Sunday, June 21, 2009

This Week in the Natural Capital: June 22-28

Each week, we 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 include a fee.

This week's highlight: Thursday evening (8-9:30 pm) is the annual Firefly Fling at Woodend Nature Sanctuary. "As dusk descends, come and enjoys nature’s fireworks - the courting of fireflies over the Woodend fields. The evening begins with a discussion of the life history and behavior of these luminescent beetles. We’ll then move outdoors to observe the various flash and light patterns of different species and try to “communicate” with these insects ourselves." Free, but registration required.

Also: Saturday June 27 is the National Wildlife Federation's Great American Backyard Campout. Check out their website for ideas of activities to do in your own backyard campout. And if you don't have a backyard, check out our upcoming post on Greenbelt Park, where you can camp inside the Beltway (if there are any campsites left).

Other events:

Maryland Native Plant Society
Sun: Native plants and pollinators at Brookside Nature Center

Sierra Club
Tue eve: Canoe & Kayak lessons at Fletcher's Boat House
Sat: Meadowood on Mason Neck work trip and hike
Sat-Sun: SNP Bear Church Rock/Jones Mountain overnight backpack (14 mi)

Potomac Appalachian Trail Club
Many cabin and trail crew work trips.
Tue: Hike about halfway across Maryland (19 mi)
Wed: Seneca Creek SP (5 mi)
Sun: SNP - Harris Hollow/Big Devils Stairs, the Marshalls (8-10.5 mi, bus from metro)

Northern Virginia Hiking Club
Sat: AT - Big Meadows to Hawksbill Gap (7.5 mi)
Sun: Annapolis Rocks (10.5 mi)
Sun: Lake Accotink (4 mi)

Audubon Naturalist Society
Sat: Geology of the Gettysburg Battlefield
Sat:Western Montgomery County Butterfly Count

Center Hiking Club
Sat: Cleveland Park to Folklife Festival (8 mi)
Sat eve: Old Town, Dyke's Marsh (6+ mi, meets at King St. Metro)
Sun: Trail Work in SNP

Capital Hiking Club
June schedule was not posted when we compiled this post; check the link now

Washington Women Outdoors
Sat: Blockhouse Point on the Potomac (6 mi, strenuous)
Sat: Rock climbing class at Great Falls
Sun: Seneca-Poolesville bike ride (34 mi)
Sun: Shenandoah River sea kayaking

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


Rock Creek Park
Sat: River walk (3 mi, ages 7+)

FOR KIDS

Rock Creek Park
Fri: Creature Feature (all ages)
Sat: River walk (3 mi, ages 7+)
Sun: Bike Hike, Nature Center to Boundary Bridge (ages 8+)