Capital Nature

The Joy of Observing Insects (Virtual)
2026-01-08 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | VA
(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Insects are the most abundant animals on the planet—representing about 80% of all animal species on Earth. They are also the least observed. Naturalist Eric R. Eaton is on a mission to inspire you to watch more bugs and share what people can do to keep these critters thriving. He will highlight the basic tools for watching insects with all five senses, suggests best habitats and circumstances for seeing the most diversity, and shares tips for attracting desirable insects to your yard and garden.
Eaton’s new field guide, Bugwatching: The Art, Joy, and Importance of Observing Insects, is available for purchase.

Lunchtime Meditation and Mindfulness (Virtual)
2026-01-09 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-20 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-01-23 12:00 - 12:30 | VA
(DC) (Smithsonian Asian Art Museum) Join our free online guided meditation on Tuesdays and Fridays. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections. Many of the art pieces are inspired by nature. All are welcome! No previous experience is required.

Flying Squirrel Lore
2026-01-10 17:30 - 18:30, 2026-01-23 17:30 - 18:30 | Long Branch Nature Center & Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Flying squirrels are found throughout the wooded neighborhoods of Arlington, but are seldom seen. Join us after dark to learn about these nocturnal creatures. Dress for the weather, we will venture out into the cold night to look for wild flying squirrels. Families.

Road Trip to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
2026-01-11 09:00 - 17:00 | Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, 2145 Key Wallace Drive, Cambridge, MD, 21613-9536, United States
(MD) (DC Bird Alliance) Escape the city and spend a day in nature with the DC Bird Alliance and Prince George’s County Parks & Recreation as we take a special road trip to Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on Maryland’s Eastern Shore—one of the most spectacular birding destinations on the Atlantic Flyway. Winter at Blackwater brings breathtaking flocks of waterfowl, soaring raptors, wintering songbirds, and unforgettable marsh landscapes.
Roundtrip transportation provided by PG Parks.

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-01-12 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-01-26 08:00 - 10:00 | Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, 22306, United States
(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) The Monday Morning Bird Walk is sponsored by the Friends of Huntley Meadows Park and takes place every Monday at 8 a.m. Following the walk, members of the group gather at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast and to compile the morning’s bird list. All are welcome.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-01-13 08:30 - 10:00 | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, 20019, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) We invite you to join National Park Service volunteer and expert birder Molly Hermann for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. We encourage participants to bring water, sunscreen, and binoculars if available. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID.
The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We will gather in front of the visitor center, and the duration of the walk will typically range from 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on our observations. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!

Paint Nature's Creatures in Watercolor (Virtual)
2026-01-13 10:30 - 13:30 | VA
(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Learn how to see beauty in the natural world and render it in stunning watercolor paintings, using various watercolor techniques to represent the metallic shell of a beetle, the soft, fuzzy wing of a moth, and the delightful colors of a butterfly. 8 sessions from January 13 ​to March 3, 2026​.

Wednesday Nature Walkabout
2026-01-14 12:00 - 13:00 | Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) The natural world is constantly changing… yearly, monthly, daily and even hourly. The only way to see it all is to go out on a regular basis and explore. Every 2nd and 4th Wednesday, join a naturalist to briefly meet one of our nature center critters (living or preserved) then go for a walk to see what is out and about this time of year. Learn about the creatures you can see in winter, and focus on healthy walking. Ages 15+.

Project Feederwatch
2026-01-15 11:00 - 12:00 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Are you interested in birding? Do you want to be part of a national community science project? Then, join us for Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a seasonal community science project, where participants count the different species of birds that flock to a bird feeder. All levels of birders are welcome. This project meets weekly on Thursdays through February. Ages 5+.
We will not be meeting on December 25 and 26. We will also not be meeting on January 1 and 2.

The Natural World on the Microscale (Virtual)
2026-01-15 19:00 - 20:00 | VA
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Step into the invisible world that curiosity and cutting‑edge imaging make visible. In this talk, Dr. Tagide deCarvalho will share the stories and techniques behind her striking microscopy images—revealing how modern optical and electron microscopes open windows into cells, viruses, and other hidden structures of life.
Expect a presentation that blends science, storytelling, and visual wonder—perfect for anyone who’s ever felt like a “curious nerd” eager to see the world in new ways.

Nocturnal Animal Hike
2026-01-16 18:30 - 19:30 | Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park, 3608 Military Rd, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Learn about the animals active at night (nocturnal) and try to find some! There will be a short introductory presentation in the nature center followed by a hike outside around the park. We will stay on the walking paths; dress for the weather. Families.

Winter Bird Walk at the National Arboretum
2026-01-17 09:00 - 11:00 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Join FONA & DC Bird Alliance this winter for the best birding! Winter is the perfect season to observe our feathered friends. With the trees bare and migratory birds lingering, this is a unique opportunity to spot birds more easily and connect with fellow bird enthusiasts.

Experienced members of the DC Bird Alliance will lead the tour, sharing insights about local birds and conservation efforts.

Winter Waterfowl Watch at Occoquan
2026-01-17 09:00 - 11:00 | Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA, 22191, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join us for a winter waterfowl watch at the beautiful Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, “an oasis for migratory birds and busy city residents seeking a quiet escape from development.” On this guided walk, you’ll explore the refuge’s diverse waterfowl species with naturalist Andreas Seiter.

Winter Crow Watch
2026-01-17 16:30 - 18:00 | Shirlington Library, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA, 22206, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join us and our partners at DC Bird Alliance for a Winter Crow Watch at the Shirlington roost in Arlington, VA. You’re in for a show as the crows gather here in numbers so large it actually appears on radar! Here we’ll have binoculars and scopes for participants to use to view the crows as they gather for a noisy social time before heading to the roost for the night.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2026-01-18 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-01-25 08:00 - 10:00 | Dyke Marsh, Alexandria, VA, 22307, United States
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.

Birding Algonkian
2026-01-18 08:00 - 10:00 | Algonkian Regional Park, 47001 Fairway Drive, Sterling, VA, 20165, United States
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Join us on a search for birds at the Algonkian Regional Park in eastern Loudoun County. This bird walk takes place each month. With extensive frontage along the Potomac River, its rich bottomland forests, extensive wetlands and grassy areas combine to make it Loudoun’s top birding hotspot. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-01-18 08:30 - 10:00 | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, 20019, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID. We will gather in front of the visitor center. The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!

Science Inspires Art – Art Inspires Science (Virtual)
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:00 | VA
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Researchers utilize a biochemical technique called clearing and staining to create skeletal images of vertebrates. This makes biological specimens transparent while simultaneously highlighting specific structures. Dr. Noah Bressman blends this scientific technique, photography, and digital effects to highlight the beauty within fish anatomy.
He will discuss how he makes his unique neon skeletons, major influences on his work, and how his work has changed over time. Come learn about the scientific discoveries Dr. Bressman has made in the pursuit of art!

Winter Waterfowl Cruise
2026-01-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Patuxent River Park, Pavilion and Camp Ground, 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD, 20772, United States
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Don your downiest coat and channel duck resilience on this cruise to find wintering waterfowl on the Patuxent River. We will be on the lookout for bufflehead, canvasback, ruddy duck, greater and lesser scaup, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, wood duck, American wigeon, black duck, common loon, American coot, dunlin, and horned lark.
Alex Pellegrini, one of our favorite naturalists at Patuxent River Park, will captain us on the park’s research pontoon boat.

Wonderful Woodpeckers
2026-01-24 09:30 - 11:30 | Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce St, Annandale, VA, 22003, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Woodpeckers are keystone species which help many other forest animals by excavating holes in trees. Learn about our six local species, their lifestyles and adaptations. The two sessions include a hike, natural history information, drawing tips, journal page ideas and making a whimsical woodpecker creation. Ages 16 +.
This is Session 1. The next session will be on Jan. 31st.

Stellar Star Show at Rock Creek
2026-01-24 11:00 - 11:30 | Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Park) Come and enjoy a ranger-led program in the only planetarium in the National Park Service! The Stellar Star Show will be a 30-minute ranger-led program about the planets and the night sky.

Winter Flowers
2026-01-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Winkler Botanical Preserve, 5400 Roanoke Ave., Alexandria, VA, 22311, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Flowers can be hard to find outdoors in the middle of winter. While most wait for warmer days when their pollinators emerge, there are some plant species that flower in the cold. In this program, enjoy a hike through Winkler Botanical Preserve to look for signs of flowers blooming in the cold, learn about plants that bloom in winter, and craft your own flowers using natural materials.
This program is appropriate for artists ages 5 and up.

Skulls and Bones
2026-01-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) You can learn a lot from an animal’s skull and bones…you just need to know what to look for! In this brand-new offering, dissect an owl pellet to uncover and construct the skeleton inside, explore the features of different skulls and learn how to identify their species, measure the bite and grip forces these animals can exert, and discover plenty more fascinating facts about wildlife. Ages 8+.

Nature's Architects - Biomimicry
2026-01-24 16:30 - 17:30 | Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA, 22150, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Examine the sophisticated structural engineering found in animal constructions from beaver dams to bird nests and insect colonies. Discover how these natural building techniques inspire modern architectural innovations and sustainable design solutions. This interactive program explores the intersection of biological systems and human engineering through hands-on biomimicry investigations. Ages 5 to Adult.

Winter Naturalist Walk at Balls Bluff
2026-01-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Balls Bluff Regional Park, Ball’s Bluff Road, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Join naturalist Jake van Schilfgaarde on this winter walk at Balls Bluff Regional Park to discover and discuss animals’ and plants’ survival strategies in Virginia winters. We will look for signs we find along the trails, which have moderate, rocky slopes and could be muddy or icy. We will enjoy a beautiful time out of doors in this natural setting. Family-friendly.
