Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park

About this Nature Center

Our nature centers are nestled in lovely park settings and are staffed with friendly and knowledgeable people. They provide interpretive environmental education programs for all ages and for a wide variety of audiences including small groups.

Programs

View available activities at Gulf Branch.

Request a naturalist-led program  for your school, scout troop, preschool, etc

Features

Exhibits, classroom (20 person capacity), children’s Discovery Room, pollinator garden, live animal exhibit room, pond, restored log cabin, observation bee hive, birthday parties (*Note, link goes to an external website). Learn about out Park Ranger Unit.

Gulf Branch Nature Center Map

Pollinator Garden at Gulf Branch Nature Center

Check out the pollinator garden at Gulf Branch Nature Center! It’s filled with plenty of nectar- and pollen-rich flowers and many plants that are native not just to Virginia, but also to the Arlington area. Native gardens like this are deer resistant, attract pollinators, tough and easy to maintain and look beautiful!

History

• From Woodland Retreat to Arlington’s Hidden Gem
• The Pola Negri Connection

Blacksmiths at Gulf Branch

The Blacksmiths Guild of Potomac meets the first and third Friday at 7:30 p.m. at Gulf Branch Nature center. Meetings are free and open to the public. The guild also shares its craft at Gulf Branch quarterly at special events and programs. The mission of the Guild to enhance and interpret ancient techniques for making beautiful and useful tools and treasures, to provide help and instruction to beginning and experienced smiths alike — and to share their love of blacksmithing with the general public.