Capital Nature

A Gentle Walk with Birds & Nature
2026-02-15 09:00 - 10:30 (America/New_York)
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join DC Bird Alliance for a very special bird walk in Rock Creek Park that invites us to discover — or rediscover — what it means to be a birder. Together with Susan West Montgomery, certified forest bathing guide, we’ll slow down, cultivate curiosity, and experience birds and nature more fully. This walk blends gentle bird observation with the practice of forest bathing, which invites participants to use all of their senses to take in the sights, sounds, and scents of the forest. We’ll move at a relaxed pace, observe our surroundings, and reflect. No prior birding experience is needed, just openness and curiosity.

RunJuneteenth Winter Trail Series: Greenbelt Park
2026-02-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Washington DC REI, 201 M Street NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(MD) (RunJuneteenth) The Winter Trail Series is an annual event comprised of a rotating set of trail-running meetups held throughout the DC–Maryland–Virginia region. Powered by REI Co-op, the weekly trail runs will feature trail-shoe demos from several top brands–giving participants the opportunity to test gear directly on different local trails, while also offering a mix of terrain, elevation, and mileage options to keep runners challenged and engaged.
We’ll meet at REI DC.

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.

Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
2026-02-15 11:00 - 23:00 | National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 7th Street & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20565, United States
(DC) (National Gallery of Art) The beloved winter tradition returns to the National Gallery of Art! Enjoy the beauty of the Sculpture Garden, festive displays and winter refreshments through March 2nd. The ice rink is open 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
Skating sessions begin on the hour and last 45 minutes, leaving a 15-minute break for ice maintenance.

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.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
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!

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.

Pup Stroll Day at Meadowlark
2026-02-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) GREAT NEWS! Now garden guests may enjoy Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with their favorite canines every Wednesday for Pup Stroll Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, during regular daytime hours, leashed dogs are welcome in the gardens. (Only service dogs are permitted on other days.) Please note: Garden admission ends at 6:30pm.

Campfire Friday
2026-02-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd, West Springfield, VA, 22152, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Not intended for children under 5.

CCAN Annual Polar Bear Plunge
2026-02-21 | National Harbor, 802 National Harbor Blvd, Fort Washington, MD, 20744, United States
(MD) (Chesapeake Climate Action Network) We’re freezing for a reason! CCAN’s Polar Bear Plunge is a day full of laughter and camaraderie as hundreds of climate activists come together in support of our climate campaigns. Through peer-to-peer fundraising, Plungers help raise over 30 percent of the individual donations that power our work in the year ahead. Sign up now to plunge or donate!

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.

Bird Walk at Kingman
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!

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.
