Capital Nature

Youth Birding in the Garden
2026-06-14 09:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | 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 | Wasington 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, 2026-06-06 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, 2026-06-07 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.

Owl Prowl
2026-06-10 20:30 - 21:30 | Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks)
“Whooooo cooks for youuuu? Whoooo cooks for youuuu allllll?” No, this is not a chef looking for a job! This is the call of a Barred Owl, perhaps Northern Virginia’s most frequently observed owl. Join the roving naturalist on a quest to find these feathered friends. Learn more about owl adaptations, behavior, and role in the ecosystem before we hit the trails to find them! Ages 5 and up.

Wellness Wednesday at the Arboretum
2026-06-10 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!

Wellbeing Stroll at Brookside
2026-06-10 11:00 - 12:30 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Immerse yourself in the transformative power of nature through Strolls for Well-Being—an evidence-based program designed to nurture emotional wellness and inspire self-discovery. Over eight weeks, you’ll enjoy twelve unaccompanied walks (or strolls!) through the serene beauty of Brookside Gardens, guided by a stunning, full-color, 110-page journal. You’ll also have the chance to connect with others during three in-person group meetings, held at the beginning, middle, and end of the program.
This is the last event of the series.

Yoga on the Magnolia Terrace
2026-06-09 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-06-04 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.

Japanese Star Festival at Hillwood
2026-06-09 17:30 - 20:30 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) anabata, the Japanese Star Festival, celebrates the legend of Orihime, the weaver princess, and Hikoboshi, the herder. These lovers, separated by the Milky Way, are allowed to meet just once a year on the seventh day of the seventh month.
Enjoy a summer evening relaxing in Hillwood’s spectacular gardens and take part in festive indoor and outdoor entertainment.

Cutting Garden Tour at Hillwood
2026-06-09 11:30 - 12:00 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Marjorie Merriweather Post loved displaying fresh cut flowers throughout her home. This tradition continues today as the cutting garden produces nearly one thousand stems a week during the height of summer. From sunflowers and zinnias to eucalyptus and lisianthus, a weekly harvest supplies a bounty of flowers which are used in arrangements throughout the property. Tour the garden in all its glory and learn a few tips and secrets from a Hillwood gardener along the way.
Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center upon opening each day. This thirty-minute tour is limited to fifteen and meets in the visitor center conservatory.

Art in the Park: Printmaking
2026-06-08 16:30 - 18:30 | Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Learn print making using a carving tool and rubber block! We will be joined by a guest instructor, Laura Damian. Participants will learn how to choose an image for making prints, tricks on how to easily transfer the image onto the block, and pro tips on how to best use the carving tool to produce a high-quality custom stamp.
All materials will be provided and yours to keep including the carving tool. Light refreshments will be provided.

The Butterfly Experience
2026-06-07 09:00 - 15:00, 2026-06-05 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.

Anacostia River Tree Tour
2026-06-06 15:00 - 18:00 | Kingman and Heritage Islands Park, 575 Oklahoma Ave NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Casey Trees and the Anacostia Watershed Society for a tree walk and boat tour on the Anacostia River. Starting at the main entrance to Kingman & Heritage Islands, we’ll see and learn to identify the diverse tree species on the island while we make our way to the boat dock. Once on the boat, we will explore the ecological and historical changes in the river and the communities around it.

The entire tour should take around 3 hours. In the case of light rain, we will proceed as planned.

Invasive Plant Removal at Normanstone
2026-06-06 12:00 - 14:00 | Normanstone Trail, 2841 Normanstone Drive NW, Washington DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Rock Creek Staff, Landrum Beard 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.

Lei Making at USBG
2026-06-06 11:00 - 13:00 | U.S. Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20515, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Each June, in honor of Kamehameha Day, the local Hawaiian community crafts beautiful lei using plant materials sourced from the mid-Atlantic region and beyond. During this drop-in program at the Garden’s Conservatory, learn about Hawaiian culture, and try your hand at lei-making. Then watch as members of the Hawai’i State Society of Washington D.C. prepare lei for the ceremonial draping at the U.S. Capitol.
This drop-in experience will be repeated several times over the course of two hours.

Suitland Parkway Volunteer Day
2026-06-06 10:30 - 13:00 | Suitland Parkway, 2401 Alabama Ave SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods every first Saturday of the month to restore Suitland Parkway by removing trash and invasive vines that are smothering the trees. Since 2018, Ward 8 Woods Park Stewards and volunteers have removed more than 300 tons of trash from the woods of Suitland Parkway and cut vines from more than 1,000 trees. On the first Saturday of each month, we deploy to a different part of the parkway to clean up trash and save trees from being smothered by invasive vines.
Give back to the earth, exercise your body, spend time in nature and meet cool people with the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy.

Invasive Plant Removal at 630 West
2026-06-06 10:00 - 12:00 | Reservation 630 West, 3031 Sedgwick Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(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.

Saturday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-06-06 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. 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!

Music in the Meadow
2026-06-05 19:00 - 21:00 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Get in the groove at our first Music in the Meadow concert of the year! Experience the soulful melodies and smooth vocals of the Sirius Company band, who will perform a medley of classic R&B and go-go music. Plus, take your pick of delicious offerings from food trucks on site!
This outdoor concert is a celebration of D.C. teachers, who inspire and empower students every day.

Acoustic Ecology at USBG
2026-06-05 10:00 - 12:00 | US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20001, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Want to know more about how plants shape soundscapes? Drop by the Garden Court to talk with Dr. Heather Spence, Acoustic Ecologist, Musician/Composer. You’ll learn about acoustic ecology, sound-based research, and dive into how a fruit’s water content affects its relationship to sound. Bring your questions and connect with plant science professionals in this Expert Is In program.
This program is offered as part of a partnership with the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Alumni Program.

Guided Forest Bathing at Hillwood
2026-06-05 09:30 - 11:00 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Slow down, awaken your senses, and connect with nature as you experience a forest bathing walk in Hillwood’s gardens and grounds with certified forest bathing guide Ana Ka’ahanui. Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (which translates to “absorbing the forest atmosphere”), forest bathing is a research-based activity designed to promote health and well-being through immersion in natural settings.
Participants will be guided on a soothing stroll through the spring gardens at a slow pace. They will be invited to participate in gentle activities designed to engage their senses and tune into the sounds, smells, textures, and sights of nature around them. ​

An Immersion in Nature: Japanese Forest Bathing in Rock Creek Park
2026-06-05 08:30 - 10:30 | Wasington DC
(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Experience forest bathing as Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified nature and forest-therapy guide and author of Wild Walking—A Guide to Forest Bathing Through the Seasons and A Year in Rock Creek Park, leads a 2-hour walk along a scenic stretch of Rock Creek in the nation’s oldest urban national park. Move slowly to soak up the beauty of the flowing creek and the lush June greens of the bountiful trees. Focus on the sights, sounds, and woodsy fragrances of Rock Creek Park, letting go of cares while slowly exploring the surroundings through all senses. This restorative celebration of the beauty of late spring in the wooded heart of the nation’s capital is the perfect way to learn why forest bathing is becoming popular all over the world.
Participants receive a signed copy of Wild Walking—A Guide to Forest Bathing Through the Seasons.

Anacostia River Discovery Boat Tour
2026-06-04 18:00 - 19:00 | Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd, Blaidensburg, MD, United States
(MD) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for a 1-hour Anacostia River Discovery Series boat tour to explore the ecological and historical changes that have occurred in the river and in the communities around the river. We will have the opportunity to witness some of the restoration of river habitats and how it has caused the rebound of the wildlife.

Exhibit: The Art of Truman Low
2026-06-04 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.
