Field Trips

A Field Trip Salute to Women in America: Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument and Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site

Date and Time: Sunday, March 1, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm

Meet in the Crystal Gateway Marriott Lobby at 8:15 am - the bus will depart promptly at 8:30 am.

Registration Fee: $45 / person

To commemorate Women’s History Month as well as the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which guaranteed women's right to vote, we pay a visit to the former homes of some incredible women who were giants in their field.

Home to the National Woman's Party for nearly 90 years, the Belmont-Paul House was the epicenter of the struggle for women's rights. From this house in the shadow of the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, Alice Paul and the NWP developed innovative strategies and tactics to advocate for the Equal Rights Amendment and equality for women.

Mary McLeod Bethune achieved her greatest recognition at the Washington, DC townhouse that is now the Mary McLeod Bethune House. The Council House was the first headquarters of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) and was Bethune’s last home in Washington, DC. From this house, Bethune and the NCNW spearheaded strategies and developed programs that advanced the interests of African American women.

Registration includes transportation to and from the sites. Tour will take place rain or shine so please plan to dress appropriately. While there is no strenuous walking planned, comfortable shoes are recommended. Note: The Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site is not wheelchair accessible.

Limited to 25 participants.

An Evening Tour of DC’s Distinct Beauty: Memorials and Monuments

Date and Time: Monday, March 2, 7:00 - 9:30 pm

Meet in the Crystal Gateway Marriott Lobby at 6:45 pm - bus will depart promptly at 7:00 pm.

Registration Fee: $40 / person

This field trip is full. Please contact amy@publiclandsalliance.org to add your name to the waitlist.

For more than 200 years, the National Mall has symbolized our nation and its democratic values, which have inspired the world. The National Mall - the great swath of green in the middle of our capital city and stretching from the foot of the United States Capitol to the Potomac River - is the premiere civic and symbolic space in our nation. Join NPS rangers for an evening tour of the National Mall and Memorial Parks all lit up after dark. Visit and learn about some of its iconic memorials, including the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Korean War Veterans Memorial, World War II Memorial and Martin Luther King Memorial. And don’t forget to bring your camera as you’ll be able to take in panoramic views of the Washington Monument and Thomas Jefferson Memorial during the tour.

Registration includes bus transportation to and from monuments. Tour will take place rain or shine and includes both on and off-bus touring so please plan to dress appropriately. While there is no strenuous walking planned, comfortable shoes are recommended.

“His Soul Goes Marching On …”: Experiencing Harpers Ferry

Date and Time: Thursday, March 5, 8:30 am - 4:30 pm

Meet in the Crystal Gateway Marriott Lobby at 8:15 am - the bus will depart promptly at 8:30 am.

Registration Fee: $135 / person

Nestled at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers, Harpers Ferry was a bustling 19th-century industrial town where histories collided. Among the most compelling of its stories is that of the attack on the town by abolitionist John Brown and his band of raiders – an intended slave rebellion which helped ignite the powder keg that was the Civil War.

Join us, along with retired NPS historian Dennis Frye (frequently seen on PBS, The History Channel, and A&E) and Cathy Baldau, Harpers Ferry Park Association’s executive director, as we explore the stories of Harpers Ferry.

Learn about the partnership work taking place there today that helps tell the tales that engage audiences of all ages and backgrounds, plus enjoy some free time to experience the quaint historic town on your own, offering access to shops, museums, hiking trails and battlefields. A trip not to be missed!

Registration includes transportation to and from Harpers Ferry, a guided tour and lunch. Tour will take place rain or shine so please plan to dress appropriately. While there is no strenuous walking/hiking planned, comfortable shoes are recommended.

Limited to 50 participants. PLA reserves the right to cancel this tour if at least 20 people are not registered by January 31, 2020.

Capitol Hill Day

Date and Time: Thursday, March 5, 8:30 am - TBD

Registration Fee: Included for all Convention and Trade Show participants

Calling all champions for public lands! Join the Public Lands Alliance community for our second large-scale Capitol Hill day.

There is no substitute for the opportunity to meet face-to-face with legislators and help them better understand the value of public lands as well as the partnerships that enhance them. You’ll get to share your passion for public lands and discuss how partners leverage Congressional appropriations and attract private contributions through philanthropy, retail sales, volunteerism, and educational programs – all for the benefit of both public lands and their diverse visitors.

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