Montgomery Parks Nature Center Programs

Montgomery Parks Nature Center Programs

Native plant sales, a women’s fire making class and “Etch and Sip: Craft Beers” are among the special programs that will be offered in September by the nature centers of Montgomery Parks.

The schedule of September programs will include:

• Maydale Nature Classroom: Online Native Plant Sale. Now through Sept. 9. Virtual. Native plants encourage beneficial insects, birds and other wildlife. Online sales run through Sept. 9, with plant pickup at Maydale Nature Classroom (1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville) on Saturday, Sept. 14. Sales benefit Maydale Nature Classroom. To learn more or purchase plants, visit www.MaydaleNature.org.
• Locust Grove Nature Center’s Fall Native Plant Sale. Sept. 21–22 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Pope Farm Nursery, 7400 Airpark Road, Gaithersburg. Beautify your space with native plant. Experts will be available to answer questions. Free admission. This in-person sale will take place at Pope Farm Nursery and sales will support educational programs at Locust Grove Nature Center.
• Nativescaping. Sept. 8–18 (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday). Various times. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda Learn how to incorporate native plants into your landscape. Join for the whole series and get one class free. Beginner to intermediate level. Registration required. Ages 18 and older. $80 per person (five class series) or $20 per person per class.
• Vulture Awareness Day Celebration. Monday, Sept. 9. 4–5 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Celebrate nature’s cleanup crew! Meet our vulture ambassador from the Nature Playspace. Go on a self-guided scavenger hunt and find the hidden vultures. Answer trivia, solve puzzles, enjoy vulture jokes and try a tasty vulture treat. Registration required. All ages. $7 per person.
• Beginning Recreational Kayaking for Older Adults. Wednesday, Sept.11. 3–5 p.m. Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Learn basic strokes, entries and exits, boat control and more in sessions taught by certified American Canoe Association instructors. Ages 55 and older. Registration required. $55 per person.
• Gardening for Wildlife. Friday, Sept. 13. 5–6 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Make your outdoor space a sanctuary for Maryland wildlife. Discover why gardening with intention is one of the most impactful methods for climate resilience and how to be a climate hero in your own backyard. Each participant will get a coupon for a free plant at Locust Grove Nature Center Plant Sale. Registration required. Ages 16 and older. $10 per person.
• Escapados de Tortugas. Saturday, Sept. 14. 10:30 a.m.–noon. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton. Celebrate Latino Conservation Week by helping find a box turtle.  Enjoy a fun scavenger hunt on the grounds of Brookside Nature Center. This program is in Spanish. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $5 per person.
• Pints for Plants: Native Plant Beer Hike. Saturday, Sept. 14. 3–4 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Hike and enjoy different local beers along Meadowside’s beautiful trails while learning the science behind how native trees support our favorite drinks and the life of the forest. Ages 21 and older. Registration required. $15 per person.
• Fall Wildflower Walk. Sunday, Sept. 15. 10–11:30 a.m. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda. Take a leisurely stroll through the park with our master naturalists who will interpret this last spectacular show of color before the changing of the seasons. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
• SEED Classroom Open House. Saturday, Sept. 28. 1–4 p.m. Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Check out the new SEED (Sustainable Education Every Day) Classroom at Black Hill. Find out what makes this building sustainable and get inspired to learn what sustainable actions you may be able to accomplish in your own home. Drop in anytime during program hours. All ages. Registration required. Free.
• Etch and Sip: Craft Brews. Saturday, Sept. 28. 3–5 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Create a personalized pint glass using the process of chemical glass etching and then enjoy a brew and learn about Maryland’s fascinating beer brewing history. Ages 21 and older. Registration required. $20 per person.

Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Visit the Fall 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.

This is a Montgomery County, Maryland announcement.

Coneflower, Kentlands Photowalk, Gaithersburg, Maryland, USA IMG 2181
Canon PowerShot G11 Camera
Photograph by Roy Kelley
Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs