Capital Nature

(MD) (DC Bird Alliance) It's cold! But we know it's the best time for visiting waterfowl and we might catch some winter ducks at this favorite DMV hotspot. So, throw on your layers and meet us outside! Join us for a bird walk at the only wildlife refuge established to support wildlife research.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Learn about the park's birds and some basic identification skills. This program for beginners starts with a bird identification discussion. Children age 12 to 16 must be accompanied by a registered adult. More Fairfax County Parks nature events can be found here.

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service and Weed Warrior Leader Ella Engstrom 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 ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Identify some of Fairfax County's common invasive plant species. Explore ways to lessen these plants around your home. 8 to Adult. More Fairfax County Parks events can be found here.

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Trees are amazing, even in the winter when there are no leaves, and each species has cool stories to tell. Come take a hike with us to learn about these frozen treasures of our forest. We won't need leaves to tell them apart when trees can be identified by bark, buds, and hidden colors. Adults. Teens age ...

(VA) (Northern Virginia Conservation Trust) Join us for an event uplifting the voices of conservationists of diverse backgrounds. You'll get to read and listen to passages about those who have dedicated their lives to safeguarding nature. Our NVCT Conservationists of Color Read-a-Thon will be back at Busboys & Poets in Shirlington this year. Sign up to read a passage or ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Enjoy a late afternoon walk to learn why winter is the best time to go owl-ing. During a story reading, learn to identify local owl calls, discover why owls are nicknamed flying tigers of the night and enjoy a woodland stroll. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered in the class. Ages ...

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) The Winter Waterfowl Count is a citizen science effort organized by Northern Virginia Bird Alliance to track data about winter waterfowl. it will take place Feb 1st and 2nd. This survey complements the Christmas Bird Count, and the data is shared openly with the public. Although we expect many veterans from past years to return, ...

(MD) (Maryland Native Plant Society) Even in the leafless landscapes of winter, there is still plenty of features to explore on our native plants, especially trees! During this presentation, we will discuss how to identify woody plants using buds, stems, lenticels, leaf scars, bark, and more! We will focus on terminology related to these features and then apply them to ...

The W Connection, a national widows support network, is hosting Ana Ka'ahanui for their monthly wellness webinar. Ana will discuss nature connection and the practice of shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing.

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) If you would like to discover native birds, other fauna and flora — in the company of dedicated citizen scientists — then consider joining this outing! Many know Northern Virginia for its economic dynamism, cultural development and ever-changing landscape.  Less well known are the places sheltering remnants of an earlier, vital, natural history.  If you ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This isn’t your average walk in the woods. Scamper like a squirrel, balance like a billy goat, and run like a rabbit through the park. We’ll be on and off the trail as we go on a hiking adventure. Wear shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Be sure to sign up 24 hours ahead so ...

(DC) (Chesapeake Climate Action Network) Join Meredith and fellow volunteers to canvass and remove invasive vines at The Parks at Historic Walter Reed in Washington, DC. We will meet in the Great Lawn at the Parks at Historic Walter Reed Hospital at 2pm. We will spend the first 15 minutes doing a training on invasive vines and best practices for ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Summer may still be months away, but it’s never too early to explore the natural world! Sign up for this special one day of camp and participate in plenty of winter-themed games, activities, and more as we get out into the park! A perfect intro for any young naturalists interested in our summer camp offerings as well. ...

(DC) (National Zoo) Bring your little zoogoer for a wild time as we explore animals and nature through creative, drop-in play! 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. Parents and guardians must remain with their children. Find more Smithsonian cultural and nature ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Where did our wildlife go? Turtles can’t fly south… can they? What about butterflies, worms and beetles? Come take a walk with a naturalist in search of signs of where they are during the cold of winter and how they survive being outside all winter long. Ages 6 to 10. Find more Arlington Parks nature and stewardship ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Some of the best times to identify birds is when the trees have no leaves and there aren't any obstacles in the way of your view! In this hike we will learn about our resident birds that stay with us year-round. Dress for the weather. We will provide binoculars, but you can bring your own. Families. Find ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Park) 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. Event location, directions, and information will be sent ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Have your kids join us in making these fun pinecone bird feeders full of healthy treats for our outdoor bird and squirrel friends! The easy recipe is great to do at home as well! Ages 6 to 10. Find more Arlington Parks nature and stewardship events here.

(DC) (Smithsonian Asian Art Museum) Meditation helps us build a relationship to a place of inner quietude. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled practitioner, join us for free online meditation sessions each week led by DC-based meditation teachers on Tuesdays and Fridays. Friday sessions include inspiration from art in the museum collections, much of which is inspired by nature, ...

(MD) (Sierra Club) Join us on a 5.3-mile loop trail near Greenbelt, Maryland where we will walk the perimeter trail around Greenbelt Park. The park is run by the National Park Service and boasts the closest campground in proximity to Washington, DC. We will rendezvous in the parking lot of the Sweetgum Picnic Area at 9 am. The hike will ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful!  Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed.  Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed.  Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Ages 9 + ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Learn about plant propagation in our state-of-the-art greenhouse facilities. You’ll discover how to produce your own houseplants inexpensively and easily from start to finish. We’ll review the best techniques and plants to propagate from cuttings. Participants will get to take a few potted cuttings to grow at home. Instructor: Nate Roehrich, Brookside Gardens staff. Find more Montgomery ...

(MD) (Maryland Native Plant Society) All trees do not look alike in winter! We'll learn the basics of plant identification using winter keys and field guides, then take a hike to use our knowledge (so make sure you bring outdoor weather clothes). This program is designed for those with little or no experience and will focus on twigs, buds, and ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) In the heart of winter, find solace and connect more deeply with the unique resilience of trees that this season reveals. This mindful nature connection experience with a certified forest bathing guide, Ilana Rubin, will help you discover the subtle yet profound beauty of silhouetted tree trunks, textured bark, and the buds that already hold the promise ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Bring a clean, empty, plastic bottle to make a bird feeder. We discuss tips for feeding birds and learn to identify common birds that visit home bird feeders. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Ages 2 to Adult. More Fairfax County Parks nature events can be found ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Explore Walney Creek with a naturalist to meet some of the small creek critters (macroinvertebrates) that call it home. Learn why so many different types of macroinvertebrates are active in winter streams. The naturalist will demonstrate winter collecting and participants can help pick, sort and learn to identify these magnificent critters. Ages 8 to Adult. More ...

(DC) (Studio Gallery) Join Studio Gallery and artists Wayne Paige and Judy Bonderman for the opening of their shows: "Wild" and "Fantasy Woods." Paige taps into his childhood imagination to explore a wild world of beings. Bonderman explores the decay of a felled tree in her digital media works. Also opening is "Reclamation" by multiple artists. Studio Gallery is open ...