Capital Nature

Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
2026-02-25 11:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Climate DC: Board Game Night
2026-02-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Board Room, 1737 Connecticut Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 20009, United States
(DC) (Climate DC) Tired of the cold and looking for something to do inside? Or have the Olympics woken up a competitive spirit in you?Join Climate DC for our February event – Board Game Night. Take the night to relax, have fun, and get to know fellow climate enthusiasts over some nature and climate-inspired games.

Exhibit: Dazzling Diversity
2026-02-26 10:00 - 17:30 | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Madison Drive NW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) 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 the careful artistry of scientific illustration.
On view through May 11th, 2026.

Exhibit: Recovering Our Night Skies
2026-02-26 10:00 - 17:30 | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Madison Drive NW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) Artificial lights have become such common nighttime fixtures that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution go beyond our diminishing view of the stars, but the solutions can have an immediate impact.
Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?
On view through December 2026.

Teacher's Night at USBG
2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 | US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20001, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join us at the U.S. Botanic Garden Conservatory for the 19th annual D.C. Teachers’ Night. Connect with D.C. area environmental education organizations and find ways to get your students learning about the natural world and how to bring the environment into the classroom! Learn from an amazing community about field trip experiences, professional development opportunities, and resources.
The event is free, however registration is required. Light refreshments will be served. Certificates of Participation available for PDUs.

Explore Rachel Carson Conservation Park
2026-02-27 09:00 - 11:00 | Rachel Carson Conservation Park, 22201 Zion Road, Olney, MD, 20833, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) New to the area or just want to get out for a hike? Explore different parks in Montgomery County with an experienced naturalist. Length of hike and trail difficulty varies from site to site. Today we’ll explore Rachel Carson Conservation Park, one of the county’s premier conservation areas, walking through meadows, forest and along the Hawlings River. The length of this moderate hike depends on the pace and size of the group.

Little Critters Nature Play
2026-02-27 09:30 - 13:30 | Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian National Zoo) Let’s learn how animals change as they grow- just like us! Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about the different ways animals care for their young. Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.

Hillwood Tour: Preparing for Spring
2026-02-27 10:30 - 11:00 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Jarett Currin, greenhouse grower, shares a preview of Hillwood’s fabulous spring and summer blooms on this thirty-minute behind-the-scenes tour of Hillwood’s production greenhouse. Enjoy the warmth of the greenhouse while getting a sneak peek of plants being grown for Hillwood’s beautiful spring and summer garden displays.

Our Planet, Our Health
2026-02-28 - 2026-03-02 | George Mason University – Mason Square, Mason Square, 3351 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA, 22201, United States
(VA) (Climate for Health) The 2026 Our Planet, Our Health Convention will convene health professionals, researchers, community leaders, and policy experts to tackle one of the most urgent issues of our time: the growing impact of climate change on health. Hosted by the Medical Society Consortium on Climate and Health in collaboration with other leading organizations.

Bird Walk at Kingman
2026-02-28 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!

Rain Garden Workshop (Hybrid)
2026-02-28 09:30 - 12:00 | MD
(VA) (Northern Virginia Regional Commission) Rain gardens are attractive landscape features that allow rain water and snow melt to absorb into the ground, slowing runoff and removing pollutants before the water reaches local creeks and streams. You will learn how to design, construct, and maintain a rain garden for your property that can absorb rain water, improve wildlife habitat, and support the health of waterways and drinking water supplies.

Storytime in the Garden
2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for an interactive story time followed by an outdoor exploration or activity for children ages 3-7. This is an outdoor story time, weather permitting. Adults must accompany children.

Eco-Teen Challenge
2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) In this series, we’ll complete STEM challenges while learning about our local ecosystems. Discover how our local watersheds support wildlife and explore how our everyday actions affect these vital ecosystems. Then, dive into a hands-on STEM activity by building your own water filter!

Winter Birdwalk at Eleanor C. Lawrence
2026-02-28 10:00 - 11:30 | Ellanor C. Lawrence Park, 5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly, VA, 20151, 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.

Invasive Plants Removal at Dyke Marsh
2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Dyke Marsh, Alexandria, VA, 22307, United States
(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. We kindly ask that you not bring pets. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants. Bring gloves, hand clippers and water. We will supply instructions, examples and trash bags.

Invasive Plant Removal at Piney Branch
2026-02-28 10:00 - 12:00 | Piney Branch Oasis, 3499 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, 20010, 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. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 hours prior to the event.

Invasive Vine Removal at Riverdale
2026-02-28 10:00 - 13:00 | Riverside Drive Park, 5801 Riverside Drive, Riverdale, 20737, United States
(MD) (Casey Trees) Join Chesapeake Climate Action Network volunteer leaders from the Riverdale Park Green Team to remove Invasive Vines around around the Riverdale Park neighborhood.. This event will be a fun mix of door-to-door canvassing and invasive vine removal.

Exhibit: For the Love of Birds
2026-02-28 10:00 - 17:00 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Garrett County Arts Council)“For the Love of Birds” is an installation piece that incorporates The National Audubon Society’s climate report: Survival by Degrees: 389 Birds on the Brink and artwork curated by curated by Caroline Blizzard and Julie Turrentine. The art exhibit tells the story of how birds will be affected by climate change, with different habitats illustrated through canvas photography and supported by interpretive signage and glass birds.
Exhibit is open during Discovery Center hours Friday through Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, from January 10th through March 1st.

Snakes Secret Lives
2026-02-28 13:00 - 14:00 | Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA, 22150, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Explore the remarkable adaptations and behaviors of these specialized predators through hands-on encounters with non-venomous snake ambassadors. Discover the sophisticated hunting strategies, sensory capabilities and ecological roles that makes this reptiles masters of evolutionary design. Ages 5 to Adult.

Frog Frenzy
2026-02-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) What’s that sound? Wood frogs abound! These woodland amphibians are a welcoming sign that spring is just around the corner. See (and hear) some of these ribbeting animals at Potomac Overlook’s frog pond, and learn about a fascinating adaptation that helps them survive the cold winter. Ages 5 +

The Amazing World of Vernal Pools (Virtual)
2026-03-01 14:00 - 15:00 | MD
(Capital Nature) (DC) Join Capital Nature and vernal pool champions Mike Hayslett and Steven David Johnson for this special presentation on the temporary freshwater wetlands that emerge after snowmelt. Often overlooked as habitats because of their small size, they are essential spawning grounds for spotted salamanders, wood frogs, fairy shrimp, and many other creatures! Mike will discuss the ecology and conservation needs of these unique ecosystems. Steven will share his spectacular photographs of vernal pool life.

On the Heels of Dinosaurs (Virtual)
2026-03-04 19:00 - 20:30 | MD
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Dinosaur tracks and other trace fossils provide important insights into the behaviors, locomotion, postures, and environments of ancient creatures that are often difficult to glean from body fossils alone. Glen Kuban’s presentation will include an overview of the dinosaur tracks, including basic types of tracks, where they are found, and how they are studied and documented. Glen will also discuss his 45+ years of first-hand research on the remarkably abundant, varied, and well-preserved dinosaur tracks in Texas, and various debates and controversies surrounding them.

Birdability: Birding CAN Change the World (Virtual)
2026-03-05 19:00 - 20:00 | MD
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Virginia Rose was thrown from a horse at the age of 14, resulting in paralysis. Then, at the age of 44, she discovered birding. It changed her life. She founded Birdability with the vision that birding truly is for everybody and every body, regardless of disabilities or other health concerns. Their mission is to ensure birding is accessible to everyone.
In this presentation by Birdability Executive Director, Cat Fribley, let’s discover how accessible birding can make a significant impact on individuals with access challenges and learn practical ways you can contribute to a more inclusive birding community.

Rooting DC
2026-03-07 09:00 - 16:00 | Eastern Senior High School, 1700 East Capitol St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (DC Department of Energy and Environment) Attend the District’s free conference for urban gardeners! Rooting DC is a FREE, all-day event that provides education and community building around urban agriculture and food systems, with the goal of cultivating personal, community, and environmental wellbeing. It is the District’s central meeting ground for land stewards and garden lovers to strengthen their connection with crops and community in the nation’s capital.

Ecology Book Club: We Will Be Jaguars
2026-03-09 18:00 - 19:30 | Cleveland Park Library, 3310 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington, 20008, United States
(DC) (DC Public Library) Join book and ecology lovers at Cleveland Park Library to explore books on human ecology, sustainable living, environmental justice and post-fossil fuel futures. Books can be nonfiction, fiction or poetry. This month we will be discussing We Will Be Jaguars: A Memoir of My People by Nemonte Nenquimo and Mitch Anderson. Adults.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-03-10 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!

Washington Through the Seasons: A Naturalist’s Journey (Virtual)
2026-03-10 19:00 - 20:30 | MD
(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) The splendor of springtime in Washington is world-renowned, owing largely to the Japanese flowering cherry trees that have encircled the Tidal Basin for over a century. Yet the cherry blossoms are a single aspect of the city’s spectacular flowering spring, and spring is only one of the city’s vibrant seasons.
Smithsonian Associates tour guide, naturalist, and nature-book author Melanie Choukas-Bradley leads a virtual journey of seasonal transformation in and around the nation’s capital.

Growing Orchids at Home
2026-03-11 11:30 - 13:30 | Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, 1400 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC, 20560
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Meet an orchid expert from Smithsonian Gardens or the United States Botanic Garden and learn more about this incredible plant family! This week, USBG Gardener (Advanced) George Guenthner will share tips for caring for orchids at home, including how to repot an orchid. Drop in at any time during the program and be sure to bring your orchid questions.
This program is offered in partnership with Smithsonian Gardens and the More than a Flower: The Connective Power of Orchids exhibition at the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). Free timed-entry passes are required.

Our Watershed
2026-03-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Tenleytown Library, 4450 Wisconsin Ave NW, Washington, DC, 20016, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Stream Team Leaders Kathy Sykes and Andrea Contreras for an engaging presentation on the Lower Rock Creek watershed and why its health matters to our community. This talk will explore what a watershed is, how everyday activities impact local streams, and the key indicators of a healthy watershed—from salt and bacteria levels to biodiversity and aquatic life.

Evolution of the Bird Brain (Virtual)
2026-03-12 19:00 - 20:30 | MD
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) This talk explores the Mesozoic origin of avian flight from the perspective of the dinosaurian brain. Fossil reconstructions will be integrated with advanced imaging to test hypotheses on how the brain of theropods met the sensory and motor changes of this rare and radical behavioral innovation.
Amy Balanoff is an assistant professor in the Center for Functional Anatomy & Evolution at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
