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) (RunJuneteenth) The Winter Trail Series is an annual event comprised of a rotating set of trail-running meetups held throughout the DC–Maryland–Virginia region. Powered by REI Co-op, the weekly trail runs will feature trail-shoe demos from several top brands--giving participants the opportunity to test gear directly on different local trails, while also offering a mix of terrain, elevation, and mileage ...

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

(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) Stop by the Smithsonian Gardens Discovery Station and explore the connective power of orchids!  Take a closer look at the amazing traits that orchids share, uncover the history of vanilla, and get inspired by the Smithsonian Gardens’ orchid collection. Our knowledgeable volunteers are happy to answer your orchid care questions. Find the Discovery Station in the exhibition The Connective ...

(DC) (Rhizome) Need a reason to get outdoors this winter? Are you wondering what trees do in the cold? This class will explore the biology and identification of trees in winter. Class is divided into two sections: 10:30am to noon will be held indoors (in-person) to learn about the characteristics that are useful for winter tree ID. We'll look at samples ...

(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Join us for a walk in the woods led by Lep Club member Eric Warner, learn how to find cocoons in nature and how to identify the moth based on the cocoon. Tips for identifying host plants in winter will also be covered, specifically for cecropia, promethea and polyphemus moths as we explore the ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Without leaves, trees suddenly become much harder to identify. Learn some tips and tricks on how to ID a tree without leaves with a ranger on this walk through the park and practice identifying some of your favorite tree species. Meet at the Nature Center and be prepared with warm clothing, layers, comfortable and sturdy shoes, ...

(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 ...

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join us and our partners at DC Bird Alliance for a Winter Crow Watch at the Shirlington roost in Arlington, VA. You’re in for a show as the crows gather here in numbers so large it actually appears on radar! Here we'll have binoculars and scopes for participants to use to view the crows as ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Cozy up with a winter weaving project for the 3rd installment of Potomac Overlook’s new adult art workshop series! Participants will transform old, worn pieces of wood into beautiful artwork using yarn and natural objects from the park. The program begins with a staff-led introduction to weaving, then the fun continues as you enjoy a hot beverage ...

(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) (Smithsonian National Zoo) Calling all budding birders! Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about birds of all types and practice our birding skills. 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.

(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) Join the National Museum of Natural History for the new series, Behind the Science, where NMNH researchers share insights into their latest discoveries and explore the fascinating questions driving their work—from the origins of life to the future of our planet. During the past 25 years, studies of insect and pathogen damage on fossil and modern leaves have ...

(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) (US Botanic Garden) Meet an orchid expert from Smithsonian Gardens or the United States Botanic Garden and learn more about this incredible plant family! This week, USBG Gardener (Advanced) George Guenthner will share tips for caring for orchids at home, including how to repot an orchid. Drop in at any time during the program and be sure to bring ...

(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.

(DC0 (Smithsonian Associates) Use collage, a highly versatile and accessible art form, to bring the bright nature of spring into your artwork. Sketch birds and nature, then combine your drawings with paint and paper, adding textures to create mixed-media art. Construct your narrative as you alter your work with a range of materials and techniques including photo transfers, layered drawings ...

(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) FrogWatch is a nationwide citizen science program that tracks frog populations throughout the United States. Participation is a fun way to learn about amphibians as well as getting to know your local wetlands and frog & toad species. In the workshop you will learn how to identify frog and toad calls and how to ...

(DMV) (Audubon and Cornell Lab) Embrace the joy of birds by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) taking place February 13-16, 2026. This lively, beginner-friendly webinar will inspire you to deepen your connection with birds while joining a worldwide count. Join this one-hour live event to discover tips, tricks, and ideas to prepare for the GBBC, a fun ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Want to know more about orchid care and maintenance? Drop by the Conservatory's Garden Court to talk with George about orchids! Bring your questions and connect with USBG plant science professionals in this Expert Is In program.

(US) (Yale School of Environment) The Forest School at the Yale School of the Environment, the Yale Forum on Religion and Ecology, and Orion Magazine present Orion contributors and award-winning authors Ross Gay and Aimee Nezhukumatathil. The event centers on themes of love, community, commitment, responsibility, and communication, exploring the intimacy and promise of humans’ moral, spiritual, and cultural relationships ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) What are Arlington’s common wildlife? What should you do if you encounter wildlife? We'll answer these questions in an interactive online program. Adults.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This year's GreenScapes Symposium is focused on: Integrating Ecology, Beauty and Adaptability in Design. Thriving landscapes support wildlife, enhance biodiversity, and respond to environmental challenges require thoughtful design and tested practices. Hear from experts in horticulture, ecology, and design to share solutions that work—from small gardens to large public landscapes. Learn how native keystone plants and layered ...

(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 ...

(MD) (Potomac Conservancy) Join Potomac Conservancy and Friends of Sligo Creek for a trash-tastic cleanup at Sligo Creek Trail and East-West Highway (Route 410). Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a swimmable and fishable river. Polluted urban runoff is the only growing source of pollution to the river which is why ...

(MD) (Potomac Conservancy) Join Potomac Conservancy and Friends of Sligo Creek for a trash-tastic cleanup at Green Meadows Park, MD. Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a swimmable and fishable river. Polluted urban runoff is the only growing source of pollution to the river which is why we need your help. ...

(DC) (Smithsonian National Zoo) Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn how fungi and lichens are an important part of nature. 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.

(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) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Help protect native plants by pulling and clipping invasive plants. We will train volunteers to identify the five or so target plants. We kindly ask that you not bring pets. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants. Bring gloves, hand clippers and water. We will supply instructions, examples and trash bags.

(MD) (Casey Trees) Join Chesapeake Climate Action Network volunteer leaders from the Riverdale Park Green Team to remove Invasive Vines around the East Riverdale neighborhood. This event will be a fun mix of door-to-door canvassing and invasive vine removal.

(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods every second Saturday of the month to restore Shepherd Parkway by removing trash and invasive vines that are smothering the trees. Since 2011, over 2,000 volunteers have removed over 200 tons of trash from the woods and cut invasive vines from over 500 trees, but much work remains to be done. Give back ...

(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 ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a storytelling adventure rooted in nature and connection. Discover how landscapes, plants and animals have inspired folktales from different traditions. Enjoy heartwarming stories about kindness, friendship and togetherness, then collaborate to craft your own nature-inspired tale to take home. Ages 8 to Adult.

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Ever wonder how some native furry friends survive the chilly winter weather outside? Register the whole family and learn the difference between hibernation vs. brumation and the science behind why and how animals sleep safely in the cold.  You’ll make and take home a rabbit friend and learn how to help them get ready to hibernate. Ages 5+.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Share the wonder of winter stars with someone special during our romantic Valentine’s stargazing adventure. This enchanting evening stroll combines astronomy education with Valentine’s Day Magic. Create lasting memories as families explore the night sky together, learning about the cosmos while enjoying quality time under the stars. This evening adventure concludes with hot cocoa and Valentine’s ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Enjoy a peaceful adults only visit to the nature center for Valentine’s Day. Meet animals and learn about their dating and mating habits.  A fun activity and a special treat complete your nature-themed holiday celebration. Each attendee must register individually. Adults.