Located just north of Warrenton, in Fauquier County, Virginia, the Clifton Farm Field Station is a 452 acre tract in the geographical area known as the northern piedmont   The station offers year-round university student research and study, K-16 field trips, and community education opportunities.

With over a 200 year farming history, Clifton Farm was taken over by Environmental Studies at Airlie (ESA) in 1989. At that time, farming activities ceased and ESA started restoring and managing the land for wildlife habitat, emphasizing the native flora and fauna of Fauquier County.  ESA is now investigating the field station to see if it is large enough to serve as a core area within the county. Generally, restoration has relied on the natural seedbank to replenish native species, while mechanical methods (hand-pulling, cutting, controlled burning, mowing) have been used to manage invasive species.

The field station topography is one of rolling hills and valleys, and is home to a diversity of habitats including mixed upland deciduous forest, meadow, swamp (forested wetland), natural and constructed unforested wetlands, vernal pools, springs, several small seasonal streams, one small all-season stream, and two small lakes.

Although the field station is not open to the public, various outdoor Community Events are staged at the field station throughout the year to acquaint regional area residents with the species that may be found in their own backyards. Additionally, "field station open days " are periodically scheduled, where different habitat areas of the field station are opened for the public to explore, discover and photograph seasonal plant and animal species at their own pace.

Clifton Farm Field Station

Swan Research Program

Birds

Bees