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) (National Park Service) Join a NPS volunteer birder for a bird walk around the aquatic gardens. All are welcome including beginning birders. A limited amount of binoculars can be borrowed with a photo ID. It will be a slow paced walk covering about one mile. Over 250 different species of birds have been spotted at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and ...

(VA) (Earth Sangha) We're excited to announce the Earth Sangha's Fall Open House and Native Plant Sale on Sunday, October 6th, from 9am to 2pm!! Visit us at the Wild Plant Nursery (6100 Cloud Dr. Springfield, VA 22152) and shop the DC region's most comprehensive collection of exclusively local-ecotype, native plants! All sales support our restoration work on local parkland. ...

(VA) (Nature by Design) Nature By Design, an environmentally responsible full service plant nursery vends every Sunday at Four Mile Run Farmers' Market on Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The market is located at 4109 Mt. Vernon Avenue in Alexandria (Del Ray), just below S. Glebe Rd. Phone: 703-683-GROW (4769)

(DC) (Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens) Forest bathing, also known as shinrin-yoku in Japanese, means “bathing in the essence of the forest” and is a scientifically proven therapeutic modality to aid in one’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Participate in a 120-minute Forest Bathing saunter guided by certified Nature and Forest Therapy instructor J. Sage Raindancer. Meander through the Kenilworth Aquatic ...

(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) (Rock Creek Park) The National Capital Region Invasive Plant Management Team is hosting a non-native plant removal event on October 6th. This event is a volunteer effort to help restore the meadows from non-native invasive species through the hands-on removal of harmful shrubs, vines, and flowering plants. During the event, participants will learn how to identify and control several ...

(MD) (Howard County Recreation and Parks) Join Laura Armstrong Falvey, a certified forest bathing guide with Chesapeake Nature Connection, on a walk to learn to engage the senses and appreciate the benefits of being immersed in a natural environment. Slowing down and spending mindful time in nature is proven to regulate your blood pressure, increase immunity, and reduce production of ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for an afternoon of beautiful harp music and the natural beauty of Black Hill all around you. No need to register; just come to the Discovery Center and enjoy.

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Each fall we gather around the Walker Log House to celebrate our nation’s heritage with a family-friendly day of fun. Step back into history and try your hand at some old-time games and crafts, make a corn husk doll, churn butter, dip candles and work the cider press! Bring your old pants and shirt to make a ...

(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) (Smithsonian Associates) Shinrin-yoku (translated as “forest bathing”) began in Japan in the 1980s. Rooted in Shinto and Buddhist traditions of reverence for nature, the practice involves a full sensory immersion in the outdoors. Experience forest bathing as Melanie Choukas-Bradley, a certified nature and forest-therapy guide and author of several nature books, including Wild Walking—A Guide to Forest Bathing Through the ...

(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 the autumn colors on 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+.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Connect with and care for your inner self through the Strolls for Well-Being, an evidence based program that promotes emotional healing and wellness through connection to nature. Over the course of eight weeks, you will complete twelve walks individually in Brookside Gardens, on your own schedule and with a beautiful full-color, 110-page journal as your guide. Each ...

(MD) (University of Maryland) pH, organic matter, CEC, ppm, FIV, base saturation, oh my! This presentation will cover the basics of a soil test report and how to make management decisions based on your test results.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Come get your bug on, hunting for insects of all shapes, sizes, and colors in the meadow. Bring your catch back to the naturalist to help identify and learn more about what you found. Be sure to wear sunscreen, a hat, and bring along some water to drink. Nets and other equipment provided. Drop by anytime during ...

(DC) (Hillwood) The fall garden shines as plantings, accented by tens-of-thousands of chrysanthemums, begin to transition from the bright growth of summer to fall colors. Jessica Bonilla, director of horticulture, highlights her favorite fall features and first-hand stories of practical gardening lessons. Tickets are distributed at the Ellen MacNeille Charles Visitor Center upon opening each day. This thirty-minute tour is ...

(MD) (Montgomery Join us for a sunset cruise aboard the pontoon boat. We’ll search for beaver lodges and feeding sites, and hopefully see some beavers! As the sun sets, we’ll use our bat detector to help us find feeding bats. Please register and pay for all participants. Ages 6+

(DC) (MD) (VA) (Capital Nature) Join us for the October edition of iNaturalist Virtual ID Night. The topic this month is: Celebrate Aractober! We will have a fascinating presentation on spiders, and you will then have an opportunity to hone your arachnid identification skills using iNaturalist. Cosponsored with The Nature Conservancy (MD/DC Chapter) and Prince George’s County Dept. of Parks ...

(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) We are a group of 5 women who photograph wildlife nationally and internationally. Some of us are professional photographers, others are amateurs. Among us we have won major photography awards and have been widely published and exhibited. It is a pleasure to exhibit at Huntley Meadows, which is a major source of inspiration and photographic ...

(MD) (Nature Forward) Celebrate nature, wellness and Hispanic Heritage Month at special Conservation Cafe. Join us on October 9 from 5 to 6:30 pm for an evening of birdwatching, yoga, and delicious snacks! DC Bird Alliance's María Elena Montero will be our guide, A yoga instructor since 2018, Maria Elena infuses her love of birds in her classes and credits ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) As part of the Humanities truck’s “Mobilizing Memories” effort, American University fellows and staff conducted short, video interviews with community members that wanted to share their memories of the park and the District. This exhibition is part of a related National Park Service project to collect oral histories about Malcolm X/ Meridian Hill Park.

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Get your head in the game! Join fellow bird, beer, & board games enthusiasts for our monthly Wingspan Wednesday hang at Valor Brewpub.

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Over 100 million birds migrate through northern Virginia each spring, and 160 million migrate through each fall. Their journeys are perilous because they can be attracted to and disoriented by brightly lit buildings and crash into them or waste precious energy flying around the lights. Join us to learn about the new Bird Safe NOVA campaign ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join Ellen, Weed Warrior Supervisor, for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Upper Paint Branch Stream Valley Park in Colesville, MD. We will focus on non-native, invasive vines and shrubs, including roundleaf bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus), honeysuckle vine (Lonicera japonica), and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora). We’ll be working in close proximity to the Good Hope tributary, which has ...

(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

(MD) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Artist Sophia McCrocklin’s larger-than-life botanical fiber sculptures explore art’s crucial role in enhancing human relationships with the environment. By spotlighting the grandeur of leaves, seed pods, and ferns from Rock Creek Park’s understory, McCrocklin documents the beauty and reverence of the species at the frontline of climate change. The exhibit is available to view during Writer's ...

(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.  

(Homegrown National Park) Join HNP and Benjamin Vogt for a crash course in selecting native plants for your locale, the benefits of matrix design for climate resilience, and the basics of management (from site prep to weeds to several years after install). We'll cover all the core concepts of natural garden design for habitat and sustainability, as well as the ...

(DC) (Friends of Anacostia Park) Join Miss Lorraine & The Fabulous Hand Dancers for an afternoon of dancing in the park targeted towards our senior community. Dancing styles will include Hand, Line, Bop, and Free Style. Meeting point is the Skating Pavilion.  

(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) (Arlington Parks) October and November are the best time of year for night sky observation in Virginia. We'll view the night sky with a staff amateur astronomer, look through a telescope and hear stories about constellations. Bundle up, it may be very cold. Registration Required. Family.

(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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) The monarch butterfly is probably the most famous insect specialist feeding only on milkweed, but did you know that many native bees are also specialists? Studying these native plant-bee specializations and their overlapping habitat requirements will help your garden support more pollinators. Threats such as habitat loss and climate change will also be covered. Instructor: Heather Holm, ...

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) 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 and ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Save the trees and protect the stream valley ecosystem! Join Barbara, Weed Warrior Supervisor, for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday at Long Branch Stream Valley Unit 2 and Long Branch Local Park. We will focus on non-native, invasive vines and shrubs including porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata), English ivy (Hedera helix), and bush honeysuckle (Lonicera spp.). Native ...

(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) (Casey Trees) Welcome to our fall season of Community Tree Plantings! Join us in planting trees at Hamilton Manor. You provide the volunteers, we provide all the necessary tools and supplies to plant the trees. Participants will receive a hands-on training on site. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will be split up into groups supervised by a ...

(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 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). Ages 9 +

(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) 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) (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. Trail 9 is located at the intersection of Broad Branch and Beach Dr. Detailed location, ...

(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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Kids and families of all ages are welcome to drop-in to the Fall Harvest Family Day. Enjoy free admission to the Woodlawn Museum and hands-on activities include churning butter, filling a harvest basket, and decorating a cardboard pumpkin.

(DC) (DC Public Library) Join us for a presentation on the importance of local plants as well as green infrastructure guided by the expertise of Dr. Kelly Russo-Petrick of the College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences (CAUSES) at UDC. Weather allowing, we will also spend some time surveying the green roof atop the MLK Library.

(DC) (US National Arboretum) Join members of the Herb Society of America’s Mid-Atlantic Units for an afternoon of chile pepper fun! Learn what makes peppers hot, then taste test your knowledge with chile tastings and chile pepper–infused dishes. The fun happens in the National Herb Garden from 1–4 PM.

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Autumn brings beautiful colors to the Preserve. Join us as we begin to explore watercolor techniques, capturing the beauty of our leaves during their change from varied greens to yellows, oranges, reds, purples and browns. Learn how simple supplies can produce frame worthy art. For Watercolor beginners ages 12 and older.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Fall is filled with festivities. Join us as we press fresh apple cider, make pumpkin bird feeders, create a scarecrow for your front yard, make creepy crafts, and go on a spooky skull hike. Make a scarecrow to decorate your yard. You supply the clothes and creativity and we will supply the straw and craft supplies.