(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with Occoquan Bay NWR. Occoquan Bay NWR offers a diversity of habitats for wintering waterfowl, field, forest, and edge birds. We will meet up at the OBNWR Visitor Center parking lot. Trails are generally wide, flat, and crushed gravel but may be ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Many animals have unusual physical and behavioral adaptations that enable them to get a meal or to keep from being a meal. Compare and contrast the adaptations of deer, owls, squirrels and turtles in this variation on a popular school field trip. Registration required for children and adults. Program is outdoors.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Slither on over to a program about our local serpents! Meet some of the snakes we care for at the nature center, do a bingo scavenger hunt in the park as we learn about different snake habitats and where they live, and construct a unique, snake-themed craft! A stupendoussss offering for any reptile enthusiast. $10 per participant ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Park) (4-Adult) Vernal pools are one of our parks most fascinating and elusive ecosystem. Join us after hours as we hike the trails and search for signs of new amphibian life. Learn about the life cycle and early development of local amphibians. Hike the trails at night and end with roasting s'mores over a campfire. Children must ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) If you would like to discover native birds, other fauna and flora — in the company of dedicated citizen scientists — then consider joining this outing! Many know Northern Virginia for its economic dynamism, cultural development and ever-changing landscape. Less well known are the places sheltering remnants of an earlier, vital, natural history. If ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Join leader Stephanie Mason for a broad-based nature exploration. Winter is often called the quiet season, but there is still lots to look at and listen for in the natural world despite the cold temperatures. As we enjoy the beauty of each protected area’s woods and wetlands, we’ll also consider the strategies for winter wildlife and plant ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Join Nature Forward Master Naturalist volunteers for a Family Walk. Enjoy, learn, and play in our new accessible nature playspace. Explore the winter finds at Woodend such as white-throated sparrows, winter wrens, fallen leaves, pine cones, and so much more!” Sign up using the below link. We look forward to seeing you at Woodend! $12 a family ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful! Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed. Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed. Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Free and appropriate ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) What's that sound? Wood Frogs abound! These woodland amphibians are a welcome sign that spring is around the corner. See (and hear) some of these *ribbeting* animals at our frog pond and learn about a fascinating adaptation that they use to survive the cold weather. $7 per participant for ages 5 and up. Any attendee over 5 ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) This bird walk is part of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia's Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation. This afternoon bird walk is open for everyone, beginners and families are welcome. Trails in the park are flat and paved, accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Your birding guide ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (Adults) Take an evening stroll through the forest to one of the park's largest meadows. Listen for the call of the male woodcock and hopefully see his amazing courtship dance and flight. Bring a flashlight. Approximately 1.5 mile walk on uneven terrain. Canceled if it rains. Meets at the South Kings Highway entrance to the park ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a walk through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with your favorite canine on our special Pup Days at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 10am to 4pm. Please note: Garden admission ends at 3:30pm. Dogs are $6 each. Human admission is $8 for ages 18-54, $4 for ages 55 and older ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful! Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed. Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed. Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Free and appropriate ...
(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 for a thriving native understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 hours prior ...
(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) (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) (NOVA Parks) Preschool Nature Nuts presents Spring is Here! Dive into the wonders of spring with our nature program tailored for curious minds aged 2-4. Through stories, songs, crafts, a discovery walk, and other engaging activities, children will explore the magical transformations of the season. From budding flowers to chirping birds, there's so much to discover!
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful! Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed. Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed. Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Free and appropriate ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) The transition from late winter to early spring is an exciting time: ephemeral wildflowers weigh the risk of late frost against the bounty of available sunlight shining through the bare branches. Join leader Marney Bruce on a walk near the Potomac. We will be investigating plant life, and keeping our fingers crossed for elusive early Spring ephemerals. Our ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Grab a net and join us for a special day with a park scientist to see, touch, and study wetland creatures up close and personal. Use magnifying lenses to study their unique characteristics. This rare opportunity to dip-net in the wetland is possible through the guidance of our park naturalists.
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Little Bennett Regional Park is a wonderful spot to enjoy the spring display dance of the American Woodcock. Meet a naturalist at the Kingsley Parking Area for an evening walk, where we will also look for wood frogs, spring peepers and spring migrants. Bring binoculars and a camp chair.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) "Whooooo cooks for youuuu? Whoooo cooks for youuuu allllll?" No, this is not a chef looking for a job! This is the call of a Barred Owl, perhaps Northern Virginia's most frequently observed owl. Join the roving naturalist on a quest to find these feathered friends. Learn more about owl adaptations, behavior, and role in the ecosystem ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Ages 2-4 Preschoolers (and their parents) will explore plants and learn about their parts through books, a Saint Patrick's Day craft, a discovery walk, other fun activities. Program Fee - $10/child plus $3 transaction fee Participants - children ages 2-4 and their parents/guardian Registration - online registration required There are no refunds or waitlist for this program.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (5-Adult) 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.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (5-Adult) 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.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Immerse yourself in the phenomenon of spring migration with these field programs at nearby parks. Our walks are aimed at beginning and intermediate birders for whom the spring pulse of bird activity can often be overwhelming. We’ll search for both resident and migrating birds by sight and sound. As we develop skills for finding birds in the ...
(MD) (DC Audubon Society) Join us at Lake Artemesia at 8am for our March Bird Walk! This will be a FUN, INFORMATIVE, and GUIDED walk. All ages and skill levels are welcome! Parking is available and the park is also accessible via the College Park-U of MD station on metro's green line.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Learn identification tips by sight and sound and how to make your yard more attractive to native species. Students can borrow binoculars form the class for a view of outdoor bird feeding stations. Registration required for child
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join birding expert Sam Krause on a walk to look and listen for Tregaron’s resident and visiting birds.
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern Virginia) Join us for a morning bird walk on the trails of the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Newer and seasoned birders welcome. This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay NWR. Your birding guides are Larry Meade, President of the Northern Virginia Bird Club ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) When we go out into the world to experience Nature, a field journal can be a handy tool to bring along. In this workshop, new Senior Naturalist Genevieve Wall will guide participants through several approaches to keeping a Nature Journal, with writing, sketching, phenology calendars, and more. If you’re looking to stretch your creativity and deepen your ...
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for an afternoon of beautiful harp music and the natural beauty of Black Hill all around you. No need to register; just come to the Discovery Center and enjoy.
(MD) (Nature Forward) The Spring Equinox is a moment of balance: the point at which day and night are of equal length. From here on out, we are tipping further into the light. Take a moment to pause, mark this seasonal shift, and cross the celestial threshold into Spring. On this hike, we will begin along the Towpath by Carderock ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Enjoy these leisurely walks on the Towpath along close-in portions of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The focus of our walks, starting from different locations, will be the general natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and Canal. We’ll proceed at a slow “naturalist’s saunter” as we experience the wondrous unfolding of spring. We’ll stop ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a walk through Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with your favorite canine on our special Pup Days at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens on the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 10am to 4pm. Please note: Garden admission ends at 3:30pm. Dogs are $6 each. Human admission is $8 for ages 18-54, $4 for ages 55 and older ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy premium golden hour light and exclusive access to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens before we are open to the public! This photography workshop's topic is all things Cherry Blossoms. This includes landscapes, close-up/macro, and wildlife. Of course, you are free to *focus* on any subject you like! This program is open to photographers of all skill levels and ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (5-Adult) 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.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (5-Adult) 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.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Spring is just a hop around the corner, and the egg scavenger hunt is back at Bull Run Regional Park! Visit Bull Run Regional Park any day from March 23 to 31 between 8am and 6pm to participate in this event! Pick up your egg hunt sheet at the Camp Store, hop around the park to complete ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a delightful Spring Egg Hunt adventure available daily, March 23 – March 31, 2024, from 10am-6pm at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens! Embark on a self-guided hunt through the gardens as you search for treasures – giant eggs! The fun is as easy as 1 – 2 – 3!
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy premium golden hour light and exclusive access to Meadowlark Botanical Gardens before we are open to the public! This photography workshop's topic is all things Cherry Blossoms. This includes landscapes, close-up/macro, and wildlife. Of course, you are free to *focus* on any subject you like! This program is open to photographers of all skill levels and ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern Virginia) Join us for a birding walk at Mason Neck State Park! Your birding guide is John Colpoys, an avid birder and experienced bird walk leader.
(MD) (Nature Forward) With the official start of spring at hand, we’ll take a hike along the Potomac River where nature lovers can observe the tug-of-war between lingering winter and imminent spring—what our naturalist leader calls March Madness! She’ll lead you on a 3-4 mile hike along several trails in Riverbend Park which sits along the Potomac River near Great ...
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join birding expert Sam Krause on a walk to look and listen for Tregaron’s resident and visiting birds.
(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) (Audubon Society of Northern Virginia) Join us for a morning bird walk at Frying Pan Park! The park that is mainly geared toward recreation also boasts open fields, wetlands, mixed woods, a stream, and a nature trail winding through all these different habitats. The wetland and ponds are good for herons, waterfowl and marsh birds. The farmland and open fields ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (6-Adult) Learn ancient techniques of starting a fire, working on a dug out canoe, and using a bow and arrow.
(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) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful! Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed. Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed. Meet at the picnic shelter (located in main parking lot). Free and appropriate ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Follow a treasure map to explore Winkler Botanical Preserve as you find clues to claim your treasure. Each participant is entered into a drawing to win 2 free tickets to see Peter Pan: The Broadway Hit Musical at The National Theater in Washington, DC.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Immerse yourself in the phenomenon of spring migration with these field programs at nearby parks. Our walks are aimed at beginning and intermediate birders for whom the spring pulse of bird activity can often be overwhelming. We’ll search for both resident and migrating birds by sight and sound. As we develop skills for finding birds in the ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a guided walk around the gardens’ 95 acres. Each one-hour walk will be over hilly terrain, have a positive focus, and include a silent, meditative portion and a few interesting facts from our docent along the way.
(VA) (Farfax County Parks) (6-Adult) Come for an evening walk through the woods to one of the park's large meadows. Listen for the call of the male woodcock and hopefully see his amazing courtship display and flight. Bring a flashlight. Approximately 1.5 mile walk on uneven terrain. Canceled if rain. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Meets at ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) If you would like to discover native birds, other fauna and flora — in the company of dedicated citizen scientists — then consider joining this outing! Many know Northern Virginia for its economic dynamism, cultural development and ever-changing landscape. Less well known are the places sheltering remnants of an earlier, vital, natural history. If ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Join Habitat Manager Bradley Simpson to track the seasonal flow as spring warms the landscape and invites trees into bud, bloom, and full-leaf. By visiting the same location multiple times throughout the season, we’ll be primed to observe the changes over time, and to cultivate a keener understanding of the dynamic forest ecosystem–and the trees within. The natural ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join the roving naturalist for a FREE raptor talk at Pohick Bay this spring break celebrating the return of the Ospreys from their winter vacation! Meet a Red-shouldered Hawk and learn about adaptations that hawks and Ospreys have that make them elite predators. Loaner binoculars and a spotting scope will be available to get a closer look ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us for this session of Preschool Nature Nuts where children, ages 2-4, will discover how birds build nests and care for their young. Through stories, songs, and a nature walk, preschoolers will learn about bird behavior. They'll even get to decorate eggs and make their own nests. It's a hands-on adventure both toddlers and their parents/caretakers ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Beat the winter blues on this search for the earliest spring wildflowers in the woods and bottomlands along the Potomac near Carderock Recreation Area, just outside the Beltway near the American Legion Bridge. We’ll look for the greening leaves, swelling buds, and (fingers crossed) unfolding flowers of species such as Harbinger of Spring, Early Saxifrage, Spring Beauty, ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us for an exciting game of Birding BINGO where we'll hike the diverse habitats at Winkler with Matt Felperin, NOVA Park's own Roving Naturalist, looking for bird species such as Belted Kingfisher and Northern Cardinal to fill our BINGO cards.
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Hike down to the Potomac River and along the Potomac Heritage Trail, explore the waterfall and enjoy the views! We'll check out Donaldson Run and Potomac Overlook Regional Park before heading back. Ages 12 - 17
(MD) (Nature Forward) If you are completely new to birdwatching or are having trouble getting started on your own, this is the walk for you! We’ll cover the basics of bird watching: finding and identifying birds, choosing and using binoculars and field guides, birdwatching etiquette and ethics, useful birding apps, and much more at the Rust Sanctuary in Leesburg. Don’t ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us as we work to keep our park healthy and beautiful! Assist with invasive plant removal, habitat restoration, and other projects as needed. Come dressed for and prepared to work outdoors. Gloves and snippers are recommended, but extras may be provided if needed.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (Adults) Learn to identify Riverbend's beautiful spring ephemerals, and discover the folklore that has grown up around them. Meet at Visitor Center to walk along the banks of the Potomac River. Canceled if it rains.
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Rena Subotnik 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 for a thriving native understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Immerse yourself in the phenomenon of spring migration with these field programs at nearby parks. Our walks are aimed at beginning and intermediate birders for whom the spring pulse of bird activity can often be overwhelming. We’ll search for both resident and migrating birds by sight and sound. As we develop skills for finding birds in the ...
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Beginning on April 2, the Conservancy will be hosting weekly Tai Chi practice led by David Harold on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 a.m. The group will gather west of the …
(VA) (Smithsonian Associates) Discover the spring splendors of the Potomac Gorge, a 1,900-acre natural area spanning Maryland and Virginia that is one of the most botanically diverse places in North America. Hike north from Turkey Run Park along the Potomac Heritage Trail on a wilderness adventure inside the Beltway as you admire lush upland forests and floodplains brilliantly decorated by ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a guided walk around the gardens’ 95 acres. Each one-hour walk will be over hilly terrain, have a positive focus, and include a silent, meditative portion and a few interesting facts from our docent along the way.
(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join members of the Northern Virginia Bird Club for informal walks through Glencarlyn Park in search of resident and migratory birds. Experienced and beginning birders welcome. Bring binoculars and field guides if you have them. Adults
(VA) (Smithsonian Associates) Discover the spring splendors of the Potomac Gorge, a 1,900-acre natural area spanning Maryland and Virginia that is one of the most botanically diverse places in North America. Hike north from Turkey Run Park along the Potomac Heritage Trail on a wilderness adventure inside the Beltway as you admire lush upland forests and floodplains brilliantly decorated by ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Enjoy these leisurely walks on the Towpath along close-in portions of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. The focus of our walk will be the general natural history of the varied habitats along the Potomac River and Canal. We’ll proceed at a slow “naturalist’s saunter” as we experience the wondrous unfolding of spring. We’ll stop often to ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) Butterfly and dragonfly surveys are carried out in temperate months (April-October), normally on Friday mornings, at one of four sites around Occoquan Bay, all within the 15-mile diameter circle established for the annual North American Butterfly Association's Annual Count. The results of these surveys are made available to the participants and other interested individuals ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) During April, spring wildflowers in the Washington area are abundant and dazzling! On this field class, based in the just-outside-the Beltway Carderock Recreation Area, we’ll explore several short trails between the C&O Canal and the Potomac River. We’ll work on developing the observational skills and terminology which are key to learning to recognize and ID wildflowers. As ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join Roving Naturalist and wildlife photographer Matt Felperin at Bull Run Regional Park to experience and capture the magic of the Virginia Bluebells! At this nature photography workshop, learn how to take stunning photos of this mystical landscape as well as close ups of the fleeting flowers themselves. Digital cameras and appropriate lenses encouraged, but even your ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) This bird walk is part of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia's Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation. The walk is open for everyone, beginners and families are welcome. Trails in the park are flat and paved, accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. Your birding guide is Todd ...
(VA) (Fairfax Master Naturalists) Volunteers will remove invasive plants to help restore native plantings in Glyndon Park in Vienna, VA. Efforts will also improve natural habitants for wildlife. All skill levels are welcome, instructions will be given on what to remove. Meet on the north side of the park, nearby Beulah Road. Bring gloves and a water bottle.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Join Nature Forward Master Naturalist volunteers for a Spanish/English Family Walk. Enjoy, learn, and play in our new accessible nature playspace. Explore the fall finds throughout Woodend including acorns, meadow wildflowers, butterflies, and birds. We look forward to seeing you at Woodend! FREE. Only register one adult when signing up.
