Capital Nature

(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 ...

(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) (National Park Service) Join us at Kenilworth Park & Aquatic Gardens  to remove woody invasive shrubs and vines in the park to protect native ecosystems. Park at the parking lot on Deane Ave NE near Kenilworth Track, then walk to the dirt path that leads to the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail to meet a representative from the NPS Invasive Plant ...

(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 ...

(MD) (Wild Ones) Kit Sheffield, a Virginia Master Naturalist, will be speaking on "Native Ferns".  Sheffield leads fern-related hikes and has been featured on gardening podcasts.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Designed as a tranquil, rejuvenating retreat for the end of the day, a moon garden comes to life at twilight and into the night. Discover with Green Spring horticulturist, Pam Smith, how to cultivate this serene space with plants that glow softly in the dark and foliage that shimmers in the moonlight. Ages 16 to Adult.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Enjoy nature's tranquil beauty and the night sky under a full moon. Your naturalist guide points out signs of creatures that glide, fly and tiptoe through the woods in the dark. Enjoy a campfire after the hike with s'mores provided. Ages 6 to Adult.

(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.  

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Celebrate World Wetlands Day by joining park naturalist and artist Margaret Wohler on a hike to learn about the vital role wetlands play while identifying plants and animals. Learn drawing techniques to enhance your wetland observation skills. Drawing supplies included. Ages 10 to Adult.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Nature doesn’t sleep once the sun goes down. Go for a walk with us to see who is out and about after sunset. Join us for a post-sunset stroll where we’ll look and listen for owls.

(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Many people know how to identify trees by their leaves, but what about when those leaves have fallen or are out of reach? In this two-part course with Michael Wojtech, you will learn about a system for noticing the beautiful variety of bark characteristics and for using these traits to identify tree species in ...

(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. ...

(VA) (EcoAction Arlington) Please join EcoAction Arlington for an intimate luncheon to raise money for our tree canopy equity initiative. At this luncheon, we will celebrate our first three years increasing tree canopy in Arlington in 13 target neighborhoods and our goal to make green spaces accessible to every community member, regardless of where they live. This event will bring ...

(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 ...

(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.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Are you interested in birding? Do you want to be part of a national community science project? Then, join us for Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a seasonal community science project, where participants count the different species of birds that flock to a bird feeder. All levels of birders are welcome. This project meets weekly on Thursdays ...

(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) (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) (Fairfax County Parks) Sip hot cocoa and join a naturalist for a special winter wonder wetland tour after dark. We will look for signs and listen for sounds of beavers, owls, deer and other nocturnal winter animals. Participants are encouraged to bring their own mug to help us reduce waste. Ages 4 to Adult.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for the magic of the full moon for a hike and campfire on each Friday nearest to the full moon. Feel free to bring your own hotdogs to warm over the fire and we’ll provide marshmallows. The program will be mainly outdoors with a hiking component. All hikes will be on natural surface trails.

(MD) (Capital Photography Center) Join us on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with Kim Kelly as we explore Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge. This sanctuary has over 32,000 acres of diverse habitats attracting waterfowl and other birds along the Atlantic Flyway. Winter months can be awesome for photographing birds and wildlife in the DMV area. At this time of year, the eagles are ...

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join DC Bird Alliance for a winter bird walk through Kingman and Heritage Islands!

(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 ...

(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) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and Montgomery Parks for a litter removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Trash is the visible form of stormwater pollution, a major threat to water quality and park health and its removal makes the parklands cleaner, safer, and more beautiful for all. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from ...

(DC) (District Department of Energy and the Environment) Join DOEE staff to remove invasive plants on and near Kingman + Heritage Islands and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail. DOEE will provide tools, gloves, and instruction. Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants, and bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray.

(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods every first Saturday of the month to restore Suitland Parkway by removing trash and invasive vines that are smothering the trees. Since 2018, Ward 8 Woods Park Stewards and volunteers have removed more than 300 tons of trash from the woods of Suitland Parkway and cut vines from more than 1,000 trees. On ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Are you interested in starting your own native plants, even if you don’t have a greenhouse? Then join us to make your own native seed winter sowing containers. We will provide the materials, and you choose the seeds to try. Stop in any time during the program.

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Love is in the air… and literally for these beautiful birds of prey! See live raptors, learn about their mating habits during breeding season, and have your picture taken with a live bird of prey. Age 6+.