The Clifton Institute

Our mission is to inspire a deeper understanding and appreciation of nature, to study the ecology of our region, to restore habitat, and to conserve native biodiversity.

Help us preserve Virginia's native plants and animals for generations to come!

We conduct conservation biology research, restore habitat for native plants and animals, and teach people about nature and conservation. 

Our goals for 2026 are 

1. to improve the management of 3,000 acres of habitat for native plants and animals through our Landowner Outreach program, 
2. to work with the farmers enrolled in our Native Seed Project to cultivate the first ever crops of native wildflower seeds in Virginia, 
3. to share actionable land management strategies with the public based on the results of our American Kestrel and Box Turtle research projects, 
4. for 200 students to study Lawn Lab, the land management experiment we set up at Grace Miller Elementary School and Liberty High School, 
5. and for 5,000 children and adults to attend our hands-on environmental education programs.

Your donation today will help us accomplish those goals! Thank you for your support!

A donation of $40 or more makes you and your family Friends of the Clifton Institute for a year starting on the date of your donation. Our trails are open for Friends of the Clifton Institute every Tuesday and Saturday from mid-January to mid-October (the exact dates are on our website calendar).