How Hands Made Us Human

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

(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) Learn about how primate hands have helped them evolve many ways to move through the world, from swinging under tree branches to walking on their knuckles to running on two feet. Explore how humans evolved hands specialized for making and using a variety of tools and how our hand anatomy impacts what we can do ...

Free

Exhibit: Forces of Nature

National Portrait Gallery 800 G St NW, Washington, DC, United States

(DC) (National Portrait Gallery) “Forces of Nature: Voices that Shaped Environmentalism” presents some of the key people—scientists, politicians, activists, writers and artists—whose work has influenced attitudes toward the environment in the United States from the late 19th century until today. The exhibition traces a history of the movement from turn-of-the-20th-century conservationism to mid-20th-century environmentalism and its backlash. It also addresses ...

Free

Lunchtime Meditation and Mindfulness (Virtual)

(DC) (Smithsonian) Meditation helps us build a relationship to a place of inner quietude. Whether you’re a beginner or a skilled practitioner, join us for free online meditation sessions each week led by DC-based meditation teachers on Tuesdays and Fridays. Friday sessions include inspiration from art in the museum collections, much of it inspired by nature.

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).

Full Moon Friday

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

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for the magic of the full moon for a hike and campfire on each Friday nearest to the full moon. Feel free to bring your own hot dogs or food to warm over the fire, and we’ll provide marshmallows. Please register and pay for adults and children. Ages 5 and up.

$8

Night Hike at Black Hill

Glen Echo Park

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for a post-sunset stroll where we’ll look and listen for creatures that are most active at night. Hikes are approximately one mile or less. Dress warmly and please, no flashlights. Meet at the gravel parking lot by the boat launch on Black Hill Road.

$5 – $6

Winter Birding at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens 1550 Anacostia Ave, NE, Washington DC, United States

(MD) (Nature Forward) Join leaders Lisa Shannon and Rob Hilton 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 ...

$33 – $46

Potomac River Cleanup at Kenilworth Park

Kenilworth Park 4000 Deane Avenue NE, Wasington DC, United States

(DC) (Potomac Conservancy) Join Potomac Conservancy and the National Park Service for a safe, fun, 50 person trash cleanup at Kenilworth Park. Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a safe, healthy place to recreate outdoors.

Free

Potomac River Cleanup at Parklawn Local Park

Cascades Library

(MD) (Potomac Conservancy) Join Potomac Conservancy and the National Park Service for a safe, fun, 50 person trash cleanup at Parklawn Local Park (MD). Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a safe, healthy place to recreate outdoors.

Free

Spring Wildflower Walk

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

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) For just a few magical weeks in the Spring, the forest floor is studded with our most beautiful woodland wildflowers, including spring beauties, bluebells, and bloodroot. Take a leisurely stroll through the park with our Master Naturalists who will interpret this spectacular show before it disappears entirely (at least until next spring!). Now a three part series, ...

$7

Invasive Plant Removal at Carter Barron

Carter Barron Amphitheatre 4850 Colorado Ave NW, Washington DC, United States

(DC) (Rock Creek Park 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.

Free

Birding for the Family

Glen Echo Park

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Come to the Discovery Center and learn about our winged visitors at our bird feeding stations. Then we’ll take a short hike to our bird blind to see which waterfowl are on the lake and make a treat for you to take home for your backyard birds. Binoculars and guidebooks are supplied, but you can also bring ...

$7
Capital Nature