Capital Nature

(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) Learn about the park's birds and some basic identification skills. This program for beginners starts with a bird identification discussion. Ages 12 - Adult

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) We are bringing the nature center to you! Each season’s pop up has a different theme. Come talk with a naturalist about the park, explore some natural objects, ask questions and try out biology-themed activities. This is a walk-up event providing a 20 to 30 minute experience. Stay to play or hike in the park! The Nature ...

(DC) (Cherry Blossom Festival) Join us at Oxon Run Park in Ward 8 for our annual Oxon Run Pinknic & Kite Fly, presented! We will host kite programming, entertainment, and more in coordination with the Blossom Kite Festival. Cosponsored with APACC and DC Department of Parks and Recreation.

(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 ...

(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) (Montgomery Parks) School is out for spring break and it’s time to play some games! Join us for a full morning of board game fun designed for ages 12-16. Board games about the natural world have taken the hobby world by storm and are a wonderful way to explore a variety of science topics. Practice cooperation, strategy, and critical ...

(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) Help us with improving Glencarlyn Park. Each Saturday we will have stewardship projects like weed pulling, raking, trail maintenance and trash pick-up. Your hard work will make the park a better place for both people and nature. Ages 12-17

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This isn’t your average walk in the woods. Scamper like a squirrel, balance like a billy goat, and run like a rabbit through the park. We’ll be on and off the trail as we go on a hiking adventure. Wear shoes and clothes you don’t mind getting dirty. Be sure to sign up 24 hours ahead so ...

(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) We've all heard amazing facts about bird migration—the long distances that birds travel and the ways that they navigate. But did you ever wonder how we figured all of this out? While working for the American Ornithological Society, Rebecca Heisman became fascinated with the varied and creative techniques that scientists have used to study ...

(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) (Arlington Parks) Burp, peep, croooooak, churrrrr, bank, but no frog goes "ribbit". Come to hear stories, meet some ambassador frogs and take a walk to listen to our very vocal amphibians. Meet at the amphitheater and be ready to have some fun making your own frog calls.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join a Park Naturalist for a weekly hike exploring the changing of the seasons in Cabin John Regional Park. Children will also be introduced to our Nature Center’s resident animal ambassadors and engage in nature based play and exploration. Program is intended for children 3 to 5 ½ years old and requires the accompaniment of an adult ...

(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 ...

(MD) (Nature Forward) Join us for an important and timely discussion about the link between artificial intelligence (AI) and our region's climate goals. We need conservation advocates like you to help educate your local, state, and federal decision makers on the topic of data centers! There is an urgent need to better regulate this fast-growing industry! Nature Forward is working to ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) This series of classes feature foundational yoga poses that are designed to support better breathing, walking, and space orientation. Yoga movements help build muscle, bone density and core strength while improving balance, posture, and flexibility. Mats are not included. Instructor: Sherry Weber. Held in the Visitor Center auditorium. Ages 18+ This class meets weekly.

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) The USBG’s Look and Learn drop-in demonstrations encourage visitors to come by the Garden to connect with horticultural experts as they present tips and techniques related to their field of expertise. On this occasion, George Guenthner, USBG Gardener will be in the Conservatory Garden Court showing how to repot orchids. Stop by to strengthen or stretch ...

(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.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us at Locust Grove Nature Center for Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a seasonal community science project, where participants count the different species of birds that flock to a bird feeder. All levels of birders are welcome. Registration is encouraged, just so we can notify participants of cancellations. If you have any questions, please feel free ...

(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) (Friends of the National Arboretum) The Washington Youth Garden team is completing a new fenceline project, and is looking for volunteer support to help us create new mulch pathways to welcome people through our front gate and into the rest of our 1 acre garden! Volunteering with Washington Youth Garden is a rewarding experience. You don't need to have ...

(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) (Montgomery Parks) Forest bathing promotes wellness through deepening our connection to natural environments. Based on the Japanese practice of Shinrin-Yoku, which translates as “taking in the atmosphere of the forest,”. This 2-hour session, led by certified forest therapy guide Adria S. Zeldin, will guide you through mindfulness-based sensory invitations to help you slow down, awaken your senses, and reconnect ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) This is a pop-in event and no appointment is necessary. Naturalists and gardeners will be ready to guide you in your native plant gardening journey. You can also get help pre-ordering for our Spring Native Plant Sale. Adults

(DC) (Tregaron Conservancy) Opera Lafayette’s Opera Starts with Oh! is an engaging musical experience perfect for kids ages 4-10 and their families. Join Lead Teaching Artist and professional dancer, Sarah Laughland, to learn about an experience a fantastical opera celebrating the muse of comedy, Thalie. Together with special guest artists, we will dance, sing, and craft with the gods as they battle for the ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Regardless of the weather and time of year, there are always neat plants, mosses, lichens, and fungi to see if you look closely! Each participant will be given a magnifying hand lens to use during this walk, and we will explore the incredible micro-worlds of mosses and other plants, fungi, and even invertebrates! Adults