All Day

Christmas Bird Count

(MD) (VA) (DC) Each year from December 14 through January 5, tens of thousands of volunteers brave snow, wind, or rain, and take part Audubon’s Christmas Bird Count (CBC) Each count takes place in an established 15-mile diameter circle, and is organized by a count compiler. Count volunteers follow specified routes through a designated 15-mile (24-km) diameter circle, counting every bird ...

Free
Ongoing

DMV Parks and Gardens Holiday Lights

It's the season of lights in the Washington DC metro area. Many parks and botanical gardens are hosting beautiful light displays through the new year: Brookside Garden of Lights - Montgomery County MD hosts its annual display at Brookside Gardens through January 5th. Walk among the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays that dot the paths and flowerbeds in 50 acres ...

Skating at NGA Sculpture Garden

National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden 7th Street & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington

(DC) (National Gallery of Art) Enjoy a winter skate at the NGA's iconic ice rink surrounded by sculptures and the National Mall. Purchase skating passes in person. Fees cover two back-to-back, 45-minute skating sessions that each begin on the hour. Enjoy a hot cocoa and food at the adjoining Pavilion Cafe. The skating rink will be open through March 2nd ...

$10 – $18

“Season’s Greenings” at US Botanic Garden

U.S. Botanic Garden 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC

(DC) (United States Botanic Garden) The annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains  circulate from 10:00-5:00 daily through displays of pollinators made from plant ...

Winter Birds at Tregaron

Tregaron Conservancy 3031 Klingle Road NW, Washington

(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Did you know that the Tregaron Conservancy is a birding "hot spot"? Join birding expert Sam Krause on a walk to look and listen for Tregaron’s winter-time birds. Bring binoculars if you would like. Tregaron has mulched trails and varying terrain; close-toed shoes are recommended.

Volunteer Day at Potomac Overlook

Potomac Overlook Regional Park 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful!  Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed.  Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed.  Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Ages 9 +

Free

Volunteer Day at Dumbarton Oaks Park

Dumbarton Oaks Park Lover's Lane and R Street NW, Washington

(DC) (Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy) Join us for stewardship of Dumbarton Oaks Park, DC's hidden green oasis and part of Rock Creek Park. Activities may include pulling invasive, cleanup, and planting. Contact [email protected] for more information and to RSVP.

Free

Yoga at Brookside

Brookside Gardens 1800 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Designed to increase flexibility and physical strength and to cultivate mental focus, these classes are a beautiful and relaxing way to begin your weekend. Mats are not included. No walk-ins will be accepted. Location: Japanese Tea House (September – October) or Brookside Gardens Visitor Center (mid-October – February) Instructor: Tanory Ateek

$14

Little Critters Nature Play: Trees

Smithsonian's National Zoo 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington

(DC) (National Zoo) Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we explore one of the most important parts of nature- TREES! We'll learn how trees can be animal homes, explore different parts of trees through art, and build forest homes for animals. Little Critters Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities ...

Free

Invasive Plant Removal at Trail 9

Trail 9 Broad Branch Rd & Beach Dr NW, Washington

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and the National Park Service for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow for a thriving native understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 hours before ...

Free

Invasives Removal at Dyke Marsh

Dyke Marsh Alexandria

(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Help protect native plants by pulling and clipping invasive plants. We will train volunteers to identify the five or so target plants. Register to join us in any of these sessions. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants. We kindly ask that you not bring pets. December 7 and 21 January 4 and 18 ...

Free

Invasive Removal at Reservation 630 East

Reservation 630 East 2801 Quebec Street Northwest, Washington

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Rena Subotnik for this invasive plant removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Invasive plants are a major threat to our fragile forests, and stopping their spread helps allow for a thriving native understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the ...

Free

Warmth Within Winter Forest Bathing

Potomac Overlook Regional Park 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington

(VA) (NOVA Parks) On January 4th, Earth will reach perihelion—its closest point to the Sun for the year—a perfect moment to reconnect with the warmth and light that sustain us, even in the depth of winter. Join us for a mindful nature connection experience to rekindle inner radiance, release stress, and embrace the nearness of the Sun through forest bathing, ...

$35

Winter Bird Walk at Burke Lake

Burke Lake Park 7315 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Take a hike through the woods with a naturalist to listen and look for the park’s winter avian residents and migrants. Find out what birds do to survive the winter weather. Ages 4 to Adult.

$8

Suitland Parkway Volunteer Day

Suitland Parkway 2401 Alabama Ave SE, Washington

(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Give back to the earth, exercise your body, spend time in nature and meet cool people with the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy. Known as a busy commuter route between central Washington to its eastern suburbs, the Suitland Parkway is also a nature preserve, flanked on each side by over 300 acres of forested hillside. Sadly, the ...

Free

Winter Native Plant Sowing

Black Hill Discovery Center 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Are you interested in starting your own native plants, even if you don’t have a greenhouse? Then join us to make your own native seed winter sowing containers. We will provide the materials, and you choose the seeds to try. Stop in any time during the program. Supplies are limited.

Free

Winter Wildlife at Riverbend

Riverbend Park 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Read a story book about animals and their unique adaptations that help them survive the cold winters. Then bundle up and take a hike to look for signs of winter wildlife or play an outdoor game based on the theme of the story. Ages 4 to Adult.

$8

Predator Night Hike

Lake Fairfax Park 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Enjoy a night hike to learn about nocturnal hunters. Listen to taped calls of owls and coyotes and possibly catch a glimpse of them in the forest. End the evening with s'mores round the campfire. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program. Ages 4 to Adult. More Fairfax County Parks events can ...

$10
Capital Nature