Kayaking for Beginners
2026-07-19 08:00 - 10:00 (America/New_York) | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Kayaking is even more fun that it looks! Come learn how to paddle on flat water in recreational solo kayaks on Little Seneca Lake. Learn basic strokes, entries and exits, boat control, and more, taught by certified American Canoe Association instructors. We won’t roll, but you’ll get wet, so dress accordingly.
All necessary equipment provided but if you have your own PFD (Type III or V), you can bring it along.

Ride to Lotus Festival with DC Trail Rangers
2026-07-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Capitol Heights Metro Station, 133 Central Ave, Capitol Heights, MD, 20743, United States
(DC) (DC Trail Rangers) Meet up with the DC Trail Rangers at the Capitol Heights Metro Station for a bike ride to the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Lotus Festival. Ride the scenic Marvin Gaye Trail that runs along Watts Branch Creek then hop over the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail, head north up to Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.

Learn how to be great trail stewards from the DC Trail Rangers and don’t forget to wear your helmet. If you want to join the ride but you do not have a bike, reach out to us at ranger@waba.org and request a free capital bikeshare for the event. See you out on trail!

Invasive Plant Removal at 630 West
2026-07-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Reservation 630 West, 3031 Sedgwick Street Northwest, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and 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.

Exhibit: America's State Flowers
2026-07-19 10:00 - 17:00 | US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20001, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Botanic Garden will bloom with the flowers each U.S. state and territory has chosen as their official flower. Explore the display throughout the Garden that will showcase the state and territory flowers with living plants, artistic displays, botanical illustrations, and herbarium specimens.
Associated educational programs will be offered throughout the run, including workshops by botanical paper artist Emily Paluska, drop-in demonstrations, online talks, and more.

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-07-20 07:00 - 09:00, 2026-07-27 07:00 - 09:00 | 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 7 a.m. April through September. 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.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-07-21 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!

Hillwood Garden Tour: Summer Designs
2026-07-21 12:30 - 13:30, 2026-07-24 12:30 - 13:30 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Part of the magic of Hillwood is the constantly changing seasonal plant displays. Each season features new and exciting plants in unique combinations. Join Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture, to explore the summer displays and learn about the design process of creating this planting, including first-hand stories of practical gardening lessons.
Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center upon opening each day. This thirty-minute tour is limited to twelve and meets in the visitor center conservatory.

Considering Climate Change in Native Plant Landscaping (Virtual)
2026-07-21 19:00 - 21:00 | DC
(MD) (Maryland Native Plant Society) Sustainable native planting means choosing species that are suited to both current and future climates. In a world that is rapidly changing, many native species are not keeping pace, potentially putting ecological communities at risk. In this session, we’ll discuss larger trends in plant migrations related to climate change and explore emerging research about how people can be part of the story.

Yoga at the Arboretum
2026-07-22 18:30 - 19:30 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Experience the calming power of nature at an evening yoga class at the National Arboretum. This event is part of FONA’s Wellness Wednesday series, hosted all summer long during summer evening hours.
Certified instructors from Bikram Yoga Works will lead a 60 minute FLEX’T™ yoga class that will help you unlock your fascia to facilitate freedom of movement. During the session, you may choose to engage in intensive practice or take a more relaxed approach to connect with the tranquil surroundings. Beginners and experienced practitioners alike are all welcome.

Summer Habits and Habitats of DC's Native Bats (Virtual)
2026-07-22 19:00 - 20:00 | DC
(DC) (Capital Nature) July is peak season for bat activity in the DC area. Join Capital Nature, DC Master Naturalists, and wildlife biologist Kelly Russo-Petrick for a virtual program on the fascinating lives of local bats. Hear what species make their summer homes here and where they go in winter. Find out about their important role in local ecosystems. Learn about their habits and habitats from one of DC area’s urban bat experts!
Dr. Kelly Russo Petrick is a wildlife biologist with a specialty in urban bat populations. She is the project specialist in urban ecology at the University of the District of Columbia and coordinator of the DC Master Naturalist program.

Junior Naturalist Hike in Rock Creek Park
2026-07-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Do you want to connect with nature but you’re not sure how to get started? Do you want to be more present outside and escape the distractions of the modern era? Take a junior naturalist hike with a ranger and learn how to observe and study the natural world around you as you hike between ½ – 1 ½ miles through the Rock Creek Valley. Recommended ages 8+.

Woodland Trail Hike with a Ranger
2026-07-24 09:00 - 10:00 | Rock Creek Park Nature Center and Planetarium, 5200 Glover Rd, Washington DC, 20015, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) During this ½ mile excursion, young explorers learn the hiking essentials, such as trail safety, what to wear or bring to a hike, and how to Recreate Responsibly all while looking at and respecting nature found in our woodlands.  This ranger-led hike is intended to create treasured trail experiences for families interested in planning more advance hikes as their children become more experienced.
This hike is recommended for families with children ages 6 and up.

Ranger Tour at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens
2026-07-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, 20019, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Join a Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens Ranger for a talk about the park! The talk will cover the history of the park, the waterlillies and lotuses that are grown in the ponds, and the importance of the marshes that are connected to the ponds. Meet the ranger in front of the visitor center where the talk will begin.
Ranger led garden tours are held every week on Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 10:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 6:00 PM through September 2nd.

University Conservation Gardens (Virtual)
2026-07-24 12:00 - 12:30 | DC
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) College and university botanic gardens are key to plant conservation. They increase our capacity to solve the grand challenges of the next century, including climate change, sustainability, and conservation of threatened species. Join garden directors Damon Waitt and Susan Pell as they explore how The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Botanical Garden are capitalizing on institutional resources and botanical education to tackle these challenges head on.

Volunteer Day at Kenilworth
2026-07-25 09:00 - 11:00 | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, 20019, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Join us for a morning of stewardship volunteering at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! Participate in a variety of park stewardship activities including invasive plant removal, litter collection, flower bed weeding, trail maintenance and more. All necessary tools and supplies will be provided.

The Butterfly Experience
2026-07-25 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.

Tiny Tot: Turtles
2026-07-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Tiny Tot programs provide opportunities to interact one-on-one with your child while discovering the wonders of nature. Each program will engage your child with hands-on learning and may include a variety of activities like songs, games, crafts, and mini-hikes. Tiny Tot programs are offered throughout the year at Gulf and Long Branch Nature Centers. Each program has a monthly theme.
Ages 18 to 35 months with adult.

Invasive Removal at Broad Branch
2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:00 | DC

Invasive Plant Removal at Piney Branch
2026-07-25 10:00 - 12:00 | 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.

Urban Forest Hike with Casey
2026-07-25 10:00 - 13:00 | Smithsonian’s Anacostia Community Museum, 1901 Fort Pl, SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Soul Trak and Casey Trees for a guided exploration of Washington DC’s urban forest along the George Washington Carver and Fort Circle Trail.
Nature Every Month is Soul Trak’s year-round series dedicated to getting people outdoors and connected to nature in and around DC. No experience necessary — just show up ready to explore.

Fairy Houses Hike and Craft
2026-07-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Take a stroll along the trails to find fairy houses hidden among the trees. Once you’ve reached the end of the trail, create a fairy house of your own to invite more magical creatures to Meadowside!

Turtle Talk
2026-07-25 13:30 - 14:00 | Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Watch our Eastern box turtle stretch their legs in their outdoor enclosure! Learn about the big role they play in our forests and communities. All ages.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2026-07-26 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.

Potomac Ecology by Kayak
2026-07-26 09:30 - 11:00 | Key Bridge Boathouse, 3500 Water Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20007, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Join a Park Ranger for a relaxed 1.5-hour relaxed kayak tour just north of the Georgetown Waterfront

Discover hidden stories of the Potomac River

Explore the river’s unique ecology

Keep an eye out for turtles, herons, and maybe even a bald eagle

Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or just in it for the views, this is your chance to see the city from a new perspective.

Exhibit: The Viewing Stone
2026-07-26 10:00 - 16:00 | US National Arboretum, 3501 New York Ave NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (US National Arboretum) Viewing stone lovers find inspiration in the traditional stones found and displayed in China and Japan. These small natural objects encourage contemplation of larger landscape scenes, objects in nature, and abstract images. Challenge your imagination by comparing the variety of stones on view in this exhibition. Members of the Potomac Viewing Stone Group, a regional organization dedicated to stone appreciation, will display viewing stones from their private collections.
On view 10 am – 4:00 pm daily through Sept. 7th.

Plants and Voyaging Traditions of Hawaii
2026-07-26 11:00 - 13:30 | US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20001, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join us for a celebration of culture, community, and connection highlighting the art and tradition of Hawaiian navigation and canoe voyaging in this drop-in program. Discover how ancient Hawaiians crossed vast ocean distances and the practices they carried with them, including experiences in lāʻau lapaʻau (traditional Hawaiian medicine), nā mea kanu ʻōiwi o Hawaiʻi (Native Hawaiian plants), hands-on activities with ʻohe kāpala (bamboo stamping), Hawaiian games, and a kuʻi ʻai (poi pounding) demonstration.

Anacostia River Discovery Canoe Tour
2026-07-26 18:00 - 19:00 | Kenilworth Park, 4000 Deane Avenue NE, Wasington DC, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for an Anacostia River Discovery Series boat tour on the Anacostia River 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 in the Anacostia River.

Moonlight Moth Mania!
2026-07-26 21:00 - 23:00 | Potomac Overlook Regional Park3, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) (Capital Nature)
Moth Week is here! Join NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist Matt Felperin and Ana Ka’ahanui of Capital Nature on a quest to attract and identify these nocturnal fliers using bedsheets and blacklights. While butterflies usually get most of the attention as beautiful flying insects and key pollinators, moths are more critical to the ecosystem than most realize! There are ten times as many moths in the world than butterflies, and they are a major food source for many different animals. Meet at the Nature Center. $7, all ages
