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.

(VA) (Fairfax County) Join us for a planting event aimed at restoring the Fairfax County Parklands. Native plants will be planted to help support the local ecosystem. Minimum age: 12.

(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) (DC Bird Alliance) Join us for this very special bird walk as we discover, or rediscover, what is means for us to be a birder. What connects in your mind, body and soul when you hear a tiny soprano in perfect pitch singing to you? Together with the phenomenal, Susan West Montgomery, we will enjoy a practice inviting us ...

(VA) (Kindred Nature and NOVA Parks) Experience forest bathing to connect more deeply with nature and release stress surrounded by the beauty of colorful fall foliage at Potomac Overlook Regional Park! 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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Fall is a rainbow of wildflowers, from goldenrods to asters in every shade of purple. Take a leisurely stroll through the park with our Master Naturalists who will interpret this last spectacular show of color before the changing of the seasons.  

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (13 and adult) Enjoy a new perspective of fall colors at Lake Accotink this season aboard one of our kayaks. Our expedition takes us to the northern part of the lake to see glorious natural tunnels of orange, yellow and red leaves. Previous kayak experience is necessary.

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Experience forest bathing to connect more deeply with nature and release stress surrounded by the beauty of colorful fall foliage! 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 ...

(DC) (Friends of Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens) DC Retro Jumpers will teach “on the spot” Double Dutch jumping during this 2-hr class. No experience necessary. All ages & gender welcomed. Partner jumping always “Doubles” the fun. https://dcretrojumpers.com/

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Regardless of the weather or season, there are always neat plants, mosses, lichens, and fungi to see if you look closely! Each participant will be given a magnifying hand lens to use during the walk, and we'll explore the incredible micro-worlds of mosses and other plants, fungi, even invertebrates! Teens ages 12 and up welcome to attend ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join James, Weed Warrior Supervisor, for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Long Branch Stream Valley Unit 1 (between Piney Branch Rd and Carroll Ave), in Takoma Park, MD. We will be focusing on non-native, invasive vines, especially porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata). Native Virginia creeper and poison ivy are also present and beneficial, so we ...

(DC) (DC Public Library) Have your houseplants taken over your home? Do you want to send them to take over someone else's home? Bring houseplants or cuttings to give away or trade in the New Books room at the MLK Jr. Memorial Library. Your plants can be swapped on a one-for-one basis but we'll also have a limited supply of ...

(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.  

(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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Socials for 55+ is a program tailored for individuals aged 55+, and in this session you’ll create charming birdhouses using natural materials like acorns and squash. This creative session is perfect for nature lovers looking to craft and enhance their outdoor spaces. All materials are provided. No crafting experience is necessary. A detailed email will be sent ...

(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) (Montgomery Parks) Join filmmaker Cintia Cabib for a screening of her new documentary, Bird Walk. Discover how a former golf course in Rockville, Maryland, has become an avian oasis and learn about the grassroots campaign that helped preserve the 131-acre site as a public park. The screening will be followed by a panel discussion and audience Q&A.

(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) (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 ...

(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 ...

(VA) (Fairfax County) Did you know that invasive plants are a huge threat to local wildlife, including migrating birds? Help out these creatures by volunteering to remove invasive plants and restore habitat! Minimum age: 12.

(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.  

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join us for an engaging afternoon with a local artist who has a deep passion for birds and a talent for transforming wood into beautiful bird carvings. The event begins with the artist sharing their love for birds and the stories behind their unique fascination with these winged wonders. You’ll have the opportunity to admire a stunning ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Take a stroll with us on the less-visited side of the park to uncover the history of spies, espionage and how the Cold War struggle between the US and the USSR shaped Huntley and the Fairfax County we know today. Meets at South King Highway entrance includes a 2.4 mile walk over flat terrain. Adults

(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.  

(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society for a special birding boat tour of the Anacostia River to explore the ecological and historical changes that have occurred in the river and in the communities around the river. This will be one of our last boat tours of the year with special guest, Lynette Fullerton, who will guide us ...

(DC) (MD) (Rock Creek Conservancy) Please join Rock Creek Conservancy for a virtual training for our Stream Team Leader program. Stream Team Leaders are dedicated volunteers that work with the Conservancy to host their own trash cleanups and stormwater engagement events, increasing stewardship actions within their communities and throughout Washington, D.C. and Montgomery County, MD. The training will take place ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Spend the evening with area experts as they share their expertise and knowledge of local nature and conservation topics. This series sheds light on the relationships and challenges of urbanization and wildlife in Montgomery County. Evening includes light fare. Large or small we all live in a watershed. Learn more about the local Paint Branch Watershed with ...

(DC) (Casey Trees) Do you love trees and want to play a greater role in increasing the District’s canopy cover? Join us to become a Casey Trees Team Leader at our community tree plantings! The foundation for a tree’s health and longevity is established the day it is planted. As a Tree Planting Team Leader, you will learn how to ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Bambi may be cute, but he would love to make a feast of your garden. Learn some proven and humane tactics to keep your edible and ornamental gardens safe from deer, rabbits, rats, squirrels, groundhogs and other warm-blooded creatures with Kathy Jentz, editor of Washington Gardener Magazine. Kathy will also touch upon design strategies and plant selections.

(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Just a few miles from Washington, D.C., lies a rural oasis that rivals the English countryside. Spend an autumn day exploring the scenic 93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve with naturalist and long-time resident Melanie Choukas-Bradley, whop will introduce some of her favorite places in this close-in slice of paradise at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain. You will hear remarkable ...

(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 ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (13-Adult) This class is designed for individuals with intellectual disabilities who want to develop their bird watching skills. Join a park naturalist to learn important tips for bird identification and a short walk along the trail to utilize your bird watching skills. Parent/caregiver participation is required. More Fairfax County nature programs can be found here.

(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 ...

(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) (US Botanic Garden) Our gardens and hardiness zones are changing. How do we adapt to the new heat, humidity, and hardships that a drought season can put on our garden? Join Teri Speight, Gardener and Author for this online lecture and take an inventory of what survived this brutal summer and consider what to plant with conservation in mind.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Get outside and enjoy the stunning colors of fall on a leisurely hike through the forest. Find your favorite fall colors with a scavenger hunt, and join us after for a campfire, cider, and s’mores!

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Girls belong in nature, enjoying outdoor adventures! Join us for a girl-centered Nature Girls Club. There are three in-person sessions with a Park Naturalist that will focus on exploring nature, trying out outdoor skills, and nature journaling. Meetings are monthly. Ages 6 to 11.

(MD) (DC Bird Alliance) Together with our partner, Nature Forward, we're happy to invite you to a Halloween special bird walk at their Woodend Nature Sanctuary. We'll have a spooky fun time around the firepit, going on mini-bird walks thru the sanctuary, and enjoying this beautiful space with fellow bird lovers. COSTUMES ENCOURAGED!

(VA) (Arlington Parks) We'll visit our classroom to learn about nocturnal animals then walk the trails to see if we can find them in the dark. Bundle up, it can become very cold. Families.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (8-Adult) Spark your interest in Walney history through legends, lore and stories of the supernatural on a night hike. Then gather around the campfire for s'mores.

(VA) (Norther Virginia Bird Alliance) Join us for a bird walk at OBNWR! This walk is geared toward beginners, but more experienced birders are welcome. Walk leader is Larry Meade. Occoquan Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established in June 1998 to provide habitat for migratory birds and endangered species. The refuge's diverse grassland, marsh and forest habitats attract a variety ...

(MD) (DC Bird Alliance) Did you know Battery Kemble was part of the Civil War Defenses of Washington! Join us for a bird walk at this National Park followed by the chapter's Annual Meeting to elect officers and to talk about continuing to build community around birds. The chapter will have light snacks available for the meeting after the walk. ...

(DC) (US Botanic Garden) Join us before public hours to explore "Fierce Flora: Tales of Survival and Demise." This new, multisensory exhibit shares the ferocious side of the bright and beautiful plant world. Most plants are relatively harmless, but beware some of the unique survival feature plants have evolved to defend themselves against herbivores, infection, and plant competitors!

(VA) (Kindred Nature and NOVA Parks) Experience forest bathing to connect more deeply with nature, release stress, and enjoy fall at Winkler Botanical Preserve! 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 ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join a Brookside naturalist and learn the basics of birding on our frustration-free “flat” bird practice trail. Our wildlife pond boardwalk is accessible for all budding birders. Stroll or roll to each bird station and learn proper use of binoculars, how to navigate a field guide and what to look for and at as you step into ...

(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 +

(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) (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, the National Park Service, and Weed Warrior 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 for a thriving native understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (Adults) Habitat loss has reduced wildlife diversity in our neighborhoods. Extension Master Gardener will discuss gardening techniques for attracting wildlife to turn your corner of the planet into a thriving habitat for pollinators, birds and other native insects.

(DC) (Friends of Anacostia Park) Come get your skate on! Join Friends of Anacostia Park, the National Park Service, and our community partners for a day of music, recreation and kinship in DC's most storied skating venue.

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us for a 'Spooktacular' evening of fun learning about nighttime animals and cultural festivities surrounding nature this time of the year. Later time will be just as fun and a little bit spooky for families with older children. Families.