Capital Nature

(VA) (Capital Photography Center) Join naturalist Matt Felperin for a wildlife photography field shoot at Huntley Meadows Park, one of the more magical natural areas in the region. The winter is especially unique due to a variety of waterfowl species (such as Green-winged Teal, Northern Shovelers, Northern Pintails, and Hooded Mergansers) that spend the season in the wetlands. Learn how ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Help us with improving Glencarlyn Park. Each Sunday we will have hands-on projects like weed pulling, raking, trail maintenance and trash pick-up. Your hard work will make the park a better place for both people and nature. Ages 12 to 17. Find more Arlington Parks nature and stewardship events here.

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Join Weed Warrior Supervisor Celia for a non-native, invasive plant removal workday in Little Falls Stream Valley Unit 1. 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 ...

(VA) (Northern Virginia Conservation Trust) Volunteers will come help pull invasive plants on our Terborgh Terrace Garden property. By pulling invasives, the soil can recover and be replanted with native plants that benefit the soil, pollinators, and the humans that get to eat the produce! Los voluntarios vendrán a ayudar a eliminar las plantas invasoras de nuestra propiedad en Terborgh ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Take time to set intentions for the next month while engaging in mindfulness practices under the full moon along the Potomac River. A variety of techniques such as breathwork, gentle stretches and purposeful movement will be used. Please bring your own yoga mat or camping chair. Appropriate for all skill levels. Adults. More Fairfax County Parks ...

(DC) (DC Public Library) This bimonthly adult book club discusses books on human ecology, sustainable living, environmental justice and post-fossil fuel futures. Books can be nonfiction, fiction or poetry. This month we will be discussing Flight Behavior, a novel by Barbara Kingsolver.

(Northern VA Bird Alliance) Join this free webinar on efforts to reduce the spread of invasive plants, which is a hot topic in the current Virginia General Assembly session. The speaker, Jim Hurley, will discuss the pending legislation on invasive plants, as well as proposed budget amendments that would provide more funding to combat invasives.  He'll also provide advice on ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Guided by the founding instructor of the National Gallery of Art’s Writing Salon, Mary Hall Surface, immerse yourself in the colors, light, and forms of Claude Monet’s exquisite The Japanese Footbridge to explore the bridge as a metaphor for the thresholds and journeys of our lives. Designed for writers of all levels, and for the curious, the workshop ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Join us for a presentation on the different species of evergreens the can be found through the mid-Atlantic and right here in Arlington. We'll learn how to identify them by their needles, barks, seeds and other factors. Adults. Find more Arlington Parks nature and stewardship events here.

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Explore the park at night when the moon is full! We will search for salamanders along Long Branch Creek. Dress warmly and bring a flashlight if you have one! Event will take place rain or moon-shine! Families. Find more Arlington Parks nature and stewardship events here.

(DC) (MD) (VA) (Capital Nature) Join us for the January edition of iNaturalist Virtual ID Night. The topic this month is: The Wonderful World of Lichens with Natalie Howe. We will have a fascinating presentation by Natalie, and you will then have an opportunity to hone your identification skills using iNaturalist. Cosponsored with The Nature Conservancy (MD/DC Chapter) and Prince ...

(VA) (Northern Virginia Bird Alliance) 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 you would like to discover native birds, other fauna and flora — in the company of dedicated citizen scientists — then consider joining one or more of ...

(MD) (Montgomery Parks) Tai Chi is an ancient, Chinese form of exercise perfect for adults seeking stress reduction while strengthening muscles, improving balance, and increasing flexibility. The Forms are repetitive patterns that emphasize slow, flowing motions and controlled movements. Classes will help beginners to learn the Forms while providing regular practitioners the guidance of an experienced instructor. Class size limited ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) Some of the best times to identify birds is when the trees have no leaves and there aren't any obstacles in the way of your view! In this hike we will learn about our resident birds that stay with us year-round. Dress for the weather. We will provide binoculars, but you can bring your own. Families. Find ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Learn to sketch animals and objects found in nature, then combine your drawings with painting and additional elements and textures to create whimsical or serious mixed-media art. This is the first of 8 sessions from January 15th ​to March 5th.​ Find more Smithsonian cultural and nature events here.

(VA) (NOVA Parks) "Whooooo cooks for youuuu? Whoooo cooks for youuuu allllll?" No, this is not a chef looking for a job! This is the call of a Barred Owl, perhaps Northern Virginia's most frequently observed owl. Join the roving naturalist on a quest to find these feathered friends. Learn more about owl adaptations, behavior, and role in the ecosystem ...

(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 ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Gardens) Does winter weather have you thinking of your upcoming garden plans? Want to dream up some new projects but don’t know where to start? Grab a warm beverage and join Smithsonian Gardens Horticulturist Sylvia Schmeichel as she shares sources for inspiration as well as some of the tips and tricks that our team uses to come up with ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Learn how to see beauty in the natural world and render it in stunning watercolor paintings, using various watercolor techniques to represent the metallic shell of a beetle, the soft, fuzzy wing of a moth, and the delightful colors of a butterfly. This is the first of 8 sessions from January 16th ​to March 6th.​ Find more ...

(MD) (Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary) Join volunteer Siobhan Percey for a webinar on the Eastern Skunk Cabbage, Maryland’s First Flower of the Year, blooming in January. This is but one of its fascinating characteristics. It is alleged to be over 72 million years old, changing little over that time. This event is rescheduled from Jan. 9th. On Sunday, January 19th ...

(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) (Arlington Parks) The grass family is one of the most diverse and globally important plant families, including corn, wheat, bamboo, turf grasses, and many beautiful native grasses! These often-overlooked plants are intricately beautiful upon closer inspection. Come learn about how grasses work and how to identify them. Adults. Teens ages 12 and up welcome to attend with a registered ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Join park naturalists for a relaxing stroll through the park's forest and wetland paths. Look and listen for wildlife settling down or waking up during the transition of day to night. Adults.

(DC) (DC Bird Alliance) Let's start the year in community around birds in this beautiful DC hotspot. We'll meet in the parking lot. Please look for the DC Bird Alliance banner. The coordinates to the parking lot are, 38.91305, -76.93966. See you outside!

(DC) (Casey Trees) Join us for Martin Luther King Jr. weekend as Casey Trees teams up with Friends of Anacostia Park for a fun day of service around the Anacostia Skate Park! We will be mulching some of our newly planted trees (planted by our volunteers last year!) around the park along with other organizations who will be conducting various ...

(DC) (Smithsonian Associates) Delightful detailed prints on paper can be made using real fish. Using direct printing and water-based printing inks, create realistic-looking schools of fish or a single artistic print simply by inking a whole fish and pressing it to paper. The result is a gyotaku, a term derived from the Japanese words for fish (gyo) and print (taku). ...

(VA) (Friends of Dyke Marsh) Help protect native plants by pulling and clipping invasive plants. We will train volunteers to identify the five or so target plants. Register to join us in any of these sessions. Invasive plants can threaten and outcompete native plants. We kindly ask that you not bring pets. January 4 and 18 February 1 and 15 ...

(DC) (Rock Creek Park) Join Rock Creek Conservancy and the National Park Service for a cleanup of the Carter Barron amphitheater. We will remove debris, paint, clear leaf litter, weed, sweep, and trim back invasive plants, helping preserve the amphitheater while it awaits future restoration. This is a unique opportunity to get a 'behind the scenes' look at the amphitheater ...

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

(MD) (Maryland Native Plant Society) Recognizing tree species in winter can be challenging, but there are tricks such as learning about bark, buds,, branch arrangement and habitat. The area we will visit has an extraordinary number of tree species in varied habitats. Marney is a long-time member of MNPS who has a love of trees in all seasons. Leader: Marney ...

(DC) (Anacostia Watershed Society) Join AWS and National Links Trust for a day of service leading up to Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. We will work on habitat restoration, focused on invasive plant control, along the riverside area of Kingman Island at the historic Langston Golf Course. By participating in this project you will have the opportunity to learn about ...

(DC) (Anacostia Riverkeeper) Ring in the New Year with Anacostia Riverkeeper at our annual MLK Day of Service cleanup! This cleanup is in partnership with Pope Branch Park Restoration Alliance and with support from Grace Capital City Church. Thank you to Washington Gas for sponsoring this cleanup! You can sign up for Group 1 at 10:00 am or Group 2 ...

(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 native plants to thrive in the understory. Event location, directions, and information will be sent from the event leader 48 ...

(VA) (Arlington Parks) The whole family is invited to join us at the Gulf Branch fire ring for lots of old-fashioned fun. This engaging program will be filled with entertaining activities that may include stories, special animal guests, games, songs and of course, S’mores! (We will provide the marshmallows, chocolate & graham crackers). Families. Find more Arlington Parks nature and ...

(VA) (Fairfax County Parks) Gaze up at the autumn night sky at the Astronomy Festival at Turner Farm Park. There will be guided stargazing sessions and telescope viewing. Gather round the campfire for some ancient constellation tales, while sipping some hot chocolate. More Fairfax County Parks nature programs can be found here.