Capital Nature

(MD) (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) (DC Bird Alliance) Join DC Bird Alliance for a very special bird walk in Rock Creek Park  that invites us to discover — or rediscover — what it means to be a birder. Together with Susan West Montgomery, certified forest bathing guide, we’ll slow down, cultivate curiosity, and experience birds and nature more fully. This walk blends gentle bird ...

(DC) (Goombay DC) This urban hike blends storytelling, interactive art & photography as we learn the value of DC's green spaces and waterways that keep our river ecosystems healthy.

(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) (Mycological Association of Washington DC) Join us at Mount Rainier Nature Center to bring your mushroom samples at 10:00 am or at 1:00 pm to ask questions about our process or anything fungi. The experts are excited to answer your questions! If you are bringing samples to us, please ensure that the samples have been properly documented on iNaturalist, and ...

(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) Hike through the winter woods to learn some useful tips for identifying winter trees. Afterwards, appreciate season's beauty with a fun winter-themed craft. Ages 4 to Adult.

(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) (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.  

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join Us This President's Day for a Bird Walk with DC Bird Alliance! We are back for another round of winter birding. Learn about bird behavior, identification tips, and local bird populations from experienced guides. Last month, we saw woodpeckers, phoebes, and even a resident eagle! With bare trees and clear sightlines, we're sure to spot ...

(DC) (Friends of the National Arboretum) Join us for a birding workshop led by the 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. Highlights: Wildlife Photography Tips: Learn to capture stunning images of wildlife using cell phones and cameras. Biodiversity Documentation: Discover ...

(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. This event is part of an area-wide volunteer-powered effort to help rescue our ...

(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) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy free garden admission and a guided walk around Meadowlark Botanical Gardens' 95 acres on Tuesdays. Each 75-minute walk will be over uneven, hilly terrain, have a positive focus, and include a silent, meditative portion and a few interesting facts from our docent along the way. Ages 18 + This is a drop-in program.

(MD) (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center) Former Senator Gerald Winegrad has devoted himself to environmental causes for 56 years, including Chesapeake Bay restoration. He represented the SERC area in the Maryland legislature for 16 years. In this talk, he will examine the results of 42 years of formal efforts to restore the Bay in which he was intricately involved, winning many ...

(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) (Hillwood) Jarett Currin, greenhouse grower, shares a preview of Hillwood's fabulous spring and summer blooms on this thirty-minute behind-the-scenes tour of Hillwood's production greenhouse. Enjoy the warmth of the greenhouse while getting a sneak peek of plants being grown for Hillwood's beautiful spring and summer garden displays.

(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) (Hillwood) In this third program in the Great Homes and Gardens lecture series, Douglas Hamilton Jr. and Norman Barker will give a lecture on their book: Tashiding: Beyond Earth and Sky, The Gardens of Douglas & Tsognie Hamilton. The lecture will give an exquisite tour of the Hamilton property and gardens, exploring its varied influences, including the family histories and ...

(DC) (Synchronous Pictures) Be among the first to experience In Our Nature, a powerful new documentary exploring how environmental education - and the people who teach with it - can help bridge some of our deepest divides and foster resilience, belonging, and community. This special Washington, D.C. premiere brings together educators, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and community members for an evening ...

(MD) (Natural History Society of Maryland) Insects are exothermic. External forces control their internal temperatures. So what happens in winter? How do insects make it through to spring? In this very special Must Learn Thursday, we learn from two experts, Dr. Mike Raupp and Dr. Max Ferlauto. Each will share information on the strategies insects employ and what we can do to ensure they ...

(DC) (Hillwood) Jarett Currin, greenhouse grower, shares a preview of Hillwood's fabulous spring and summer blooms on this thirty-minute behind-the-scenes tour of Hillwood's production greenhouse. Enjoy the warmth of the greenhouse while getting a sneak peek of plants being grown for Hillwood's beautiful spring and summer garden displays.

(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) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. Explore the wonders of our natural world through nature walks, interactive activities and animal presentations. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Not intended for children under 5.

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join Northern Virginia Bird Alliance guides Robin and Luke for a winter birding outing at Lake Audubon! Birders of all experience levels are welcome. The planned walking route includes a mix of woodland trail and paved surfaces, with both flat and hilly sections.

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

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Take a hike through the woods with a naturalist to listen and look for the park’s winter avian residents and migrants. Find out what birds do to survive the winter weather. Feel free to bring your own guides, binoculars and spotting scopes. Site will have a limited number of supplies for participants to borrow for the ...

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

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) The first rule of Hike Club – have fun! Improve your fitness, make new friends, and experience trails and scenery we don’t often make time to immerse ourselves in. We welcome all ages, though young children must be able to walk at least 3 miles or be carried. Most trails are not stroller accessible and are easy ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join Weed Warrior Supervisors Greg and Kathryn for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Sligo Creek Stream Valley Unit 4 (between Forest Glen Road and University Blvd in Silver Spring). We will focus on non-native, invasive vines and shrubs, including porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata), wintercreeper (Euonymus fortunei), English ivy (Hedera helix), Japanese barberry (Berberisthunbergii), and bush honeysuckle (mainly ...

(DC) (Smithsonian) Gallop into 2026, the year of the horse, and celebrate Lunar New Year with us! This year we're hosting a festival and market pop-up at the nearby Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building (AIB). Experience cultural performances, lion dances, food, makers, and more! Plus, enjoy curator talks and tours at the museum throughout the day.

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy)  Join Rock Creek Conservancy 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.

(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 Parks) Bundle up and join us for a winter nature hike full of frosty discoveries! Ever wonder what fish do when streams freeze over? How life keeps moving under the ice? On this guided walk, we’ll explore stream ecology in winter and uncover how aquatic life—especially fish—adapts to survive the freezing temperatures, slower currents, and reduced food supply. ...

(DC) (Hillwood) Inspired by Hillwood’s newest exhibition On Time: Giving Form to the Fleeting, create an arrangement that can stand the test of time—featuring blooms that can be dried such as roses, thistle, and hydrangea—in this onsite floral workshop. All materials are included and subject to availability.

(VA) (NOVA Parks) What’s that sound? Wood frogs abound! These woodland amphibians are a welcoming sign that spring is just around the corner. See (and hear) some of these ribbeting animals at Potomac Overlook’s frog pond, and learn about a fascinating adaptation that helps them survive the cold winter. Ages 5 +

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Hike with a naturalist to the maple tree grove and learn how sugar maple sap is collected and transformed into maple syrup! This is an indoor and outdoor program on natural surface trails. All attendees must register. Inclement weather could cancel this program. Be sure to check Brooksidenature.org for day-of event status.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) You don’t need a large yard to make a big impact for wildlife. Join Laurie Dodd to learn how planting native plants can support pollinators while creating a beautiful, low-maintenance garden—whether you’re working with a backyard, patio, or balcony. This talk introduces easy-to-grow native plants that thrive in a variety of habitats and benefit bees, butterflies, ...