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
Potomac Conservancy stands with the Indigenous Conservation Council in calling on the Chesapeake Executive Council to honor Tribal sovereignty and return to these conversations in good faith.
President Trump issued a new Executive Order for the Chesapeake Bay repealing a 2009 Executive Order signed by then President Obama directing greater federal and local collaboration to accelerate restoration of the Chesapeake Bay, of which the Potomac River is a major tributary.
Fishing is one of the most loved recreational activities the Potomac River provides. We dive into all the information and tips you need to know to get started planning your next fishing adventure, even if it is your first time
Curious about the numerous butterflies and moths fluttering around the Potomac River region? Find out how caterpillars spend their fall months, before emerging into butterflies and moths in the warmer months!
Ever wonder about all the other streams and rivers you see in the region? They’re all interconnected to the Potomac River, but they’re not the mainstem. Learn about the tributaries that are closest to you and ones for you to explore this season!
The connectors across our regions, bridges, have their own unique history to tell. Find out about these 5 bridges around the Potomac River region and how they’ve supported our communities for decades
The Eastern box turtle may not move fast, but it has a lasting impact. Found across the eastern US, including our neck of the woods, this small, land-dwelling turtle supports healthy forests through its feeding habits and movement across the region. Your Potomac River 2026 Critter of the Year is a reminder that even the smallest critters in our ecosystems have a major role in its health!
When viewed through a lens that considers its cultural, historical, and ecological roles, it’s no mystery why the Potomac River has been both a gathering place and a rallying point for generations.
Butler’s Orchard & Farm Market is a family-owned and operated business outside of Germantown, MD. Their farm, as well as many others in the Potomac River region, experienced severe losses in crop yields this season due to extremely poor weather conditions, including a frost in April of this year.