It's the season of lights in the Washington DC metro area. Many parks and botanical gardens are hosting beautiful light displays through the new year: Brookside Garden of Lights - Montgomery County MD hosts its annual display at Brookside Gardens through January 5th. Walk among the outdoor twinkling lights and glimmering displays that dot the paths and flowerbeds in 50 acres ...
(DC) (National Gallery of Art) Enjoy a winter skate at the NGA's iconic ice rink surrounded by sculptures and the National Mall. Purchase skating passes in person. Fees cover two back-to-back, 45-minute skating sessions that each begin on the hour. Enjoy a hot cocoa and food at the adjoining Pavilion Cafe. The skating rink will be open through March 2nd ...
(DC) (United States Botanic Garden) The annual holiday display “Season’s Greenings” features model trains in the gated outdoor gardens, festive lights throughout the Garden, and the poinsettias, holiday decor, and D.C. landmarks made from plants inside the Conservatory. On the lawn in the gated outdoor gardens, G-gauge model trains circulate from 10:00-5:00 daily through displays of pollinators made from plant ...
(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 Stream Team Leader Keith Krosinsky and Grace MacNeill 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 ...
(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join AWS to sort trash that has been removed from the Nash Run trash trap into 27 categories. We will count the pieces of trash and measure the weight and volume for each category. The data you help us collect will be used to educate the public and advocate for a better practice, such as the ...
(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.
(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) (Nature Forward) Our fall birding series visit natural areas under an hour’s drive from DC where a variety of habitats – including field, forest, and wetland – provide good opportunities for the observation and ID of birds in autumn, On the earliest walks, we’ll hope to catch some southbound migrants – including those “confusing fall warblers.” As the season ...
(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) (The WRiter's Center) Rock Creek is central to our community’s quality of life. Join this panel discussion, moderated by Representative Jamie Raskin, to learn more about the connections between green space and our well-being. We will celebrate the 10th anniversary of the publication of Melanie Choukas-Bradley’s “A Year in Rock Creek,” which vividly illustrates the power of a nearby ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) (8-Adult) This presentation will cover an introduction to sky coordinates, how astronomical objects are represented on maps of the sky, and how to read star maps to find your way among the stars in the sky. The talk will be illustrated by a variety of star atlases. The classroom discussion is followed by an observatory session ...
(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) (National Zoo) Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about the different ways animals care for their young. This week, we learn how animals change as they grow- just like us! We'll create our own baby addax whose horns continue to grow their whole life, we'll explore baby/parent relationships through sensory play as we ...
(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+.
(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, ...
(VA) (Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy) In collaboration with Watermark Woods, Birch Tree Bookstore and Loudoun County Public Library, join Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy for the next Read! Plant! Grow! book club meeting at Birch Tree Bookstore and Foliage Plants in Leesburg. We will be discussing The Language of Trees by Katie Holten. This book is a collection by Katie Holten and 50 ...
(MD) (Maryland Native Plant Society) Diane Beedle will discuss the work and approaches Community Native Planting Project (CNPP) has taken with public and private landowners to help them become environmental stewards with their approaches to landscape practices and greenspace management during this monthly MNPS meeting. Diane Beedle is the president and co-founder of Community Native Planting Project (CNPP), a nonprofit ...
(VA) (Audubon Society of Northern VA) If you would like to discover native birds, other fauna and flora — in the company of dedicated citizen scientists — then consider joining this outing! Many know Northern Virginia for its economic dynamism, cultural development and ever-changing landscape. Less well known are the places sheltering remnants of an earlier, vital, natural history. If ...
(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. ...
(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) Are you interested in birding? Do you want to be part of a national community science project? Then, join us at Locust Grove Nature Center for Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a seasonal community science project, where participants count the different species of birds that flock to a bird feeder. All levels of birders are welcome.
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) 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 ...
(VA) Experience a meaningful and nature-filled alternative to the Black Friday rush. Join us for a special forest bathing experience designed to reconnect you with nature, reduce stress, and nurture wellbeing. Held at Mt Zion Historic Park, you are invited to join us for the first-ever forest bathing program at this historic and nature-rich place known for gathering and reflection! ...
(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 ...
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Are you interested in birding? Do you want to be part of a national community science project? Then, join us at Locust Grove Nature Center for Project FeederWatch. Project FeederWatch is a seasonal community science project, where participants count the different species of birds that flock to a bird feeder. All levels of birders are welcome. Ages ...
(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) (Potomac Conservancy) Join Potomac Conservancy for a safe, fun trash cleanup at Aspen Hill Local Park. Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a safe, healthy place to recreate outdoors.
(MD) (Potomac Conservancy) Join Potomac Conservancy for a safe, fun trash cleanup at Kenilworth Park. Make a huge difference for the Potomac River as we turn to the water for a safe, healthy place to recreate outdoors.
(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Want to join the 45 million other bird-watching Americans, but don’t know where to start? We’ll start with the basics of bird identification and go over how to select and use binoculars. Then we’ll go do some birding! If you have your own binoculars, please bring them along.
(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) (National Zoo) MOO! OINK! CLUCK! Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we learn about different animals that live on the farm. This week, we explore some of our beloved animals from the Kids Farm' exhibit- our cows, chickens, and kunekune pigs. We'll create our own muddy kunekune pigs, practice animal caretaking tasks like collecting eggs ...
(DC) (Rock Creek Conservancy) 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) (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 ...
(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Turkeys are native to the Americas and have been everything from decorative to Thanksgiving centerpiece. They’ve been here for 10 million years but how can you make sure they have a place here for a million more? Find out more about the role of turkeys in different cultures and how important habitat restoration will make room ...
(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us for the first meeting of Tales and Trails, a book club meeting at Winkler Botanical Preserve. November's book: The Lost Apothecary, by Sarah Penner, blends history and modern day into a mystery with connections to the Preserve! We'll sit by the fireplace and host a literary discussion, talk about herbal remedies and learn about what ...