This Week in the Natural Capital: June 15-21

Each week, we will list opportunities to get outdoors, to learn about nature, and to do service. We'll list just brief teasers about each one. Please click through to the organization hosting each event for more details. Some events require prior registration; some charge a fee.

This week's highlight: These may the shortest nights of the year, but that shouldn't stop you from looking at the stars. The National Capital Astronomers will bring telescopes to a field in Rock Creek Park on Saturday night, and anyone can use them. This is an informal monthly program that has been going for nearly fifty years. Meet after dark (sunset is at 8:37) in the field just south of the intersection of Military and Glover Roads NW (map, bus), near the Nature Center. A parking lot is located immediately next to the field, with entrances from Glover Road and Ridge Road. Kids are welcome; no registration is required.

Other events:

Maryland Native Plant Society
Sat: Chapman Forest South, Charles County
Sun: Ferns on the Gunpowder River (near Baltimore)

Sierra Club
Tue eve: Canoe & Kayak lessons at Fletcher's Boat House
Sun: American Chestnut Land Trust hike/canoe

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
Many cabin and trail crew work trips.
Tue: SNP - Austin Mtn, AT, Furnace Mtn Trails (19 mi)
Wed: Rock Creek Park (5 mi)
Sun: George Washington NF, Massanutten & other peaks (9-14.5 mi, bus from metro)

Audubon Naturalist Society
Tue: Firefly Fling
Wed: C&O Canal, Riley's Lock
Fri: Sunset Safari at the National Zoo
Sat: Boundary Bridge (2.5 mi)
Sun: Paddle on the Patuxent at Jug Bay

Center Hiking Club
Tue eve: Old Town Alexandria (2-4 mi)
Fri eve: Glover, Whitehaven, and Dumbarton Oaks Parks (5 mi)
Sat: Historic Arlington Bike Tour
Sat: Big Meadows Waterfalls (10 mi, meets at Vienna Metro)
Sun: Jeremy's Run in SNP (11 mi, meets at Vienna Metro)

Northern Virginia Hiking Club
Sat: SNP - Brown Mtn/Big Run (10 mi)
Sat: South Run to Burke Lake (8 mi)
Sun: Sky Meadows (8.4 mi)
Sun: Hound Hike at Wakefield Park (5 mi)

Capital Hiking Club
Schedule wasn't up when we compiled this post; check the link now.

Washington Women Outdoors
Sat: Catoctin Valley bike ride to Waterford, VA (37 mi)
Sat: AT - Weverton Cliffs to Gathland (13 mi)

United States Botanical Garden
Mon eve: Tour of native plants in the National Garden

FOR KIDS

Rock Creek Park
Fri: Creature Feature (all ages)
Fri: make a clay pot in the American Indian tradition (ages 6+)
Sat: Just "fur" fun (all ages)
Sat eve: explore the sky with telescopes (all ages)
Sun: make a clay pot in the American Indian tradition (ages 6+)

Did we miss something? Post it in the comments.