Fall Festival to Celebrate Nature at Occoquan Bay

On Oct. 1, the Friends of the Potomac River Refuges will host a fall festival at the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

At this free event, families can take a hayride tour of the refuge, learn from experts about reptiles, raptors, and monarch butterflies, and take a wildlife photography workshop, in addition to other activities and exhibits.

The refuge is home to a wide variety of species, including over 700 species of plants, 241 species of birds, and 75 species.

The festival's focus is to show residents that they can attract wildlife to their own backyard. A native plant may bring birds or butterflies, for example. Proceeds from a native plant sale will support FOPRR.