Montgomery Parks September Nature Center programs

WHEATON, Md. — It’s almost the end of summer so make the most of it at Montgomery Parks. A variety of hikes, our popular native plant sales, a trivia night, and more are on tap this month.

September nature center events include: 

Once in a Blue Moon | September 1 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Take a full-moon hike and afterward enjoy a campfire. Feel free to bring hot dogs or food to warm over the fire, we’ll provide marshmallows. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $8.

Bark and Buds Tree Hike | September 2  | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Explore Wheaton Regional Park trails and learn to identify some of our native trees using bark and buds. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $8.

Fall Native Plant Sales | September 1 – 18

• Maydale Nature Classroom (online only): Online sale runs Tuesday, September 5 – Monday, September 18. Plant pickup on Saturday, September 23.
• Locust Grove Nature Center:
  • Online sales, Monday, August 28 – Sunday, September 3. Plant pickup on Saturday, September 9 at Pope Farm Nursery, 7400 Airpark Road, Gaithersburg.
  • In-person sales, Saturday, September 16–Sunday, September 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.Free admission, no registration required. Sale will be held at Pope Farm Nursery.

Family Nature Hikes: Fall | September 13–November 15 | 1 – 2:30 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Explore Cabin John Regional Park with a park naturalist. The nature center’s resident animal ambassadors will make appearances.Ages 3–5. Registration required. $150.

Virtual Family Trivia Night | September 13 | 6 – 7 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Gather around the table with family and friends with Quizmaster Jenn as she conducts a nature-themed trivia night for the whole family. All ages. Registration required. Free.

Let’s Hike | September 15 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Adults-only evening hike in Wheaton Regional Park. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $8.

Hiking with Your Dog: Bark in the Park | September 21 and 24 | 7 – 8:30 p.m.; 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

First, learn how to prepare for a fun time with your dog at the virtual workshop on Thursday, September 21, and then come to Locust Grove Nature Center on Sunday, September 24, to put the skills you learned into practice. Participants on the 24th will receive a free doggie Swag bag. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $10 (per session).

Etch and Sip Hard Cider Night | September 22 | 5 – 7 p.m.
Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville

Create your own personalized nature-themed pint glass piece and afterward enjoy a splash of cider on the raptor deck with a naturalist-led raptor talk. Ages 21 and older. Registration required. $20.

Autumnal Equinox: Sunrise Stretch at the Sycamore | September 23 | 6 – 7 a.m.
Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda

Start fall and your day taking in the healing and calming effects of nature. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $20.

Beginning Birding for Every Body | September 23 | 9 – 10 a.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Learn birding basics on a frustration-free “flat” bird practice trail. The wildlife pond boardwalk is accessible for all budding birders. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $7.

Nature Center Pop-Up | September 24 | 1 – 4 p.m.
Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville

Come talk with a naturalist, explore natural objects, ask questions and try out some biology-themed activities. All ages. Registration recommended. Free.

Mt. Cuba Center | September 27 | 9 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Black Hill Nature Programs, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds

Visit the Mt. Cuba Center near Wilmington, Delaware, home to more than 1,000 species of native plants, many of which are threatened by extinction. Registration required. $60 ($58 Friends of Black Hill).

The Scoop on Poop | September 28 | 10:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville

Designed to teach young children and their caregivers about the wildlife and nature in their own backyards through activities, explorations, games, hikes and take-home crafts. Registration required. Ages 3–5. $6.

Escapadas de Tortugas | September 30 | 10:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton

Help to find a lost turtle. Follow the clues and find her! A fun scavenger hunt at the nature center. Please note: this program is in Spanish. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $5.

Visit the Fall 2023 Montgomery Parks Program Guide. Go to Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery.

About Montgomery Parks        
Montgomery Parks manages more than 37,000 acres of parkland, consisting of 419 parks. 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          
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. 

###