WHEATON, Md. – February is the shortest month but Montgomery Parks has a long list of novel and exciting programs at our nature centers, including some unique and creative date ideas (hint: for Valentine’s Day).
February nature center programs include
Birding for Beginners | February 1 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Learn the basics of bird identification and join the 96 million other Americans who enjoy this hobby. Ages 16 and older. Register for Birding for Beginners. $12 per person ($11, Friends of Black Hill).
Winter Events at Maydale: Groundhog Day Celebration! | February 2 | 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Celebrate Groundhog Day with groundhog stories, activities, and a craft. Bring your own (stuffed) groundhog and see if it sees its shadow. Ages 3-8. Register for Winter Events at Maydale: Groundhog Day Celebration! $6 per person.
Celebrating the Wee Folk | February 4 and 21 | 4:30-6:30 p.m. (2/4); 5-7 p.m. (2/21)
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Come to the Discovery Center for all things fairy. Make a house, some furniture, or even conjure a fairy to take home. All ages. Register for Celebrating the Wee Folk (only register those making craft). $14 per person ($13, Friends of Black Hill).
Maple Sugar Walk | February 6-23 (varying days) | Various times
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave, Wheaton
Take a hike with a naturalist to the maple tree grove and learn how maple syrup is made. Indoor and outdoor program. Ages 6 and older. Register for Maple Sugar Walk. $7 per person.
For the Love of Nature | February 9 | 2-3 p.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville
Work on a nature-themed craft and celebrate relaxing with a warm campfire and winter treat. Ages 3-10. Register for For the Love of Nature. $7 per person.
Night Hike | February 11 | 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Embark on a post-sunset hike to look and listen for critters of the night. Ages 8 and older. Register for Night Hike. $7 per person ($6-Friends of Black Hill).
Birding at Black Hill: Waterfowl Hike | February 11 | 10-11:30 a.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
We’ll take a van to the Ten Mile Creek area of Black Hill Regional Park and hike to the north end of the cove to see which waterfowl are visiting Little Seneca Lake. Ages 18 and older. Register for Birding at Black Hill: Waterfowl Hike. $7 per person ($6, Friends of Black Hill).
A Night Under the Stars | February 14 | 5:30-7 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda
Join us for a magical full moon hike and campfire. Bring your own food to warm over the fire and we’ll provide the marshmallows. Ages 21 and older. Register for A Night Under the Stars. $15 per person.
Make It & Take It: Birdfeeder | February 15 | 1:30-3 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Stop by and make a birdfeeder to take home. All ages. Register for Make It & Take It: Birdfeeder. $2 per person.
Black Hill Van Trips: Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge | February 26 | 10:30 a.m.-8 p.m.
Black Hill Discovery Center, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds
Join us for this van trip to the Eastern Shore to enjoy migrating waterfowl, bald eagles, and tundra swans that winter in Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge located at the mouth of the Chester River and the Chesapeake Bay. Ages 18 and older. Register for Black HIll Van Trips: Eastern Neck Wildlife Refuge. $50 per person ($48, Friends of Black Hill).
Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of nature center programs. Visit the Winter 2024 Montgomery Parks Program Guide.
Register on Active Montgomery
ActiveMontgomery is a program and facility reservation system that allows users to register online for classes, camps, programs and lessons offered by Montgomery Parks. Users must go to ActiveMontgomery and create an account before registering.
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, visit Montgomery Parks Nature Centers website.
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.
Accessibility at Montgomery Parks
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 ProgramAccess@MontgomeryParks.org to request a disability modification. Visit Montgomery Parks Program Access for more information.
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