Join us for the return of the Community Science Festival- a celebration of natural science – as we take part in the global City Nature Challenge bioblitz as part of team Washington DC!
Learning and fun for all ages at this free event- registration not required but registration guarantees you a free takeaway item. Take part in hands-on and minds-on discovery with:
Nature on Wheels Pop-Up Exhibits developed by our Teens Engaged and Empowered in Nature Stewardship program interns
- Journey of the Seed Game
- History of Native Plants
- Leave the Leaves
- Bringing Life to a Lawn
- Seed Library
Learn about Community Science in Montgomery County
- Ready for the Field- Identification, Safety, and Tools
- Get to know iNaturalist and join the City Nature Challenge
- Stream Sampling
- Bluebird Monitoring and Research
- Frogwatch
- Butterfly Buddies
- Weed Warriors
- Montgomery County Bird Club
Presentations on the Nature On Wheels Stage
- 10am Opening Remarks
- 11:15-11:45am Bluebirds: an ecological success story
- 12-12:30pm How we use science & data in parks
- 12:30-1pm Bluebirds: an ecological success story
- 1:15-1:45pm Grow it and they will come- Butterfly & Meadow restoration Success
- 2pm Closing Remarks
Hikes with Naturalists and Stream Sampling outings throughout the day
City Nature Challenge Guided Hike – 11am to 12pm.
Hike the park with a park naturalist and learn how to contribute to biodiversity science using just your cell phone! Program includes a brief presentation on the iNaturalist app and a hike in the park. Participants will have the option to add their observations to a public database and be part of a global competition. No registration required. The hike is limited to the first 25 guests who arrive. This program takes place at Lake Needwood in Rock Creek Regional Park
Guided Birding Hike – 12am to 1pm.
Take a hike with members of the Montgomery County Bird Club to identify birds around Lake Needwood- with an opportunity to add them to your e-bird list or get photos to add to iNaturalist as part of the City Nature Challenge.
Caminata con guía para el City Nature Challenge (en español) -1 to 2pm
Camina con una naturalista y aprende cómo contribuir a la ciencia de la biodiversidad con nada más que tu celular. Programa incluye una presentación breve sobre la aplicación iNaturalist y una caminata por el parque. Los participantes tendrán la opción de agregar sus observaciones a una base de datos pública y ser parte de un concurso mundial. No se requiere inscripción previa. La caminata es para los primeros 25 personas en llegar al programa. Este programa tiene lugar en Lake Needwood del Parque Regional Rock Creek.
If you just love nature from the sidewalk outside your door to the vast expanses of our parks, this is the event for you!
