Capital Nature

(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.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) For just a few magical weeks in the Spring, the forest floor is studded with our most beautiful woodland wildflowers, including spring beauties, bluebells, and bloodroot. Take a leisurely stroll through the park with our Master Naturalists who will interpret this spectacular show before it disappears entirely (at least until next spring!).

(DC) (Smithsonian) Celebrate the vast and varied insect world through the pages of early natural history books from the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. Dazzling Diversity provides a glimpse into the wealth of recorded scientific knowledge in these books, and the continuing relevance of historical science to contemporary biodiversity research. It offers a snapshot of different classes of insects and their habitats, while showcasing ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Experience the beauty of spring woodlands on a guided walk through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens' Potomac Valley Collection! Led by Keith Tomlinson, former Meadowlark Garden Manager who developed and curated our native plant collection, this walk offers a unique opportunity to explore the region’s rich botanical diversity. With 45 years of experience in botanical gardens, museums, environmental education, ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) iNaturalist is an awesome tool to document and learn about the natural world around us. Come learn how to use the phone/tablet app and explore observations on the website, then put it into practice with a walk outside! Teens ages 12 and up welcome to attend with a registered adult.

(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.  

(DC) (Nature Forward) Immerse yourself in the phenomenon of spring migration with these field programs at nearby parks. Our walks are aimed at beginning and intermediate birders for whom the spring pulse of bird activity can often be overwhelming. We’ll search for both resident and migrating birds by sight and sound. As we develop skills for finding birds in the ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Gardens) Join us for Smithsonian Gardens’ brand new Garden Play program! Designed for children ages 2 and up and their caregivers, this program will explore all things seeds through hands-on activities, story time, and a walk through the beautiful Enid A. Haupt Garden, led by one of our horticulturists. This event is free with no registration required. Parents ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Spring beauties, bloodroot, trout lilies! Even before the last frost, some of our spring wildflowers brave the cold to put on a show. Come take a walk and we’ll discuss the fascinating lifestyle and ecology of these plants. Teens ages 12 and up welcome to attend with a registered adult. Adults.

(DC) (Nature Forward) Whether the weather outside is frightful or not, we’ll find oodles of delight and discovery on the trails of these local parks! This monthly series will explore the progression of winter into spring at several locations throughout DC, Maryland, and Virginia. From the wetlands of Huntley Meadows, to the farms and forests of Oxon Hill Farm Park, ...

(DC) (Smithsonian) Celebrate the vast and varied insect world through the pages of early natural history books from the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. Dazzling Diversity provides a glimpse into the wealth of recorded scientific knowledge in these books, and the continuing relevance of historical science to contemporary biodiversity research. It offers a snapshot of different classes of insects and their habitats, while showcasing ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Asian Art Museum) Meditation helps us build a relationship to a place of inner quietude. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled practitioner, join us for free online meditation sessions each week led by DC-based meditation teachers on Tuesdays and Fridays. Friday sessions include inspiration from art in the museum collections, much of which is inspired by nature, ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Girls belong in nature, enjoying outdoor adventures! Join us for a girl-centered Nature Girls Club. There are three in-person sessions with a Park Naturalist that will focus on exploring nature, trying out outdoor skills, and nature journaling. Meetings are monthly. Registration required.

(VA) (Washington Mycological Association) The National Park Service represented by Ranger Edwin J. Rivera, in collaboration with Mycologist Serenella Linares, and naturalists Ana Ka’ahanui & Matt Felperin invite you on a magical hike to witness nighttime sounds, fluorescence, and other wonders of the dark. Bring a reusable water bottle, a charged phone, closed toe shoes, and dress for the weather. 

(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. March 1, 15 and 29

(DC) (Nature Forward) You don’t need to go far by car to enjoy the great outdoors! In this series, we’ll explore the progression of spring one metro stop at a time. As we venture through serene river views, lush stream valleys, and lakeside trails of these metro-accessible parks, we’ll learn about the wildlife and natural history that we encounter along ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) This mushroom walk will begin inside the Long Branch Nature Center with an introduction to identification for beginners. We will learn how fungi grow in the soil and their role in the environment. Then we will walk outside, rain or shine, to observe mushrooms in the forest. Adults. Teens ages 12 and up are welcome to attend ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) It’s time for our slimy skinned, jelly egged creatures to start waking up… maybe. Any warm winter day or evening may cause an awakening of wood frogs and other amphibians as they try to lay eggs and emerge before their predators find them. Join us to find their hiding spots before the predators do. Adults. Find more ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join USBG Visitor Services Team and USBG Volunteers outside of public hours for a sensory-friendly evening to enjoy the “Orchids: Masters of Deception” exhibit. See thousands of orchids on display and uncover some of the unique ways these plants have adapted to deceive pollinators! Interactive activities will be offered at this program. Intended Audience: Sensory-Friendly Event

(MD) (Nature Forward) When the first warm rains of the season come, the amphibian world explodes into activity. Starting in late winter, temporary pools of shallow water, known as vernal pools, come alive with the kickoff of the annual amphibian migration. Since vernal pools dry up with the heat of summer and are not wet year-round, fish populations can’t survive. ...