SILVER SPRING, MD—Fun in nature doesn’t stop in winter, just because temperatures drop. Programs this winter offered through Montgomery Parks’ nature facilities range from winter nature walks to noisy New Year’s noisemakers to learning how fox families prepare for winter to tapping maple trees.
Black Hill Visitor Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds, BlackHillNature.org
Wild Montgomery Walk: Little Bennett (Course No. 63999)
Wednesday, December 17
10:00 am – 12:00 noon
Join a park naturalist for an easy walk in Montgomery Parks’ largest park—Little Bennett Regional Park in Clarksburg. Hike a scenic and peaceful loop along park ridge and valley trails, looking for animals and animal signs along the way. Meet at Hawks Reach Activity Center, 23701 Frederick Road. Enter the park at the Little Bennett Campground sign on Route 355 (Frederick Road). FREE program, but registration required.
Backyard Bird Treats (Course No. 62908)
Tuesday, December 30
3:00 pm – 4:30 pm
Learn which seed is preferred by which bird and where to place your feeders. Make treats for your backyard feathered friends. Enjoy outside bird watching too. FREE program, but registration required.
Wild Montgomery Walk: Cabin Branch (Course No. 63851)
Monday, January 26
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Wear your hiking boots, dress for the outdoors and don’t forget your water as you join a park naturalist for a hike to explore Cabin Branch. The group will meet at the boat launch parking lot at Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park and will enjoy hot cocoa after the hike. FREE program, but registration required.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton, BrooksideNature.org
Holiday Centerpieces (Course No. 60620)
Saturday, December 20
11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Make a long-lasting candle centerpiece with fresh greens, native cones and a festive bow. Fee $15. Registration required.
New Year Noisemakers (Course No. 60630)
Friday, December 26
3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Get ready to celebrate the New Year by making noisemakers and other party items from things you can find in your house. Ages 3 – 12; participants under 8 require adult assistance. Fee $6. Registration required.
Composting Critters (Course No. 60665)
Tuesday, December 30
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm
Make and take home a small compost bin with red wiggler worms and start composting your plants. Ages 6 – 12; adult assistance required. Fee $12, which includes compost bin and all materials. Registration required.
Treats for the Animals (Course No. 60635)
Wednesday, December 31
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Listen to an animal story, feed some animals in the park and take home a tasty treat for your neighborhood’s critters. Fee $5. Registration required.
Creature Feature (Course No. 60619)
Saturday, January 3
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Have you ever seen a salamander or a box turtle? Meet and greet some of the nature center’s resident reptiles and amphibians up close. Fee $4 per child. Registration required for all, but adults are FREE.
Crystal Wonders (Course No. 60643)
Saturday, January 17
10:00 am – 11:00 am
Learn about the mysteries of crystals and make a crystal garden to take home with you. Ages 6 – 12; fee $6. Registration required.
Fox Family in Winter (Course No. 62037)
Saturday, January 24
4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Find out what fox families do during winter. Look for fox dens and tracks. Fee $4. Registration required.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda, LocustGroveNature.org
Nature Craft Potpourri (Course No. 61500)
Wednesday, December 31
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
The leftover craft box at the nature center is full of possibilities! Make a frolicking frog, dragonfly magnet . . . or event a “frogonfly”! Lots of creative craft fun. Ages 6 -12, participants under 8 must be accompanied by an adult. Fee $4. Registration required.
Friday Night Hike (Course No. 61555)
Friday, January 9
7:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Take a hike to see what’s happening on a January night in the woods. Inclement weather cancels the program. FREE program, but registration required.
Tip-Tapping Maple Trees (Course No. 61502)
Saturday, January 10
11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Collect the sap that becomes maple syrup by identifying suitable maple trees, drilling holes and setting up collection buckets. Return to the nature center later in the month for the rest of this sweet story. Best for ages 4 and up, must be accompanied by an adult. FREE program, but registration required.
Winter Wander (Course No. 61557)
Saturday, January 24
11:00 am – 12:00 noon
Get outside for some fresh air! See who’s been wandering in the woods as a park naturalist leads you off the beaten track to look for animal tracks. FREE program, but registration required.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MeadowsideNature.org
Marsh Morning (Course No. 63008)
Tuesday, December 23
10:30 am – 11:30 am
Explore the variety of birds and other animals found in a marsh through story and sock puppet making. Ages 3 – 6, adult assistance required with craft. Fee $5. Registration required.
Winter Morning Hike at Blue Mash (Course No. 63019)
Friday, January 2
9:30 am – 11:30 am
Start the New Year off on the right foot by enjoying the natural beauty and serenity of Blue Mash during a park naturalist led trail hike through woods, meadow and ponds. During this easy hike, look for native songbirds, overwintering waterfowl and more. Dress warmly, wear waterproof shoes and bring binoculars. The trail is located off Zion Road in Olney, call 301-924-4141 for directions and more information. FREE program, but registration required.
Birding at Black Hill Regional Park (Course No. 63038)
Friday, January 9
9:30 am – 11:30 am
Explore the winter birds on Little Seneca Lake at Black Hill Regional Park. Meet at the Black Hill Visitor Center. Call 301-924-4141 for directions and more information. FREE program, but registration required.
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