Capital Nature

Birdability Week
2025-10-20 - 2025-10-26 | MD
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Birdability Week is an annual occasion to exchange valuable resources and innovative ideas, aiming to foster an inclusive and accommodating environment within the birding community. By encouraging accessibility, embracing diversity, and promoting a warm and open atmosphere, Birdability Week aims to ensure that birding is an enjoyable experience for everybody.
Celebrate the beauty of birds and enjoy a welcoming and inclusive birding experiences in Montgomery Parks. See the registration page for multiple events.

Invasive Plant Removal at Little Forest
2025-10-19 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Little Forest Park, Military Road & 28th Street NW, Washington, DC, 20015, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Bethann Siegel and John Burwell 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.

Invasive Plant Removal at 630 West
2025-10-19 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 Rock Creek 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. This event is part of an area-wide volunteer-powered effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species.

Forest Bathing with Ana at Theodore Roosevelt Island
2025-10-19 10:00 - 12:00 | Theodore Roosevelt Island, Washington DC, United States
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join naturalist and Certified Forest Therapy Guide, Ana Ka’ahanui from Capital Nature, for an introduction to forest bathing among the trees on Theodore Roosevelt Island. “Shinrin-yoku,” or taking in the forest atmosphere with all of your senses, is a way to slow down, unwind and connect to the natural world. Through a series of simple sensory exercises we’ll be experiencing the wonders of nature with this relaxing mindfulness practice.
Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is rooted in the ancient Japanese reverence for nature, has caught on all around the world as people everywhere are discovering the joys—and proven mental and physical health benefits—of time spent in nature.

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh
2025-10-19 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.

Fall Bonsai Show at Meadowlark
2025-10-18 10:00 - 2025-10-19 16:00 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Discover the art and beauty of bonsai at the Northern Virginia Bonsai Society’s (NVBS) Fall Show, held at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. More than 30 fascinating bonsai trees will be on display where NVBS members will provide demonstrations of bonsai techniques and share their knowledge. This free show takes place in the Visitor Center.

Invasive Vine Removal in Hyattsville
2025-10-18 10:00 - 13:00 | Heurich Park, 6001 Ager Rd, Hyattsville, MD, 20782, United States
(DC) (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.

CANCELLED - Forest Bathing at Woodend
2025-10-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Woodend Nature Sanctuary, 8940 Jones Mill Road, Chevy Chase, MD, 20815, United States
(MD) (Nature Forward)
Join Forest Bathing guide Ana Ka’ahanui from Capital Nature in a soothing exploration and mindfulness walk through the forests at Woodend. Awaken your senses to Fall, connect to the present moment, and support your mental health and wellbeing.

Anacostia Park Care Day
2025-10-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Anacostia Park Skating Pavillion, 1500 Anacostia Dr SE, Washington, DC, 20020, United States
(DC) (Friends of Anacostia Park) Join Friends of Anacostia Park in supporting a clean and vibrant Park for all who visit! Meet Grounds Lead Mr. Wayne at the Anacostia Park Skating Pavilion, every 3rd Saturday of the Month June – October. The event will run from 10 AM – 12 PM. Projects vary, all supplies are provided. Typical activities include trash and invasive species removal, mulching/watering trees, and beautifying the landscape.

Cleanup at Carter Barron
2025-10-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Carter Barron Amphitheatre, 4850 Colorado Ave NW, Washington DC, 20011, United States
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Please join Rock Creek Conservancy and the National Park Service, and for our cleanup of the Carter Barron amphitheater. We will remove debris, paint, clear leaf litter, weed, sweep, and trim back invasive plants, helping preserve the amphitheater while it awaits future restoration. This is a unique opportunity to get a ‘behind the scenes’ look at the amphitheater and help take care of an important community resource. Event location directions and information will be sent from the event leader 24 hours before the event.

Canal Community Day
2025-10-18 09:00 - 12:00 | Georgetown Visitor Center, 1057 Thomas Jefferson Street NW, Washington, DC, 20007, United States
(DC) (Canal Trust) Spend your weekend with us in the eastern part of the park and make a difference. The C&O Canal National Historical Park follows the Potomac River for 184.5 miles between Georgetown and Cumberland and is one of the most visited national park sites in the country. The C&O Canal Trust is the park’s official nonprofit partner, committed to supporting the park and local communities through fundraising initiatives, expanding accessibility and broadening support through programs that highlight the park’s historical, natural, and cultural heritage.

Mothtober Fest at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens
2025-10-17 20:30 - 22:30 | Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, 22182, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks)
Discover the magic of moths at MOTHtober FEST! Experience a unique nighttime adventure celebrating these fascinating nocturnal pollinators with Roving Naturalist Matt Felperin and Ana Ka’ahanui of Capital Nature. Using bed sheets and black lights, we’ll attract, observe, and identify a variety of moths while learning why these, often-overlooked, insects are vital to our ecosystems.

Nature Journaling for Kids
2025-10-17 17:00 - 18:30 | Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, 20817, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Kids love being out in nature and through journaling they can learn how to connect with nature even more. Join a naturalist to learn how to truly observe nature around you and how to get those observations and thoughts on paper. After a guided session, you will have the opportunity to create a nature journal entry on your own. Nature walks will be apart of this program so participants should be able to walk on natural surface trails, which may have some steep inclines. Ages 8 to 15.

Hillwood Focus Tour: Plants of Fall
2025-10-17 14:30 - 15:15, 2025-10-14 14:30 - 15:15 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood) The fall garden shines as plantings, accented by tens-of-thousands of chrysanthemums, begin to transition from the bright growth of summer to fall colors. Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture, highlights her favorite fall features 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.

Forest Bathing at Hillwood
2025-10-17 09:30 - 11:30 | Hillwood Estate, 4155 Linnean Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20008, United States
(DC) (Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens) Slow down, awaken your senses, and connect with nature as you experience a forest bathing walk in Hillwood’s gardens and grounds.
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.

"Next Steps for Nature” with Doug Tallamy (Virtual)
2025-10-16 19:00 - 20:30 | MD
(DMV) (Wild Ones) Join Wild Ones for a free webinar, “Next Steps for Nature,” featuring the renowned Doug Tallamy. This webinar builds on Tallamy’s newest book, How Can I Help?: Saving Nature with Your Yard, offering real-world solutions to the challenges people face when turning their landscapes into functional ecosystems. Doug Tallamy addresses 500 of the most frequently asked questions about ecological landscaping. Topics include biodiversity, invasive species control, native vs. non-native plants, oak biology, monarch butterflies, urban habitat restoration, and more.

Community Tree Planting at Mount Olivet
2025-10-16 08:30 - 12:00 | Mount Olivet Cemetary, 300 Bladensburg Road NE, Washington, DC, 20002
(DC) (Casey Trees) Join us for one of our first plantings of the season at Mount Olivet Cemetery with Forbright Bank! You provide the volunteers, we provide all the necessary tools and supplies to plant the trees. Participants will receive a hands-on training on site. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will be split up into groups supervised by a trained volunteer Team Leader and begin planting trees throughout the space.

Watershed Wednesday: Legacies of Black Culture and Resilience
2025-10-15 18:00 - 20:00 | Anacostia Watershed Society, 4302 Baltimore Ave, Bladensburg, 20710
(MD) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join Anacostia Watershed Society, Akiima Price, and Fred Tutman for an evening of community and conversation about the Black legacies and futures of both the Anacostia and Patuxent Rivers. The conversation will be moderated by Lindsay Allen, AWS’ Community Outreach Manager. Light snacks and drinks will be provided.

Symposium on Spatial Approaches in Conservation (Virtual)
2025-10-15 11:30 - 13:30 | MD
(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Federal, State and local government authorities charged with conservation of our biodiversity and natural resources have limited means, which forces them to prioritize their interventions. The same applies for NGOs, foundations and private organizations that are active in conservation. Geographical Information Systems (GIS) are an important tool for spatial targeting of conservation efforts. However, using GIS effectively is not a trivial undertaking.
The planned webinar will provide examples for GIS applications in different settings (all on locations in NOVA) and offer participants an opportunity to learn from these examples, ask questions and build relationships with other organizations that could help them better achieve their goals.

Freshwater Mussel Survey at Kenilworth Lake
2025-10-15 10:00 - 12:00 | Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, 20019, United States
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Volunteers will join AWS for a wild freshwater mussel survey at 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.
More AWS events can be found here.

2025 H20 Summit
2025-10-14 12:00 - 16:00 | M-NCPPC Wheaton Headquarters, 2425 Reedie Drive, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Montgomery County) The 2025 H2O Summit is a dynamic event that brings together environmental professionals and advocates from across the county. This event offers a unique opportunity to learn from leading local experts in various fields, connect with like-minded individuals to advance protections for our precious water resources, and explore innovative ways to make our waterways more resilient.

Fall Leaf Print Workshop
2025-10-13 16:30 - 18:00 | Potomac Overlook Regional Park, 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, 22207, United States
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Capture the colors of the season in this new nature art class just for adults! Participants will have the opportunity to learn a little more about the different types of hardwood trees that call Potomac Overlook home, then use some of their fallen leaves to create unique mono-prints using gel plates and acrylic paint.

Invasive Plant Removal at Broad Branch
2025-10-13 10:00 - 12:00 | MD
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Rock Creek 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. This event is part of an area-wide volunteer-powered effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 hours prior to the event.

Volunteer Day at Dumbarton Oaks Park
2025-10-13 09:00 - 13:00 | Dumbarton Oaks Park, Lover's Lane and R Street NW, Washington, DC, 20007, United States
(DC) (Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy) Help DOPC conserve and restore this jewel in the middle of the city in DC.

Bird Sit at Red Gate Park
2025-10-13 08:00 - 12:00 | Red Gate Park, 14500 Avery Road, Rockville, MD, 20853, United States
(MD) (DC Bird Alliance) We’re getting together with the Montgomery Bird Club (MBC) for a different kind of birding … a bird sit! Grab your lawn chairs and your blankets and we’ll observe all the birds we can from 8AM to noon while sitting or standing in a 17-foot diameter circle. Drop in for a while or stay the whole time. See you outside!

Our good friend, Cintia, produced a beautiful documentary all about Red Gate Park and how the community used its collective voice to speak on behalf of birds and their habitats, and people! Learn more and watch it here.

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows
2025-10-13 08:00 - 10:00 | 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.

Weed Warrior Workday at Long Branch
2025-10-12 13:00 - 15:00 | Sligo Creek Stream Valley Park, Sligo Creek Trail, Long Branch Stream Valley Park, Long Branch Trail, 20700 Martinsburg Rd, Dickerson, MD, 20842, United States
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join James, Weed Warrior Supervisor, for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Long Branch Stream Valley Unit 1 (between Piney Branch Rd and Carroll Ave), in Takoma Park, MD. More details, including the exact meeting location, will be emailed to you after you register.
We will focus on non-native, invasive vines, especially porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata).Native Virginia creeper and poison ivy are also present and beneficial, so we will avoid those.

Mushroom Fair at Brookside
2025-10-12 12:00 - 17:00 | Brookside Gardens, 1800 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD, 20902, United States
(MD) (Mycological Society of Washington) Join us for a day of forays and fun at Brookside Gardens Sunday October 12, from 12 pm to 5 pm. Open to the general public, the 2025 MAW Mushroom Fair will feature several mushroom-themed demonstrations, including a walkthrough of interesting mushroom specimens by our club’s expert identifiers, spore microscopy, mycelial sculpting, mushroom cultivation and more. This family-friendly event will also feature kids’ activities, including a trio of mushroom-themed books read by the author (MAW’s own AD Gray).
Mushroom walks will depart every half hour to explore the grounds of Brookside Gardens and Wheaton Regional Park.
