Local Wildlife

Join Sarah and Willow for a walk at the Arboretum! We will meet at the Visitor Center Parking at 9:00am and plan to go for an hour and half walk. The azaleas will be blooming, so we will start there. magnolias. Then we will do a big loop to check out the lilacs end up back at the Capital Columns. Time: 9:00am - 10:30ish. Plan on getting there a little early so we can be ready to go on time. Location: Visitor Center Parking lot by R street entrance What to expect: This walk will be on leash. Don't forget to bring water for you and your dog. The walking surface will be a mix of paved road and grass/dirt. More info and directions here: https://usna.usda.gov/visit/hours-and-directions/

What better way to celebrate the arrival of spring and Earth Day than a little community service with your local queer community? This event is family-friendly :) **9am-11am** \- Join QA to participate in the City of Alexandria's Stream Cleanup at Four Mile Run Park\. **Participants will meet at the Commonwealth Avenue Cul-de-Sac near the Four Mile Run ballfields.** Details here: [Four Mile Run Stream Cleanup April 12](https://apps.alexandriava.gov/Calendar/Detail.aspx?si=58842) 11:30amish - 1pmish - **Join us right down the road from the park for brunch at District Biscuit Company!** 3401 Mt. Vernon Ave. Please feel free to join us for either or both parts of this event. Hope to see you there!

Come take a mindful and sensory meander along Big Hunting Creek in Catoctin Mt. Park, Thurmont, MD with the forest & water as our guides. This is a nature connection experience. Pace of this 3.74 mile round trip hike along the white & orange blazes toward the Lewis Property will be unhurried along dirt and rocky trails that move between the tree canopy and creek's edge. There are some small hills to navigate with no more than 500 ft elevation but still require aerobic capability. We will have time to be social while also experiencing social silence, gentle forest invitations and a short nature meditation by the creek. **Bring**: water, snacks, bug repellant, sunblock, something to sit on, good walking footwear & appropriate clothing for the weather. **Fee**: There is no fee for this hike, but SCPRO appreciates a voluntary $2 per person donation to support the costs of Sierra Club's many volunteer-led activities. Please bring cash or donate at **www.sierraclub.org** where you can also join our national club or state chapters. **Participants limited to 20.**

This will be a hands-on foraging walk & wild pesto making adventure with Annie-Sophie from the Green Farmacy. Come explore & nibble greens around the land while learning identification and benefits of spring edibles we'll harvest to make wild herbal pesto together! "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." There is an abundance of wild, free food, that doubles as medicine, growing all around us! In this hands-on workshop, we will get to know early spring edible plants that can be found growing locally. We'll discuss how to identify them as well as how to work with them for food and/or medicine. We will take a walk around the land focusing on wild edible & medicinal plants that emerge in early spring. As we nibble our way around, we will be harvesting the plants we meet to make & taste a wild pesto together! Some wild spring edibles we may meet and explore include: purple dead nettle, *Lamium purpureum* violet, *Viola spp.* chickweed, *Stellaria media* dandelion, *Taraxacum officinale* nettle, *Urtica dioica* bittercress, *Cardamine hirsuta* ground ivy, *Glechoma hederacea* onion grass, *Allium vineale* peppergrass, *Lepidium virginicum* garlic mustard, *Alliaria petiolata* henbit, *Lamium amplexicaule* *What to bring:* A notebook and writing utensil if you use them. A harvest basket or bag if you have one; there may be an abundance of plants for participants to take home:) Any snacks you may want to enjoy with the pesto such as crackers, veggies, etc. Limited snacks will be provided, though may not cater to a wide range of dietary restrictions/preferences A small container in case there is enough pesto for folks to take a sample home I look forward to sharing the magic gifts of plants with you, & reveling in spring's beauty & wonder together! 💫 **For First-Time Visitors** * No prior experience is needed. * Please arrive **15 minutes early** to settle in. * You are welcome to walk the grounds or explore our crystal shop before the circle begins. 📍 **Directions** * Address: **15406 Riding Stable Rd.** (property is at the end of a ½ mile driveway into the woods). * You will cross a small stream—drive slowly (under 10 MPH) to keep dust down. * Please be mindful of our neighbors and do not stop to interact with horses along the way. * 💖 **Energy Exchange** To help keep this gathering accessible, we invite an offering of **$15–$25**. If you feel called to contribute in another way, please reach out in advance. With love and gratitude

Join us for a fun afternoon in D.C. as we socialize, enjoy live performances, and support local filmmakers raising funds for a local film project. Come see Two Local Artists Perform to Promote Virginian Art FREE COVER! LIVE PERFORMANCES! Open to all ages but must be 21 to purchase drinks.

Social Sips & Bites Friends - Looking for a calm and scenic way to spend the day? Join us for a refreshing walk through the U.S. National Arboretum, one of DC’s most beautiful hidden gems. After exploring the peaceful trails and stunning gardens, we’ll head to a nearby restaurant for a relaxed group lunch.

I am excited to extend this invitation to my fellow Cemetery Walkers for this Greenbelt Biota Club event! Learn about local natural burial and meet some awesome nature nerds! Event details here, and I'll put them below: https://www.facebook.com/events/869422072586538/ "Reflection Park is on a 40-acre parcel of land, with a section dedicated to a multi-faith natural burial ground. The rest of the park is a wooded area with a trail. See [https://www.reflectionpark.org/](https://www.reflectionpark.org/) for more information about Reflection Park. Address: 16621 New Hampshire Ave, Silver Spring, MD 20905 Google map location for directions: [https://maps.app.goo.gl/C7ShzCjGwymKK5Es7](https://maps.app.goo.gl/C7ShzCjGwymKK5Es7) We will meet at the end of the paved road in the park. Staff will give us an overview of natural burial and how Reflection Park works, as well as some of the things they are currently developing. Then we will walk in the woods and "botanize" as usual using the 1 mile trail. See [https://www.reflectionpark.org/](https://www.reflectionpark.org/) for more information about Reflection Park. \>\>Warning: No bathroom available on site yet \(the closest is at a nearby gas station\) \>\> Carpooling encouraged\. \>\> Usual protection for Maryland outings: You know the drill\. Water\, sunscreen\, tick protection should be on your mind\. \>\> Some of us will most likely bring snacks and sandwiches to eat on the way or at the end\. \>\>You can leave at anytime \(as long as you know how to find your way back to your car by yourself\)" Myrna's note: Apologies for the dormancy of the group over the past several months. Now that the weather is warming up, I hope to schedule approximately one cemetery walk per month as is customary. If any interest is shown for having a walk in March, I'm in!

*Wingspan* is a competitive, medium-weight, card-driven, engine-building board game. You are bird enthusiasts—researchers, bird watchers, ornithologists, and collectors—seeking to discover and attract the best birds to your network of wildlife preserves. Each bird extends a chain of powerful combinations in one of your habitats (actions). These habitats focus on several key aspects of growth: * Gain food tokens via custom dice in a birdfeeder dice tower * Lay eggs using egg miniatures in a variety of colors * Draw from hundreds of unique bird cards and play them The winner is the player with the most points after 4 rounds.

Trailhead Hike &Wildflower Hike: Although we normally view the well-known bluebells at Bull Run Regional Park at this time of year, the bluebells of Broad Run are much more abundant and the trails are less crowded. Many other varieties of wildflowers can be viewed along this surprising enclave south of Gainesville and west of Manassas, VA. This hike includes a tour of the monastery grounds which contain well maintained gardens and numerous other statuary and amenities. Hikers will begin at the Benedictine Monastery public parking lot, visit the gardens, labyrinth, silos of peace, and the sisters' and children's cemetery. The hike will proceed over the old farm rubble/culvert bridge turning RIGHT on the paved riparian wetlands trail back to the trailhead structure. While admiring a profusion of bluebells, all trekkers will hike the loop behind Victory Lakes neighborhood back to the trailhead structure (\~1.7 mi.) then proceed under the Linton Hill Rd. overpass. The bottom land past Linton Hall Rd. will expose you to the best flower experience! Hikers will continue to Sudley Manor Rd. After a short (0.1 mi.) dogleg left, hikers will cross the busy road (Warning: Look Both Ways!!!) and proceed along the west side of Broad Run, past the gated Dumbarton community. At the bridge intersection proceed straight to the power lines doubling back past the Dunbarton Clubhouse back to the bridge intersection. At the bridge, cross RIGHT and proceed thru the Virginia Cedar forest completing a partial loop between Broad Run and Rocky Branch. Hikers will turn RIGHT along the east bank of Broad Run for an out-and-back to the end of the forest path then turn past to the bridge to Sudley Manor Rd. and carefully cross (look both ways!!!). Long/Moderate/Optional: Continue straight along the west bank to the park benches at the end. Most of the bluebells are at the end of this spur. One can stop and turn around at any point along the way. Hike back to Sudley Manor Rd., then turn RIGHT a short distance (0.1 mi.) on the hike & bike trail. Turn RIGHT to the Broad Run Trailhead structure and track downstream along the river's east side back under Linton Hall Rd. At the riparian wetlands bridge, STOP. Turn LEFT along the riparian wetlands stream on the south-east side of the monastery until spotting the gated Our Lady of Lourdes Grotto on the LEFT. Visit the grotto, then proceed along the traffic circle back to the public parking area and the end of the hike. You are welcome to enjoy the monastery gardens at the end of the hike. And please enjoy the Waderbirds social, refreshments, and snacks! Park map. Est.: \~12.2 mi. (Long & Moderate), 10.0 mi. to 11.5 mi. (Options), \~6.0 mi. to 8.5 mi. (Easy, self-led), <300 ft. elevation. Hike fee: $5. Trailhead meetup: St. Benedict Monastery 9535 Linton Hall Road, Bristow, VA Public Parking Lot: (38°45'14.8"N 77°33'56.3"W)(Traffic circle, 3rd rt., & follow sign toward gardens) Start time: 9:00 AM FIRST-TIME HIKERS If you're a first-time hiker with us, please notify the leaders in advance so they can make sure you have the info you need. Hikers must be able to keep a 2-mph pace. New hikers are required to first complete a Moderate hike. **Liability Waiver:** Many of our hikes take place in remote wilderness areas where cell phone service is not available. Any person participating in any Club activity is responsible for their own safety, health and welfare, and must assume all risks and liabilities related to all Club activities. The Club, its hike leaders, hike sweeps, officers, and other representatives are not liable for any injuries, losses, or damage to persons, children, pets, and/or property, arising from any trips or activities of the Club. You are responsible for bringing enough water, food, and first aid supplies, including those for your personal medical conditions. CANCELLATION POLICY To cancel and receive a full bus hike refund, less a $5 processing fee, you must change your RSVP to "No" on Meetup **before NOON on the Friday** before the hike. If you change your RSVP after noon on the Friday before the hike, no refunds will be issued. Cancellations to Metro/carpool/trailhead hikes will not issue a financial refund, but hiker must change their Meetup RSVP to NO so that leaders do not wait for them at the trailhead. COVID PRECAUTIONS Anyone experiencing symptoms of upper respiratory illness should not attend the event. MORE DETAILS -- [SEE THE FAQS ON OUR WEBSITE](http://www.wanderbirds.org/faq.html)

Guest Speaker: Michelle Waldman, founder if Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary A deeply personal talk about how heartbreak over animal suffering became the doorway to action. Michele is both the Founder of Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary and a licensed Psychotherapist. She shares how she transformed her grief into a vision for Rosie’s Farm Sanctuary. This talk will explore ways in which grief became a blueprint for healing and real-world change, and how her vision became a reality. Please be sure to RSVP here! https://stampede.proanimal.org/events Join your fellow animal lovers and DC Animal Protection to discuss what’s happening in the animal advocacy scene in DC! This series is a weekly meetup, with guest speakers from all of the major animals rights orgs. We’ll host non-profits such as Pro-Animal Future, International Council for Animal Welfare, DC Voters for Animals, The Humane League, Mercy for Animals and Direct Action Everywhere as well as local grassroots groups like the DC Coalition Against Foie Gras and sanctuaries. We’ll also have special sessions related to health, nutrition and mindfulness! We encourage anyone who is interested in helping animals to attend- no need to be vegan! Come learn about our rich variety of local activism. With protests, outreach, wheat-pasting, signature collecting, leafletting, lobbying, tabling etc. there’s something to match everyone’s comfort level and skill set. Coffee, bagels and community will be provided! Feel free to bring any extra treats to share (no animal products please.) Hope to see you soon! :) Note: Unfortunately, animals are not allowed at our venue. Please leave your furry friends at home.

5th annual Earth Day Celebration! This year (2026) the Celebration is scheduled for April 25th with activities running from 10am-2pm. This is a non-ticketed event. Everyone is welcome! We will have food trucks, Birds of Prey, kids crafts, live music, raspberry plants, apple trees, and of course NATIVE PLANTS! Where: Lynd Fruit Farm, 9399 Morse Rd, Pataskala Ohio 43062 Time: Activities will be from 10am- 2pm. The Market will remain open until 5pm.

**💝 Cincinnati Speed Dating – Personality Matched & Hosted on Zoom** For this online speed dating version, the host and the people in the room matter as much as the agenda. The experience is designed to feel guided, welcoming, and social. We pair you by personality and age so every conversation feels natural. Each round is a brief one-on-one Zoom chat with a Cincinnati local paired by age and personality. A host keeps the pace comfortable. **Register under your age group:** - **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cincinnati&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=18-32&face_v=2.0) - ⚡ **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cincinnati&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=30-46&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cincinnati&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=40-58&face_v=2.0) **⚠️ Heads up — RSVPing here isn't enough.** Register through your age group link below and complete the quiz. Capacity is limited. --- 👥 **Best for:** - 🔥 Anyone who likes connecting online before meeting face-to-face - Introverts who shine in one-on-one conversations - Singles in Cincinnati who want to meet people from home 📌 **What to know** - 🎯 **Format:** Virtual on Zoom – hosted and well-structured - **Location:** Online from home – no need to go anywhere - **Host:** Professional host keeping the evening smooth and relaxed **How the event unfolds** 1. **Pick your age group** – Register through your link above. 2. **Fill in the matching quiz** – Helps us find your ideal matches for the evening. 3. **Join on Zoom** – Click the link, jump on, and the host handles the rest. 4. **Meet your matches** – Cycle through short chats with compatible Cincinnati singles. --- ✨ Register, take the quiz, and connect with Cincinnati locals tonight. � ✨ Short-form version for faster scanning. Everything important, without the extra padding. 🤝 **Community angle** - The community matters as much as the session itself - The host keeps the pace clear and the room welcoming - The structure is designed to help people settle in quickly It is meant to feel like the start of ongoing relationships, not just a single session on the calendar.

Join WQC on April 25th from 11am-1pm at Inniswood Metro Park for a Nature Photo Walk. All types of cameras welcome! Let's enjoy spring to the fullest... 🌻🌼🌷🐤

**� Zoom Speed Dating for Fort Wayne Locals – Matched by Age & Personality** For this online speed dating version, the host and the people in the room matter as much as the agenda. The experience is designed to feel guided, welcoming, and social. A hosted online speed dating experience for Fort Wayne locals. Join from home, get paired with Fort Wayne singles your age, and have real conversations on Zoom. A host manages everything so you can just relax and enjoy. **Find your age group below:** - 🎯 **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Fort%20Wayne&groupurlname=downtown-local-singles-mixer-and-mingle&ar=18-32&face_v=3.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Fort%20Wayne&groupurlname=downtown-local-singles-mixer-and-mingle&ar=30-46&face_v=3.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Fort%20Wayne&groupurlname=downtown-local-singles-mixer-and-mingle&ar=40-58&face_v=3.0) **⚠️ Your RSVP doesn't guarantee a place.** Click your age group link below, register, and take the personality quiz to lock in your spot. Limited places. --- 👥 **Best for:** - Singles who prefer a hosted, structured experience - People fed up with swiping who want actual conversation - Singles in Fort Wayne who want to meet people from home 🧭 **How the session runs** 1. **Sign up** – Tap the link for your age range above. 2. **Fill in the matching quiz** – Helps us find your ideal matches for the evening. 3. **Log in** – Connect to the Zoom session from home. The host runs the show. 4. **Speed date** – One-on-one rounds with personality-matched Fort Wayne locals. 🗂 **Quick details** - **Format:** Zoom video session – short timed rounds - **Location:** Wherever you're comfortable – no venue, no travel - **Host:** Live host handling rounds and introductions --- ✨ Speed dating from home — easy, fun, and personality matched. 🫶 ✨ Quick version: this one gets straight to the point. Built for clarity over length. 🤝 **Community angle** - The host keeps the pace clear and the room welcoming - Repeat attendees help create familiarity and momentum - The community matters as much as the session itself The long-term goal is a room people want to come back to, not a one-off event people forget about.

Franklin Park Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Free Communal Garden Class Series GROWING MUSHROOMS In this class, we will discuss how to raise mushrooms on logs outdoors as a way to raise food in parts of your yard that are usually too shady to grow vegetables or other crops. We will discuss what mushroom species can be cultivated, what tree species they can grow on, and demonstrate how to prepare and inoculate the logs. By following these steps, you can have your own bountiful mushroom harvest! APRIL 27 | 6:00-7:30 PM | WELLS BARN 1851 E BROAD ST, COLUMBUS, OH 43205 INSTRUCTOR: MARC AMANTE Mare Amante is an Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Educator with Central State University who is also currently serving as CSU Extension's Agriculture and Natural Resources Interim Program Leader. He has worked on and managed diversified vegetable farms across the Midwest and currently owns and operates an urban farm here in Ohio where he raises microgreens, vegetables, raspberries, and log-grown mushrooms for sale to local markets and restaurants. Registerefor free here https://www.fpconservatory.org/events/cg-growing-mushrooms/

**💝 Cleveland Zoom Speed Dating – Personality & Age Matched** This online speed dating event is built around a host who sets the tone, keeps things easy, and helps people feel comfortable from the first minute. Meet Cleveland singles from home. We sort the matching, you just turn up. It's simple: complete a short personality quiz, jump on Zoom, and meet Cleveland singles in guided one-on-one rounds. Matches shared afterwards. **Pick your age group and sign up:** - 💡 **Ages 18-32** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=18-32&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 30-46** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=30-46&face_v=2.0) - **Ages 40-58** → [REGISTER HERE](https://tempodating.com/product?productId=430.0&productType=onlineSpeedDating&city=Cleveland&groupurlname=club-leading-local-singles-speed-dating&ar=40-58&face_v=2.0) **⚠️ RSVP alone won't secure your spot.** You need to register through your age group link below and complete the personality quiz. Places are limited. --- 🎯 **Especially useful for:** - Singles who prefer a hosted, structured experience - Singles in Cleveland who want to meet people from home - 🔥 Anyone curious about speed dating in a relaxed setting 📌 **What to know** - 🔥 **Format:** Virtual on Zoom – hosted and well-structured - **Location:** Your space – couch, desk, wherever suits you - 🎯 **Host:** Experienced host steering the session 🔄 **What to expect** 1. **Register** – Select your age group above and sign up. 2. **Take the personality quiz** – We use it to pair you with compatible Cleveland singles. 3. **Hop on Zoom** – Join the call and your host will walk you through it. 4. **Speed date** – One-on-one rounds with personality-matched Cleveland locals. **Frequently Asked Questions** **What if I'm shy?** The virtual setting and hosted rounds keep things comfortable for everyone. **What's the personality quiz for?** **How long are the chats?** --- ✨ Real people, real conversations — all from your home. 🥰 ✨ Lean version: fewer words, same core offer. Everything important, without the extra padding. 🤝 **Community angle** - Repeat attendees help create familiarity and momentum - The structure is designed to help people settle in quickly - The atmosphere is guided, social, and easy to join That community angle is deliberate: better conversations, more familiar faces, and stronger momentum over time.

Let's grab some coffee/food and share a morning chat! The East Market has an ample parking lot and outdoor and indoor seating. Grab a cup of coffee from Winston's Coffee & Waffles or on your way to East Market and meet us on the second floor - table behind or east of the elevator. Per what this group is about: "Everyone is welcome! International transplants to Columbus who want to improve language skills, Columbus residents who want to discuss international travel and culture, and anyone who enjoys getting together for good conversations."