Capital Nature

Cherry Blossom Festival Parade
2026-04-11 11:00 - 13:30 (America/New_York) | DC
(DC) (National Cherry Blossom Festival) One of DC’s largest spectator events, the energy-filled National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade® presented by Events DC runs for 10 blocks along iconic Constitution Avenue. Giant colorful helium balloons, elaborate floats, marching bands from across the country, celebrity entertainers, and performers burst down the Parade route in a grand spectacle of music and showmanship seen only once a year during the Festival.

Shepherd Parkway Community Cleanup
2026-04-11 10:30 - 13:00 | Shepherd Parkway, 555 Newcomb Street SE, Washington, DC, 20032, United States
(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods every second Saturday of the month to restore Shepherd Parkway by removing trash and invasive vines that are smothering the trees. Since 2011, over 2,000 volunteers have removed over 200 tons of trash from the woods and cut invasive vines from over 500 trees, but much work remains to be done.
Give back to the earth, exercise your body, spend time in nature and meet cool people with the Ward 8 Woods Conservancy.

Blossom Soirée
2026-04-10 18:00 - 20:30 | US Botanic Garden, 100 Maryland Ave SW, Washington DC, 20001, United States
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join us for an exclusive after-hours evening of jazz, drinks, and blooms celebrating the opening night of the U.S. Botanic Garden’s new exhibit “America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration.” Admission includes all activities and one drink ticket to get the party started. Additional drinks and bites are available for purchase. All proceeds from this event support the Friends of the US Botanic Garden.

Slitherin' Salamanders
2026-04-10 08:30 - 10:30 | Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA, 20121, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Slither on over to Bull Run Regional Park for an amphibian adventure! Early March is an incredibly active time of year for local amphibians as they look–and sing–for a mate. The flooded forests at Bull Run, known as vernal pools, are highly prized by these animals because they lack aquatic predators and are therefore safe nurseries for their young. Learn more about the behaviors of these incredible amphibians and get ready see some up close! Ages 8+

Florals: Art, Memory, and Meaning (Virtual)
2026-04-09 19:00 - 20:30 | DC
(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Garden historian and author Abra Lee joins native Washingtonian floral artist and author Teresa Speight, whose celebrated book “Black Flora: Inspiring Profiles of Floriculture’s New Vanguard” features as one of Abra’s favorite books. Together Abra and Teresa will explore the connective power of orchids and florals through both storytelling and lived creative practice.

Spring Garden Tour at Hillwood
2026-04-09 14:30 - 15:15, 2026-04-07 14:30 - 15:15 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Explore Hillwood’s magnificent spring displays featuring tens of thousands of cheerful bulbs. Learn about the design process that led to this year’s unique display and first-hand stories of practical gardening lessons. Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center upon opening each day. This forty-five-minute tour is limited to twenty and meets in the visitor center conservatory.

The Hummingbirds are Coming!
2026-04-09 10:30 - 11:30 | Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville, MD, 20905, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) The ruby-throats are on their way north! Learn more about these hummers as we track their progress into our area. We’ll learn how to attract them into your yard, and make a feeder to take home. Ages 3 to 5.

Spring Walk on Theodore Roosevelt Island (Wait List)
2026-04-09 08:30 - 11:30 | Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington DC, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Enjoy a morning walk on a natural oasis in the Potomac River with Melanie Choukas-Bradley, the author of Finding Solace at Theodore Roosevelt Island. The nearly 2-mile path follows Theodore Roosevelt Island’s shore and moves deep into the swamp and tidal inlet along the boardwalk where willows, bald cypresses, and cattails frame views of Washington, D.C.
Choukas-Bradley shares an overview of the landscape’s fascinating mix of trees, wildflowers, birds, and other wildlife and highlights the island’s history and the legacy of the naturalist and conservationist president it memorializes. The morning also includes pauses for moments of guided forest bathing to quietly soak up the beauty of this wild island near the capital city.

Our Watershed
2026-04-08 18:00 - 19:30 | Checy Chase Library, 5625 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, 20015, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Stream Team Leaders Kathy Sykes and Andrea Contreras for an engaging presentation on the Lower Rock Creek watershed and why its health matters to our community. This talk will explore what a watershed is, how everyday activities impact local streams, and the key indicators of a healthy watershed—from salt and bacteria levels to biodiversity and aquatic life.

Baby and Me Nature Walk
2026-04-08 10:00 - 11:00 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Studies show that babies as young as a few weeks old thrive with daily outside time. Join us for a guided nature walk on the trails of Cabin John Park. Get to know other local parents and caregivers while enjoying the fresh and spending quality time with baby. Trails are not stroller accessible so baby must be in a carrier.
Six Wednesdays, April 8 – May 13, 2026

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-04-07 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!

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2026-04-06 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 8 a.m. 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.

The Butterfly Experience
2026-04-05 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.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2026-04-05 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.

Beauty of Bluebells Walk
2026-04-05 07:00 - 09:30, 2026-04-04 07:00 - 09:30, 2026-04-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA, 20121, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Experience the magic and wonder of the Bluebell Trail in its full glory! Take a relaxing stroll on Bull Run Regional Park’s most famous trail while being enveloped by a sea of blue. Learn about spring ephemeral plants such as the Virginia Bluebell and why these fleeting flowers bloom for such a short time. Ages 8+

Community Science Night
2026-04-04 19:30 - 21:00 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Are you interested in learning about local wildlife and helping out nature. Then check out our Community Science program at Locust Grove Nature Center. Nighttime is often the best chance to encounter wildlife such as owls, foxes, bats, and frogs. Join a Naturalist for a guided wildlife-monitoring walk and help document the species that make their home here. Each session introduces participants to the iNaturalist app (please download ahead of time), which we’ll use to record photos and sounds of the plants and animals we discover. Ages 16 +.

Gong and Frog Sound Bath
2026-04-04 18:30 - 20:00 | Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Immerse yourself in the vibrations of nature, channeled through the ancient instrument of gong. Deep vibrations will resonate with the natural environment and serve as a sonic massage on the body, mind, and spirit. Then, we’ll hop into the expanse of nature to follow the calls of frogs into the park. Ages 9 +.

Suitland Parkway Volunteer Day
2026-04-04 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.

Invasive Vine Removal in Hyattsville
2026-04-04 10:00 - 13:00 | 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 (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) and English ivy (Hedera helix). Please wear long pants, long sleeves, and close-toed shoes. Instructions and tools will be provided, so just bring yourself and a good attitude! This project is sponsored through a partnership between CCAN and Casey Trees.

Invasive Plant Removal at Broad Branch
2026-04-04 10:00 - 12:00 | DC
(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.

Bird Walk at Kingman
2026-04-04 08:00 - 10:00 | Kingman and Heritage Islands Park, 575 Oklahoma Ave NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join DC Bird Alliance for a relaxed, guided bird walk on Kingman Island. We’ll move at an easy pace, pause often to observe birds, and explore the island’s unique habitats together. This walk is open to all experience levels. Bring binoculars if you have them (we have a few to spare), curiosity if you don’t, and enjoy time outdoors noticing birds and nature in community.

Full Moon Friday
2026-04-03 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 hotdogs to warm over the fire and we’ll provide marshmallows. The program will be mainly outdoors with a hiking component. All hikes will be on natural surface trails.

Youth Mountain Bike Ride
2026-04-03 17:00 - 19:00 | Wheaton Regional Park, 2000 Shorefield Road, Wheaton, MD, 20902, 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.

Beginner Birding at Occoquan Bay
2026-04-03 16:00 - 18:00 | Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 14050 Dawson Beach Rd, Woodbridge, VA, 22191, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join NVBA for beginner birding at the beautiful Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge, “an oasis for migratory birds and busy city residents seeking a quiet escape from development.” On this guided walk, you’ll explore the refuge’s diverse waterfowl species with naturalist Andreas Seiter.

Spring Scavenger Hunt at Meadowlark
2026-04-03 10:00 - 18:00 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Welcome spring with a playful scavenger hunt! Embark on a self-guided adventure through the gardens as you search for giant eggs hidden along the paths:

Begin your quest at the Visitor Center, where you’ll receive your egg hunt sheet—your key to unlocking the fun.
Hop along the garden paths. When you discover a giant egg, draw its design on your hunt sheet.
Find them all! Show your completed sheet to our staff and receive an EGG-cellent prize.

After Easter, the fun continues through April 30th. Kids will search the gardens for cheerful signs of spring—flowers, birds, frogs, rabbits, bugs, and more—hidden throughout the landscape.

Meadowood Butterfly and Dragonfly Survey
2026-04-03 08:00 - 11:30 | Meadowood Park, 12810 New Hampshire Ave, Colesville, 20904
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Butterfly and dragonfly surveys are carried out April-October, normally on Friday mornings, at one of four sites around Occoquan Bay, all within the 15-mile diameter circle established for the annual North American Butterfly Association’s Annual Count.
The results of these surveys are made available to the participants and other interested individuals and agencies, including the Fairfax County Park Authority, the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority, and agencies of the U.S. Interior Department. The results of the butterfly-dragonfly surveys are summarized, along with the results of the general surveys, in an annual report.

Bluebells Photography Workshop
2026-04-03 07:00 - 09:30 | Bull Run Regional Park, 7700 Bull Run Drive, Centreville, VA, 20121, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join Roving Naturalist and wildlife photographer Matt Felperin at Bull Run Regional Park to experience and capture the magic of the Virginia Bluebells! At this nature photography workshop, learn how to take stunning photos of this mystical landscape as well as close ups of the fleeting flowers themselves. Digital cameras and appropriate lenses encouraged, but even your smart phones can deliver excellent results!
All skill levels and all types of equipment are welcome. Ages 12 +.
