(MD) (Nature Forward) Nature Forwards's 44th Birdathon is a celebration of nature that encourages people to enjoy nature's wonder while also helping fund their important conservation advocacy, environmental education, and nature restoration work. There are a few ways to get involved: Join a team, make a donation or be a corporate sponsor. Running April 15th through May 31st.
(DMV) A week to highlight the intersections of birds, people, and environmental justice. Click here for more info.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Be an early bird and join us for a fabulous show of migrating warblers, a family of small insect-eating birds that often display striking plumage! While some warblers stay here for the warm season to breed, most of these birds only use our forests as a pit stop between their breeding grounds further north and their wintering ...
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Come and go as you please. Get to know the 1,364 trees that may be removed. Get to know the birds that call these trees home. Every Tuesday morning, 8-11am.
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join David Harold for Tai Chi practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We will gather west of the Lily Pond near the entrance at Klingle Road NW. David is passionate about making Taiji and Qigong practice and principles accessible. For 15 years, he led a free, weekly public outdoor practice in Winston-Salem, NC. That practice continues to be led ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a nice sunset on the water and experience the natural beauty of the Occoquan Reservoir! A fun and memorable outdoor adventure while highlighting natural and historical features unique to the area. This program will be led by NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, Matt Felperin. We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous ...
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) WAITLIST All are welcome to join us in celebration of Black Birders Week 2024 for a photography bird walk led by avid birder and professional photographer, Charles "Chuck" James. Whether you already have a camera, or thinking about getting one to capture your walks, come out and get some tips on getting pics of our feathered ...
(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. ...
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Explore the Anacostia River while riding in one of our open-air boats as part of the Anacostia River Explorers program. Anacostia Watershed Society staff will take participants on a one hour tour of the river while discussing natural and cultural history along with restoration efforts. You will experience the joy of being out on the water ...
(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) Location: Rachel Greenway Trail, Silver Spring, MD As spring gives way to summer, enjoy blooming Mountain Laurel and other plants of the oak/hickory woodlands along the Rachel Greenway Trail adjacent to Northwest Branch Creek in upper Silver Spring, MD. Be prepared for uneven and rocky natural surface trails with some gentle uphll/downhill stretches. Depending on recent rains, ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (6-Adult) Fish from the river bank and learn about the fish's world. S'mores provided. Borrow our fishing rods or bring your own, tackle and bait provided. Meet at the Visitor Center. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.
(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 fall finds throughout Woodend including acorns, meadow wildflowers, butterflies, and birds. We look forward to seeing you at Woodend! $12 a family for members, $20 a family for nonmembers. Only register one adult when signing ...
(DC) (Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens) Enjoy the beauty of Kenilworth and participate in a 60-minute yoga session led by Kahlil. Become one with your body as you engage your senses while taking in the nature of the Gardens.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join NOVA Parks Naturalist Whitney Gilliland for a guided nature walk and learn about the birds that live along the banks of Bull Run. Destinations along the route include two recently discovered enslaved cemeteries. NOVA Parks Historian Paul McCray will provide an interpretation of what was discovered and the lives of the people buried there. The entire ...
(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) (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 children and adults.
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) This program is part of our Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the staff of Occoquan Bay NWR. Join us for a morning bird walk on the trails of the Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Newer and seasoned birders welcome. Your birding guide is Larry Meade, President of the Northern Virginia Bird Club ...
(MD) Join Laura Armstrong Falvey, a certified forest bathing guide with Chesapeake Nature Connection, on a walk to learn to engage the senses and appreciate the benefits of being immersed in a natural environment. Slowing down and spending mindful time in nature is proven to regulate your blood pressure, increase immunity, and reduce production of stress hormones. Expect to feel ...
(DC) (Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens) Enjoy the beauty of Kenilworth and participate in a 60-minute yoga session led with Heather. Heather loves sharing the benefits of yoga (especially introducing the practice to beginners) and would be honoured to share this with her ward 7 neighbours in the special setting of the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Join her for a 60-minute ...
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Come and go as you please. Get to know the 1,364 trees that may be removed. Get to know the birds that call these trees home. Every Tuesday morning, 8-11am.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Location: 3rd parking lot upriver at Carderock, MD Ever wanted to learn more about your local trees? Take a deep dive into tree identification, habitat, and ecology all around the parking lot off the tow path. Join our tree-hugging leader for an introduction to the many trees and habitats that surround the parking lot. Easy, level terrain ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (1-3 yrs.) Explore nature through sight, sound, smell and touch. Programs include indoor and outdoor activities. Adult must be able to participate with children. Topics vary by season. A second Nature Tots session starts at 11:00
(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 ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) Join us for a summer morning walk around Potomac Overlook Park! Newer and seasoned birders welcome. Your birding guide is John Colpoys, an avid birder and experienced bird walk leader.
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join birding expert Sam Krause on a walk to look and listen for Tregaron’s resident and visiting birds. Bring binoculars if you would like. The event is free of charge, but registration is required via this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/meet-the-birds-of-tregaron-registration-895344588767?aff=oddtdtcreator The group will gather at 8:00 am sharp at our street-side entrance at 3100 Macomb Street NW.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Join expert naturalists on a leisurely walk through the habitats at Woodend. Explore the wonders of trees, meadows, streams, insects, birds, and everything Woodend has to offer! We look forward to seeing you at Woodend! FREE Acompáñenos para una caminata en Woodend, guiada por nuestros naturalistas para explorar la maravilla de la naturaleza—los arboles, pájaros, insectos y ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Learn about common pollinators and their importance with native gardens and woodlands. Pollinators are more than just a pretty face. Children under age ten must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered in this program.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (12-Adult) Have you seen those twisty-turny wild grape vines in the Huntley forest that would make Tarzan proud? How about our abundant poison ivy? Have you heard of Hog Peanut? Join artist and naturalist Margaret Wohler to learn about Huntley's many vine species while learning to draw and identify them. All art materials provided.
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join us for nature-themed story-time with Beth Fotheringill, the beloved librarian of John Eaton Elementary School for over 20 years. Beth will read beautifully illustrated books to pre-K through 2nd grade students. (Older and younger siblings are welcome to attend!)
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Come and go as you please. Get to know the 1,364 trees that may be removed. Get to know the birds that call these trees home. Every Tuesday morning, 8-11am.
(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 ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join our yoga instructor for an hour long Yoga Class on Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace. A gentle flow yoga class. We will build heat with sun salutations then progress to balance, deep stretching and finally relaxation. Please bring water, a towel, and yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear.
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Explore the Anacostia River while riding in one of our open-air boats as part of the Anacostia River Explorers program. Anacostia Watershed Society staff will take participants on a one hour tour of the river while discussing natural and cultural history along with restoration efforts. You will experience the joy of being out on the water ...
(DC) (Hillwood) Explore the gardens and collection at Hillwood before taking in Mamma Mia!, a film based on the ABBA-inspired musical. Help set a festive atmosphere in our best picnic spread competition. Our judges are charmed by: themed spreads with connections to the film; early 2000s fashion and character look-alikes; props including tablecloths, flameless candelabras, and centerpieces. The winner will ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Come camp at Bull Run Campground on Father's Day Weekend! There will be a craft and themed activities that are perfect for the whole family!
(MD) ( Nature Forward) Join this transformative outdoor program to navigate life's challenges. which often induce feelings of being alone and overwhelmed, leading to self-neglect while prioritizing others' well-being. Through practical guidance, participants learn to prioritize self-care and find solace in nature, recovering strength and resilience amidst external turmoil. Cultivate mature compassion within a supportive community, empowering you to understand ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Park) (16-Adults) Take a 30 minute stroll on shaded paths to learn how to identify some lovely local ferns. Then spend some time drawing ferns in our shelter (using cuttings from staff gardens) or borrow a portable chair and find a nearby fern to sketch. Tips for simplifying fern drawings and sketching key features will be discussed. Your ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Walk with a naturalist to learn about how animal parents help keep their babies safe during the summer. Discover the various adaptations these babies have to keep them hidden from predators and other dangers in the wild. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. During the program we will explore the wonders of our natural world. Our programs may include nature walks, interactive activities, animal presentations, or other opportunities to learn about nature and our place in it. Includes s’mores. Topics vary by date. Children must be accompanied by ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) This program is part of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia's Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with Upton Hill Regional Park. Your birding guide is Ron Grimes, a Virginia Master Naturalist, experienced bird walk leader, and member of the Board of Directors of the Audubon Society of Northern Virginia. Newer and seasoned birders ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) We’re happy to offer this introductory workshop where you’ll learn how to create sketches using ink and a limited number of watercolor pencils. This approach is especially useful if you want to do field sketching as you only need to carry your journal and a few supplies in your backpack. Nature Forward member and artist Jen Brown ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (2-6 yrs.) Pretend to be a penguin, wolf and beaver dad as you learn about these doting fathers. Meet live animals and make a craft for your favorite father/grandfather. Child must be accompanied by an adult.
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Come and go as you please. Get to know the 1,364 trees that may be removed. Get to know the birds that call these trees home. Every Tuesday morning, 8-11am.
(DC) (National Park Service) Join park rangers and expert volunteers on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-10:00am for a weekly bird walk at beautiful Kenilworth. Over 250 different species of birds have been spotted at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth Park! The park manages habitat for ground nesting, aquatic, and woodland birds. Bring comfortable shoes, water, and binoculars if you have them ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Park) (16-Adults) Take a 30 minute stroll on shaded paths to learn how to identify some lovely local ferns. Then spend some time drawing ferns in our shelter (using cuttings from staff gardens) or borrow a portable chair and find a nearby fern to sketch. Tips for simplifying fern drawings and sketching key features will be discussed. Your ...
(MD) (Nature Forward) Summer arrives and it’s likely to be hot, so we’ll keep our pace along Maryland’s C&O Canal to a shuffle as we visit spots along the Potomac River parkland. We’ll stop often to observe birds, wildflowers, butterflies, dragonflies, snakes, and whatever else we may find underfoot or overhead.
(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 7pm. (through October). Please note: Garden admission ends at 6:30pm.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join our yoga instructor for an hour long Yoga Class on Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace. A gentle flow yoga class. We will build heat with sun salutations then progress to balance, deep stretching and finally relaxation. Please bring water, a towel, and yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (6-Adult) Buzz through the ins and outs of a bee colony. Learn about the park's history of bees, how colonies thrive and grow and watch as we open the bee boxes. End the fun evening with a sweet taste of honey.
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Come camp at Bull Run Campground on Naturalist Weekend! There will be an outdoor movie, wooden snake painting, DIY dirt cups, and NOVA Parks' Roving Naturalist will lead a live interactive program!
(MD) (Nature Forward) Join Garden Manager Alice Sturm in the exploration of the many native plant gardens Woodend has to offer. Learn what native herbs do well in certain conditions and gather ideas for your own home garden!
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (6-Adult) Come celebrate the longest day of the year, when the earth wears a green cloak. Learn to separate fact and fiction regarding midsummer and its celestial events. Head out on a hike as we wait for the sun to set and enjoy roasting marshmallows around a campfire.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (Adults) Take time to set intentions for the next month while engaging in mindfulness practices under the full moon along the Potomac River. A variety of techniques such as breathwork, gentle stretches and purposeful movement will be used. Please bring your own yoga mat or camping chair. Appropriate for all skill levels.
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) This bird walk is part of ASNV’s Stretch Our Parks initiative, in partnership with the Four Mile Run Conservatory Foundation. Morning is a great time for a bird walk through Four Mile Run Park! To see what birds have been observed here previously, take a look at the Four Mile Run Park eBird hotspot ...
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Welcome to a summer adventure you do not want to miss. Get ready to hit the road for a full day of fun, unforgettable memories and of course, birds! This is our magical itinerary ... 9:00 am - arrive Salisbury, MD (meetup TBD). We'll meet our guide(s) and follow them to Mt. Olive Church Rd for ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Join us at the park to enjoy an evening of fireflies. Bring a plastic jar with a lid to catch and then release. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (13-Adult) Walk with a naturalist by the lakeside and learn techniques and tips for drawing the natural world. Gain a better understanding of how to utilize different sketching and observational skills. Bring the medium of your choice to the class.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Come join Lisa Shannon and Rob Hilton at Rieves Pond at Patuxent North Tract. We’ll be looking for dragonflies and damselflies, of course, but also warblers, frogs, butterflies, plants, and anything else that catches our eye at this quiet green refuge within a refuge.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (16-Adult) Celebrate the sisterhood of women by grabbing your best gal friend and going on a guided hike with a naturalist. Learn about the flora and fauna found around the lake, and most importantly, spend time with a close friend.
(MD) (Brookside Gardens) Connect with nature through a forest bathing walk among the vivid colors and rich fragrances of summer blooms. Stroll the grounds and neighboring forest at a measured pace that allows you to notice the small miracles of nature unfolding.
(DC) (Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens) Theme: “Birds and Bats in our Neighborhood”. Join Urban Adventure Squad and Kenilworth NPS for a week of summer fun and exploration at the park! This program is for rising 2nd-rising 8th grade Ward 7 students and will run Monday – Friday, 9am-3pm. The week costs $435, with a $108 scholarship rate (you can select ...
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Come and go as you please. Get to know the 1,364 trees that may be removed. Get to know the birds that call these trees home. Every Tuesday morning, 8-11am.
(DC) (National Park Service) Join park rangers and expert volunteers on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-10:00am for a weekly bird walk at beautiful Kenilworth. Over 250 different species of birds have been spotted at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth Park! The park manages habitat for ground nesting, aquatic, and woodland birds. Bring comfortable shoes, water, and binoculars if you have them ...
(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join David Harold for Tai Chi practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We will gather west of the Lily Pond near the entrance at Klingle Road NW. David is passionate about making Taiji and Qigong practice and principles accessible. For 15 years, he led a free, weekly public outdoor practice in Winston-Salem, NC. That practice continues to be led ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join our yoga instructor for an hour long Yoga Class on Carlyle House’s Magnolia Terrace. A gentle flow yoga class. We will build heat with sun salutations then progress to balance, deep stretching and finally relaxation. Please bring water, a towel, and yoga mat. Wear comfortable yoga wear.
(MD) (Nature Forward) Blockhouse Point Conservation Park has been designated one of the “Best Natural Areas” in M-NCPPC Parks and offers plant enthusiasts a number of special habitats to explore. Our leader–a retired botanist/forest ecologist/ naturalist–will lead us on a hike through higher quality forests aimed at beginning to mid-level plant enthusiasts. We’ll ID plants along the way, focusing on ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (3-Adult) Join us for this exciting new program to meet and learn about our native turtles. Learn about their behaviors, diet, and more.
(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 Park) (5-Adult) Join us on a magical evening walk in the park to learn about and see the different colors and signal patterns of this fascinating insect.
(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Get your teams together for the 1st Annual Bird Count Derby ... DC style! Derby-themed outfits HIGHLY encouraged! We'll meetup when the counting is done to have some lite bites together and continue to build community around birds.
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (3-12 yrs.) Walk alongside a naturalist and a group of youth birders as you learn new tricks to identify the birds around you. Develop new skills such as using binoculars, identifying birds with a field guide, and writing down observations in your own birding journal. Journals will be provided, but participants are welcome to bring their ...
(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 ...
(DC) (MD) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Mussels are mighty protectors of clean freshwater, filter-feeding all kinds of pollution from their habitat. Join the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) and the Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin (ICPRB) for a walk from Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens to Kenilworth Lake to learn more about the amazing mussels of the Anacostia River. Expect to walk ...
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy and Virginia Master Naturalist Anne Ellis at the Sweet Run State Park for a leisurely walk in search of butterflies. We will explore the meadows and Xerces pollinator plantings, “bugging strip” and old farm areas around the Interpretive Center. If you are thinking about joining the annual Butterfly Count on August 3, ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (3-Adult) Look for frogs in the pond and meet different species of frogs. Make a craft and enjoy a night hike with a naturalist. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.
(DC) (National Park Service) Join park rangers and expert volunteers on Tuesday mornings from 8:30-10:00am for a weekly bird walk at beautiful Kenilworth. Over 250 different species of birds have been spotted at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and Kenilworth Park! The park manages habitat for ground nesting, aquatic, and woodland birds. Bring comfortable shoes, water, and binoculars if you have them ...
(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 7pm. (through October). Please note: Garden admission ends at 6:30pm.
