Capital Nature

(DC) (National Park Service) Join a park ranger for a 1.5-hour relaxed kayak tour through the stories of the Georgetown Waterfront — where centuries of change flow beneath your paddle. Explore the land’s roots as a First Peoples village    Drift by a bustling colonial port and Civil War hub  Learn about the experiences of free and enslaved people  Glide past echoes of ...

(DC) (US National Arboretum) Viewing stone lovers find inspiration in the traditional stones found and displayed in China and Japan. These small natural objects encourage contemplation of larger landscape scenes, objects in nature, and abstract images. Challenge your imagination by comparing the variety of stones on view in this exhibition. Members of the Potomac Viewing Stone Group, a regional organization ...

(DC) (Living Classrooms) Join the Kingman Island Rangers and the Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) Trail Rangers to remove trash on and near Kingman + Heritage Islands and the Anacostia Riverwalk Trail before it makes its way into the Anacostia River. We will provide pickers, gloves, bags and instruction. Please wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Please also bring a ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us at Glencarlyn Park to improve habitat, meet fellow do-gooders, get exercise, and learn about native plants and wildlife all while making a difference in the great outdoors! Adults, teens, and families ages 8 and up.

(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 7 a.m. April through September. 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) (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. ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) A world of wonder takes flight as Montgomery Parks’ popular Butterfly Experience returns to Brookside Gardens. Visitors will be surrounded by hundreds of brilliant butterflies from the Americas, Africa, and Asia as they flutter among vibrant, lush tropical blooms. This intimate experience offers rare, up-close encounters while trained staff and volunteers highlight the stages of metamorphosis, the ...

(DC) (Anacostia Riverkeeper) Learn about the Anacostia River’s history, wildlife, environmental threats it faces, and solutions helping it realize its full potential. Each participant must fill out this Waiver linked here. Waivers must be completed PRIOR to boarding the boat.

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, the U.S. Botanic Garden will bloom with the flowers each U.S. state and territory has chosen as their official flower. Explore the display throughout the Garden that will showcase the state and territory flowers with living plants, artistic displays, botanical illustrations, and herbarium specimens. Associated educational programs will be offered throughout ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Kick up your boots and get ready to move with Dance Nights in the Barn! Join us for an upbeat, high-energy evening where dancers of all skill levels can learn classic and modern dances in a welcoming, rustic setting. Our instructor will guide you step-by-step, making it easy to jump in – whether you’re a seasoned dancer ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Do you want to connect with nature but you’re not sure how to get started? Do you want to be more present outside and escape the distractions of the modern era? Take a junior naturalist hike with a ranger and learn how to observe and study the natural world around you as you hike between ½ ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Seek the sounds and sights of the summer songbirds. Bring binoculars or use one of ours. No experience needed. Teens 12+ welcome to attend with a registered adult.

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join us for extended evening hours on the third Thursday of each month. The Conservatory will stay open until 8 p.m. for visitors to explore the USBG plant collection while enjoying live music and refreshments at our four extended evening hour events. Tonight, enjoy live music by Breonna Sharde’ as you explore the Conservatory. Breonna blends soul, ...

(MD) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for a 1-hour Anacostia River boat tour to explore the ecological and historical changes that have occurred in the river and in the communities around the river. We will have the opportunity to witness some of the restoration of river habitats and how it has caused the rebound of the wildlife.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Hike through the shady woods to escape the heat. Learn about the forest habitat and its residents. Bring a friend, niece, or grandparent. Hike will be on natural surface trails for approximately 2 miles. All attendees must register.

(DC) (Living Classrooms) Join DOEE, Living Classrooms, and your neighbors for FrogWatch, a community science program. Through FrogWatch volunteers collect and submit data on calling frogs and toads in ponds and wetlands around Kingman + Heritage Islands throughout the spring and summer. FrogWatch events take place 30 min after sunset and will last for two hours.Watch the recorded orientation video ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Come play in our backyard! Dance and run through sprinklers. Make bubbles with giant bubble wands. Splash in water play stations designed for the littlest of revelers. This is what summer is all about! Bring sunscreen, a towel and a change of clothes

(VA) (Arlington Parks) The whole family is invited to join us at the Long Branch or 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).

(DC) (Casey Trees) Join CCAN, The Langdon Park Forest Stewards, and Casey Trees to get outside and remove invasive plants! Take part in the exciting Assisted Natural Regeneration efforts happening to restore the forest at Langdon Park in NE DC. We will meet at the parking lot of the Langdon Park Rec Cente. We will start with a brief training ...

(DC) (Friends of the Arboretum) Join our nature and forest therapy guide for a forest bathing session at the National Arboretum. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses. The benefits are immense: boosted immunity, lowered blood pressure, and improved attention and mood. Our forest bathing walks are around two hours ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Come join us for a light walk through the woods to explore the diversity of the fungus kingdom, from the littlest mushrooms to giant shelf fungi, to bizarre lichens. We’ll discuss the secret lives of our fungal friends, including their ecology and identification. Teens ages 12 and up welcome to attend with a registered adult.

(VA) (Kindred Nature) (NOVA Parks) Step into calm on a gentle wander of wonder through the woodlands of Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. During this rejuvenating morning of nature therapy, we’ll slow down with sensory invitations to reconnect with ourselves and the forest, and share in warm-hearted moments under the forest canopy. Guided by certified nature therapy guide Ilana Rubin of Kindred ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Join us for a morning of stewardship volunteering at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens! Participate in a variety of park stewardship activities including invasive plant removal, litter collection, flower bed weeding, trail maintenance and more. All necessary tools and supplies will be provided.

(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.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Meet your neighbors around the campfire! Learn a bit about living with local wildlife, roast a marshmallow, play some games, and take a guided evening hike (optional). Marshmallows and roasting sticks provided, bring other treats if you’d like!