SILVER SPRING, MD—This January, Montgomery Parks offers a variety of FREE nature programs through its four nature facilities: Black Hill Visitor Center in Boyds, Brookside Nature Center in Wheaton, Locust Grove Nature Center in Bethesda and Meadowside Nature Center in Rockville. Some nature center programs listed require a small fee.
Black Hill Visitor Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, BlackHillNature.org
- Wonders of the Winter Night Sky (Course No. 96749)
Thursday, January 14
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Join us for the bright stars of the giant Winter Circle, Orion and the other constellations, the Milky Way river of stars, star clusters and nebulas, double stars and the amazing planet Jupiter. Enjoy a presentation; then explore the sky through binoculars and telescopes (provided). Ages 6 and up; FREE.
- A Bird Walk for Families: Winter (Course No. 93450)
Sunday, January 17
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Join birders, educators and owners of the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Germantown, for an afternoon of bird-watching fun in Black Hill Regional Park. Bring your binoculars or borrow ours. Ages 6 and up; FREE.
- Family Day at the Visitor Center (Course No. 93949)
Monday, January 25
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
School is off today, so bring the kids to the Black Hill Visitor Center for an afternoon of nature fun. Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs will be on hand to show you how to use the popular “nature boxes,” and volunteer naturalists will lead short nature walks with hands-on activities and games. Drop in anytime between 1 and 4 pm. All ages; FREE.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, BrooksideNature.org
- Winter Crystals on Display (Course No. 92904)
Sunday, January 10
2:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Compare rock crystals with snow and ice crystals; see how they are alike and different. Drop in any time during program hours. All ages; FREE.
- Animals in Winter (Course No. 92905)
Saturday, January 16
11:00 am – 11:45 am
How do animals cope with the change in seasons? What happens to animals as the weather gets cold and the days become shorter? Listen to stories and feel different animal furs to learn how animals survive the winter cold. Then, head outside to look for winter animal homes. Ages 3 – 6; fee: $3.
- Winter Walk (Course No. 92863)
Sunday, January 24
12:00 noon – 1:00 pm
Look for signs of winter and winter animals. All ages; FREE.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, LocustGroveNature.org
- Tip-Tapping Maple Trees (Course No. 95001)
Saturday, January 9
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Help us collect the sap that becomes syrup by identifying suitable maple trees, drilling holes and setting up collecting buckets. Then, be sure to return later in the season to learn the rest of this sweet story! All children must be accompanied by an adult. Ages 5 – 12; fee: $4.
- Winter in the Dark (Course No. 96899)
Thursday, January 14
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Let’s check out the pond at Locust Grove in winter. We’ll spy for beaver and muskrat, deer, and maybe a predator or two. Ages 5 and up; FREE.
- Flannel Board Stories: Winter (Course No. 94699)
Saturday, January 16
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Bring the kids in for a seasonal tale of winter delight. Registration closes Thursday, January 14. Ages 3-5 years; FREE.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MeadowsideNature.org
- Storytime: “Snow Moon” (Course No. 96100)
Tuesday, January 26
10:30 – 11:30 am
We’ll read Nicholas Brunelle’s magical winter story, “Snow Moon,” and get inspired to learn more about owls and how they survive the winter. Then, we’ll make a craft to take home. Ages 3 to 6 years; fee: $5.
- Tyke Hike (Course No. 96053)
Wednesday, January 27
10:30 am – 11:15 am
Come and discover the bustling world around the Meadowside Nature Center. Take a mini-nature hike, and make a craft to take home. Ages 2 – 4; fee: $5.
- Winter Morning Hike at Great Falls, MD (Course No. 96258)
Friday, January 29
9:30 am – 11:30 am
Get away from the noise and stress of everyday life for a peaceful winter morning hike along the C&O Canal. If it's nice out, we'll likely see songbirds and some overwintering waterfowl. On chillier days, especially after a snow, we could see a fox walking on the frozen canal, or perhaps some deer. Either way, it's beautiful scenery, good exercise and lovely way to start the day. Bring your binoculars if you have them and dress for the weather. Meet at Great Falls, MD. Ages 18 and up; FREE.
Register online at www.ParkPASS.org using the course numbers provided.
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Contact:
Kelli Holsendolph
Media Relations Manager
Montgomery County Department of Parks
301-650-2866