Capital Nature

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy the sunrise at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens when the gardens open at 5:45am on Sunday, July 14.  Sunrise is the perfect time for a peaceful walk, birding, or nature photography.  Portrait/posed photography is not permitted during these extended hours.  Regular garden admission or garden membership applies.

(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) (NOVA Parks/Kindred Nature) Experience forest bathing to connect more deeply with nature, release stress, and enjoy summer in the gardens! Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing is a way to immerse your senses in the natural world. Slow down, relax, and join certified forest bathing guide Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature for a guided slow wander ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Spend your afternoons at the Rock Creek Park Nature Center learning about our wild and wonderful urban oasis!  Park Rangers will teach kids of all ages about the fantastic flora and fauna in the park.

(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.  

(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 ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy free garden admission and a guided walk around Meadowlark's 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. This is a drop-in activity.  No reservations are required. Ages 18+.

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Want to know more about how we keep our plants healthy at the USBG? Drop by the Conservatory’s Garden Court to talk with Chelsea McKinley, USBG Plant Health Specialist about how we identify and battle pests and pathogens at the Garden. Bring your questions and connect with a USBG plant science professional in this Expert Is In ...

(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, ...

(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. Adaptive equipment will be available to assist participants in getting in and out of the kayak. Basic paddling experience ...

(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.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Unwind from your day by breathing fresh air, enjoying nature around you while flowing through a meditative outdoor yoga practice. This class will offer variations to help fit all flexibility and fitness levels. Participants should be able to get up and down from a mat. This is part of a weekly series.

(DC) (Smithsonian Environmental Research Center) From frogs to salamanders, amphibians are secretive but essential to our health and our ecosystems. But amphibians are facing a crisis: Over 40% are threatened with extinction. How can we reduce that loss? Join biologist Kerry Wixted as we dive into the fascinating world of amphibian biodiversity in the eastern United States, a global amphibian ...

(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern Virginia) Help survey the remaining natural places sheltering remnants of an earlier, vital, natural history in NoVa. Consider joining one or more of the continuing natural resource surveys at Occoquan Bay NWR, Meadowood Recreation Area and other parks and preserves in eastern Fairfax and Prince William Counties. A report of each of the weekly, monthly surveys ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Gardens) Free weekly tours of the Enid A. Haupt Garden are offered every Wednesday at 10 a.m. from May 22 through September 25, 2024, weather permitting. Meet one of our knowledgeable docents by the tour sign in the Enid A. Haupt Garden near the south entrance to the Smithsonian Castle. No reservation is required.

(DC) (American University) GROUNDED is an artistic exploration curated to inspire our imaginations about our need of being "grounded" in our relationship with all of creation: the earth and its wildlife, each other and ourselves. The exhibit brings together 15 premier contemporary artists from Indigenous American tribes traditionally based in and around the Great Plains region, whose work will serve ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy a nice sunset on the water and experience the natural beauty of the Occoquan Reservoir! A fun and memorable outdoor adventure while highlighting natural and historical features unique to the area. This program will be led by NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, Matt Felperin. We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous ...

(MD) (Friends of Sligo Creek) Join us to hear about Howard EcoWorks and Seeds of Change with Founder Lori Lilly. Planting, conservation, community engagement in green projects, native nursery with workforce development…find out what Howard EcoWorks does and how they do it through innovative, multi-goal programs and projects.

(VA) (NOVA Parks)Come help us with our farm chores! Participants will get an up close and private experience with our animals and get to see what it is like to be a farm helper for a day. Your group will get to meet the animals, participate in morning farm chores, and learn as you go with one of our expert ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Let’s get creative together and paint with water.  In July visitors are encouraged to create a landscape or something in nature that inspires them at Rock Creek Park!  The fun with water continues in August as we create gray petaltail dragonflies, one of the park's native insect species that is found near water, and more colorful ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join a USBG volunteer to explore the Regional Garden! You'll learn about Mid-Atlantic native plants and how to incorporate them into a garden. Note: This tour is dependent both on weather and volunteer availability.  

(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 ...

(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. Families.

(MD) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Explore the Anacostia River while riding in one of our open-air boats as part of the Anacostia River Explorers program. Anacostia Watershed Society staff will take participants on a one hour tour of the river while discussing natural and cultural history along with restoration efforts. You will experience the joy of being out on the water ...

(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) Butterfly and dragonfly surveys are carried out in temperate months (April-October), normally on Friday mornings, at one of four sites around Occoquan Bay, all within the 15-mile diameter circle established for the annual North American Butterfly Association's Annual Count. The results of these surveys are made available to the participants and other interested individuals ...

(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) Experience the serenity and beauty of Hillwood's Japanese-style garden, just as Marjorie Post and so many of her guests did. Join Michael Rollinson, gardener, as he shares a behind-the-scenes look at the intricately manicured, yet “naturally wild,” garden. Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center upon opening each day. This thirty-minute tour is limited to ...

(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, ...

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) BirdNote is excited to partner with Chesapeake Coffee Roasters for a unique virtual coffee tasting event that will feature a guided tasting where you’ll learn about the distinct flavors and profiles of specially selected coffees, expertly led by a team member from Chesapeake Coffee Roasters. Along with savoring these delightful brews, you'll hear from speakers who ...

(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) 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.

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Join us at this beautiful getaway hiding in plain sight. Kingman Island is an oasis of green, and water and ... of course, birds! Look for the Kingman Island Boardwalk sign to direct you into RFK Parking Lot 6, 575 Oklahoma Ave NE Washington, DC 20002. Getting here is available a number of different ways, look ...

(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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Discover the hidden flora and fauna of Brookside Gardens and the neighboring forest with award winning naturalist, storyteller, and environmental educator Alonso Abugattas. Learn more about the fascinating relationships between plants and wildlife as you discover the local ecosystems that can exist in your own backyard. This guided tour will help you see the natural world of ...

(DC) (Friends of Anacostia Park) Join our Friends Corps Grounds Crew and help care for Anacostia Park. Activities will include invasive species removal (training provided), trash cleanup, and other projects needed to help keep the park a safe and welcoming place for all. Supplies are provided. Meeting point is the skating pavilion. Sign up using this form to help us ...

(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) This self-care workshop will blend meditative practices in nature with art therapy and group discussion to build holistic wellness. Explore mindfulness skills to create your heart-felt resiliency routine for handling stress and providing peace of mind and body. Learn nurturing techniques that help build internal resources for spiritual and emotional health.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Experience Green Spring Gardens with all of your senses. Join Ana Ka’ahanui, co-founder of local nonprofit Capital Nature for a slow, meditative walk around the gardens. Contemplative, but more active than meditation, this forest bathing walk will help reduce blood pressure, boost immunity, and enhance mood and creativity. Decompress and feel a deeper connection with the ...

(DC) (Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery) Join art educator and nature lover Kristin Bauersfeld in a workshop that combines nature, journaling, and art. In this session, inspired by the exhibition, Forces of Nature, Bauersfeld will lead visitors through a lesson in contour line drawing and introduce them to nature journaling. After, visitors will get a chance to create nature inspired art ...

(DC) (Hillwood) Celebrate the season with a fun floral creation!  Adorn your summer attire with a wearable wreath crafted of seasonal roses, zinnias, and more. As the crown will be made with fresh flowers, the piece will remain at its ideal freshness for about one or two days. All materials are included.  Payment is required in advance due to materials fees ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join Joe Patitucci, artist and co-creator of PlantWave, for an exciting journey into the world of plant music. In this online lecture, we'll explore how technology translates the bio-data of plants into beautiful, ambient music. Joe will share the origins of his invention, explain how it works, and discuss its significance for sustainability and plant conservation. ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join us for an evening campfire the whole family can enjoy. During the program we will explore the wonders of our natural world. Our programs may include nature walks, interactive activities, animal presentations, or other opportunities to learn about nature and our place in it. Includes s’mores. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. Ages ...

(DC) (US National Arboretum) Join us for an outdoor movie in the National Arboretum's Ellipse Meadow for "The Hidden Life of Trees", a documentary based on the bestselling book by Peter Wohlleben. According Rotten Tomatoes, where this movie has a 95% approval rating, "a walk in the woods will never be the same after watching ." Bring a picnic and ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) 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. Adults.