Capital Nature

Bug Bingo at Potomac Overlook
2026-04-24 16:30 - 17:30 (America/New_York) | Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a special bug hunt with a NOVA Parks Naturalist! Explore the park while looking under logs, searching the gardens, and more to find creepy crawly friends. Learn what makes these critters unique and why they’re so important. Along the way, participants will record observations using the iNaturalist app and fill out bug bingo sheets. You’re sure to have an excellent time! Ages 5 and up.

CNC Observation with Arlington Master Naturalists
2026-04-24 14:00 - 15:00 | Madison Manor Park, 6225 12th Rd N, Arlington, VA, 22205, United States
(VA) (Arlington Regional Master Naturalists) Bring curiosity and a camera (mobile phone cameras are great!) to explore the hill and hollows of Brandymore Castle for the City Nature Challenge. Photograph wild plants and critters to upload to iNtauralist to help the greater DC area excell in this friendly worldwide competition. After the guided trek, feel free to explore on your own. Wear sturdy shoes and long pants to protect from prickles and poison ivy.
For more information, click https://citynaturechallengedc.org/

City Nature Challenge at Meadowlark
2026-04-24 11:00 - 12:30 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens for the global City Nature Challenge—an exciting opportunity to explore and document the wildlife all around us! Led by Roving Naturalist Matt Felperin, we’ll start with a quick introduction and practice session before heading into Meadowlark’s natural areas to document plants, birds, insects, amphibians, and more.
The City Nature Challenge is an international effort that encourages people to discover and record biodiversity in their own communities. During this guided program, we’ll take a springtime hike through the gardens and learn how to use the free iNaturalist app to make real scientific observations. Whether you’re new to nature observation or already love spotting wildlife, this program is a fun and meaningful way to contribute to a global project. Ages 8 and up.

The Butterfly Experience
2026-04-24 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.

Second Annual DC Climate Week Forest Bathing Walk
2026-04-24 09:00 - 11:00 | Dumbarton Oaks Park, Lover's Lane and R Street NW, Washington, DC, 20007, United States
(DC) (Sarah DeWitt & Radhika Bhatt)
During DC Climate Week, join Regenerative Leadership Coach and Forest Bathing Guide, Sarah DeWitt, and Climate Career Coach, Radhika Bhatt, for a Forest Bathing walk through Dumbarton Oaks Park for an opportunity to pause, reflect, and deeply connect with nature and each other.

Community Tree Planting at Stanton Park
2026-04-24 08:00 - 12:00 | Stanton Park, 6th Street NE and 226 4th St NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, we’re planting 250 trees across DC’s national parks with National Capital Parks-East, a unit of the National Park Service. Join us to help plant and welcome 19 trees at the historic Stanton Park, part of this milestone campaign made possible by generous donations.
Participants will receive 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.

2026 City Nature Challenge
2026-04-24 00:00 - 2026-04-27 23:59 | Washington DC
(DMV) Join community and citizen scientists all over the globe to observe wildlife: animals, plants, and fungi in backyards, neighborhoods, and parks in urban areas. Using iNaturalist to document them, you can share your observation to help scientists track the wildlife that share our urban areas. See DC metro area events here and in this calendar. Register to track you progress and DC area observations.
Find out about the global event.

Tree of Life Project (Virtual)
2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington DC
(DC) (Grace Capital City) Learn more about how we’re resourcing and partnering with low tree canopy neighborhoods in the DMV to provide free trees and elbow grease!

Grace Capital City is working with EEN to increase tree coverage in low canopy areas of the DMV starting with houses of worship – trusted community centers within these neighborhoods- in an effort we call the Tree of Life Project.
Join GCC’s Justice Director Hannah Martha Cohen Banks from 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM for an online webinar where we’ll share about the Tree of Life Project and how to get involved!

8th Annual EcoExtravaganza
2026-04-23 18:00 - 20:00 | Clare & Don’s Beach Shack, 130 N Washington St, Falls Church, VA, 22046, United States
(VA) (EcoAction Arlington) Get ready for an evening that’s all about celebrating community— our supporters, partners, volunteers, and the incredible community that powers EcoAction Arlington. We’re taking the party to the patio for a night filled with great food, lively conversation, and a raise‑the‑paddle moment that fuels real impact. It’s the perfect way to honor Earth Month and the impact we create together.

Anacostia River Discovery Boat Tour
2026-04-23 18:00 - 19:00 | Kingman Island _RFK Lot 6, United States
(DC) (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.

Canopies & Communities
2026-04-23 08:30 - 10:00 | Jane Goodall Institute, 1120 20th St NW, Washington, DC, 20036, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join D.C. based nonprofits JGI USA and Casey Trees as they share their approaches to engaging communities to make an impact, including their successful efforts to restore and protect forest habitats both locally in Washington, D.C. and internationally along chimpanzee range in Africa. This event will feature presentations from both JGI USA and Casey Trees, followed by a short Q&A and opportunities to network with conservation colleagues.

Earth Day Natural Wine Tasting
2026-04-22 18:00 - 20:00 | Sonny’s Pizza, 3120 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, 20010, United States
(DC) (Sonny’s Pizza) Earth Day calls for natural wine. 🌱 Come taste with us in the Sonny’s Pizza Garden — we’re pouring Usonia, and winemakers are coming to hang, pour, and share their newest releases straight from the source.

Usonia is a small natural wine operation run by the husband-and-wife duo Julia and Alex Alvarez-Perez out of Ovid, NY in the Finger Lakes — named after Frank Lloyd Wright’s vision of a truly American landscape, untethered from Old World rules, which pretty much sums up their whole vibe.

DC Mayoral Sustainability Forum
2026-04-22 18:00 - 20:00 | THEARC Theater, 1801 Mississippi Ave SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Casey Trees and over 25 organizations to hear a discussion on the city’s future, focusing on the District’s health, economic resilience, and environment.

Community Tree Planting at Mount Olivet
2026-04-22 08:00 - 12:00 | Mount Olivet Cemetary, 300 Bladensburg Road NE, Washington, DC, 20002
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Casey Trees as we partner with HITT to celebrate Earth Day and plant trees at Mount Olivet Cemetery!
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.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-04-21 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!

Earth Day Free Yoga
2026-04-20 18:30 - 19:30 | Columbia Heights Green, 3321 11th St NW, Washington, DC, 20010, United States
(DC) (Washington Parks & People) Join us for a special Earth Day outdoor yoga experience in partnership with Washington Parks and People. This gentle, all-levels yoga class that links breath with mindful movement, guiding you through a steady, accessible flow. This offering is beginner-friendly and open to all. Please bring a yoga mat or blanket (a limited number of mats will be offered), water, and anything else you need to feel comfortable outdoors.

DC Climate Week
2026-04-20 - 2026-04-26 | Washington DC
(DC) (DC Climate Week) DC Climate Week (DCCW) is a community-organized week of events, exhibitions, tours, screenings, and gatherings across Washington, DC. Together, we will explore the challenges of the climate crisis and discover the solutions that give us hope.

Concert: Wilderness Dreams
2026-04-19 14:00 - 17:00 | Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave and 7th St SW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian) The 21st Century Consort will present a wild selection of music in celebration of Earth Day. The performance will feature selections inspired by inhabitants of the wilderness both near and far, culminating with the world premiere of the finale of Jon Deak’s epic eco-saga Greta the Fearless.
Stay after the performance for a conversation with Consort director Christopher Kendall.

Junior Rangers Rise!
2026-04-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Celebrate Freedom 250 at Rock Creek Park with Junior Rangers Rise! Caring for Parks, Caring for the Future—a two-day, family-friendly event that connects 250 years of American history to the next generation of park stewards. Through hands-on activities, ranger-led programs, and interactive experiences, participants will discover how curiosity, caring for nature, and everyday actions can carry these ideals forward.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2026-04-19 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.

Concert: Wilderness Dreams
2026-04-18 17:00 - 19:00 | Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden, Independence Ave and 7th St SW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian) The 21st Century Consort will present a wild selection of music in celebration of Earth Day. The performance will feature selections inspired by inhabitants of the wilderness both near and far, culminating with the world premiere of the finale of Jon Deak’s epic eco-saga Greta the Fearless. Join Consort director Christopher Kendall at 4 PM, before the performance, for a discussion of the program.

Earth Day Film & Nature Walk
2026-04-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Langdon Park Recreation Center, 2901 20th St NE, Washington DC, 20018, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Come celebrate and experience Langdon Park Forest Patch, a 2.2-acre woodland that’s as rich in story as it is in biodiversity. The program will feature a presentation, a film, and a walk through the forest patch. Once overrun by invasive vines, this urban forest is now being brought back to health through the efforts of Langdon Park Forest Stewards, Casey Trees, community volunteers, and city agencies.
This program is free and open to the public. No registration needed!
Learn more about the Langdon Park Forest Stewards at caseytrees.org/langdon.

Film: Bird Walk
2026-04-18 14:00 - 15:30 | MLK Public Library, 901 G St. NW, Washington, DC, 20001, United States
(DC) DC Public Library) Join filmmaker Cintia Cabib for a screening of her documentary “Bird Walk.” The film takes viewers on a visual and aural excursion through an abandoned golf course in Rockville, Maryland where birders discover more than 160 bird species and mount a campaign to preserve this avian oasis as a public park and critical bird habitat. The film screening will be followed by a discussion.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation for this program, please contact DCPLaccess@dc.gov or call 202-727-2142 at least 1 week prior to the event.

Spring Greening Fair
2026-04-18 11:00 - 14:00 | Lederer Youth Gardens, 4801 Nannie Helen Burroughs Ave NE, Washington, DC, 20019
(DC) (Anacostia Parks and Community Collaborative) Join us for a free Earth Day celebration! Enjoy arts, crafts, and family activities! Discover practical ways to care for trees, remove invasive vines, and protect your home from climate impacts. Reduce energy use and save money on your utility bills!

Extreme Cleanup at Piney Branch
2026-04-18 11:00 - 13:00 | Piney Branch Oasis, 3499 Mt Pleasant St NW, Washington, 20010, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Stream Team Leader Keith Krosinsky 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.

Vernal Pool Tour
2026-04-18 10:30 - 12:30 | Powder Milk Community Park, 3099 Powder Mill Rd, Adelphi, MD, 20783, United States
(MD) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for a Vernal Pool Tour at Powder Mill Community Park! Vernal pools are temporary seasonal pools of water that provide habitat for specialized species like wood frogs and spotted salamanders. If you’d like to get closer to the vernal pools to checkout what’s inhabiting them, we recommend wearing rubber boots.

Anacostia Museum "Unplugged" Day
2026-04-18 10:00 - 14:00 | Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl, SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian) Join the Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum for A Day Unplugged, a family-friendly program inviting guests to slow down, reconnect with nature, and celebrate the start of the growing season. Participants will learn the art of Creating the Perfect Container Garden, a hands-on workshop led by garden facilitator Derek Thomas, who will demonstrate how to grow vegetables, herbs, or ornamental plants in small spaces. Whether you have a balcony, porch, or windowsill or consider yourself “earth challenged”; this workshop will show how simple it can be to create a thriving container garden. Families can also enjoy story time for youth and a noon-day sound bath immersion designed to inspire reflection on the beauty of being and encourage personal and communal balance through mindful and sustainable practices.

Anacostia Plogging Cleanup
2026-04-18 09:30 - 13:00 | Diamond Teague Pier, 1520 First St. SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Riverkeeper) Celebrate Earth Month and enjoy beautiful views with our plogging cleanup along the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail! Plogging is the practice of cleaning up litter while jogging (though jogging is not required to participate). We will be running a 2-mile stretch between Diamond Teague Park and Anacostia Community Boat House, picking up cleanup equipment, and returning to Navy Yard to consolidate trash and enjoy a happy hour at @bluejacketdc

Community Tree Planting at Armed Forces Retirement Home
2026-04-18 08:00 - 12:30 | Armed Forces Retirement Home, 140 Rock Creek Church Rd NW, Washington, DC, 20011
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Casey Trees for an exciting day of tree planting, made possible by partnership with the Arbor Day Foundation and United.
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.

Invasive Plant Removal at Picnic Grove 6
2026-04-17 10:00 - 12:00 | Washington DC
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Park to remove invasive plant species from Picnic Grove 6! We will be removing invasive shrubs and vines to make room for native flora and fauna in the park.
