Big Bears Campfire

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

(VA) (Arlington Parks) The whole family is invited to join us at Long Branch Nature Center for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities which may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores. (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate & graham crackers).

$6

Sunday Morning Bird Walk at Dyke Marsh

Dyke Marsh Alexandria, VA, United States

(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.

Free

Ferns at Turkey Run

Turkey Run Park Turkey Run Loop Rd, McLean, VA, United States

(VA) (Virginia Native Plant Society) Join the Potowmack Chapter of VNPS for this hike in Turkey Run Park with Kit Sheffield. We will discuss the characteristics that differentiate ferns from other organisms and talk about what to look for when identifying ferns. This will be about a two-mile walk at a moderate pace on natural trails.  

Native Plant Sale at Four Mile Run

Four Mile Run Farmers Market and Artisans Market 4109 Mt Vernon Ave, Alexandria, VA, United States

(VA) (Nature by Design) Nature By Design, an environmentally responsible full service plant nursery vends every Sunday at Four Mile Run Farmers' Market on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The market is located at 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria (Del Ray), just below S. Glebe Rd. Phone: 703-683-GROW (4769)

Wildflower Walk at Locust Grove

Locust Grove Nature Center 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, United States

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Fall is a rainbow of wildflowers, from goldenrods to asters in every shade of purple. Take a leisurely stroll through the park with our Master Naturalists who will interpret this last spectacular show of color before the changing of the seasons.  

$7

Exhibit: Recovering Our Night Sky

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History 1000 Madison Drive NW, Washington, DC, United States

(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) What do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide? Open ...

Free

Monarch Butterflies on the Move

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

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Late summer is when monarch butterflies are on the move. Join a naturalist on a hike to learn all about these voyaging butterflies life cycles, their migration routes, the challenges they face, and how we can help them. Ages 6 to 10

Free

Music in the Gardens at Meadowlark

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

(VA) (NOVA Parks) The Virginia Chamber Orchestra’s eighth season in our Korean Bell Garden continues with Nocturnal Sounds. The string quartet will deliver everything from powerful movements to dulcet tones and delicate melodies in this performance. Music in the Gardens concerts are free with regular garden admission ($4-$8) or garden membership.  On your way to the Korean Bell Garden, stop ...

$4 – $8

Pollinator Discovery

Locust Grove Nature Center 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD, United States

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Butterflies abound in September! Join a naturalist as we explore the meadow and look for butterfly eggs, caterpillars, chrysalis and butterflies. Learn how important butterflies are as pollinators for all of our favorite fall flowers.

Free

Sunrise Kayak Paddle at Fountainhead

Fountainhead Regional Park 10875 Hampton Rd, Fairfax Station, VA, United States

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a relaxing guided sunrise kayak paddle led by ACA certified paddling instructor and NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, Matt Felperin. Calm morning waters should make this an easy paddle, and we hope to see lots of wildlife along the way! Expect to see Great Blue Herons, Osprey, and Bald Eagles. We will begin with a brief paddling ...

$35

Monday Morning Birdwalk at Huntley Meadows

Huntley Meadows 3701 Lockheed Blvd, Alexandria, VA, United States

(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.  

Free

Outdoor Exhibit: Monuments – Forces of Nature

Strathmore Music Center 5301 Tuckerman Lane, North Bethesda, MD, United States

(MD) (Strathmore) Strathmore’s MONUMENTS: Forces of Nature highlights the achievements and social impact of six individuals who work in climate, environmental stewardship, or resource justice in the DMV. Large-scale, nighttime portraits are projected onto live trees for stunning effect and challenge traditional expectations of public monuments and the selective history represented in our public spaces. Craig Walsh is a visual ...

Capital Nature