Capital Nature

(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 ...

(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.

(DC) (Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens) Enjoy the beauty of Kenilworth and participate in a 60-minute yoga session led with Heather. Heather loves sharing the benefits of yoga (especially introducing the practice to beginners) and would be honoured to share this with her ward 7 neighbours in the special setting of the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. Join her for a 60-minute ...

(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 ...

(DC) (Asian Art Museum) Legendary anime director Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away, Princess Mononoke) returned after a ten-year hiatus to write and direct this hand-drawn, original story. After losing his mother during the war, young Mahito moves to his family’s estate in the countryside. There, a series of mysterious events leads him to a secluded and ancient tower, home to a ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) It might seem like bugs are just icky pests when it comes to gardening, but insects and their relatives do a lot of important jobs in the garden and in nature! Come learn about all the different types of creepy crawlies and do a little bug-catching to get a closer look at these awesome creatures. (Summer edition, ...

(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) (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) (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.

(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) 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. Basic paddling experience is ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join the Roving Naturalist for a late night meteor shower watch party! Every August, the earth passes through a debris field produced by Comet 109P/Swift-Tuttle; causing the Perseid Meteor Shower. As crazy as it seems, this is the best time to get outside and see the highest volume of meteors. So, get a good night's rest the ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join Matt Felperin, ACA certified Roving Naturalist for a special seasonal paddle tour! Paddle under the stars during the Perseid Meteor Shower and learn more about how this natural phenomenon works as well as find constellations and satellites. We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out and taking in the night sky. Previous ...

(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) Want to know more about orchid care and maintenance? Drop by the Conservatory's Garden Court to talk with George about orchids! Bring your questions and connect with USBG plant science professionals in this Expert Is In program. Today's Expert: George Guenthner, USBG Gardener

(DC) (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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Discover your new favorite band(s) at Parks Summer Concert Series at the Amphitheater. Live music to be performed by local group King Street Bluegrass. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own snacks, blankets, and lawn chairs. Snacks and beverages will be provided by The Urban Winery and Churros Inc. Invite your friends and family and make ...

(DC) (National Park Service) Join a park ranger on Friday mornings through August 30th for a garden tour at beautiful Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. The garden tour will begin at the visitors center. Learn more about birds at Kenilworth from NPS here  

(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 ...

(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) (Hillwood) The cutting garden in August is lush with blooms. A variety of colors and textures fill the garden beds. Dahlias, zinnias, celosia, sunflowers, gomphrena, salvia, and herbs are just some of the delights to select for your floral creations. In this virtual workshop, we will create a rustic and casual floral design using blooms from local flower farms ...

(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).

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

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

(DC) (Potomac Conservancy) Join Potomac Conservancy, Anacostia River Keeper, and the National Park Service for a safe, fun, 50 person trash cleanup at Anacostia Park. Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a safe, healthy place to recreate outdoors. We’ll be joined by Anacostia Riverkeeper for a brief water quality demo! Learn ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Want to restore habitat and increase species diversity right here in Arlington? Work parties are held every month. We are making a real difference, with the return of ferns and wildflowers, and the animals that depend on them, in areas once covered in destructive invasive plants. Adults, teens and families ages 8 and up.

(DC) (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 ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Park) 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. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 hours before ...

(DC) (Hillwood) The cutting garden in August is lush with blooms. A variety of colors and textures fill the garden beds. Dahlias, zinnias, celosia, sunflowers, gomphrena, salvia, and herbs are just some of the delights to select for your floral creations. In this virtual workshop with Hillwood's floral designer Ami Wilber, we will create a rustic and casual floral design ...

(MD) (Anacostia Riverkeeper) Join us for a trash cleanup at Wheaton Branch Stormwater Management Pond in partnership with Friends of Sligo Creek, Neighbors of the NW Branch, & One Montgomery Green. This is a free event. Rain or Shine. All supplies provided. Wear closed-toe shoes and clothing that can get dirty.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Learn about the experience of 19th century freedom seekers and Montgomery County residents in a guided hike of the Underground Railroad Experience Trail. Discover techniques used for navigation, eluding detection, and finding food/shelter on the perilous journey. Hike covers 2 miles on a natural surface hiking trail; not ADA accessible or appropriate for all strollers. Content appropriate ...

(DC) (Ward 8 Woods) Join Ward 8 Woods every second Saturday of the month to restore Shepherd Parkway by removing trash and invasive vines that are smothering the trees. Since 2011, over 2,000 volunteers have removed over 200 tons of trash from the woods and cut invasive vines from over 500 trees, but much work remains to be done. Give back ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Want to know more about how plants shape soundscapes? Drop by the Garden Court to talk with Heather Spence, Ph.D., Acoustic Ecologist, Musician/Composer. You'll learn about acoustic ecology, sound-based research, and dive into how a fruit's water content affects its relationship to sound. Bring your questions and connect with plant science professionals in this Expert Is ...

(DC) (Hillwood) The cutting garden in August is lush with blooms. A variety of colors and textures fill the garden beds. Dahlias, zinnias, celosia, sunflowers, gomphrena, salvia, and herbs are just some of the delights to select for your floral creations. In this workshop, we will create a rustic and casual floral design using blooms from local flower farms in ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) David Jonathan Cohen photographs birds and other wildlife around the world. Few destinations attract him as often as Patuxent Research Refuge, which he has visited more than 40 times in the last decade and where he took most of the photographs in this exhibit. This exhibit follows a four-month solo show of David’s work at the ...