Capital Nature

Hillwood Japanese-style Garden Tour
2026-06-19 10:30 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Experience the serenity and beauty of the Japanese-style garden, just as Marjorie Post and so many of her guests did. Join Michael Rollinson, gardener, as he shares a behind-the-scenes look at the intricately manicured, yet “naturally wild,” Japanese-style garden.
Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center upon opening each day. This thirty-minute tour is limited to twelve and meets in the visitor center conservatory.

Garden Break at the Haubt
2026-06-19 10:00 - 16:00 | Enid A. Haupt Smithsonian Garden, Independence Avenue SW and L'Enfant Plaza SW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian Gardens) Drop in for hands-on activities in the Haupt Garden. Games, crafts, and garden exploration are designed for preschoolers through adults.
Have a little more time? Take a moment to slow down, use your senses, and explore the Enid A. Haupt Garden through nature journaling. Bring your own journal or decorate one for your garden observations. And be sure to check out the new Growing Tomorrow exhibition and discover how gardens can evoke memories.

Wild Things: The Art of Kusamono
2026-06-19 - 2026-06-21 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (National Arboretum) This three-day weekend event is devoted to the Japanese botanical art of kusamono. Discover how wild grasses, wildflowers, and other small native plants may be artistically arranged to suggest miniature representations of natural habitats. Often displayed alongside bonsai as an accent, kusamono stands on its own as a complete expression, emphasizing simplicity, seasonality, and a sense of place. Come see the exhibit and watch free demonstrations every day in the museum’s Exhibits Gallery. Buy kusamono plants, soil, and ceramics from vendors on the East Terrace.

Solstice Weekend at the Smithsonian
2026-06-19 - 2026-06-20 | National Mall, 1750 Independence Avenue Southwest, Wasington DC, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian) Stay out late with the Smithsonian! Celebrate the official start of summer throughout the weekend as museums across the National Mall and beyond hold special events and stay open until 11 pm.

Sunset Kayak Paddle
2026-06-18 19:00 - 21:00 | Fountainhead Regional Park, 10875 Hampton Rd, Fairfax Station, VA, 22039, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a nice sunset on the water and experience the natural beauty of the Occoquan Reservoir, while learning about natural and historical features unique to the area. This program will be led by NOVA Parks’ Roving Naturalist, Matt Felperin. We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous kayak experience suggested, but not required. Ages 12+

Ranger Tour at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
2026-06-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, 20019, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Join a Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Ranger for a talk about the park! The talk will cover the history of the park, the waterlillies and lotuses that are grown in the ponds, and the importance of the marshes that are connected to the ponds.
Meet at the Visitors Center.

How to Support Birds All Summer (Virtual)
2026-06-18 13:00 - 14:00 | DC
(DMV) (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) Set up your yard, pick up on signs that birds are nesting near you, and keep your eyes peeled for special summer bird sights!

Baby Owl Prowl
2026-06-17 20:00 - 21:30 | Long Branch Nature Center & Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) June is the best month to find young owls in our forests. Come for a short owl talk and hike to see whoooo shows up.

Wellness Wednesday at the Arboretum
2026-06-17 18:30 - 19:30 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Connect your mind, body, and spirit with nature through guided mindfulness programs on Wednesdays during summer evening hours. Save the date — registrations are coming soon!

Plant Clinic at Arlington Library
2026-06-17 18:00 - 19:30 | Arlington Central Library, 1015 North Quincy Street, Arlington, VA, 22201, United States
(VA) (Arlington Public Library) The Plant Clinic at Arlington Central Library is staffed by Extension Master Gardeners, who answer general gardening questions as well as questions about pests and diseases and plant identification. They also provide free soil test kits on request.

Adaptive Kayaking Clinic
2026-06-17 17:30 - 19:00 | Seneca Landing Special Park, 16501 River Road, Poolesville, 20837, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Experience a fun, accessible evening on the water with our Adaptive Paddling Program! We offer adaptive kayaking equipment such as transfer benches, hand and wrist supports, stabilizing outriggers, and supportive seating systems for individuals who benefit from physical support. Our trained staff ensures a safe and enjoyable adventure on calm, flat water. Ages 16 and up.

The Butterfly Experience
2026-06-17 09:00 - 15:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) A world of wonder takes flight as Montgomery Parks’ popular Butterfly Experience returns to Brookside Gardens. Visitors will be surrounded by hundreds of brilliant butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia as they flutter among vibrant, lush tropical blooms. This intimate experience offers rare, up-close encounters while trained staff and volunteers highlight the stages of metamorphosis, the important role butterflies play in healthy ecosystems, and how to ensure these beautiful insects thrive in our own gardens.
Butterfly Experience runs through September 7th.

Invasive Vine Removal at Publick Playhouse
2026-06-17 09:00 - 12:00 | Publick Playhouse, 5445 Landover Rd, Hyattsville, 20784, United States
(MD) (Casey Trees) Join Meredith from CCAN and Community Native Planting Project to remove invasive vines and transform a two-acre site next to Publick Playhouse into a welcoming natural area. We will start with a brief training on invasive species and best practices for removal, and spend about two hours removing invasives.

Tai Chi at Brookside
2026-06-17 09:00 - 10:30 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Tai Chi is an ancient, Chinese form of exercise perfect for adults seeking stress reduction while strengthening muscles, improving balance and increasing ﬂexibility. The Forms are repetitive patterns that emphasize slow, ﬂowing motions and controlled movements. Classes will help beginners to learn the Forms while providing regular practitioners the guidance of an experienced instructor. No walk-ins will be accepted. Ages 18+.
Location: Brookside Gardens Visitor Center (March – April) or Japanese Tea House (May – August)
Instructor: Charles Votaw

Butterfly Survey at Dyke Marsh
2026-06-17 08:30 - 12:00 | Dyke Marsh, Alexandria, VA, 22307, United States
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join our volunteer team once a month, 8:30 a.m. to 12 noon, and help count butterflies and dragonflies in Dyke Marsh on: June 17, July 22, August 19, September 23 and October 21. Surveyors do not need experience or specialized knowledge.
Meet in the south Belle Haven Park parking lot. Wear sturdy shoes, bring water, sun and insect protection and a snack. Binoculars, camera phone or a camera are helpful.
To help, contact, Laura McDonald at laura.e.mcdonald@icloud.com

Summer Solstice Happy Hour
2026-06-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Sabores Tapas Bar, 2401 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (EcoAction Arlington) EcoAction Arlington & EcoAmbassadors invite you to join us for an evening of community, connection, and celebration as we recognize the amazing volunteers helping create a greener Arlington, and welcome new faces interested in getting involved.

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
2026-06-16 18:00 - 19:00 | Carlyle House Historic Park, 121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join an instructor-led hour-long Yoga Class on Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace. This is a gentle flow yoga class, where we will build heat with sun salutations then progress to balance, deep stretching and finally relaxation. Please bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear.

Leaf Boat Float
2026-06-16 11:00 - 12:00 | Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Create a miniature boat using natural and upcycled materials, take a Naturalist led hike down to Meadowside’s bubbling creek, and watch your boat float its way downstream! Ages 6 and up.

Nature Walk at Meadowlark
2026-06-16 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.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-06-16 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!

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-06-15 07:00 - 09:00 | 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 7 a.m. April through September. 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.

Invasive Plant Removal at Piney Branch
2026-06-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Piney Branch Oasis, 3499 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, 20010, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader, Keith Krosinsky 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 native plants to thrive in the understory.

Exhibit: The Art of Truman Low
2026-06-14 10:00 - 17:30 | National Museum of the American Indian, Fourth Street & Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20560
(DC) (Smithsonian) View the first major retrospective of the acclaimed Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) artist: Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe. Lowe’s elegant, minimalist sculptures made of willow branches, feathers, and other organic materials evoke the rivers, streams, and waterfalls of the Wisconsin woodlands where he was raised and the canoes used to traverse them.

Litter Cleanup at 630 West
2026-06-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Reservation 630 West, 3031 Sedgwick Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Stream Team Leader Kathy Sykes for a litter removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Trash is the visible form of stormwater pollution, a major threat to water quality and park health and its removal makes the parklands cleaner, safer, and more beautiful for all.

Youth Birding in the Garden
2026-06-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Take a bird walk with an expert instructor and learn the basics of using binoculars, listening for bird calls, using field guides and digital tools, and looking carefully in all directions. Stop at the spots in the garden that are most attractive for local birds and learn more about them. Borrow a pair of our binoculars or bring your own (optional). Ages 8 to 16.

Mid-Summer Nature Market
2026-06-13 10:00 - 17:00 | U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20515, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Discover nature-inspired art, ceramics, jewelry, paper goods, plants, and handcrafted accessories, while enjoying refreshing drinks and delicious sweet and savory treats. It’s a festive opportunity to shop for unique gifts, support small businesses, and connect with fellow plant lovers in a beautiful garden setting.

Invasive Removal at Broad Branch
2026-06-13 10:00 - 12:00 | DC
(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 native plants to thrive in the understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 hours prior to the event.

Jazz in the Garden
2026-06-12 18:00 - 20:30 | National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden, 7th Street & Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20565, United States
(DC) (National Gallery of Art) Travel across the country through music, exploring our many traditions—from Appalachian and Americana to Creole jazz, Hill Country blues, contemporary jazz, and more for the nation’s 250th anniversary. Every Friday through August 14 (except June 5 and July 3). Pre-show dance classes on May 22 and 29, June 12, and July 24.
Event registration through a lottery. The lottery takes place the week before each event, opening on Monday at 10:00 a.m. and closing Friday at noon. Limited day-of passes will be available starting at 5:00 p.m.

Invasive Species Removal at Langdon Park
2026-06-12 09:00 - 12:00 | Langdon Park Recreation Center, 2901 20th St NE, Washington DC, 20018, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join CCAN, The Langdon Park Forest Stewards, and Casey Trees to get outside and remove invasive plants! Take part in the exciting Assisted Natural Regeneration efforts happening to restore the forest at Langdon Park in NE DC. We will start with a brief training on non-native invasive species and best practices for removal, and spend about 2 hours removing invasives. We will focus on non-native invasive plants like Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle.

Exhibit: Growing Together
2026-06-11 09:00 - 18:00 | National Mall, 1750 Independence Avenue Southwest, Wasington DC, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian Gardens) Nine exhibits across Smithsonian Gardens around the National Mall hold history and memories, tell American stories, and carry culture through food growing and seed saving. The exhibition also introduces gardens as places of wellbeing, connection, and innovation—from horticultural therapy to the powerful role trees play in ecosystems and in cities.
