Capital Nature

Winter Naturalist Walk at Balls Bluff
2026-01-25 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | 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, 2026-01-24 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.

Ice Skating at the Sculpture Garden
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.

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.

Exhibit: For the Love of Birds
2026-01-24 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 Fort Slocum
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Fort Slocum Park, 5800 Kansas NW Ave, Washington, DC, 20011
(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.

Bicyclists Against Invasive Vines
2026-01-24 10:00 - 12:00 | Kingman Island _RFK Lot 6, United States
(DC) (Washington Area Bicyclist Association) Calling all cyclists! Join the DC Trail Rangers and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network for an invasive vine removal and a bike ride. 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 Anacostia River 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.

Wonderful Woodpeckers
2026-01-24 09:30 - 11:30 | Hidden Oaks Nature Center, 7701 Royce St, Annandale, VA, 22003, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Woodpeckers are keystone species which help many other forest animals by excavating holes in trees. Learn about our six local species, their lifestyles and adaptations. The two sessions include a hike, natural history information, drawing tips, journal page ideas and making a whimsical woodpecker creation. Ages 16 +.
This is Session 1. The next session will be on Jan. 31st.

Winter Waterfowl Cruise
2026-01-24 09:00 - 12:00 | Patuxent River Park, Pavilion and Camp Ground, 16000 Croom Airport Road, Upper Marlboro, MD, 20772, United States
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Don your downiest coat and channel duck resilience on this cruise to find wintering waterfowl on the Patuxent River. We will be on the lookout for bufflehead, canvasback, ruddy duck, greater and lesser scaup, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, wood duck, American wigeon, black duck, common loon, American coot, dunlin, and horned lark.
Alex Pellegrini, one of our favorite naturalists at Patuxent River Park, will captain us on the park’s research pontoon boat.

Flying Squirrel Lore
2026-01-23 17:30 - 18:30 | Long Branch Nature Center & Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Flying squirrels are found throughout the wooded neighborhoods of Arlington, but are seldom seen. Join us after dark to learn about these nocturnal creatures. Dress for the weather, we will venture out into the cold night to look for wild flying squirrels. Families.

Community Winter Salt Management (Virtual)
2026-01-23 13:00 - 13:30 | MD
(VA) (Northern Virginia Regional Commission) This session is tailored for HOA and other community association residents, board members, community managers, and maintenance team members. Gain best practices and information for efficient winter salt use, contractor coordination, and strategies to reduce environmental damage while maintaining profitability and setting winter maintenance expectations.

Lunchtime Meditation and Mindfulness (Virtual)
2026-01-23 12:00 - 12:30 | MD
(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.

Bladdertraps and Biodiversity (Virtual)
2026-01-23 12:00 - 12:30 | US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20001, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Carnivorous plants like those in the genus Utricularia have evolved fascinating adaptations to capture prey and thrive in challenging environments. Join Executive Director Dr. Susan Pell in conversation with student researchers Jamie Lubov and Alex Risdal as they share their studies of this extraordinary group of plants! These discoveries open a window into an interconnected plant world rich with biodiversity.

Senior Wellness Walk in Deanwood
2026-01-23 10:30 - 11:30 | Deanwood Recreation Center, 1350 49th St NE, Washington, DC, 20019, 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. Seniors will enjoy outdoor neighborhood walking as a group while listening to oldies but goodies to keep active and help stay fit.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday through June 2026.

Invasive Plant Removal at Roosevelt Island
2026-01-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington DC, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Join the National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management Team to remove invasive shrubs and vines to make room for native flora and fauna on the island. We will meet at the Pedestrian Bridge, located on the Virginia side of the island. 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.

Little Tyke Hike at Peirce Mill
2026-01-23 10:00 - 11:00 | Peirce Mill, 2401 Tilden St NW, Washington DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Bring your little ones to learn about the forest and how to explore nature in RockC reek Park! This program includes books, animal puppets, magnifying glasses, and a very short hike. During the walk, children are encouraged to search for shapes and colors and use their senses to explore the forest. Recommended for families with children 6 and under.
To accommodate more people and to add variety, the children’s programs will alternate between the Nature Center and Peirce Mill Barn every 2 weeks.

Amphibian and Reptile Monitoring 2026 Season Kickoff
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:30 | Rust Library, 380 Old Waterford Rd NW, Leesburg, VA, 20176, United States
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Our local amphibians and reptiles are both susceptible to habitat destruction and pollutants and can often be victims of being misunderstood. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for an introductory look at our local amphibians and reptiles, what our citizens can do to help protect their habitats, and what related programs are available through Loudoun Wildlife to help monitor populations and increase community awareness.

Science Inspires Art – Art Inspires Science (Virtual)
2026-01-22 19:00 - 20:00 | MD
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Researchers utilize a biochemical technique called clearing and staining to create skeletal images of vertebrates. This makes biological specimens transparent while simultaneously highlighting specific structures. Dr. Noah Bressman blends this scientific technique, photography, and digital effects to highlight the beauty within fish anatomy.
He will discuss how he makes his unique neon skeletons, major influences on his work, and how his work has changed over time. Come learn about the scientific discoveries Dr. Bressman has made in the pursuit of art!
