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.

(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 ...

(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) (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) Hear the birds singing and take in the historic Occoquan scenery on a kayak paddle led by ACA certified paddling instructor and NOVA Parks Roving Naturalist, Matt Felperin. Expect to observe songbirds, Great Blue Herons, Cormorants, Osprey, and maybe even some Bald Eagles! We will begin with a brief paddling instruction overview before heading out. Previous kayak ...

(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) (Tregaron Conservancy) Join David Harold for Tai Chi practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We will gather west of the Lily Pond near the entrance at Klingle Road NW. David is passionate about making Taiji and Qigong practice and principles accessible. For 15 years, he led a free, weekly public outdoor practice in Winston-Salem, NC. That practice continues to be led ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) What do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide? Open ...

(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) (Virginia Native Plant Society) Get your fall plantings underway! VNPS plant sales are held on the first Wednesday morning of the month through October at our propagation beds behind the Horticulture Center at Green Spring Gardens. Our knowledgeable Propagation Bed Volunteers are looking forward to visiting with you and helping you select the right plants for your environment.

(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join volunteers and AWS staff to collect bags containing wild rice from the wetlands by Langston Golf Course! For over 15 years, AWS has been collecting wild rice seed as part of our wetland restoration efforts in the tidal Anacostia River. The seed collected in the bags will be used for propagation in the Anacostia River ...

(DC) (Hillwood) Enjoy an evening concert showcasing some of the finest jazz musicians in the D.C. area, playing the iconic music of New Orleans, all in the spectacular setting of Hillwood’s gardens. Start your visit with a tour of Hillwood’s mansion, gardens, and greenhouse, and the exhibition, Fragile Beauty: Art of the Ocean, and enjoy the concert starting at 6:30 ...

(DC) (MD) (VA) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Do you want to be a community scientist? Do you have a keen eye for wildlife? In preparation for Bioblitz 2024, please join us for "iNaturalist 101" with Deborah Barber of The Nature Conservancy and Ana Ka'ahanui of Capital Nature. This information-packed session will teach you how you can use the iNaturalist app to ...

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) This is the National Capitol Planning Commission’s final meeting determining the approval of the Rock Creek Golf Course Rehabilitation Plan. Join DC Bird Alliance and others to support the conservation of the Rock Creek Park's trees. The planned Rock Creek Golf Course has been home to countless bird species over the years, both migratory & residential. ...

(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) (Mycological Association of Washington) Join fungi and nature lovers for a fascinating movie: The Kingdom-How Fungi Made our World. Meet interesting mushrooms and people!  

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and Sarah DeWitt, Certified Forest Therapy Guide for a two-hour gentle walk to help you slow down and reconnect with yourself, nature, and your community. Forest bathing, or shinrin yoku, is the simple practice of taking in the woods through the senses. This forest bathing walk will begin with some gentle mindful ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Natural History Museum) What do brighter nights mean for people and wildlife? Through over 100 photographs, nearly 250 objects, interactive experiences, tactile models, and a theater program, discover why dark nights matter, rekindle your connection with the night sky, and consider how much light at night is enough—for whom, for what purpose, and who gets to decide? Open ...

(VA) (Kindred Nature and NOVA Parks) Join us for a unique opportunity to connect deeply with nature, release stress, and rejuvenate your mind and body through the combined practices of forest bathing and sound meditation at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens. Inspired by the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku, forest bathing, guided by Ilana Rubin of Kindred Nature, immerses your senses in the ...

(MD) (Strathmore) Strathmore’s MONUMENTS: Forces of Nature highlights the achievements and social impact of six individuals who work in climate, environmental stewardship, or resource justice in the DMV. Large-scale, nighttime portraits are projected onto live trees for stunning effect and challenge traditional expectations of public monuments and the selective history represented in our public spaces. Craig Walsh is a visual ...

(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) Did you know that fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs and other perennials? A huge selection of native plants will be available from four native plant nurseries: Nature By Design, Hill House Farm & Nursery, Watermark Woods and Seven Bends Nursery. The Sale will be staffed by volunteers knowledgeable about native plants. It ...

(DC) (DC State Fair) The DC State Fair is a showcase of the District’s creative talents and a daylong celebration of all things homegrown. We work with local businesses and organizations that are committed to helping our community thrive. Among many activities, the fair will include 50+ exhibitors including local makers, community organizations, food vendors, government agencies, and universities, live ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Join Rock Creek Conservancy, the National Park Service, and Stream Team Leader Zoë Abrahm for a litter removal restoration event in Rock Creek Park. Trash is the visible form of stormwater pollution, a major threat to water quality and park health and its removal makes the parklands cleaner, safer, and more beautiful for all. Event location, ...

(MD) (Forested) Tour Forested's permaculture garden that grows nutrition for people in a forest setting and conserves the environment on a 10-acre lot. Our 50 year vision is for forest garden ecosystems to sustainably supply a large portion of all food and forest products people need and use for healthy living. We have a special focus on the eastern United ...

(DC) (MD) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join Anacostia Watershed Society, area naturalists, and local environmental organizations for a fun-packed day of nature walks and community science at beautiful Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. The day's events are part of the 8th Annual Anacostia River Bioblitz, which celebrates and documents the abundant life in the watershed. A bioblitz is a "Census of the Natural ...

(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. More RCP events can be found here.

(VA) (Virginia Native Plant Society) Are you new to native plants? New to gardening? Join Ivy for the final installment of the Native Gardening 101 series! We will discuss the importance of your garden during the fall and winter seasons and where garden maintenance fits into that. We’ll also reflect on the year and kickstart the planning phase for the ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Library) Fall is the time for planting trees! Learn how trees native to Northern Virginia support songbirds, butterflies and the rest of the living world. Presented by Plant NOVA Natives. Registration required. This is an online presentation. A Zoom link will be emailed to those who register two hours before the event. Teens and Adults.