WHEATON, Md. — Montgomery Parks celebrates spring with fun hands-on events all month long. Learn how to create a butterfly garden, solve a giant puzzle, take a hike (or two), learn birding basics, and a lot more.
April nature center programs include:
Adaptive Recreation–Birding 101 Series | April 3–May 15 | 4–6 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
Curious about birding but not sure where to begin? This series is for you. All skills levels welcome. Ages 18 and older. Registration required (registration will close 48 hours prior to the start of each individual class). $45 per person for entire series; $15 per person per class.
April Fool’s Hike | April 4 | 10:30–11:30 a.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
For young children and their caregivers to learn about the wildlife and nature around them through activities, explorations, games, hikes and take-home crafts. Ages 3-5. Registration required. $6 per person.
Online Native Plant Sale | April 8–22 (Plant pickup, April 27) | 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (Pickup)
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Growing native plants encourages beneficial insects, birds, and wildlife. Support your backyard ecosystem and Maydale Nature Classroom with this fundraising event. Online sales only. For more information visit Maydale Online Native Plant Sale.
Spring Wildflower Walk: April | April 14 | 10–11:30 a.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
For a few short weeks in the spring, the forest floor is blanketed in beautiful woodland wildflowers. Take a stroll through the park guided by a master naturalist to enjoy this spectacular short-lived seasonal display. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
Family Puzzle Palooza | April 20 | 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Gather friends and family to cozy up around a campfire while completing a 520-piece original Brookside Nature Center puzzle. Puzzlers encouraged to bring snacks. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $40 (one registered attendee may bring up to five other puzzlers).
Butterfly Gardening for Beginners | April 20 | 12–1 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Learn the types of plants to attract butterfly species, how to choose the best plants for your garden and tips to get your butterfly garden started at this beginner-friendly gardening program. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
Nature Night In | April 20 | 5:30–8:30 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
Take a break and drop the kids off to enjoy a fun night of nature-based games, crafts, a picnic dinner and hike, weather permitting. Children must be potty-trained and dressed appropriately for the weather. Pack a nut-free dinner, snack and water. Registration required. Ages 4-10. $20 per person.
Seed Bombs | April 22 | 2–3 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville
Celebrate Earth Day by making tiny “green grenades” of native herb, flower and vegetable seeds to create pockets of beauty and habitats for pollinators in your garden. Ages 4 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
Nature Center Pop-up | April 26 and 28 | 4–6 p.m.; 11 a.m.–2 p.m.
April 26, 4-6 p.m. Long Branch Arliss Neighborhood Park, 8810 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring
April 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville
Visit the Nature on Wheels vehicle and meet a naturalist to learn about the park, explore some natural objects, ask questions and do biology-themed activities. Registration optional. All ages. Free.
Full Moon Fridays | April 26 | 6:30–8 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
Enjoy the full moon for a hike and campfire. Registration required. Ages 10 and older. $8 per person.
Ready, Set, Go! | April 26 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton
Embark on a family-friendly, nature-themed scavenger hunt adventure on the trails of Wheaton Regional Park. The hunt will be facilitated using the GooseChase smartphone app. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $15 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 Spring 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. Montgomery Parks is focused on promoting physical activity, social connectivity, and environmental stewardship, especially in diverse and urbanizing areas, with an emphasis on teens, working-age adults, and seniors. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land. M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems.
About Montgomery Parks Nature Centers
Montgomery Parks operates five nature program sites, Black Hill Discovery Center, Brookside Nature Center, Locust Grove Nature Center, Maydale Nature Classroom and Meadowside Nature Center. The nature centers provide learning opportunities for youths and adults in a variety of ways including school, scout and public programs for all ages; special events, summer camps, birthday parties, volunteer opportunities, internships, engaging interpretive exhibits, live animal exhibits, native plant gardens, trails and nature play areas. For more information Montgomery Parks Nature Centers
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, encourages and supports the participation of individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice), MD Relay 7-1-1 or 800-552-7724 or Program Access to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information.
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