QUIZ: Name that nut! Test your knowledge of local trees.
/ Willis KliefothHow well do you know native acorns and seeds?
Native trees don't just deliver a treat in the form of fall foliage this time of year. They also cover the ground with their acorns and seeds, which are more important to the Potomac River than you might realize.
Today’s acorns are tomorrow’s forest, after all. And any healthy river, including the Potomac, relies on streamside trees for protection.
The protective trees that line our local rivers and streams filter pollution, prevent erosion, and provide habitat for wildlife.
That’s why we’re helping nature along! Over the last decade, nearly 56,000 volunteers have collected over 164,000 pounds of acorns, walnuts, and other hardwood tree seeds as part of our Growing Native program. The nuts have been used to grow seedlings that are planted along vulnerable streams.
So how good are you at identifying native nuts and seeds? Take our quiz to find out, and if you want to do your part for local trees, sign up to volunteer at a Growing Native event this fall!
Click the arrows on the right to see the clues. The answer is revealed on the last slide. Good luck!
Ready to test your new nut knowledge in the field?
Volunteer with Potomac Conservancy at our next seed collection on October 14th at Arlington National Cemetery. Spots are filling fast!
You May Also Like
Over 260 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Potomac River since January 19, 2026. This is our water and it’s unacceptable. Read our joint public letter to DC Water calling for accountability, answers, and actions — demands that are shared by 2,100+ residents and 21 environmental organizations and businesses.
The Potomac River region gave Stephen and Eliza their love story so they decided to give back to our region. Hear more about their story and how our incredible region played a role.
We aren’t the only ones who think dolphins are photogenic! Our friends at the Potomac-Chesapeake Dolphin Project think so too! But for these researchers photos are just for aesthetics, it helps them monitor the dolphins’ health and track changes over time.
Learn how they’re using technology to help out with this time consuming task!
Experience the Potomac region in a new way this winter. With fewer crowds, clearer views, and quiet trails, these hikes provide a different experience than in warmer months. From frozen waterfalls to panoramic overlooks, winter offers some of the most rewarding hiking adventures of the year, when you bundle up and stay safe.
The Potomac is our river and our responsibility. That’s why we’re starting the 2026 legislative session in Virginia and Maryland off strong by fighting for critical conservation funding. Learn more about our priorities this session.
Streams might seem small, but they have a big impact on water quality, wildlife, and the health of the Potomac River. Changes in flow can concentrate pollutants, erode streambanks, and stress aquatic life. The climate crisis, causing shifts in rainfall and evaporation, makes these challenges even greater. Potomac Conservancy protects streams by conserving land, organizing local cleanups, and advocating for river-friendly policies, ensuring healthy streams today and a resilient Potomac watershed for the future.
Snow’s certainly not been a stanger this winter! Using salt can keep our roads safe, but it has dangerous consequences for the Potomac River.
Learn about the threat of rising salt levels in the Potomac and its tributaries, and alternatives to traditional salt to keep both our roads and freshwater safe.
In the midst of a remarkable comeback, the Potomac River has seen a 10% increase in recreation in three years, but now its future is in question…Rising threats to water quality are impacting this wild urban river, the drinking water source for 5 million people in the DMV.
Freedman’s Historical Park preserves both land and legacy. Once home to Enoch George Howard, a formerly enslaved man who built a thriving community, the park protects natural habitats while honoring the stories of the Freedmen. It’s a place to reflect, learn, and connect with history and nature.
What you need to know about the January 2026 Potomac Interceptor sewage spill and how you can demand accountability and action.