Tree Walk in Rock Creek Park

We live in the Washington DC area, but did you know we also live in the eastern temperate forest bioregion, home to one of the world’s great temperate forests? How well do you know the trees that make up this forest? Local science writer and former DCSWA president Gabe Popkin will lead a walk through Rock Creek Park, where we can get to know many of the most spectacular and ecologically important trees that live in our eastern forest. While this walk will focus largely on developing basic tree ID skills, we will also explore the broader themes of ecology and evolutionary history, as well as threats faced by our local trees.

Date: Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m.
Rain date: Sunday, October 25 at 1 p.m.
Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours.
Meeting location: The south end of the large parking lot near the Rock Creek tennis center and Carter Barron amphitheater, just a few minutes’ walk from bus stops along 16th Street. Google maps link here.
Difficulty: Easy. There will be some hiking along a flat, well-trodden, unpaved foot path and (optionally) a bit of off-trail exploration.
What to bring: Water, layers, good walking shoes. Optional: snacks, binoculars, field guides.

About Gabe: Gabe Popkin is an independent science and environmental writer in the DC area who has written about trees (and other topics) for dozens of outlets, including the New York Times, Washington Post, Science, Nature and National Geographic. He served as DCSWA president from 2015 to 2016 and has been leading tree walks around DC and Maryland for more than a decade.

Register: forms.gle/3GbrAm1pErFv4PuU6