Leaf Peeping at the Virginia Arboretum: Ginkgo Trees & Fall Foliage (in-person)
Join us for a day of learning and vibrant fall color at Blandy Experimental Farm, home of the State Arboretum of Virginia, led by David Carr, UVA Research Professor of Environmental Sciences and Director of Blandy Farm, College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. Additional experts engaging with us are Ariel Firebaugh, Director of Scientific Engagement; T’ai Roulston, UVA Research Associate Professor and Curator; and local historian Maral Kalbian. Explore the farm’s rich history and natural beauty during a guided tour of the arboretum, including the spectacular 300-tree ginkgo grove, renowned for its brilliant golden canopy each fall. Learn about the ginkgo's fascinating history and cultural significance while taking in some of Virginia's most beautiful autumn foliage. Celebrate a century of scientific discovery and stewardship while experiencing Blandy at its colorful fall peak.
This UVA Lifetime Learning program is in partnership with Blandy Experimental Farm.
Speaker Biographies
David Carr, Director, Research Professor of Environmental Sciences, Blandy Experimental Farm
David is a Research Professor of Environmental Sciences and Director of the Blandy Experimental Farm. His research focuses on plant-insect interactions, including the role of floral scent in attracting pollinators. He has been an avid birder for nearly 50 years and leads regular bird tours at Blandy.
Anne Marie Chirieleison, Director of the Foundation of the State Arboretum, State Arboretum/Blandy Experimental Farm
Anne Marie Chirieleison is the Director of the Foundation of the State Arboretum. With a background in nonprofit leadership, Anne Marie cultivates community support for Blandy. The Foundation’s Ginkgo tree sponsorship program and Ginkgo Gold festival weekends are key ways that the Arboretum collection inspires community members to celebrate and give back.
Ariel Firebaugh, Director of Scientific Engagement, Blandy Experimental Farm
Ariel leads outreach and public programming for general audiences as the Director of Scientific Engagement at Blandy. She is in her third Blandy “instar”, having worked at Blandy as an undergraduate research fellow, then as a PhD student studying firefly ecology, and now as a staff member. Her favorite tree at the arboretum is the yellowwood outside her office window.
Maral Kalbian, MARH ‘88, University of Virginia
Maral Kalbian is an architectural historian and historic preservation specialist who has spent nearly forty years exploring, researching, and documenting the historic architecture of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont. Working with a wide range of public and private clients, including several local governments, she helps uncover the stories buildings tell and ensures that the region’s architectural heritage is carefully recorded and preserved.
Over the course of her career, Maral has completed more than 50 historic district nominations and 40 individual property nominations to the National Register of Historic Places. One of her earliest projects was the nomination of the Blandy Experimental Farm Historic District in 1992.
T'ai Roulston, Curator and Research Associate Professor, Blandy Experimental Farm
T'ai is an ecologist in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia. His work focuses on plant and insect conservation and ecology. He also serves as the curator of the State Arboretum of Virginia.
Participation Requirements
Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old.
Participant Physical Abilities: Participants should expect to walk 2.5-3 miles over gravel, lawn, and dirt paths across gently undulating terrain.
What to Bring: Please bring a reusable water bottle; water-refilling stations will be available on site. An umbrella if needed. A boxed lunch will be provided. Cameras and binoculars are welcome!
What to Wear: Dress appropriately for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes. Sunscreen and insect spray if needed. The event will proceed as scheduled in light rain or drizzle, but may be postponed in the event of extreme weather.
Rain Date: Friday, October 30, 2026. Participants will be notified by noon on Wednesday, October 28, of any weather-related changes.
Cancellation Policy: Participants may cancel their registration for this One-Day UVA program by emailing Lisa Jennis at jpr2pm@virginia.edu. Lisa will email you a cancellation confirmation.
Refund Policy: The following refund policy applies to all cancellations:
By midnight on October 13, 2026: You will receive a full refund of your registration fee.
October 14–19, 2026: You will receive a 50% refund of your registration fee.
After October 19, 2026: No refunds will be issued.
Tickets Are Not Transferable: Tickets may not be transferred to another person (no substitutes).
Map and Parking: Map of Blandy Experimental Farm Grounds: Map Here.
Look for the “State Arboretum of Virginia” sign.
Once on Blandy Farm Lane, veer to the left at the top of the bend in the road.
Once parked, follow the pathway and look for the brick Quarters building with arched windows. The program will begin at the library in the Quarters building.
Registration Closes: October 23 at 5:00 p.m.