Capital Nature

(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.

(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Join us on a search for birds at the Algonkian Regional Park in eastern Loudoun County. This bird walk takes place each month. With extensive frontage along the Potomac River, its rich bottomland forests, extensive wetlands and grassy areas combine to make it Loudoun’s top birding hotspot. Bring binoculars if you have them.

(DC) (National Park Service) We invite you to join a National Park Service volunteer birder for an engaging bird walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. This event is open to all, including those new to birding.  A limited number of binoculars are available for loan with a photo ID. We will gather in front of the visitor center. The walk will ...

(VA) (Earth Sangha) Help Earth Sangha clean and prepare native seeds for spring planting. Seed cleaning will take place every Sunday through the winter.

(MD) (Garrett County Arts Council)“For the Love of Birds” is an installation piece that incorporates The National Audubon Society’s climate report: Survival by Degrees: 389 Birds on the Brink and artwork curated by curated by Caroline Blizzard and Julie Turrentine. The art exhibit tells the story of how birds will be affected by climate change, with different habitats illustrated through ...

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Experience breathtaking bird images by DC Bird Alliance photographers at the new La Galerie on K at the Capital Hilton. See local birds and birds captured during travel by DCBA members. On view through February.    

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) This engaging session is ideal for nature enthusiasts of all levels, designed to enrich your birdwatching experience with a special focus on photography: Wildlife Photography Tips: Learn to capture stunning images of wildlife using cell phones and cameras. Biodiversity Documentation: Discover how to edit and submit photos to platforms like iNaturalist and eBird. Photo Management: Get ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Danna McCormick and Friends of Pierce Mill 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.

(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 ...

(VA) (Arlington Regional Master Naturalists)  ARMN Park Stewards and National Park Service Weed Warriors welcome volunteers to help us restore native habitat and stamp out invasive non-native plants on Theodore Roosevelt Island. This work is vitally important to protecting the island’s natural areas, including plants that have co-evolved with birds and other local wildlife over thousands of years that are ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Individual and family volunteers can join a cleanup hosted by Montgomery Parks and partner organizations! Volunteers will help remove litter from a park, trail, or stream. Volunteers must stay with the group and follow safety guidelines.

(MD) (Nature Forward) Not all herbaceous plants disappear in the winter. Many persist as dried stalks and seed clusters creating lovely, dramatic forms throughout open landscapes. Join a naturalist for an indoor/outdoor introduction to winter weed and wildflower identification at our Woodend Sanctuary. We’ll also investigate seed dispersal strategies and examine plant skeletons for signs of summer insect activity, such ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Meridian Hill Park, colloquially referred to as Malcolm X Park, is known for its beauty, art, recreation, First Amendment space, and illustrious history. Drop by our pop-up table located near the Joan of Arc statue to learn some quick history of the park, or attend the walking tour at 3 pm when you'll have the chance ...

(DC) (Student Conservation Association) SCA is hosting the MLK Day of Service clean-up event at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Join us for a massive clean-up at one of the most biodiverse natural areas in the nation’s capital.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Save the trees, celebrate celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, and protect the Sligo Creek watershed. Join Weed Warrior Supervisors Greg and Kathryn for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Sligo Creek Stream Valley Unit 4. We will focus on non-native, invasive vines and shrubs, including porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata), wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), ...

(DC) (Dumbarton Oaks Park Conservancy) Join the Conservancy for a day of service and stewardship at beautiful Dumbarton Oaks Park.

(DC) (Anacostia Riverkeeper) Ring in the New Year with Anacostia Riverkeeper at our annual MLK Day of Service cleanup! Rain or Shine. All supplies provided. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing you can get dirty that will protect you from the brush. This cleanup is in partnership with Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance and funded by Washington Gas.

(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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service while saving the trees and the meadow. Join Montgomery Parks Vegetation Management Staff for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday. We will focus on non-native, invasive vines and shrubs, including porcelainberry, wintercreeper, English ivy, roundleaf bittersweet, winged burning bush, and bush honeysuckle. 

(DC) (Living Classrooms) Join the Kingman Rangers for a community cleanup honoring Dr. King’s legacy and help protect the Anacostia Watershed through collective action!

(DC) (Soul Trak) Every quarter, Soul Trak hosts a Service Event dedicated to beautifying our local parks and waterways. We are coming back to Marvin Gaye Park where we have hiked, repaired bikes, and led clean ups before, to revisit the park and help divert trash from entering the Anacostia River. We invite community members to join us!

(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Potomac Riverkeeper Network and Friends of Dyke Marsh will host a clean-up to address trash pollution in Dyke Marsh. Join us! The clean-up will run along the entire Dyke Marsh boardwalk.

(DC) (Casey Trees) Celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. through a day of service at Oxon Run Park, hosted by Chesapeake Climate Action Network, DC Greens, Friends of Oxon Run, and Casey Trees. As a part of a nationwide effort, the MLK Day of Service is a great opportunity to give back to our communities, from helping ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Make a difference in your community on Martin Luther King Jr. Day! Volunteers are needed to help clear out invasive plants and vines that are keeping our local plants and animals from thriving. Come dressed for the weather, with sturdy footwear, and be prepared to get dirty. Adults.

(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.

(VA) (Alexandria Library) Jump start your new year with us as we chat with journalist and author Julia Hotz about her book The Connection Cure: The Prescriptive Power of Movement, Nature, Art, Service, and Belonging. By integrating age-old medicines like art, nature, movement, and volunteer service into patient’s daily lives, social prescriptions are radically changing health and healthcare in more ...

(DC) (Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena) Join the Winter fun at Canal Park Ice Rink! Public skating sessions are available seven days a week during the winter. Sessions are 90 minutes long, with a break at the half-way point to resurface the ice. The rink is open through March 2nd. Daily hours vary.

(DMV) (Capital Nature) Join renowned local naturalist Alonso Abugattas, the Capital Naturalist, for a fascinating talk on trees during the winter months. Evergreens like American Hollies and Eastern Cedars provide life-sustaining food and shelter to birds and other wildlife, and reward us with sightings of refreshing green and red. Deciduous trees reveal stunning winter forms while they gather strength for ...

(MD) (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center) Half a century ago, scientists believed the last black-footed ferrets—the only ferrets native to North America—had gone extinct. Today, their recovery marks one of the most hopeful conservation stories of the 20th and 21st centuries. In a free Smithsonian webinar, discover how this endangered species rebounded with Paul Marinari, a retired biologist with the Smithsonian’s National ...

(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 ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) GREAT NEWS! Now garden guests may enjoy Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with their favorite canines every Wednesday for Pup Stroll Wednesdays. On Wednesdays, during regular daytime hours, leashed dogs are welcome in the gardens. (Only service dogs are permitted on other days.) Please note: Garden admission ends at 6:30pm.

(DC) (Department of Parks and Recreation) Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Participants will enjoy group walking around the neighborhood, around the park, or just ...

(VA) (Northern Virginia Regional Commission) Join the Northern Virginia Regional Commission (NVRC) and Interstate Commission for the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) to learn how winter salt impacts our environment, why it’s a growing regional concern, and the simple steps you can take at home—before, during, and after storms—to apply just the right amount of salt to maintain safety in the ...

(US) (Wild Ones) Robin Wall Kimmerer, author, botanist, and founder of Plant Baby Plant, and Esther Bonney, youth organizer and founder of Nurture Natives will draw on their work in education, storytelling, and youth leadership in “Intergenerational Care for Land and Community“ to explore how people of all ages can take part in the native plant movement through shared learning, relationships, ...

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Climate breakdown is already having significant effects on the natural environment, including serious impacts on bird populations. Bill Young will present an overview about how birds are likely to be affected in the future and which ones are likely to be best or least able to deal with the impending changes. The course is intended ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) Celebrate the vast and varied insect world through the pages of early natural history books from the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives. Dazzling Diversity provides a glimpse into the wealth of recorded scientific knowledge in these books, and the continuing relevance of historical science to contemporary biodiversity research. It offers a snapshot of different classes of ...

(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Researchers utilize a biochemical technique called clearing and staining to create skeletal images of vertebrates. This makes biological specimens transparent while simultaneously highlighting specific structures. Dr. Noah Bressman blends this scientific technique, photography, and digital effects to highlight the beauty within fish anatomy. He will discuss how he makes his unique neon skeletons, major ...

(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Our local amphibians and reptiles are both susceptible to habitat destruction and pollutants and can often be victims of being misunderstood. Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for an introductory look at our local amphibians and reptiles, what our citizens can do to help protect their habitats, and what related programs are available through Loudoun Wildlife to help ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Join the National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management Team to remove invasive shrubs and vines to make room for native flora and fauna on the island. We will meet at the Pedestrian Bridge, located on the Virginia side of the island. No skills or prior knowledge are required for these events. Volunteers who sign up will receive an ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Bring your little ones to learn about the forest and how to explore nature in RockC reek Park! This program includes books, animal puppets, magnifying glasses, and a very short hike. During the walk, children are encouraged to search for shapes and colors and use their senses to explore the forest. Recommended for families with children ...

(DC) (Department of Parks and Recreation) Just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. It can also reduce your risk of developing conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers. Participants will enjoy group walking around the neighborhood, around the park, or just ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Carnivorous plants like those in the genus Utricularia have evolved fascinating adaptations to capture prey and thrive in challenging environments. Join Executive Director Dr. Susan Pell in conversation with student researchers Jamie Lubov and Alex Risdal as they share their studies of this extraordinary group of plants!  These discoveries open a window into an interconnected plant ...

(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.

(VA) (Northern Virginia Regional Commission) This session is tailored for HOA and other community association residents, board members, community managers, and maintenance team members. Gain best practices and information for efficient winter salt use, contractor coordination, and strategies to reduce environmental damage while maintaining profitability and setting winter maintenance expectations.

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Flying squirrels are found throughout the wooded neighborhoods of Arlington, but are seldom seen. Join us after dark to learn about these nocturnal creatures. Dress for the weather, we will venture out into the cold night to look for wild flying squirrels. Families.

(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Don your downiest coat and channel duck resilience on this cruise to find wintering waterfowl on the Patuxent River. We will be on the lookout for bufflehead, canvasback, ruddy duck, greater and lesser scaup, common goldeneye, ring-necked duck, wood duck, American wigeon, black duck, common loon, American coot, dunlin, and horned lark. Alex Pellegrini, ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Woodpeckers are keystone species which help many other forest animals by excavating holes in trees. Learn about our six local species, their lifestyles and adaptations. The two sessions include a hike, natural history information, drawing tips, journal page ideas and making a whimsical woodpecker creation. Ages 16 +. This is Session 1. The next session will ...

(DC) (Washington Area Bicyclist Association) Calling all cyclists! Join the DC Trail Rangers and the Chesapeake Climate Action Network for an invasive vine removal and a bike ride. On the fourth Saturday of each month we meet up at the Fields at RFK lot 6 at 10am for an ecological ride on the Anacostia River Trail. We will be clearing ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Bundle up and step into the role of a Winter Wildlife Detective! Explore real pelts and tracks from Rock Creek Park animals—like foxes, coyotes, raccoons, and even sleepy woodchucks—and uncover the secrets they leave behind in the snow. Through hands-on discovery and fun clue-hunting questions, kids learn how animals stay warm, find food, and survive the ...

(MD) (Garrett County Arts Council)“For the Love of Birds” is an installation piece that incorporates The National Audubon Society’s climate report: Survival by Degrees: 389 Birds on the Brink and artwork curated by curated by Caroline Blizzard and Julie Turrentine. The art exhibit tells the story of how birds will be affected by climate change, with different habitats illustrated through ...

(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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Journey through millions of years of evolution in this fascinating lecture by Raymond Carter, Brookside Gardens Staff. Discover how the plant, fungi and animal kingdoms co-evolved to create the complex ecosystems we know today. Afterward, enjoy a guided tour of the conservatory, where living examples reveal the remarkable adaptations shaped by time and environment.

(DC) (Rock Creek Park) Come and enjoy a ranger-led program in the only planetarium in the National Park Service! The Stellar Star Show will be a 30-minute ranger-led program about the planets and the night sky.   

(DC) (National Gallery of Art) The beloved winter tradition returns to the National Gallery of Art! Enjoy the beauty of the Sculpture Garden, festive displays and winter refreshments through March 2nd. The ice rink is open 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday through Thursday, and 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday. Skating sessions begin on the hour and ...

(DC) (Friends of Fort Dupont Ice Arena) Join the Winter fun at Canal Park Ice Rink! Public skating sessions are available seven days a week during the winter. Sessions are 90 minutes long, with a break at the half-way point to resurface the ice. The rink is open through March 2nd. Daily hours vary.

(DC) (National Park Service) Does a cold winter’s day in Washington have you picturing furtive meetings between shadowy characters under overcast skies? Running along Embassy Row, Rock Creek Park has been the site of spy stories and neighbor to many spies. Join a Park Ranger for a 2.5 mile hike through Rock Creek and learn the story of spies in ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Flowers can be hard to find outdoors in the middle of winter. While most wait for warmer days when their pollinators emerge, there are some plant species that flower in the cold. In this program, enjoy a hike through Winkler Botanical Preserve to look for signs of flowers blooming in the cold, learn about plants that bloom ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) You can learn a lot from an animal’s skull and bones…you just need to know what to look for! In this brand-new offering, dissect an owl pellet to uncover and construct the skeleton inside, explore the features of different skulls and learn how to identify their species, measure the bite and grip forces these animals can exert, ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores! (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate & graham crackers).

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Examine the sophisticated structural engineering found in animal constructions from beaver dams to bird nests and insect colonies. Discover how these natural building techniques inspire modern architectural innovations and sustainable design solutions. This interactive program explores the intersection of biological systems and human engineering through hands-on biomimicry investigations. Ages 5 to Adult.