Native Garden Tour at Hillwood
2026-09-08 14:30 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Explore the Collections and Research Center native garden featuring a bio-retention pond with garden section manager and coordinator Cicily Arnsworth. Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center upon opening each day. This thirty-minute tour is limited to fifteen and meets in the visitor center conservatory.

Wild Rice Seed Collection in Kingman Lake
2026-09-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Driving Range Parking Lot of the Langston Golf Course, 2556 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Volunteers will help the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) to collect bags containing wild rice (Zizania aquatica) by waders from the wetlands by Langston Golf Course! We will bring out cutting tools to retrieve the bags of wild rice. Once the bags are collected, we will bring them back to shore and empty the seeds into buckets.
For over 15 years, AWS has been collecting wild rice seed as part of our wetland restoration efforts in the tidal Anacostia River. The seed collected in the bags will be used for propagation in the Anacostia River in the spring of 2027 through mudballing (seeding) and the production of seedlings that will be transplanted in the river once they reach a suitable size.

Jazz in the Gardens at Hillwood
2026-09-09 17:30 - 20:00 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Join us for the sixth summer of Jazz in the Gardens in the spectacular setting of Hillwood’s gardens! Experience the dynamic sound of Carr/Keys, a collaboration between two masters of the craft: tenor saxophonist Paul Carr and alto saxophonist Marshall Keys. Their group merges the essence of straight-ahead jazz with the spirit of soul, creating a sound that resonates with both seasoned jazz lovers and new audiences.

Anacostia River Discovery Canoe Tour
2026-09-10 18:00 - 19:00 | Bladensburg Waterfront Park, 4601 Annapolis Rd, Blaidensburg, MD, United States
(MD) (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.

Guided Forest Bathing at Hillwood
2026-09-11 09:30 - 11:00 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Slow down, awaken your senses, and connect with nature as you experience a forest bathing walk in Hillwood’s gardens and grounds with certified forest bathing guide Ana Ka’ahanui. Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (which translates to “absorbing the forest atmosphere”), forest bathing is a research-based activity designed to promote health and well-being through immersion in natural settings.
Participants will be guided on a soothing stroll through the spring gardens at a slow pace. They will be invited to participate in gentle activities designed to engage their senses and tune into the sounds, smells, textures, and sights of nature around them. ​

Birding at Kingman Island
2026-09-12 07:30 - 09:30 | Driving Range Parking Lot of the Langston Golf Course, 2556 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS), National Links Trust, DC Bird Alliance, and Dan Rauch from DC’s Department of Energy and Environment, for a morning at Langston Golf Course on Kingman Island, looking for some of the Anacostia River’s amazing birds. All birding skills welcomed! Great for new and experienced birders.
Any observations made using the free iNaturalist application during the walking tour will count towards observations made as part of the 10th Anacostia River Bioblitz!

Invasive Species Removal at Langdon Park
2026-09-12 09:00 - 12:00, 2026-09-26 09:00 - 12:00 | Langdon Park Recreation Center, 2901 20th St NE, Washington DC, 20018, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join CCAN, The Langdon Park Forest Stewards, and Casey Trees to get outside and remove invasive plants! Take part in the exciting Assisted Natural Regeneration efforts happening to restore the forest at Langdon Park in NE DC. We will meet at the parking lot of the Langdon Park Rec Cente.
We will start with a brief training on non-native invasive species and best practices for removal, and spend about 2 hours removing invasives. We will focus on non-native invasive plants like Bush (Amur) Honeysuckle, English Ivy, and Porcelain Berry.

Anacostia River Bioblitz
2026-09-12 12:00 - 16:00 | Lake Artemesia, 8200 55th Avenue, College Park, MD, 20740, United States
(MD) (Anacostia Watershed Society) The Anacostia River watershed is home to an incredible number of species, and it takes a village to get out there and document them! Using iNaturalist, participants will help us document its biodiversity and learn about the identification and ecology of some of the river’s fascinating species.
Watch the video at the bottom of this page to learn more about how to use iNaturalist. We will track observations on our iNaturalist collection project page.

Tuesday Morning Bird Walk at Kenilworth
2026-09-15 08:30 - 10:00, 2026-09-22 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!

Federal Plant Collections in the District
2026-09-15 13:00 - 15:00 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Join the Botanical Society of Washington with the National Arboretum for a panel discussion that brings together collections curators and communicators from the National Arboretum, U.S. Botanic Garden, U.S. Capitol Grounds and Arboretum, and Smithsonian Botany and Gardens. These experts will explore the unique challenges and opportunities they experience in their roles as keepers of federally funded plant collections and highlight the unique place each organization holds in our nation’s capital.

Stream Team Leader Training (Virtual)
2026-09-15 18:00 - 19:00 | MD
(DC) (MD) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Please join Rock Creek Conservancy for a virtual training for our Stream Team Leader program. Stream Team Leaders are dedicated volunteers that work with the Conservancy to host their own trash cleanups and stormwater engagement events, increasing stewardship actions within their communities and throughout Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, MD. The training will take place on zoom. A link will be sent to all registered participants on the day of the training.

Anacostia River Discovery Boat Tour
2026-09-17 18:00 - 19:00 | Diamond Teague Pier, 1520 First St. SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for a 1-hour Anacostia River 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.

Springsong Living Landscapes Hike
2026-09-18 09:30 - 12:00 | Springsong Museum Future Site, 10701 Columbia Pike, Silver Spring, MD, 20901, United States
(MD) (Springsong Museum) Nourish your sense of wonder during a morning forest bathing walk in the Northwest Branch gorge adjacent to the Springsong Museum site. We will walk slowly and pause often as we explore the upland woods and streamside of cascading Northwest Branch. Forest bathing is a practice that began in Japan in the 1980s and celebrates the beauty and wonder of nature in a way that aligns with Rachel Carson’s views of the world. During our walk we will tune in to each of our senses as we open our hearts to the beauty of spring in the gorge.
Walk leader Melanie Choukas-Bradley is a certified nature and forest therapy guide who has participated in forest bathing walks with shinrin-yoku guides in Japan. She is the author of Wild Walking—A Guide to Forest Bathing Through the Seasons and several other nature books.

WalkingTown DC
2026-09-19 - 2026-09-26 | MD
(DC) (Events DC) Events DC WalkingTown is DC’s best public tour program, featuring guided walking tours in neighborhoods throughout the District of Columbia. Join us for eight days to visit eight wards and learn about our unique city. This year, we will host more than 50 walking and biking tours in September, offering authentic and memorable tours that help residents and visitors enjoy, appreciate and learn about the District of Columbia, including its nature.

Fall Bird Walk at the Arboretum (Waitlist)
2026-09-19 09:00 - 11:00 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Join us for a fall bird walk through the U.S. National Arboretum led by experienced guides from the DC Bird Alliance. The Arboretum’s 451 acres of green space provide a unique ecosystem within the city to find a variety of birds. On this bird walk, you’ll not only spot birds — you’ll also learn about local bird populations, bird behavior, and identification tips.

Guided Forest Bathing at Hillwood
2026-09-19 09:30 - 11:00 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Slow down, awaken your senses, and connect with nature as you experience a forest bathing walk in Hillwood’s gardens and grounds with certified forest bathing guide Adria S. Zeldin. Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (which translates to “absorbing the forest atmosphere”), forest bathing is a research-based activity designed to promote health and well-being through immersion in natural settings.
Participants will be guided on a soothing stroll through the spring gardens at a slow pace. They will be invited to participate in gentle activities designed to engage their senses and tune into the sounds, smells, textures, and sights of nature around them. ​

Autumn Equinox Sound Meditation & Nature Therapy
2026-09-19 09:30 - 12:30 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) (Kindred Nature) Embrace the stillness of the morning and ease into your day with a nourishing blend of sound meditation and mindful nature connection. In the serene setting of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, we’ll enjoy an immersive journey of sound meditation, sensory nature connection, and locally-sourced tea. Join Toni Kim (Inner Sound Collective) and Ilana Rubin (Kindred Nature) for this refreshing morning experience to slow down, find inner harmony, and welcome the day with clarity, calm, and connection. All adults are welcome. Registration is required.

Anacostia River Boat Tour with a President
2026-09-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Diamond Teague Pier, 1520 First St. SE, Washington, DC, 20003, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society’s President and CEO, Christopher Williams, for a 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. Meeting Location: We will gather at the Ballpark Boathouse public boat dock in Diamond Teague Park.

Equinox Forest Bathing at the Arboretum
2026-09-20 09:00 - 11:00 | U.S. National Arboretum, 24th & R St NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Join our nature and forest therapy guide for a special Autumn Equinox Forest Bathing session. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses. The benefits are immense: boosted immunity, lowered blood pressure, and improved attention and mood.
Our forest bathing walks are around two hours long and consist of three ‘invitations’. Each time the guide will prompt you to reflect on a particular aspect of the natural world around you, give you time to wander and meditate throughout the garden collection, then reconvene the group to share reflections.

Mussel Survey in Kingman Lake
2026-09-21 11:00 - 14:00 | Driving Range Parking Lot of the Langston Golf Course, 2556 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) You will help AWS with a wild freshwater mussel survey in Kingman Lake! We will be walking in mud that can be very mucky in waders (AWS can provide you with a pair if you don’t have your own). If you’re not comfortable walking in mud using waders, we recommend joining us at a different event. This event will involve lifting, bending, and walking in mucky mud for a fourth of a mile. Participants will be expected to wear waders for the duration of the event.

Mussel Survey in Kenilworth Lake
2026-09-22 11:00 - 14:00 | Driving Range Parking Lot of the Langston Golf Course, 2556 Benning Rd NE, Washington, DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) You will help AWS with a wild freshwater mussel survey in Kenilworth Lake! We will be walking in mud that can be very mucky in waders (AWS can provide you with a pair if you don’t have your own). If you’re not comfortable walking in mud using waders, we recommend joining us at a different event. This event will involve lifting, bending, and walking in mucky mud for a fourth of a mile. Participants will be expected to wear waders for the duration of the event.

Urban Tree Summit
2026-09-23 08:30 - 17:00 | Silver Spring Civic Center, One Veterans Place, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, United States
(MD) (Casey Trees) (Montgomery Parks) Learn from industry-leading experts on their research and contributions at the Urban Tree Summit. All arborists, landscape industry professionals, environmental/green industry professionals, engineers, designers, housing developers, students, and interested citizens are invited to take advantage of this opportunity to learn from experts, experienced peers, and local, tree-focused, and mission-driven organizations.

This is an all-day conference with breaks planned for networking, exhibitor space, and lunch. Lunch will be provided and is included with your ticket!

Mussel Survey in Heritage Marsh
2026-09-23 11:00 - 14:00 | Kingman and Heritage Islands Park, 575 Oklahoma Ave NE, Washington DC, 20002, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) You will help AWS with a wild freshwater mussel survey in Heritage Marsh! We will be walking in mud that can be very mucky in waders (AWS can provide you with a pair if you don’t have your own). If you’re not comfortable walking in mud using waders, we recommend joining us at a different event. This event will involve lifting, bending, and walking in mucky mud for a fourth of a mile. Participants will be expected to wear waders for the duration of the event.

Anacostia River Discovery Boat Tour
2026-09-24 17:30 - 18:30 | Kingman Island Dock, 575 Oklahoma Avenue, NE, Washington, DC, 20019, United States

Harvest Full Moon
2026-09-26 | MD
This year, September’s Full Harvest Moon will peak in illumination at 12:49 pm. It will be below the horizon at this time, so be sure to watch for it after sunset… it will be hard to miss! The full Moon names used by The Old Farmer’s Almanac have different origins, including Native American, Colonial American, and European sources. Traditionally, each full Moon name was applied to the entire lunar month in which it occurred.
The Harvest Moon is the full Moon closest to the autumnal equinox. Unlike other full Moons, it rises about the same time for several nights, providing extended evening light. Historically, this extra illumination helped farmers complete their harvests before fall frosts. The Harvest Moon typically occurs in September, and is also known as the Full Corn Moon. It occasionally lands in October, then called the Full Hunter’s Moon.

Volunteer Day at Kenilworth
2026-09-26 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.

Rock Creek Park Tree Tour with Melanie Choukas Bradley
2026-09-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Picnic Grove #6, 696 Beach Drive Northwest, Washington, DC, 20012, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join naturalist and author Melanie Choukas-Bradley for a guided walk through the rich landscapes of Rock Creek Park. This Field Session is a part of the 2026 Urban Tree Summit, hosted by Casey Trees and Montgomery Parks.

The immersive tour invites participants to slow down and observe the intricate relationships between native trees, understory plants, and wildlife. Drawing on her deep knowledge of the region, Melanie will highlight seasonal changes, ecological connections, and the cultural history embedded in this urban forest.
NOTE: This ticket is for the Field Session on Saturday, September 26, 2026, and does not include admission to the conference.

Late Skate at Anacostia Park
2026-09-26 12:00 - 22:00 | Anacostia Park Skating Pavillion, 1500 Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
(DC) (Friends of Anacostia Park) Come get your skate on! Join Friends of Anacostia Park, the National Park Service, and our community partners for a day of music, recreation and kinship in DC’s most storied skating venue.
