Explore Natural Communities |

Natural Communities
Predictable patterns of plants and animals on the landscape.

Ecology Basics
Interactions among plants, animals, and their environment.

Features

Blackburnian warbler

Welcome

See the world as a naturalist does!

Blackburnian warbler – Laura Gooch

Boulder bridge in Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Park

Learn about the natural history of Rock Creek Park.

Boulder Bridge - Sam Sheline

screenshot of Rock Creek Park map viewer

Interactive Map of Rock Creek Park

Check out this map's all-new look! Easy to use.

Skunk-cabbage

Videos and Podcasts

Watch a video or listen to podcasts about Rock Creek Park!

Skunk-cabbage - Gary Fleming

Oak – Beech / Heath Forest

Meet a Community

Oak – Beech / Heath Forest in Rock Creek Park

Oak - Beech / Heath Forest - Erin Lunsford Jones

native plants in Rock Creek Park

A Peek at the Plants

Commonly seen native plants in Rock Creek Park

Partridgeberry – Matt Jones; Mountain laurel – Sam Sheline; Virginia bluebells, American beech, Tuliptree, and Pink azalea – Gary Fleming

Natural Communities photo: Eastern redbud and flowering dogwood - Gary Fleming; Ecology Basics photo: Red-backed salamander - Ben Lowe