Capital Nature

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Hike with a naturalist to search winter waterfowl along the Upper Potomac River. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. Take a hike through the woods with a naturalist to listen and look for the park’s winter avian residents and migrants. Find out what birds do to survive the winter weather. 4 to Adult.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Hike with a naturalist to search winter waterfowl along the Upper Potomac River. Bring binoculars and spotting scopes. 8 to Adult.

(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) (Montgomery Parks) Join Weed Warrior Supervisor Ed and Weed Warrior Kris for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Wheaton Regional Park. Plan to meet the group in front of the miniature train station at 2000 Shorefield Road, Wheaton. There is ample parking available. (The inclement weather backup date is Monday, January 13). We will focus on non-native, invasive ...

(DC) (National Zoo) Join us for creative, drop-in play at the Zoo as we explore one of the most important parts of nature- TREES! We'll learn how trees can be animal homes, explore different parts of trees through art, and build forest homes for animals. Little Critters Nature Play is designed for ages 0-5 and their caregivers and families. Activities ...

(VA) (Friends of Huntley Meadows) Over 200 species of birds have been identified in the forests, meadows, and wetland habitats of Huntley Meadows Park. Each season brings new feathered residents, for brief or extended stays. Grab your binoculars and join a park naturalist on your next birding adventure! All skill levels welcome. 12 to Adult.  

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Enjoy Meadowlark Botanical Gardens with your favorite canine on our special Pup Days on select Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm. More NOVA Parks events can be found here.

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us for a special presentation by the Wildlife Rescue League as we read the book “Lost in the Woods” and learn about the woodland animals checking in on a baby deer. Is this baby deer lost? His wildlife friends want to know. Together we'll all learn how to be safe. Ages 0 to 5.

(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.

(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 ...

(VA) (Virginia Native Plant Society) Join the Jefferson Chapter of VNPS and Sam Droege, Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Geological Survey, for an expert talk about the native bees and the plants they need to survive.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) All the cool kids are doing it…birding, that is! Want to catch up with the trend? Watching birds during the winter months is a great place to start. Join us to learn how to identify local species and begin building “ID” skills to flex as a birder. This is a series of 45-minute online lessons taught by ...

(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. More Montgomery Parks ...

(MD) (Friends of Sligo Creek) Join Montgomery Parks at a volunteer park cleanup! Help beautify your community green spaces, keep litter out of our streams, and protect wildlife. Children under 14 years old must volunteer with a parent/guardian. Find more Montgomery Parks nature events here.

(DC) (DC Public Library) Did you know that owls cough up a pellet made of the bones and fur of the animals that they eat? Join us for a hands-on science investigation by dissecting an owl pellet and determining what kinds of animals the owls ate! This activity will be led by a naturalist from the Gulf Branch Nature Center! ...

(VA) (Virginia Native Plant Society) Join the Potowmack Chapter of VNPS and Charles Smith as he continues his annual presentation tradition to discuss Assisted Migration. Moving species to new areas to offset climate change is being much discussed and promoted. Who decides what species to move, to where and why? Join this discussion of how species are chosen to be ...

(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) (Virginia Native Plant Society) Join Margaret Chatham of the Potowmack Chapter of VNPS for a modest ramble at Longbranch Park on natural surface trails that go uphill and down, looking at woods and a small meadow. We’ll see evergreen natives, early spring ephemerals, or exotic plants stealing a march on the natives. Plants that are green in the winter each ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Enjoy nature's tranquil beauty and the night sky under a full moon. Your naturalist guide points out signs of creatures that glide, fly and tiptoe through the woods in the dark. Enjoy a campfire after the hike with s'mores provided. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. 6 to Adult.

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) It's truly a spectacular sight to see an owl. Join us on a walk with one of our superstar photographers, Sanka Perera, as we try to spot our mysterious feathered friends. The location will be sent to registered guests, only, and attendance is being kept low on purpose. Please do not bring unregistered guests.

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) Join us for a bird walk at Huntley Meadows Park! This walk is geared toward beginners, but more experienced birders are welcome. Meet in the parking area. Walk leader is John Colpoys. No registration is required. Walk will happen unless there is heavy rain or storm. Please bring binoculars if you have them.

(DC) (Casey Trees) Join Casey Trees as we care for trees and control invasive species at the Langdon Park Forest Patch! Help clip back invasive species, remove vines, add mulch, and protect young trees within the forest patch. Participants will receive a short, hands-on training on site. After learning the tools and techniques, participants will split up into groups and ...

(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) (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) (Chesapeake Climate Action Network) Join Meredith and fellow volunteers to canvass and remove invasive vines around the Takoma DC neighborhood. This event will be a fun mix of door-to-door canvassing and invasive vine removal. We will meet at the Fort Stevens Rec Center and spend 30 minutes doing training on vine removal and canvassing. From there we will break ...

(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 ...

(Mt Cuba Center) Our 2025 online lecture series: Gardens in a Changing Climate showcases the voices of ecologically minded experts who work to inspire ideas of how to prompt change in the space we steward in a changing climate. This is the first of a three-part virtual series. Sustainable Gardens in a Changing Climate With a focus on the intersection ...

(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join the Anacostia Watershed Society (AWS) and National Links Trust (NLT) for a Habitat Restoration Workday! During this workday you will help AWS with our invasive plant control and revegetation efforts along the riverside area of Kingman Island. We will be meeting at the driving range. This is part of a natural resources management plan for ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Join us for a class that’s your intro to camping! Never been before and want to learn some of the basics? Or just want to pick up some new tips and tricks? Come and pitch a tent, make some handy knots, and build a campfire with us while we enjoy some smores! Ages 8+. More NOVA Parks ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Put on your sneakers and dress for the outdoors! Bring your fur babies along for this adult only 1.5-2 mile hike on natural surface trails in Wheaton Regional Park. Dogs participating in this program must be on-leash, up to date on vaccinations and familiar with being around other dogs and people. Ages 18+.

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Bring your child to the mill and celebrate winter with this snowflake-themed tea party. You'll enjoy tea, savory and sweet treats, along with a winter craft and 19th century games. Children must be accompanied by a registered adult. 3 to Adult.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join Weed Warrior Supervisor Celia for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Little Falls Stream Valley. We will meet in the park’s parking lot. We will focus on non-native, invasive vines, especially English ivy (Hedera helix) and porcelainberry (Ampelopsis glandulosa var. brevipedunculata) that are climbing on mature trees.  Native Virginia creeper and poison ivy are also present and beneficial, ...

(VA) (NOVA Parks) Ever wonder how some of our native furry friends survive the chilly winter days outside? Register the whole family to learn the difference between hibernation vs. brumation and the science behind why and how animals sleep safely in the cold. During this interactive workshop, you'll make and take home a rabbit friend and learn how to help ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Flying squirrels are found throughout the wooded neighborhoods of Arlington, but are seldom seen. Join us to learn about these nocturnal rodents in our classroom, then see wild flying squirrels outdoors. Dress for the weather, it can become very cold. Find more Arlington Parks nature and stewardship events here.

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us for an evening nature hike when the leaves aren’t out and the owls may be easier to spot. Give a hoot… literally as we learn about and try to call to our native nocturnal raptors. Dress for the weather. Families. Find more Arlington Parks nature and stewardship events here.