Capital Nature

World Wetlands Day Sketch Hike
2026-02-02 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, 22306, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Celebrate World Wetlands Day by joining park naturalist and artist Margaret Wohler on a hike to learn about the vital role wetlands play while identifying plants and animals. Learn drawing techniques to enhance your wetland observation skills. Drawing supplies included. Ages 10 to Adult.

Owl Prowl at Black Hill
2026-02-02 17:30 - 18:30 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Nature doesn’t sleep once the sun goes down. Go for a walk with us to see who is out and about after sunset. Join us for a post-sunset stroll where we’ll look and listen for owls.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-02-03 08:30 - 10:00, 2026-02-17 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!

Project Feederwatch
2026-02-05 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.

Lunchtime Meditation and Mindfulness (Virtual)
2026-02-06 12:00 - 12:30, 2026-02-20 12:00 - 12:30
(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.

Hot Cocoa Wetland Night Hike
2026-02-06 16:30 - 18:30 | Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, 22306, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Sip hot cocoa and join a naturalist for a special winter wonder wetland tour after dark. We will look for signs and listen for sounds of beavers, owls, deer and other nocturnal winter animals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mug to help us reduce waste. Ages 4 to Adult.

Exploring Blackwater Wildlife Refuge through Photography
2026-02-07 06:30 - 09:30
(MD) (Capital Photography Center) Join us on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with Kim Kelly as we explore Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This sanctuary has over 32,000 acres of diverse habitats attracting waterfowl and other birds along the Atlantic Flyway. Winter months can be awesome for photographing birds and wildlife in the DMV area. At this time of year, the eagles are plentiful as pairs match up and begin nest building.
We will be honing our skills at photographing birds and other potential wildlife as we move around the refuge.

Bird Walk at Kingman
2026-02-07 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-02-21 08:00 - 10:00 | Kingman Island, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join DC Bird Alliance for a winter bird walk through Kingman and Heritage Islands!

First Saturday Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-02-07 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!

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2026-02-08 08:00 - 10:00, 2026-02-22 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.

Lep Club Winter Cocoon Hike
2026-02-08 14:00 - 16:00 | Bee Tree Preserve, Parkton, MD, 21120, United States
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Join us for a walk in the woods led by Lep Club member Eric Warner, learn how to find cocoons in nature and how to identify the moth based on the cocoon. Tips for identifying host plants in winter will also be covered, specifically for cecropia, promethea and polyphemus moths as we explore the woods. Hike will take place on Sunday Feb. 8th or Sunday Feb. 15th depending on weather.
This walk is for Lep Club members only; we encourage you to become a member of NHSM and the Lep club. The NHSM Lepidoptery Club meets the fourth Wednesday of every month from March-October at 6908 Belair Rd or over Zoom.

Winter Tree ID Walk
2026-02-08 15:30 - 16:30 | Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Without leaves, trees suddenly become much harder to identify. Learn some tips and tricks on how to ID a tree without leaves with a ranger on this walk through the park and practice identifying some of your favorite tree species. Meet at the Nature Center and be prepared with warm clothing, layers, comfortable and sturdy shoes, and a hunger for learning.
Walk may be cancelled in the event of bad weather at the discretion of park staff. Feel free to call the Nature Center (202-895-6070) the day of to confirm.

Winter Crow Watch
2026-02-08 17:00 - 18:30 | 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.

Great Backyard Bird Count
2026-02-13 - 2026-02-16
(DMV) (Audubon and Cornell Lab) Spend time in your favorite places watching birds—then tell us about them! In as little as 15 minutes notice the birds around you. Identify them, count them, and submit your counts to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. If you already use eBird or Merlin, your submissions over the 4 days count toward GBBC.

Valentine's Stargazing Stroll
2026-02-14 16:00 - 17:30 | Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA, 22150, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Share the wonder of winter stars with someone special during our romantic Valentine’s stargazing adventure. This enchanting evening stroll combines astronomy education with Valentine’s Day Magic. Create lasting memories as families explore the night sky together, learning about the cosmos while enjoying quality time under the stars. This evening adventure concludes with hot cocoa and Valentine’s treats. Ages 8 to Adult.

Couples Evening at the Nature Center
2026-02-14 19:00 - 20:30 | Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce St, Annandale, VA, 22003, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Enjoy a peaceful adults only visit to the nature center for Valentine’s Day. Meet animals and learn about their dating and mating habits. A fun activity and a special treat complete your nature-themed holiday celebration. Each attendee must register individually. Adults.

Winter Soul Stroll
2026-02-15 09:30 - 12:00 | Kingman Island _RFK Lot 6, United States
(DC) (Goombay DC) This urban hike blends storytelling, interactive art & photography as we learn the value of DC’s green spaces and waterways that keep our river ecosystems healthy.

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-02-16 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.

Winter Bird Walk at the Arboretum
2026-02-16 09:00 - 11:00 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join Us This President’s Day for a Bird Walk with DC Bird Alliance! We are back for another round of winter birding. Learn about bird behavior, identification tips, and local bird populations from experienced guides. Last month, we saw woodpeckers, phoebes, and even a resident eagle! With bare trees and clear sightlines, we’re sure to spot many feathered friends this time around as well.

Documenting Birds and Biodiversity Workshop
2026-02-16 09:00 - 11:00 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Join us for a birding workshop led by the DC Bird Alliance! This engaging session is ideal for nature enthusiasts of all levels, designed to enrich your birdwatching experience with a special focus on photography. Highlights:

Wildlife Photography Tips:
Learn to capture stunning images of wildlife using cell phones and cameras.

Biodiversity Documentation:
Discover how to edit and submit photos to platforms like iNaturalist and eBird.

Photo Management:
Get tips on organizing your photo library without cloud storage.

Community Science Round-table Discussion:
Join our collaborative discussion on the ethics of sharing photos for science. Together, we’ll explore how birdwatchers contribute valuable data and support conservation efforts.

Winter Walk at Meadowlark
2026-02-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy free garden admission and a guided walk around Meadowlark Botanical Gardens’ 95 acres on Tuesdays. Each 75-minute walk will be over uneven, hilly terrain, have a positive focus, and include a silent, meditative portion and a few interesting facts from our docent along the way. Ages 18 +
This is a drop-in program.

Project Feederwatch
2026-02-19 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+.

Winter Birdwalk at Riverbend
2026-02-21 08:00 - 09:30 | Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA, 22066, United States
(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. Feel free to bring your own guides, binoculars and spotting scopes. Site will have a limited number of supplies for participants to borrow for the duration of the program. Ages 4 to Adult.

Winter Birding at Lake Audubon
2026-02-21 08:00 - 10:00 | Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA, 20191, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join Northern Virginia Bird Alliance guides Robin and Luke for a winter birding outing at Lake Audubon! Birders of all experience levels are welcome. The planned walking route includes a mix of woodland trail and paved surfaces, with both flat and hilly sections.

Black Hill Hike Club
2026-02-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) The first rule of Hike Club – have fun! Improve your fitness, make new friends, and experience trails and scenery we don’t often make time to immerse ourselves in. We welcome all ages, though young children must be able to walk at least 3 miles or be carried. Most trails are not stroller accessible and are easy to moderate in difficulty.

Winter Stream Ecology Hike
2026-02-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Bundle up and join us for a winter nature hike full of frosty discoveries! Ever wonder what fish do when streams freeze over? How life keeps moving under the ice? On this guided walk, we’ll explore stream ecology in winter and uncover how aquatic life—especially fish—adapts to survive the freezing temperatures, slower currents, and reduced food supply. Teens 16+ welcome with a registered adult.
