area spanning Maryland and Virginia that is one of the most botanically diverse places in North America. Hike north from Turkey Run Park along the Potomac Heritage Trail on a wilderness adventure inside the Beltway as you admire lush upland forests and floodplains brilliantly decorated by Virginia bluebells and other spring ephemeral wildflowers. Keep an eye out for great blue herons and other native fauna in the temporary pools and side channels and in the Potomac River itself. Bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the adventure.
Study leader Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a naturalist and the author of six regional nature books, has explored the Potomac Gorge from Great Falls to Theodore Roosevelt Island for a forthcoming book, and this trek covers one of her favorite sections.
REGISTER HERE

Bluebells and Budbreak at Boundary Bridge (Nature Forward)
2024-04-12 09:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Leader: Melanie Choukas-Bradley
We’re delighted that the author of the award-winning book A Year in Rock Creek Park, and the critically acclaimed City of Trees, will offer her 18th year of Nature Forward walks in the country’s oldest urban national park. Under her expert guidance, you will witness the annual floral miracle of Virginia bluebells in the floodplain forest, while the leaves of the tulip tree and American beech begin to spill from their buds. We’ll hope to catch spring beauties, wild ginger, cut-leafed toothwort, and other blooming spring ephemerals as we explore both floodplain and upland woods at a leisurely pace. Time permitting, we’ll do a bit of “forest bathing.” Throughout, we’ll keep our eyes and ears open for belted kingfishers, wood ducks, migrant songbirds, and tiny spring peeper frogs. Expect some uphill/downhill on natural surface trails which may be muddy and/or slippery. Please note: There are no restrooms at our meeting place or along the route.
Register Here.

Arbor Day Walk through the Regional Garden - On-site Tour (U.S. Botanic Garden)
2024-04-26 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Melanie Choukas-Bradley, Author of Wild Walking: A Guide to Forest Bathing through the Seasons, City of Trees, and other regional nature books

Celebrate Arbor Day by walking through the outdoor Regional Garden with Melanie, award-winning author and D.C. tree expert. Learn to identify leafing and flowering trees of the Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Coastal Plain such as tupelo, hop-hornbeam, red buckeye, pawpaw, common persimmon, oaks, and many other native trees. Melanie 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.
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).
Intended Audience: All-Levels. Suitable for all learners, this program will provide a variety of content. Program providers will answer both introductory and more advanced questions.
DATE: Friday, April 26
TIME: 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Eastern
LOCATION: Regional Garden (group will meet by the entrance to the Conservatory on the Terrace)
FREE: Pre-registration required

Spring Tree Walk on the Capitol Grounds with Author Melanie Choukas-Bradley (Politics and Prose)
2024-04-27 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York)
Join naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of City of Trees and several other nature books, for a spring walking tour of historic and botanically diverse trees of the U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum (the new official name of the site). The visit offers the chance to admire trees in springtime splendor including several species of maple and magnolia, century-old oaks, pecans, giant sequoia, and the intriguing jujube. One Saturday, April 27th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Click Here for more info.

Forest Bathing Spring Walk at Tregaron Conservancy with Melanie Choukas-Bradley (Politics and Prose)
2024-05-17 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York)
Join Melanie Choukas-Bradley, author of The Joy of Forest Bathing and A Year in Rock Creek Park, for a spring forest bathing walk through the enchanting Tregaron Conservancy, a woodland garden tucked away in the midst of northwest Washington that has been restored and stewarded by a non-profit organization since 2006. One Friday, May 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Click Here for more info.

Spring on Sugarloaf Mountain (Smithsonian Associates)
2024-05-21 10:00 - 13:30, 2024-05-22 10:00 - 13:30, 2024-05-23 10:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York)
Natural beauty and fascinating history await this spring. Spend a day hiking to the summit of Washington, D.C.’s local mountain, a natural treasure less than an hour’s drive from the city. The picturesque and rocky Sugarloaf offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside of Montgomery and Frederick counties in Maryland.
Guided by popular study leader Melanie Choukas-Bradley, learn about the mountain’s plants and wildlife, seasonal changes, geology, and history. Spend time on the summit, composed of pink quartzite and forested with uncommon table mountain pines and mountain laurel, for a light lunch and a bit of forest bathing.
In addition to the deep dive into the flora and fauna of our local monadnock, get insights into two remarkable preservation stories:

Gordon Strong’s lifelong mission to save Sugarloaf Mountain from development and keep it open for public enjoyment and education under the administration of Stronghold, a nonprofit corporation.
Montgomery County’s innovative 93,000-acre farmland preservation area known as the Agricultural Reserve.

Hikers also hear tales about how plans for Sugarloaf Mountain by two of the 20th century’s most formidable personalities, Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Frank Lloyd Wright, were thwarted.
Choukas-Bradley spent 20 years living near the base of Sugarloaf in Montgomery County’s Agricultural Reserve and has authored two books about the mountain: one about its trees and wildflowers, and the other Sugarloaf: The Mountain’s History, Geology and Natural Lore.
Know Before You Go

Tour participants meet on site at the West View parking lot, Sugarloaf Mountain Drive, Dickerson, Maryland.
Important Note: Tour participants must be in good physical condition to hike the steep trail to the summit, which includes a long set of stone steps. Total hike distance is less than 1 ½ miles, and many stops are made en route. Hiking shoes required.
Lunch is not included; please pack your own food to enjoy on the summit.
The tour is limited to 20 participants.

Additional Date Options for this Tour

May 22
May 23

General Information

Registration for this tour will end by 2 p.m. ET on Monday, May 20, 2024.
Smithsonian Associates is a mask-friendly environment. Please feel free to bring and wear a mask at any time during a tour, both for your safety or the safety of others.
For additional tour information:

Study Tour Policies
Refund/Cancellation Policy

Forest Bathing: A Guided Walk along the Rio Grande River Trail
2024-06-21 - 2024-06-22
The beauty and wonder of nature and trees can produce mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. Guided forest bathing, or forest therapy, is said to lower blood pressure, pulse rate, and cortisol levels; improve mood; and may even boost our immunity. Join us for morning walks along the Rio Grande River Trail to experience the benefits of this healing practice for yourself and to learn the history and background of forest bathing with author, naturalist, and certified forest therapy guide Melanie Choukas-Bradley.

Buy your pass here.
