Capital Nature

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Want to watch wildlife or just enjoy a peaceful paddle? Then join us for a leisurely kayak tour of Little Seneca Lake. We could see beaver, herons, maybe even a bald eagle. We’ll supply boats, paddles, and PFD’s, but you can bring your own PFD (Type III or V) if you have one. And don’t forget to ...

(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 ...

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join us for a bird walk to honor father figures of all species at Fort Totten Park. This hidden gem in the middle of the city is a National Park! Aside from our usual suspects, this park boasts an impressive roster of migrants who should still be hanging around for a listen or a look. We'll ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (4-Adult) Join us as we search for tadpoles, dragonfly nymphs and water scorpions to catch and release. Learn about how they reflect the health of the pond. Meets at Walney Pond. Children must be accompanied by an adult registered in the program.

(DC) (Rock Creek Park) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior Leader Kathy Sykes 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 native plants to thrive in the understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent ...

(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.  

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Do you like working outside? Join community volunteers in protecting the local environment from invasive plants. This is a continuing project on the third Sunday of each month to reclaim the natural area near Long Branch Nature Center from invasive plants.

(DC) (Smithsonian Gardens) Join Smithsonian Gardens on June 17, 18, and 20 to celebrate Pollinator Week and learn about these essential insects. Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists will be on hand to talk pollination and engage visitors of all ages in hands-on activities. Discover why pollination matters and what you can do to help pollinators in your community! ​​​​​​​Please note all events ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Come by our Nature Playspace and watch Gilly the Vulture train with her caretakers! Ask vulture questions, volunteer in a training session, or just relax and enjoy a vulture visit.

(DMV) (Xerces Society) Join Bug Banter co-hosts Matthew Shepherd and Rachel Dunham as they welcome back podcast guests Kass Urban-Mead and Rich Hatfield with special guest Mace Vaughan, Pollinator Program and Agricultural Biodiversity Director for a Q & A session on all things bees. Bring your questions about bees and your enthusiasm. This webinar will be recorded and available on ...

(MD) (Nature Forward) Learn about trees, shrubs, and vines in this 10-week intensive course! Taxonomy, plant morphology, and forest ecology will all be explored. The course will focus on the identification of our region’s woody plants with the use of local dichotomous keys. Field trips will emphasize plant associations and reinforce the use of keys by highlighting identifying characteristics of various ...

(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) (Smithsonian Gardens) Join Smithsonian Gardens on June 17, 18, and 20 to celebrate Pollinator Week and learn about these essential insects. Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists will be on hand to talk pollination and engage visitors of all ages in hands-on activities. Discover why pollination matters and what you can do to help pollinators in your community! ​​​​​​​Please note all events ...

(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 ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Become a Water Quality Monitoring Citizen Scientist and gain hands-on experience collecting data and water samples throughout the District! A certified water quality monitoring citizen scientist helps collect water quality samples from 24 sites weekly from May – September. Sampling is done Wednesday, with Thursday mornings as a backup for inclement weather. Each site is sampled ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Celebrate National Pollinator Week as we wander through an open meadow of beautiful perennials swarming with pollinators. Learn about mid-Atlantic native plants you can plant to help support beneficial insects while adding beauty. Ages 18+ Meet at the bottom of the stairs leading up to the Brookside Nature Center (1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, MD 20902) Led by ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Come see what’s blooming and what animals are searching for those beautiful blooms. Find what amazing adaptations flowers and trees have to entice the local pollinators. Teens ages 14 & up are welcome, but must attend with a registered adult. Adults

(DC) (City Blossoms) Join us for free staff-led activities for children, families, neighbors, volunteers, and anyone who wants to drop by. Open Times are a chance for visitors (especially kids) to experience the garden through a variety of activities, such as cooking, art, and maintenance. Anyone who comes to lend a hand is welcome to take home some garden goodies as ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Discover how small observations led to big breakthroughs on deciphering honey bee behavior. Cornell University biology professor Thomas D. Seeley discusses how he and his colleagues solved long-standing mysteries of honey bee nature. He tells how worker bees function as scouts to choose a home site for their colony, furnish their home with beeswax combs, and stock ...

(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.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Have you ever wanted to learn the names of the birds that visit your backyard, the wildflowers along the trail, or even which animal left that footprint in the mud? Montgomery Parks is pleased to offer a new online learning series for adults that teaches you to recognize the most common species of Montgomery County. Led by ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Gardens) Join Smithsonian Gardens on June 17, 18, and 20 to celebrate Pollinator Week and learn about these essential insects. Smithsonian Gardens horticulturists will be on hand to talk pollination and engage visitors of all ages in hands-on activities. Discover why pollination matters and what you can do to help pollinators in your community! ​​​​​​​Please note all events ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Thursday evenings this summer, Rock Creek Park (U.S. National Park Service) and Rock Creek Conservancy are hosting FREE, family-friendly events at rotating locations throughout the east side of the park. Join us for music from DJ Lance Reynolds and fun-for-all-ages games and activities. Summer in the Parks events bring the Rock Creek community together to enjoy ...

(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) (Green Spring Gardens) Bring your lawn chairs or blankets, pack a picnic dinner to enjoy on the lawn, and kick back and relax while listening to the sounds of live entertainment. There's also fun, interactive kids activities. This family friendly concert is free.

(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Butterflies are beautiful insects with many different species; for example, in Virginia alone, there are over 100 species. In this family-friendly presentation, come learn about the different butterfly “groups” (families), how to identify them, and how to attract them in your backyard. The presentation will also cover some commonly asked questions, such as “What is the ...

(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.

(DC) (THEARC Farm) Want time in a peaceful, outdoor space? Are you hoping to learn more about gardening? Would you like to help grow food for the neighbors? Join us! We'll be harvesting vegetables, fruits and herbs for our food giveaway in the afternoon. Adults of all skill levels are welcome. Kids under 16 should be accompanied by an adult. ...

(DC) (Hillwood) Slow down, awaken your senses, and connect with nature as you experience a forest bathing walk in Hillwood’s gardens and grounds. Inspired by the Japanese practice of shinrin-yoku (which translates to “absorbing the forest atmosphere”), forest bathing is a research-based activity designed to promote health and well-being through immersion in natural settings. Participants will be guided on a ...

(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!

(DC) (Smithsonian Asian Art Museum) 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 which is inspired by nature, ...

(VA) (EcoAction Arlington) Celebrate the summer with EcoAction Arlington at the Bluemont Junction Park! Join us for a beautiful evening outside on one of the longest days of the year for service, sunshine, and socializing! Volunteers will be stewards of our community park by participating in an invasive plant removal. After the service project, stay for a time of socializing ...

(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 10 and up.

(VA) (NOVA Parks) This is a very special tour that we can only offer when the conditions line up just right. Enjoy a relaxing sunset before night falls, then watch as the skies darken before the full moon rises like a fireball and illuminates the water! We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous kayak ...

(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 ...

(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Our River Terrace Trash Trap cleanups have been a huge success in helping us to make progress towards our goal for a trash free Anacostia River.  This trash trap catches trash before it ends up in the River!  But our staff can’t manage this trap alone. Volunteers are critical to our plan to collect trash and ...

(DC) (Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens) Participate in a variety of park stewardship activities including invasive plant removal, litter collection, flower bed weeding, trail maintenance and more. Some activities involve working in shallow ponds. This event will run rain or shine—please dress accordingly and plan to work outside! Space is limited for this event. However, walk-up registration is available if ...

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

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Enjoy yoga held in a peaceful setting under the cover of the Japanese Tea House. Designed to increase flexibility and physical strength and to cultivate mental focus, these classes are a beautiful and relaxing way to begin your weekend. Mats are not included. This class will be held in the Japanese Tea House, located in the Gude ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Zoo) Get ready for a free, fun-filled immersive scientific experience at the Zoo! On Solstice Saturday, visitors can engage with scientists, researchers, and animal experts to learn how science is shaping the future of wildlife conservation.

(DC) (National Mall) The Smithsonian marks the first Saturday of summer—Solstice Saturday—by staying open late and hosting programs and performances throughout the day and night. Many of the museums on the National Mall will have extended hours, with two museums staying open until midnight. View participating museums and details below. Solstice Saturday is held in association with Hofstra University’s Department ...

(DC) (US Botanical Garden) Want to know more about how plants can prevent flooding? Drop by the Terrace in front of the Conservatory to talk with Reshmina. You'll learn how rain gardens can make neighborhoods safer and watersheds cleaner, and dive into how you could plan your own rain garden. Bring your questions and connect with plant science professionals in ...

(DC) (Smithsonian) Bring the kids to celebrate summer solstice with sun-themed crafts at the National Museum of Asian Art! In between exploring exhibitions, drop by the ImaginAsia Studio to make a hanging mobile of celestial bodies or hand-printed notecards with stamps of the sun and stars. Our docents will be there to lead you through the crafts and assist you ...

(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.