Capital Nature

Birding for Beginners
2025-11-23 08:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Huntley Meadows, 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, 22306, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Learn about the park’s birds and some basic identification skills. This program for beginners starts with a bird identification discussion. Children age 12 to 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult.

Bird Walk at Dumbarton Oaks
2025-11-23 08:00 - 10:00 | Dumbarton Oaks Park, Lover's Lane and R Street NW, Washington, DC, 20007, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join us for a bird walk at this historic, beautiful park right here in DC. Dumbarton Oaks “… is a milestone in the history of American landscape architecture and a landmark in our social history, as it represents the finest work of Beatrix Farrand, America’s first professional female landscape architect.” (https://dopark.org/about/)

Fall Colors at Winkler
2025-11-22 14:00 - 15:00 | Winkler Botanical Preserve, 5400 Roanoke Ave., Alexandria, VA, 22311, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Autumn brings beautiful colors to Winkler Botanical Preserve. Explore watercolor techniques while capturing the beauty of our leaves during their change from varied greens to yellows, oranges, reds, purples and browns. Learn how simple supplies can produce frame-worthy art. This program is appropriate for artists aged 12 and over.

Youth Mountain Bike Ride
2025-11-22 13:00 - 15:00 | Black Hill Regional Park, 20926 Lake Ridge Dr, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This is a no rider left behind group ride – think “party pace. ”There will likely be some “session-ing” and skills instruction along the way. This is a perfect way to meet other riders and build skills on your bike. We have a limited number of bikes and helmets available free of charge in case you don’t have one (we will ask to hold something as collateral during the program – cell phone/credit card/etc.). Ages 6+ Must know how to ride a bicycle.

Bicyclists Against Invasive Vines
2025-11-22 10:00 - 14:00 | Marvin Gaye Park, 5200 Foote St NE, Washington, DC, 20019, United States
(DC) (Chesapeake Climate Action Network) Calling all trail stewards! Join the DC Trail Rangers and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network for Bicyclists Against Invasive Vines event series. On the fourth Saturday of each month we meet up at the Fields at RFK lot 6 at 10am for an ecological ride on the trail. We will be clearing invasive vines from our trees and trail corridors while exploring topics such as plant identification, invasive plant management and local wetland ecology.
Each month, we will visit trails throughout the city, tackling pesky invasive vines, this is also a great way to spend time learning how the trails connect and how to navigate them .

Weed Warrior Workday on the Capital Crescent Trail
2025-11-22 10:00 - 12:00 | VA
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join Weed Warrior Supervisor Sarah for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday on the Capital Crescent Trail at Dorset Avenue in Chevy Chase. Meet on the CCT where it intersects with Dorset Avenue in Chevy Chase. We’ll be working on the trail heading downhill into DC.
Click here for more information on the Little Falls Watershed Alliance’s (LFWA) website.

Site Preparation for Planting
2025-11-22 10:00 - 12:00 | Forum Condominium, 11801 Rockville Pike, Rockville, MD, 20852, United States
(MD) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy to learn about the forest restoration work we’ve been doing in partnership with the Forum Condominium and help prepare the site for upcoming tree plantings. Activities include gathering sticks and other debris and moving them around the site, and using hand tools to break down branches into smaller pieces in the specific area. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 hours prior to the event.

Squirrel Stories
2025-11-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Long Branch Nature Center & Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us to hear some stories with puppets all about squirrels. We’ll learn about Eastern Gray Squirrels and Flying Squirrels, how they survive in nature with examples of squirrel food and building materials for dreys (nests). We’ll also learn what we should do if we find lost baby squirrels, even in our homes! Then, we’ll take a short nature walk to learn all about squirrel habitats.

Forest Bathing at Hillwood
2025-11-22 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-11-21 09:30 - 11:30, 2025-11-15 09:30 - 11:30 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens) Slow down, awaken your senses, and connect with nature as you experience a forest bathing walk in Hillwood’s gardens and grounds.
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.

Community Tree Planting: Gate of Heaven Cemetery
2025-11-22 09:00 - 13:00 | Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 13801 Georgia Avenue, Silver Spring, DC, 20906, United States
(MD) (Casey Trees) Join us for an impactful day of tree planting at Gate of Heaven Cemetery sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation!
You provide the volunteers, we provide all the necessary tools and supplies to plant the trees. Participants will receive a hands-on training on site. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will be split up into groups supervised by a trained volunteer Team Leader and begin planting trees throughout the space.

Garden of Lights at Brookside
2025-11-21 17:00 - 2026-01-04 21:30 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Let the magic begin! Tickets are now on sale for Brookside Gardens’ dazzling Garden of Lights — where winter nights sparkle with more than a million twinkling lights. The Garden of Lights display transforms Brookside Gardens into a magical winter wonderland. Stroll through the one-half mile, outdoor, walk-through exhibit and enjoy the twinkling lights and glimmering one-of-a-kind displays adorning the flowerbeds and grounds throughout the 50-acre horticultural gem in Wheaton.

Zoo Lights
2025-11-21 17:00 - 2026-01-03 21:30 | Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian National Zoo) Celebrate the holidays at ZooLights! Enjoy twinkling lights and a festive atmosphere as this beloved winter classic returns to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Journey through magical displays of glowing animal lanterns, watch live musical performances, sip hot cocoa and other festive treats, and explore the Zoo under the dazzling glow of one million environmentally-friendly LED lights.
ZooLights is a family-friendly, conservation-minded holiday tradition — each visit helps support the Zoo’s mission to save species and protect habitats worldwide.

Nature Journaling: Art of Birds
2025-11-21 16:30 - 18:00 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Learn how to connect with the natural world through the art and science of nature journaling in this monthly series for adults. Join a naturalist in a nature journaling session and learn how to observe the flora and fauna around you . Nature walks will be apart of this program. November’s focus is birds . Please make sure you have a sketchpad and a pencil for this program. Registration is required.

Bull Run Festival of Lights
2025-11-20 17:30 - 2026-01-04 22:00 | Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA, 20121, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Every year from November until just after New Year’s Day, you can experience the Bull Run Festival of Lights, 2.5 miles illuminated by holiday light displays. Drive the festival route from the comfort of your car. This year, don’t miss the carnival at the end of your drive for holiday shopping, a petting zoo, and more festive fun!
Fees apply per car or bus.

Winter Walk of Lights at Meadowlark
2025-11-20 17:30 - 2026-01-04 22:00 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Meadowlark’s Winter Walk of Lights is an elegant garden trail aglow with countless sparkling lights. Take an evening stroll through the enchanting Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, adorned with lighted trees and displays featuring nature, winter, and holiday themes. The half-mile paved trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible. Sip on a cozy, hot beverage (with or without spirits), or try the new chilled Amaretto Snow Globefor a festive twist, as you walk through the twinkling lights.

Gentle Yoga at Brookside
2025-11-20 10:00 - 11:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This series of classes feature foundational yoga poses that are designed to support better breathing, walking, and space orientation. Yoga movements help build muscle, bone density and core strength while improving balance, posture, and flexibility. Mats are not included. Instructor: Sherry Weber. This class will be held weekly in the Japanese Tea House, located in the Gude Garden, through October. Ages 18+

Salt Watch Training (Virtual)
2025-11-19 18:00 - 19:00 | VA
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) In partnership with the Izaak Walton League of America, volunteers are trained to measure salinity levels at various sites throughout the Rock Creek watershed. Samples will be taken once a month, and before and after snowfall or road salt applications. Using the data collected, we will get a better understanding of water quality and the effects of road salt runoff on the Rock Creek watershed! Meeting information will be sent out 24 hours prior to the event.

Storytime with Animals
2025-11-19 10:30 - 11:00 | Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Meet one of Meadowside Nature Center’s animal ambassadors and sit down with them to listen to a story! Ages 0 to 6.

55+ Nature Book Club (Virtual)
2025-11-18 18:00 - 19:30 | VA
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Become part of a community that celebrates the beauty of literature and the outdoors! Explore a range of books centered around nature, wildlife, conservation, and environmental issues. Our meetings take place every third Tuesday of the month at a Montgomery Parks locations, mostly in-person. These sessions are interactive, so be sure to limit your distractions from phones.

Stream Team Leader Training (Virtual)
2025-11-18 18:00 - 19:00 | VA
(DC) (MD) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Please join Rock Creek Conservancy for a virtual training for our Stream Team Leader program. Stream Team Leaders are dedicated volunteers that work with the Conservancy to host their own trash cleanups and stormwater engagement events, increasing stewardship actions within their communities and throughout Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, MD. The training will take place on zoom. A link will be sent to all registered participants on the day of the training.

Climate-Conscious Holiday (Virtual)
2025-11-17 19:00 - 20:30 | VA
(VA) (EcoAction Arlington) Join EcoAction’s Outreach Committee for its inaugural Climate Cafe! A Climate Cafe is a casual gathering where folks can come together to discuss topics and questions that are important to them and build connections with other eco-interested Arlingtonians.
Our conversation this month will be centered around having a climate-conscious holiday season! We’ll have a short presentation followed by a discussion on mindful travel, gift-giving, hosting and entertaining, and more. Co-chairs Molly and Maria will provide prompts, but feel free to bring any questions, tips and resources you think might be helpful for others!

Rock Creek Park: A Virtual Exploration
2025-11-17 19:00 - 20:30 | VA
(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Rock Creek Park is the oldest urban national park in the country and covers twice the size of New York’s Central Park. This forested gem running through the heart of Washington, D.C., has delighted residents long before it was declared a national park by an act of Congress in 1890—and continues to offer a welcome destination for outdoor lovers.
Drawing on vivid photographs and her knowledge of Rock Creek Park through the seasons, author and naturalist Melanie Choukas-Bradley introduces the story and natural history of a national park landscape as old as Yosemite. Learn about the Indigenous peoples who hunted, fished, and quarried on the land; the presidents, including Theodore Roosevelt, who enjoyed recreation here; and the flora and fauna that find a wild refuge in their urban surroundings.

Wonders of DC Trees: Exhibit, Art, and Tree Tour
2025-11-16 13:30 - 15:30 | Woodbridge Library, 1801 Hamlin Street NE, Washington, DC, 20018, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join us for an afternoon of crafting, community, art, and learning about DC’s trees! Join Casey Trees, ZCAF, DC’s Urban Forestry Division, Langdon Park Stewards, DC Public Library, and DPR for a family-friendly event exploring the “Wonders of DC Trees” exhibit. Meet artists through ZCAF who turn trees into art or use them for inspiration. Youth can create a “tree” bookmark, and we will share some of our favorite nature/tree selections.
Then, take an easy walk through Langdon Park to learn more about what our city’s trees do for us. The Langdon Park Forest Stewards Stewards will end the event with an introduction to their work in the forest patch and share simple ways you can get involved.

Guided Bird Walk at Hillwood
2025-11-16 09:30 - 11:30 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens) Explore the vibrant bird life here at Hillwood! Since 2023, a dedicated, volunteer-led group has documented 105 different bird species throughout the gardens and expect to find even more as they continue their research. Join a birding expert from the DC Bird Alliance as they guide you through the gardens, sharing information about the local population and pointing out beautiful birds along the way. Learn more about the lush wildlife that makes up our Hillwood ecosystem and how it interacts with the local D.C. area, as well as our sustainability efforts here at Hillwood.
These walks are open to all skill levels—those new to birding and seasoned birders alike! We encourage you to bring your own binoculars as a limited number of pairs are available for loan. This program is limited to fifteen people per walk and must have a minimum of four participants to take place.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2025-11-16 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.

Invasive Plant Removal at Piney Branch
2025-11-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Piney Branch Oasis, 3499 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, 20010, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and Weed Warrior leader Liz Crafford or 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 Plant Removal at Carter Barron
2025-11-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Carter Barron Amphitheatre, 4850 Colorado Ave NW, Washington DC, 20011, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy 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 Removal at Langdon Park
2025-11-15 09:00 - 12:00 | Langdon Park Recreation Center, 2901 20th St NE, Washington DC, 20018, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Casey Trees and the Langdon Park Forest Stewards as we continue our work at Langdon Park to conserve the forest patch and care for young trees! Help clip back invasive species, remove vines, and protect young trees within the forest patch. Participants will receive a short, hands-on training. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will split up into groups and begin working throughout the forest patch.
