Capital Nature

National Native Seed Conference (Virtual)
2026-02-25 - 2026-02-26
(US) (Institute for Applied Ecology)The 2026 National Native Seed Conference is dedicated to the science, practice, and policy of producing and effectively using native seed. Join us for this two-day virtual conference designed to:

Provide opportunities for attendees to explore new ideas
Share success stories and lessons learned
Connect and collaborate with colleagues across the country

DC EcoWomen Book Club
2026-02-24 18:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Teaism Penn Quarter, 400 8th St NW, Washington, DC, 20004, United States
(DC) (DC EcoWomen) DC EcoWomen invites you to our February Eco Book Club, a welcoming space to connect with fellow environmentally minded women and allies over a meaningful environmental read.
Our selected book, The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World byRobin Wall Kimmerer, explores themes of reciprocity, gift economies, gratitude, and our relationship with the natural world. Through storytelling and Indigenous ecological wisdom, the book invites us to reimagine sustainability, community, and what it means to live in balance with the Earth. Whether you finish every chapter or just want to listen and learn, you’re welcome to join the conversation.

Your Yard or Balcony Can Be a Pollinator Garden
2026-02-24 12:00 - 13:30 | Oakton Rec Center, 3200 Jermantown Rd, Oakton, 22124, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) You don’t need a large yard to make a big impact for wildlife. Join Laurie Dodd to learn how planting native plants can support pollinators while creating a beautiful, low-maintenance garden—whether you’re working with a backyard, patio, or balcony. This talk introduces easy-to-grow native plants that thrive in a variety of habitats and benefit bees, butterflies, and more.

Protecting Our Watershed
2026-02-24 11:00 - 12:00 | Arlington Mill Community Center, 909 South Dinwiddie Street, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join Arlington Park Naturalist Itzamar Duran Cruz to learn about local conservation efforts through an exploration of ongoing projects in our watershed. Discover how our community is protecting natural resources and how you can get involved in making a difference. 55+ program.

Winter Walk at Meadowlark
2026-02-24 10:00 - 11:00 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy free garden admission and a guided walk around Meadowlark Botanical Gardens’ 95 acres on Tuesdays. Each 75-minute walk will be over uneven, hilly terrain, have a positive focus, and include a silent, meditative portion and a few interesting facts from our docent along the way. Ages 18 +
This is a drop-in program.

Little Critters Nature Play
2026-02-24 09:30 - 13:30 | Smithsonian’s National Zoo, 3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian National Zoo) Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we explore the different plants and animals that live in the Amazon rainforest. Little Critters: Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities are designed with early learners in mind, but all ages are welcome.

Exhibit: Recovering Our Night Skies
2026-02-23 10:00 - 17:30 | Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, 1000 Madison Drive NW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) Artificial lights have become such common nighttime fixtures that we take them for granted. But what do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? The effects of light pollution go beyond our diminishing view of the stars, but the solutions can have an immediate impact.
Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide?
On view through December 2026.

Botanical Gardens of the World (Virtual)
2026-02-22 16:00 - 17:30
(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Indulge in a colorful midwinter escape as horticultural expert Keith Tomlinson leads a series of virtual visits that highlight the beauty of notable botanical gardens in settings as varied as Singapore, the Arizona desert, and the American Midwest. In vibrant visuals he explores how each garden has taken a unique approach to design and interpretation as they all celebrate plant collections, conservation, education, and the distinctive environments and landscapes in which they bloom:
February 8 Gardens by the Bay, Singapore
February 15 Boyce Thompson Arboretum and the Desert Botanical Garden, Arizona
February 22 Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis

Maple Sugar Walk
2026-02-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-02-21 15:00 - 16:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Hike with a naturalist to the maple tree grove and learn how sugar maple sap is collected and transformed into maple syrup! This is an indoor and outdoor program on natural surface trails. All attendees must register. Inclement weather could cancel this program. Be sure to check Brooksidenature.org for day-of event status.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2026-02-22 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.

Your Yard or Balcony Can Be a Pollinator Garden
2026-02-21 15:00 - 16:30 | Audrey Moore Rec Center, 8100 Braddock Road, Annandale, VA, 22003, United States

Frog Frenzy
2026-02-21 14:00 - 15:00 | Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) What’s that sound? Wood frogs abound! These woodland amphibians are a welcoming sign that spring is just around the corner. See (and hear) some of these ribbeting animals at Potomac Overlook’s frog pond, and learn about a fascinating adaptation that helps them survive the cold winter. Ages 5 +

Floral Design Workshop
2026-02-21 13:00 - 14:00 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Inspired by Hillwood’s newest exhibition On Time: Giving Form to the Fleeting, create an arrangement that can stand the test of time—featuring blooms that can be dried such as roses, thistle, and hydrangea—in this onsite floral workshop. All materials are included and subject to availability.

Winter Stream Ecology Hike
2026-02-21 11:00 - 12:00 | Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park, 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, 22204, United States
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Bundle up and join us for a winter nature hike full of frosty discoveries! Ever wonder what fish do when streams freeze over? How life keeps moving under the ice? On this guided walk, we’ll explore stream ecology in winter and uncover how aquatic life—especially fish—adapts to survive the freezing temperatures, slower currents, and reduced food supply. Teens 16+ welcome with a registered adult.

Lunar New Year Festival
2026-02-21 10:00 - 13:00 | National Museum of Asian Art, 1050 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC, 20560, United States
(DC) (Smithsonian) Gallop into 2026, the year of the horse, and celebrate Lunar New Year with us! This year we’re hosting a festival and market pop-up at the nearby Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building (AIB). Experience cultural performances, lion dances, food, makers, and more! Plus, enjoy curator talks and tours at the museum throughout the day.

Invasive Plant Removal at 630 East
2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Reservation 630 East, 2801 Quebec Street Northwest, Washington, 20008
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and Weed Warrior leader Rena Subotnik or 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.

Invasive Plant Removal at Carter Barron
2026-02-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Carter Barron Amphitheatre, 4850 Colorado Ave NW, Washington DC, 20011, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy 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.

Volunteer Day at Dumbarton Oaks Park
2026-02-21 09:00 - 13:00 | Dumbarton Oaks Park, Lover's Lane and R Street NW, Washington, DC, 20007, United States
(DC) (Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy) Join the Conservancy for a day of service and stewardship at beautiful Dumbarton Oaks Park.

Weed Warrior Workday at Sligo Creek
2026-02-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, Silver Spring, MD, 20901, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join Weed Warrior Supervisors Greg and Kathryn for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Sligo Creek Stream Valley Unit 4 (between Forest Glen Road and University Blvd in Silver Spring). We will focus on non-native, invasive vines and shrubs, including porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata), wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), English ivy (Hedera helix), Japanese barberry (Berberisthunbergii), and bush honeysuckle (mainly Lonicera maackii). Native Virginia creeper and poison ivy are also present and beneficial, so we will avoid those.
More details, including the exact meeting location, will be emailed to all pre-registrants.

Black Hill Hike Club
2026-02-21 09:00 - 11:00 | Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, MD, 20841, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) The first rule of Hike Club – have fun! Improve your fitness, make new friends, and experience trails and scenery we don’t often make time to immerse ourselves in. We welcome all ages, though young children must be able to walk at least 3 miles or be carried. Most trails are not stroller accessible and are easy to moderate in difficulty.

Bird Walk at Kingman
2026-02-21 08:00 - 10:00 | Kingman Island, United States
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join DC Bird Alliance for a winter bird walk through Kingman and Heritage Islands!

Winter Birding at Lake Audubon
2026-02-21 08:00 - 10:00 | Walker Nature Center, 11450 Glade Drive, Reston, VA, 20191, United States
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join Northern Virginia Bird Alliance guides Robin and Luke for a winter birding outing at Lake Audubon! Birders of all experience levels are welcome. The planned walking route includes a mix of woodland trail and paved surfaces, with both flat and hilly sections.

Winter Birdwalk at Riverbend
2026-02-21 08:00 - 09:30 | Riverbend Park, 8700 Potomac Hills St, Great Falls, VA, 22066, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Take a hike through the woods with a naturalist to listen and look for the park’s winter avian residents and migrants. Find out what birds do to survive the winter weather. Feel free to bring your own guides, binoculars and spotting scopes. Site will have a limited number of supplies for participants to borrow for the duration of the program. Ages 4 to Adult.

CCAN Annual Polar Bear Plunge
2026-02-21 | National Harbor, 802 National Harbor Blvd, Fort Washington, MD, 20744, United States
(MD) (Chesapeake Climate Action Network) We’re freezing for a reason! CCAN’s Polar Bear Plunge is a day full of laughter and camaraderie as hundreds of climate activists come together in support of our climate campaigns. Through peer-to-peer fundraising, Plungers help raise over 30 percent of the individual donations that power our work in the year ahead. Sign up now to plunge or donate!

Campfire Friday
2026-02-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Hidden Pond Nature Center, 8511 Greeley Blvd, West Springfield, VA, 22152, United States
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Not intended for children under 5.

Lunchtime Meditation and Mindfulness (Virtual)
2026-02-20 12:00 - 12:30
(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.

Hillwood Tour: Preparing for Spring
2026-02-20 10:30 - 11:00 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) Jarett Currin, greenhouse grower, shares a preview of Hillwood’s fabulous spring and summer blooms on this thirty-minute behind-the-scenes tour of Hillwood’s production greenhouse. Enjoy the warmth of the greenhouse while getting a sneak peek of plants being grown for Hillwood’s beautiful spring and summer garden displays.

Caterpillars in Winter (Virtual)
2026-02-19 19:00 - 20:00
(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Insects are exothermic. External forces control their internal temperatures. So what happens in winter? How do insects make it through to spring? In this very special Must Learn Thursday, we learn from two experts, Dr. Mike Raupp and Dr. Max Ferlauto. Each will share information on the strategies insects employ and what we can do to ensure they survive.

Beyond Earth and Sky
2026-02-19 17:30 - 19:30 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) In this third program in the Great Homes and Gardens lecture series, Douglas Hamilton Jr. and Norman Barker will give a lecture on their book: Tashiding: Beyond Earth and Sky, The Gardens of Douglas & Tsognie Hamilton. The lecture will give an exquisite tour of the Hamilton property and gardens, exploring its varied influences, including the family histories and cultures of its owners.
