The Butterfly Experience
2026-07-25 09:00 - 15:00, 2026-07-29 09:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | 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) (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.

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, 2026-07-28 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

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-07-27 07:00 - 09:00, 2026-08-03 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
2026-07-28 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!

Exhibit: America's State Flowers
2026-07-28 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-08-02 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.

Full Moon Gong Bathing at the Arboretum
2026-07-29 18:30 - 19:30 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Immerse yourself in a transformative meditative journey of full moon gong bathing at the National Arboretum. This event is part of FONA’s Wellness Wednesday series, hosted all summer long during summer evening hours.
During this meditative experience led by Naoco Wowsugi, gongs resonate with rich vibrations, creating a soothing soundscape that washes over you. Participants lie comfortably while the resonant tones penetrate the mind and body, helping to release tension, enhance emotional well-being, and foster a sense of inner peace.

Bats & Beavers Cruise
2026-07-29 19:00 - 20:30 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for a sunset cruise aboard the pontoon boat. We’ll search for beaver lodges and feeding sites, and hopefully see some beavers! As the sun sets, we’ll use our bat detector to help us find feeding bats. Please register and pay for all participants. You may want to bring a jacket or sweater as it is often cooler on the boat. Meet at the pontoon boat dock, by the boat rentals. Ages 6+.

Echoes of Time in Rock Creek Park
2026-07-31 09:00 - 10:30 | Rock Creek Nature Center, 5200 Glover Rd NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (National Park Service) Ramble with a ranger for a guided hike on the 1.7-mile Milkhouse Ford trail loop, where you will encounter 5000 years of history, from traces of Indigenous land usage, to Fort DeRussy (which saw action during the Civil War), to the two-room log cabin used by poet Joaquin Miller, and to the historic Milkhouse Ford river crossing.
Meet at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center, bring plenty of water, dress for the weather, and be prepared for a fun and enjoyable outing.

Full Moon Hike
2026-07-31 18:30 - 20:00 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for the magic of the full moon for a hike and campfire on each Friday nearest to the full moon. Feel free to bring your own food to warm over the fire and we’ll provide marshmallows. The hike will be about a half mile on a natural surface trail. Ages 5 and up.

Introduction to Astronomy
2026-07-31 20:30 - 21:30 | The Turner Farm, 925 Springvale Road, Great Falls, VA, 22066, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Explore the fundamentals of astronomy and the universe. Learn about planets, stars, and other astronomical objects, then enjoy an observatory session with telescopes, weather permitting. Held rain or shine at Turner Farm Park’s Roll-Top Observatory. Ages 8 and up.

Neighborhood Invasive Vine Removal in Hyattsville
2026-08-01 09:00 - 12:00 | Heurich Park, 6001 Ager Rd, Hyattsville, MD, 20782, United States
(MD) (Casey Trees) Join the Hyattsville Tree Stewards and the City of Hyattsville to remove Invasive Vines around the neighborhood. We will meet at Heurich Park and spend 30 minutes doing training. From there we will break into pairs and head to a list of pre-surveyed residences in the area to offer vine removal for residents. We may also drop off flyers at additional residences.
We will focus on non-native invasive vines including porcelainberry and English ivy.

Invasive Plant Removal at 630 West
2026-08-01 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 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.

Suitland Parkway Volunteer Day
2026-08-01 10:30 - 13:00 | Suitland Parkway, 2401 Alabama Ave SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods every first Saturday of the month to restore Suitland Parkway by removing trash and invasive vines that are smothering the trees. Since 2018, Ward 8 Woods Park Stewards and volunteers have removed more than 300 tons of trash from the woods of Suitland Parkway and cut vines from more than 1,000 trees. On the first Saturday of each month, we deploy to a different part of the parkway to clean up trash and save trees from being smothered by invasive vines.
Give back to the earth, exercise your body, spend time in nature and meet cool people with the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-08-02 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 a National Park Service volunteer birder 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!

Georgetown by Kayak
2026-08-02 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 1.5-hour relaxed kayak tour through the stories of the Georgetown Waterfront — where centuries of change flow beneath your paddle.

Explore the land’s roots as a First Peoples village

Drift by a bustling colonial port and Civil War hub

Learn about the experiences of free and enslaved people

Glide past echoes of industrial might

Witness its transformation into the vibrant park we enjoy today

Bring your curiosity, your sense of adventure, and your paddle power!
