Capital Nature

Litter Cleanup at Glenmont Park
2026-02-07 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Glenmont Local Park, 3201 Randolph Rd, Silver Spring, MD, 20906, United States
(MD) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and Montgomery Parks 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. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 hours prior to the event.

Invasive Plant Removal at Piney Branch
2026-02-07 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.

First Saturday Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-02-07 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. A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID. We will gather in front of the visitor center. The walk will be conducted at a leisurely pace, covering approximately one mile. We look forward to sharing this delightful experience with you!

Bird Walk at Kingman
2026-02-07 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!

Exploring Blackwater Wildlife Refuge through Photography
2026-02-07 06:30 - 09:30 | VA
(MD) (Capital Photography Center) Join us on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with Kim Kelly as we explore Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This sanctuary has over 32,000 acres of diverse habitats attracting waterfowl and other birds along the Atlantic Flyway. Winter months can be awesome for photographing birds and wildlife in the DMV area. At this time of year, the eagles are plentiful as pairs match up and begin nest building.
We will be honing our skills at photographing birds and other potential wildlife as we move around the refuge.

Full Moon Friday
2026-02-06 17:30 - 19:00 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for the magic of the full moon for a hike and campfire on each Friday nearest to the full moon. Feel free to bring your own hotdogs to warm over the fire and we’ll provide marshmallows. The program will be mainly outdoors with a hiking component. All hikes will be on natural surface trails.

Hot Cocoa Wetland Night Hike
2026-02-06 16:30 - 18:30 | Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, 22306, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Sip hot cocoa and join a naturalist for a special winter wonder wetland tour after dark. We will look for signs and listen for sounds of beavers, owls, deer and other nocturnal winter animals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mug to help us reduce waste. Ages 4 to Adult.

Lunchtime Meditation and Mindfulness (Virtual)
2026-02-06 12:00 - 12:30 | VA
(DC) (Smithsonian Asian Art Museum) Join our free online guided meditation on Tuesdays and Fridays. In these 30-minute sessions, DC-based meditation teachers lead a variety of mindfulness practices. Friday sessions take inspiration from art in our museum’s collections. Many of the art pieces are inspired by nature. All are welcome! No previous experience is required.

Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
2026-02-06 11:00 - 23:00, 2026-02-01 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.

Project Feederwatch
2026-02-05 11:00 - 12:00 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Are you interested in birding? Do you want to be part of a national community science project? Then, join us for Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a seasonal community science project, where participants count the different species of birds that flock to a bird feeder. All levels of birders are welcome. This project meets weekly on Thursdays through February. Ages 5+.
We will not be meeting on December 25 and 26. We will also not be meeting on January 1 and 2.

Exhibit: Recovering Our Night Skies
2026-02-04 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.

Exhibit: Dazzling Diversity
2026-02-04 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.

Pup Stroll Day at Meadowlark
2026-02-04 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.

Rooted in Our Community
2026-02-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Busboys and Poets Arlington, 4251 Campbell Ave, Arlington, VA, 22206, United States
(VA) (EcoAction Arlington) Please join EcoAction Arlington for an intimate luncheon to raise money for our tree canopy equity initiative. At this luncheon, we will celebrate our first three years increasing tree canopy in Arlington in 13 target neighborhoods and our goal to make green spaces accessible to every community member, regardless of where they live. This event will bring together partners, supporters, and community leaders to champion and enhance our tree planting and community engagement efforts.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-02-03 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!

Identification and Ecology of Bark (Virtual)
2026-02-02 19:00 - 21:00 | VA
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Many people know how to identify trees by their leaves, but what about when those leaves have fallen or are out of reach? In this two-part course with Michael Wojtech, you will learn about a system for noticing the beautiful variety of bark characteristics and for using these traits to identify tree species in any season. We will practice using the identification key in our Michael’s text, Bark: A Field Guide to Trees of the Northeast. You will also discover the function and ecological role of bark.
The second session will take place on Feb. 9th.

Owl Prowl at Black Hill
2026-02-02 17:30 - 18:30 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Nature doesn’t sleep once the sun goes down. Go for a walk with us to see who is out and about after sunset. Join us for a post-sunset stroll where we’ll look and listen for owls.

World Wetlands Day Sketch Hike
2026-02-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, 22306, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Celebrate World Wetlands Day by joining park naturalist and artist Margaret Wohler on a hike to learn about the vital role wetlands play while identifying plants and animals. Learn drawing techniques to enhance your wetland observation skills. Drawing supplies included. Ages 10 to Adult.

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-02-02 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.

Full Moon Nature Hike and Campfire
2026-02-01 18:00 - 20:30 | Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA, 22066, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Enjoy nature’s tranquil beauty and the night sky under a full moon. Your naturalist guide points out signs of creatures that glide, fly and tiptoe through the woods in the dark. Enjoy a campfire after the hike with s’mores provided. Ages 6 to Adult.

Moon Gardens
2026-02-01 13:30 - 14:30 | Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Rd, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Designed as a tranquil, rejuvenating retreat for the end of the day, a moon garden comes to life at twilight and into the night. Discover with Green Spring horticulturist, Pam Smith, how to cultivate this serene space with plants that glow softly in the dark and foliage that shimmers in the moonlight. Ages 16 to Adult.

Native Ferns
2026-02-01 12:30 - 14:30 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Wild Ones) Kit Sheffield, a Virginia Master Naturalist, will be speaking on “Native Ferns”. Sheffield leads fern-related hikes and has been featured on gardening podcasts.

Exhibit: For the Love of Birds
2026-02-01 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.

Invasive Plant Removal at Kenilworth
2026-02-01 10:00 - 12:00 | Kenilworth Park, 4000 Deane Avenue NE, Wasington DC, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Join us at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens to remove woody invasive shrubs and vines in the park to protect native ecosystems.
Park at the parking lot on Deane Ave NE near Kenilworth Track, then walk to the dirt path that leads to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail to meet a representative from the NPS Invasive Plant Management Team. No skills or prior knowledge are required for these events. Volunteers who sign up will receive an email with further details about the event 48 hours prior to its start.

First Sunday Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-02-01 08:30 - 10:00 | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, 20019, United States

Owl Prowl & Cocoa
2026-01-31 18:00 - 19:30 | Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us for an evening nature hike when the leaves aren’t on the trees, making owls easier to spot. Give a hoot… literally as we learn about and try to call to our native nocturnal raptors. Families.

Film: One Sky Project
2026-01-31 15:00 - 16:00 | Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) This is the full dome feature version of the One Sky Project. Each short film represents the perspective of a different culture or Indigenous society from around the globe. Each film stands alone as a short story or in combination as a longer narrative – organized around themes of “Finding Patterns” and developing tools.
This film runs about 45 minutes.

Searching for Birds of Prey
2026-01-31 13:30 - 15:00 | VA
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Birds of prey numbers increase dramatically each winter in the county as our resident birds are joined by many others. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy to search for winter raptors. We will drive the back roads of Loudoun until dusk with frequent stops to find and identify the many hawks, hopefully an owl or two, and any other birds that overwinter here. Bring binoculars if you have them.

Super Salamander Healing Lab
2026-01-31 13:00 - 14:30 | Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA, 22150, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Discover the amazing superpower of salamanders-they can regrow entire limbs. In this fun STEM workshop, students became nature detectives and medical inventors to create super bandages inspired by these incredible creatures. Ages 11 to 14.
