Capital Nature

Invasive Vine Removal at Publick Playhouse
2026-01-28 09:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | 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.

Reducing Vehicle Collisions in Virginia (Virtual)
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:00 | DC
(VA) (Wild Virginia) Explore how research, local knowledge, and public agencies are working together to reduce wildlife-vehicle conflicts and improve road safety, starting in Loudoun County. Since 2023, William & Mary’s Institute for Integrated Conservation (IIC) has partnered with the Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources to better understand where and why wildlife-vehicle collisions happen. Loudoun County, which has the highest rate of these crashes in Virginia, has been the primary focus of this work.

Pond Life: Winter Edition
2026-01-27 11:00 - 12:00 | Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Our ponds may be frozen, but they’re still full of life. Come learn about our winter pond dwellers, and find out where the critters you don’t see in winter have gone. Families.

Little Critters Nature Play
2026-01-27 09:30 - 13:30 | Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian National Zoo) Celebrate the seasons with us! Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we explore the beautiful plants that grow in gardens year-round. 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.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-01-27 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!

Senior Wellness Walk at Arboretum
2026-01-26 10:30 - 11:30 | Arboretum Community Center, 2412 Rand Pl NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Department of Parks and Recreation) Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Participants will enjoy group walking around the neighborhood, around the park, or just around.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through June 2026.

Wild Child Hike
2026-01-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This isn’t your average walk in the woods. Scamper like a squirrel, balance like a billy goat, and run like a rabbit through the park. We’ll be on and off the trail as we go on a hiking adventure. Wear shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Ages 4 to 11.

Teen Caving
2026-01-26 09:00 - 17:00 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Have your teen join us for outdoor adventures! In this series, we’ll hike, paddle, and wade our way through some of the most interesting nature locales in our area! Join us for the day as we work our way through the twists and turns of a wild cave learning about local geology.

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-01-26 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.

Cozy Winter Craft Night
2026-01-25 16:00 - 17:00 | Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Embrace the warmth of creativity this winter at our cozy winter craft night—a relaxing evening just for adults at the nature center. Sip tea or hot cocoa and unwind with nature-inspired crafts and good company. Materials provided. Ages 16 +.

Searching for Lost Birds
2026-01-25 14:30 - 16:30 | National Wildlife Federation, 11100 Wildlife Center Drive, Reston, VA, 20190, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join us on for our first Alliance Afternoon of 2026! We’ll will kick off the meeting by conducting chapter business, followed by celebrations of the Christmas Bird Count and the 2026 Photo Contest Calendar. The featured presentation will be given by guest speaker John Mittermeier of the American Bird Conservancy, who will speak on the Search for Lost Birds.

Dogs for Conservation (Virtual)
2026-01-25 13:30 - 14:30 | DC
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join Laura Holder, founder of Conservation Dogs Collective, for an inside look at the groundbreaking work her team of canine conservationists is doing. These specially trained dogs are using their powerful noses to locate endangered species like bumblebee nests and turtles, playing a vital role in wildlife preservation. They’re also helping to detect and eradicate invasive plant species and improving the health of our ecosystem.

Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
2026-01-25 11:00 - 23:00, 2026-01-24 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.

Exhibit: Recovering Our Night Skies
2026-01-25 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
2026-01-25 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.

Winter Naturalist Walk at Balls Bluff
2026-01-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Balls Bluff Regional Park, Ball’s Bluff Road, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Join naturalist Jake van Schilfgaarde on this winter walk at Balls Bluff Regional Park to discover and discuss animals’ and plants’ survival strategies in Virginia winters. We will look for signs we find along the trails, which have moderate, rocky slopes and could be muddy or icy. We will enjoy a beautiful time out of doors in this natural setting. Family-friendly.

Invasive Plant Removal at 630 West
2026-01-25 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 Rock Creek Weed Warrior Leader Kathy Sykes 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. This event is part of an area-wide volunteer-powered effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species.

Winter Wildlife Detectives
2026-01-25 10:00 - 10:30 | Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Bundle up and step into the role of a Winter Wildlife Detective! Explore real pelts and tracks from Rock Creek Park animals—like foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and even sleepy woodchucks—and uncover the secrets they leave behind in the snow. Through hands-on discovery and fun clue-hunting questions, kids learn how animals stay warm, find food, and survive the chilly season. Join us to track, explore, and reveal the wild winter stories hiding just beneath our feet!

Seed Cleaning at Earth Sangha
2026-01-25 09:00 - 12:00 | Earth Sangha, 51011 Backlick Rd, Annandale, VA, 22203, United States
(VA) (Earth Sangha) Help Earth Sangha clean and prepare native seeds for spring planting. Seed cleaning will take place every Sunday through the winter.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2026-01-25 08:00 - 10:00 | Dyke Marsh, Alexandria, VA, 22307, United States
(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Join FODM for a bird walk every Sunday at 8 a.m. The Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve is a freshwater, tidal marsh on the Virginia side of the Potomac River in Fairfax County. It is a unit of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, U.S. National Park Service.

Birds and Beans at Burke Lake
2026-01-25 08:00 - 09:30 | Burke Lake Park, 7315 Ox Rd, Fairfax Station, VA, 22039, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Enjoy a hot cup of coffee while you hike with a naturalist and look for birds. The program will begin with a short discussion of the concept of bird-friendly coffee. To reduce waste, please bring your own mug to fill. Tea and hot cocoa options will also be available. Ages 4+ with adult.

Nature's Architects - Biomimicry
2026-01-24 16:30 - 17:30 | Lake Accotink Park, 7500 Accotink Park Road, Springfield, VA, 22150, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Examine the sophisticated structural engineering found in animal constructions from beaver dams to bird nests and insect colonies. Discover how these natural building techniques inspire modern architectural innovations and sustainable design solutions. This interactive program explores the intersection of biological systems and human engineering through hands-on biomimicry investigations. Ages 5 to Adult.

Wolf Campfire
2026-01-24 16:30 - 17:30 | Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park, 3608 Military Rd, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores! (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate & graham crackers).

Skulls and Bones
2026-01-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) You can learn a lot from an animal’s skull and bones…you just need to know what to look for! In this brand-new offering, dissect an owl pellet to uncover and construct the skeleton inside, explore the features of different skulls and learn how to identify their species, measure the bite and grip forces these animals can exert, and discover plenty more fascinating facts about wildlife. Ages 8+.

Winter Flowers
2026-01-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Winkler Botanical Preserve, 5400 Roanoke Ave., Alexandria, VA, 22311, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Flowers can be hard to find outdoors in the middle of winter. While most wait for warmer days when their pollinators emerge, there are some plant species that flower in the cold. In this program, enjoy a hike through Winkler Botanical Preserve to look for signs of flowers blooming in the cold, learn about plants that bloom in winter, and craft your own flowers using natural materials.
This program is appropriate for artists ages 5 and up.

Spy Hike
2026-01-24 13:00 - 14:30 | Peirce Mill, 2401 Tilden St NW, Washington DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Does a cold winter’s day in Washington have you picturing furtive meetings between shadowy characters under overcast skies? Running along Embassy Row, Rock Creek Park has been the site of spy stories and neighbor to many spies. Join a Park Ranger for a 2.5 mile hike through Rock Creek and learn the story of spies in America’s Back Yard.
Meet the Ranger by Peirce Mill Barn.

Ice Skating at Canal Park
2026-01-24 12:00 - 22:00 | Canal Park, 200 M Street SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
(DC) (Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena) Join the Winter fun at Canal Park Ice Rink! Public skating sessions are available seven days a week during the winter. Sessions are 90 minutes long, with a break at the half-way point to resurface the ice.
The rink is open through March 2nd. Daily hours vary.

Stellar Star Show at Rock Creek
2026-01-24 11:00 - 11:30 | Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Park) Come and enjoy a ranger-led program in the only planetarium in the National Park Service! The Stellar Star Show will be a 30-minute ranger-led program about the planets and the night sky.

How Plants Saved the World
2026-01-24 10:30 - 12:30 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Journey through millions of years of evolution in this fascinating lecture by Raymond Carter, Brookside Gardens Staff. Discover how the plant, fungi and animal kingdoms co-evolved to create the complex ecosystems we know today. Afterward, enjoy a guided tour of the conservatory, where living examples reveal the remarkable adaptations shaped by time and environment.
