Great Backyard Bird Count

(DMV) Spend time in your favorite places watching birds–then share your sightings! In as little as 15 minutes notice the birds around you. Identify them, count them, and submit them to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world.

Free

The Cub Club!

Potomac Overlook Regional Park3 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, United States

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Looking for an offering where you can explore nature with your preschooler? Our Cub Club program is just what you’re after! Join us as we learn about the sights, sounds, and textures around us in winter and find out what animals do during this cold time of year. We’ll read a story together and even make our ...

$7

Home Made Bird Feeders

Ellanor C. Lawrence Park 5040 Walney Rd, Chantilly, VA, United States

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) 2-Adult) Bring a clean, empty, plastic bottle to make a bird feeder. We discuss tips for feeding birds and learn to identify common birds that visit home bird feeders. Dress for the weather and bring binoculars. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

$8

Owl Walk and Talk

Lake Fairfax Park 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston, VA, United States

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Enjoy a late afternoon walk to learn why winter is the best time to go owl-ing. Enjoy a story, learn to identify local owl calls, discover why owls are nicknamed flying tigers of the night and enjoy a woodland stroll. Children must be accompanied by an adult who is also registered in the class.

$8

Flying Squirrel Campfire

Hidden Oaks Nature Center 7701 Royce St, Annandale, VA, United States

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Enjoy an evening around the campfire, toasting marshmallows over the embers and learn about flying squirrels that live in our area. Cancelled in case of inclement weather. Children must attend with an adult and all attendees must register.

$8

Winter Birding at Patuxent Research Refuge Main Tract

Patuxent Research Refuge 10901 Scarlet Tanager Loop, Laurel, MD, United States

(MD) (Nature Forward) Join leader Liz Guertin for our winter birding series visits natural areas throughout the relatively close-in DC metro-area where a variety of habitats—field, forest, and wetland—provide good opportunities for the observation and study of birds during the winter months. With the landscape stripped of most leaves, it’s a great time to look for a wide range of ...

$33 – $46

Winter Walk Along the Canal

Swains Lock at C&O Canal 10700 Swains Lock Rd, Potomac, MD, United States

(MD) (Nature Forward) Join leader Genevieve Wall for a winter walk along the flat C&O Canal. We’ll keep our eyes and ears open for over-wintering birds and other wildlife, practice winter botany skills, and enjoy the expansive views along the Potomac River that this season provides. These walks will move at a bit faster pace than our usual midweek Canal ...

$33 – $46

Pup Day in the Garden

Meadowlark Botanical Gardens 9750 Meadowlark Gardens, Vienna, VA, United States

(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 ...

$14

Owl Prowl

Potomac Overlook Regional Park3 2845 N. Marcey Road, Arlington, VA, United States

(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 ...

$8

Maple Sugar Walk

Brookside Nature Center 1400 Glenallan Ave, Silver Spring, MD, United States

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Each February visit the Maple Grove at Brookside Nature Center and experience the uniquely North American tradition of maple sugaring! Hike with a naturalist to the 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, participants should dress for weather and ...

$7

Birding Stroll for Beginners

Long Branch Nature Center at Glencarlyn Park 625 S Carlin Springs Rd, Arlington, VA, United States

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Take a stroll around Glencarlyn Park to observe some of our winter resident birds. No experience necessary. Binoculars provided, but you're welcome to bring your own. Dress for the weather. Adults.

Free

Salamander Campfire

Gulf Branch Nature Center & Park 3608 Military Rd, Arlington, VA, United States

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

Capital Nature