Seattle Naturalists’ Event Roundup: January 12th to January 18, 2026

Written By Issa Moffett

Your Guide to Seattle-Area Nature Events from local organizations:

Mid-January brings a full slate of winter programming across the region. From neighborhood bird outings nearly every day of the week to evening talks on rare plants, climate resilience, poetry, and film. Stargazing returns with multiple astronomy nights, and the New Moon on Sunday creates darker skies for observing. Whether you’re heading out for a morning bird walk, logging into a webinar, or settling in for a film festival or lecture, there’s something for every kind of nature-curious Seattleite this week.

As always, check event pages for updates, weather considerations, and registration details before heading out.

Monday, January 12

Winter Critters (Toddler Time)
Time: 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Organization: Seattle Aquarium
Link: https://www.seattleaquarium.org/explore-the-aquarium/programs/toddler-time/

Description: A hands-on, aquarium-based program designed for young children to explore winter wildlife with guided activities.

South Sound: How We Can Avoid Extinction for Washington’s Rarest Plants
Time: 6:30 PM
Organization: Washington Native Plant Society
Format: Zoom & in-person | Free
Link: https://www.wnps.org/events/how-we-can-avoid-extinction-for-washington%E2%80%99s-rarest-plants-with-jesse-miller

Description: An evening talk on conservation strategies for Washington’s most imperiled plant species.

Tuesday, January 13

Neighborhood Bird Outing: Washington Park Arboretum
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Organization: Birds Connect
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Description: Explore winter birds among wetlands, shoreline, and gardens in the Arboretum.

Monthly Seminar: Oaks, Mushrooms, and Fire
Time: 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Organization: Puget Sound Mycological Society
Format: In-person | Free
Link: https://www.psms.org/index.php

Description: A deep dive into oak ecosystems, fungi, and fire ecology.

Astrophotography Special Interest Group (APsig)
Time: 7:15 PM – 9:00 PM
Organization: Seattle Astronomical Society

Description: A welcoming meetup for beginners through experienced astrophotographers to talk gear, techniques, and night-sky imaging.

Wednesday, January 14

Neighborhood Bird Outing: Green Lake
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Organization: Birds Connect
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Description: A longer winter bird walk around Green Lake with opportunities for waterfowl and urban birds.

Free Webinar: Regional Perspectives on Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
Organization: Washington Sea Grant
Link: https://wsg.washington.edu/?post_type=tribe_events&eventDisplay=month

Description: Scientists discuss mCDR research across the West Coast, Alaska, and British Columbia.

Birds of Seattle – Lunch & Learn
Time: 12:15 PM – 12:45 PM
Organization: Birds Connect
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Description: A short, midday virtual learning session—perfect for a lunch break.

Online Class Series & Field Trip: Winter Waterfowl
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Organization: Birds Connect
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Description: Learn how to identify wintering waterfowl, with an optional field component.

The Nature of Our Times: A Poetry Reading
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Location: Elliott Bay Books
Link: https://wsg.washington.edu/event/the-nature-of-our-times-a-poetry-reading-presented-at-elliot-bay-books/

Description: An evening of poetry centered on nature, place, and the moment we’re living in.

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Benaroya Hall
Cost: $40
Link: https://www.seattlesymphony.org/en/benaroyahall/bh-calendar/2025-2026/26-banff-festival

Thursday, January 15

Fledglings Science Lab: Feet, Feet, Wonderful Feet
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Ages: 2–5
Organization: Birds Connect
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Description: A playful science program introducing young kids to bird anatomy.

Extreme Heat in the Pacific Northwest
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Organization: UW EarthLab
Format: Online | Free, registration required
Link: https://earthlab.uw.edu/about/events/?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D191279400

Description: A timely discussion on preparing for future heat events in our region.

Burke Book Club: Birding for Boomers
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Organization: Burke Museum
Cost: Free, registration required
Link: https://www.burkemuseum.org/calendar/burke-book-club-birding-boomers

NextGen Wingspan Game Night
Time: 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Organization: Birds Connect
Link: https://birdsconnectsea.org/calendar/

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour
Time: 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Location: Benaroya Hall

Friday, January 16

Duvall Stargazing
Time: 5:00 PM – 11:50 PM
Organization: Seattle Astronomical Society
Link: https://www.seattleastro.org/events

Covington City Park: Astronomy Class & Stargazing
Time: 6:00 PM – 11:00 PM
Organization: Seattle Astronomical Society
Link: https://www.seattleastro.org/events

Description: Two chances to learn about the night sky and observe through telescopes.

Saturday, January 17

Morning Bird Walk – Tolt-MacDonald Park
Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Eastside Audubon
Registration: Not required
Link: https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar

Majestic Hunters: Bald Eagles and Raptors
Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Organization: Eastside Audubon
Cost: $80 non-members | Registration required
Link: https://www.eastsideaudubon.org/calendar

Neighborhood Bird Outing: Discovery Park
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Birds Connect

Neighborhood Bird Outing: Discovery Park (Young Adults <40)
Time: 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Organization: Birds Connect

Birding for Beginners
Time: 10:00 AM
Organization: Seward Park Audubon
Link: https://sewardpark.audubon.org/events/programs

Sunday, January 18

WINTER SKILLS OF A NATURALIST: The Quiet Science of Mosses
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Organization: IslandWood
Cost: $17.85
Link: https://islandwood.org/event/winter-skills-of-a-naturalist-the-quiet-science-of-mosses/

Astronomy Highlight:
New Moon — darker skies for stargazing and astrophotography throughout the weekend.

Photo By Madison Kirkman: Mt. Tahoma

Issa Moffett
Next

Seattle Naturalists’ Event Roundup: January 5th to January 11, 2026