wellness in nature Archives - Irvine Nature Center

If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect! Join a small group of nature loving kids, as they learn through exploration, throughout Irvine’s 211 acres. Offered select Tuesdays throughout the year. Register for a specific date or for the year-long series and save! Membership discounts apply! All classes are drop-off.

BAUER EXPLORERS (FOR 5-9YRS) – VIEW DATES & REGISTER

This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session. Non-member price: $45/session

Sept. 26 – Water Wonders: Stream Searching Explore the stream and meet some amazing amphibians!
Oct. 3 – Water Wonders: What’s in our Waterways and Ponds? A wetland hike will offer students plenty of opportunities to test water quality and search for macro-invertebrates.
Oct. 24 – Colors, Colors Everywhere: Fall Foliage What is a season? What’s happening to the leaves on the trees? Hike and discover answers to these questions create fall inspired art.
Nov. 7 – Time to Move: Fall Migration & Adaptation Where do animals go when it starts getting cold outside? Learn about migration and adaptations as we look for animal tracks and clues on trail.
Feb. 6 – Tapping for Sap: Maple Magic Learn the amazing steps to make Maple Syrup. Taste some fresh sap from our buckets and enjoy a tasty treat!
Mar. 5 – STEM: Nature Style Bridges, catapults and fractals! Oh my! Search for clues about Nature’s engineers.
Mar. 12 – STEM: Forts, Shelters and Nests How do animals stay warm? Learn about their cool techniques to engineer a debris shelter or birds’ nest.
Apr. 2 – Bird is the Word: Comparing Raptors with Songbirds What kinds of birds live at Irvine? What do they look like and sound like? Meet a raptor and compare it to the song birds we hear as we fly on trail.
Apr. 9 – Signs of Spring Embark on a Spring scavenger hunt to notice the tiny and huge changes this season brings!

If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect! Join a small group of nature loving kids, as they learn through exploration, throughout Irvine’s 211 acres. Offered select Tuesdays throughout the year. Register for a specific date or for the year-long series and save! Membership discounts apply! All classes are drop-off.

BAUER EXPLORERS (FOR 10-14YRS) – VIEW DATES & REGISTER

During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts. Non-member price: $40/session

Irvine Nature Center is excited to designate June 17th and 18th as FREE ADMISSION DAYS in honor of Juneteenth. We invite the community to discover all that Irvine has to offer – hiking, exploration, connection.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

While at Irvine, Hike the 8+ miles of trails, Encounter resident animals in the Exhibit Hall Visit the 8 resident raptors in the Aviary, Play in the Outdoor Classroom, Discover the Native American Site, Observe the diversity in Maryland’s ecosystems in the meadows, wetlands and forests that make up our 211-acre campus.

Open Saturday, June 17th and Sunday, June 18th, 9AM-5PM

Admission: free

Irvine Nature Center is the largest independent non-profit nature center in the region. A leader in environmental education for children and adults, Irvine offers hundreds of programs annually and is the home to over 50 animal ambassadors.
🌿🌻🍃🦉🌿
Located in Owings Mills, its 211-acre campus features woodlands, wetlands, and meadows. We welcome you to come and explore nature!

Irvine’s property is home to a recreated Native American educational site, which serves as a place to teach, share and honor Maryland’s First People. It was built in partnership in 2016 with the Baltimore American Indian Center, Stevenson University, Interpretive Naturalist Jeff Gottlieb, and many volunteers. The Native American educational site is the location of 50+ school field trips annually.

Jeff Gottlieb, who led Irvine Nature Center in the building of the wigwams and longhouse at the site, has constructed more than 60 full scale wigwam and longhouse replicas at various locations along the East Coast. Jeff will return to Irvine next month to dismantle the current longhouse and fully rebuilding a new one. Jeff is a wealth of information and one of the most interesting characters you’ll ever meet! If you’re looking to give back to an important project in the community, learn new skills, or have outdoor time, please consider joining the Irvine team

We are looking for adult and teen (age 16+) volunteers to help with improvements and repairs of our Native American site. This volunteer opportunity will help us maintain our educational site AND give you access to firsthand expertise from an Earth & Primitive Skills educator. View available dates and signup to volunteer HERE

We recognize the many contributions of Native Americans and the impact that colonization has had on this vibrant community. For more on this – https://www.explorenature.org/about/mission/

If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect! Join a small group of nature loving kids, as they learn through exploration, throughout Irvine’s 211 acres. Offered select Tuesdays throughout the year. Register for a specific date or for the year-long series and save! Membership discounts apply! All classes are drop-off.

BAUER EXPLORERS (FOR 10-14YRS) – VIEW DATES & REGISTER

During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts. Non-member price: $324/year or $40/session

Sign up for all 9 sessions and save 10% with one quick registration!

If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect! Join a small group of nature loving kids, as they learn through exploration, throughout Irvine’s 211 acres. Offered select Tuesdays throughout the year. Register for a specific date or for the year-long series and save! Membership discounts apply! All classes are drop-off.

BAUER EXPLORERS (FOR 5-9YRS) – VIEW DATES & REGISTER

This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session. Non-member price: $364.50/year or $45/session

Sign up for all 9 sessions and save 10% with one quick registration!

Sept. 26 – Water Wonders: Stream Searching Explore the stream and meet some amazing amphibians!
Oct. 3 – Water Wonders: What’s in our Waterways and Ponds? A wetland hike will offer students plenty of opportunities to test water quality and search for macro-invertebrates.
Oct. 24 – Colors, Colors Everywhere: Fall Foliage What is a season? What’s happening to the leaves on the trees? Hike and discover answers to these questions create fall inspired art.
Nov. 7 – Time to Move: Fall Migration & Adaptation Where do animals go when it starts getting cold outside? Learn about migration and adaptations as we look for animal tracks and clues on trail.
Feb. 6 – Tapping for Sap: Maple Magic Learn the amazing steps to make Maple Syrup. Taste some fresh sap from our buckets and enjoy a tasty treat!
Mar. 5 – STEM: Nature Style Bridges, catapults and fractals! Oh my! Search for clues about Nature’s engineers.
Mar. 12 – STEM: Forts, Shelters and Nests How do animals stay warm? Learn about their cool techniques to engineer a debris shelter or birds’ nest.
Apr. 2 – Bird is the Word: Comparing Raptors with Songbirds What kinds of birds live at Irvine? What do they look like and sound like? Meet a raptor and compare it to the song birds we hear as we fly on trail.
Apr. 9 – Signs of Spring Embark on a Spring scavenger hunt to notice the tiny and huge changes this season brings!

The Nature Preschool will be celebrating the end of the school year in the Outdoor Classroom. See you next week!

Join us for a workshop where we will learn how to use Nature Observation and Tracking in our quest to photograph the treasures of Mother Nature. We will learn about her playground. The Forest is always talking to us; learn to listen and unlock its mysteries. Unlocking the mysteries generally leads to wonderful photographs. Participants in this non-technical course will explore the trails of Irvine through the lens of a camera and the eyes of a naturalist. No experience necessary. Please bring a camera or a phone to record your nature story. This program is intended for Adults and teens 16+.

Instructor: Frank Marsden, Nature Photographer
Saturdays, ~~March 11~~, March 18, April 15, May 13
9:00 – 11:00AM
Cost: $15/participant per date
Sign up for one class or the series.

Journey into the universe within and all around, using a unique blend of yoga and shen (qi, or life force, of a spiritual nature) to connect our minds and bodies to a greater spirit. Preparing ourselves with a mantra which awakens us to the practice of kindness and cultivation of the heart, Pangu Yoga creates an embodied experience which ties graceful movement to breath, intertwining visualizations of nature, while your practice is surrounded by the natural wonders of Irvine Nature Center. Bring a yoga mat (and blanket, optional). We will take our time moving and breathing with this powerful life force and make sure we end with plenty of time for deep relaxation to further integrate our experience.

The yoga movements and techniques are simple and accessible to all levels of ability. No experience with yoga or qi gong is needed.

Instructor: Kelly Stickney, Yoga Therapist and Instructor, Pangu Shengong (qi gong) and Pangu Yoga Instructor
Offered Sundays, ~~April 30th~~, May 7th, and May 14th
3:00-4:30PM
Cost: $20/session or $45 for all 3 sessions

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour program is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Stephanie Brownawell Holzman, MA, Head of Earth Friends Outdoors Homeschool Program, Master Gardener, Naturalist
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Presented by Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative at Irvine Nature Center: Healing in the Wild allows for a safe space where people can gain tools to cope with the pain of loss. We’ll explore resources to call upon when feelings of grief seem overwhelming. This day retreat will provide a place to connect with others and the natural world. This unique retreat is a way for nature to provide the deepest peace and solace for people on the grief journey. The day retreat is open to anyone experiencing loss, including the death of a loved one, loss of a job, divorce, loss of a pet, and other types of loss.

“Spirituality and nature can play an important role in soothing symptoms of grief, including anxiety, stress, and depression. Studies have shown that even contemplating imagery of natural scenery can significantly lower stress hormone levels. Imagine what actually walking into Mother Nature’s embrace can do to your psyche at a time when you most need solace, peace, and quiet.” – Jennifer Alan, Balanced Rock.

Who is this retreat for?

Any person, 18 and older, who is experiencing grief due to the loss of a loved one. Non-death related losses such as divorce and job loss are also welcome. This may not be suitable for acute loss (less than 8 weeks since the death occurred).

Retreat Leaders:

Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan Ph.D., LCPC, ACS, Clinic Director of CMHC & Center for Nature Informed Therapy
Anne Contee, LCPC
Phillip McKnight Certified, Mindfulness Meditation Teacher

Cost: $150 + Optional Lunch for $25

*scholarship aid may be available upon request

This event has been postponed. A new date and time will be announced shortly.

Irvine Nature Center is thrilled to welcome Farmer Chippy and team to share the story of the Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm. Founded in June 2014, PPHUF was born out of a group of Caribbean American citizens’ desire to affect change and have a positive impact on the lives of Black and Brown young adults in northwest Baltimore. Converting vacant lots into a six-acre farm and mobilizing an inter-generational volunteer workforce, Farmer Chippy has provided an oasis of cleaner, greener foods within one of the city’s food deserts, and established a safe space in which to cultivate healthy young minds and train youth in sustainable urban farming practices.

Recognized by the American Farm Bureau as a 2021 Ag Innovation Challenge honoree, Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm’s AgriHood Baltimore is thriving, making crucial impacts in the Park Heights neighborhood, offering healthy foods throughout communities of Baltimore, and being held up as a national model for urban agriculture.

Please join us for Urban Agriculture – A community journey to food security & sustainability where Farmer Chippy will share his inspiration and motivation for cultivating food and youth.

Plus enjoy a delicious catered lunch from ACE Catering.

Guest Presenter: Farmer Chippy and Plantation Park Heights Urban Farm team
~~Wednesday, May 31st~~ This event has been postponed. A new date and time will be announced shortly.
~~12:00 – 1:30PM~~
Cost: $30/members*; $40/non-members

*Discount for Pacesetter members and above

Tickets required

provided by PPHUF

***Due to the weather forecast, Nature Photography will be moved to Sat, March 18. You can still register for the new date.***

Join us for a workshop where we will learn how to use Nature Observation and Tracking in our quest to photograph the treasures of Mother Nature. We will learn about her playground. The Forest is always talking to us; learn to listen and unlock its mysteries. Unlocking the mysteries generally leads to wonderful photographs. Participants in this non-technical course will explore the trails of Irvine through the lens of a camera and the eyes of a naturalist. No experience necessary. Please bring a camera or a phone to record your nature story. This program is intended for Adults and teens 16+.

Instructor: Frank Marsden, Nature Photographer
Saturdays, ~~March 11~~, March 18, April 15, May 13
9:00 – 11:00AM
Cost: $15/participant per date
Sign up for one class or the series.

NOTE: this presentation and lunch will be held indoors at Irvine, followed by guided tours of the Woodland Garden (in full bloom!)

Join us for a presentation by Irvine’s Master Gardener, Clare Walker, PhD, plus enjoy a delicious catered lunch from ACE Catering and guided tours of the Woodland Garden.

Presentation – Fleeting Flowers and Gossamer Wings

Like spring ephemeral flowers, many of our spring butterflies appear small and delicate yet are tough enough to thrive in Maryland’s spring weather that swings between summer and winter temperatures. In this talk we will admire the fleeting beauty of both flowers and butterflies as we explore how their lives are intertwined. The presentation is followed by a guided tour of the Irvine Woodland Garden where blooms will be at their peak with displays of trilliums, geraniums, larkspur, phlox and more.

Presenter: Clare Walker, PhD, Master Gardener, Master Naturalist
Wednesday, May 3rd
12:00 – 1:30PM
Cost: $30/members*; $40/non-members

*Discount for Pacesetter members and above

Tickets required – REGISTER TODAY!

Judy Gallagher CC by 2.0

Pride Outside is a monthly gathering for Queer teens, grades 6-12, of any sexual or gender identity, and LGBTQIA+ allies. The meetup will include a hike to a new area of Irvine and a nature craft or activity. Pride Outside will be a safe space for awesome teens to come together and experience all the benefits of nature and community. Event is rain or shine. This is a drop-off program for teens in grades 6-12.

Offered Monthly on select Sundays
Instructors: Irvine Staff
Sundays, April 16, May 7, June 18, July 16
1:00 – 3:00PM
Cost: FREE

No registration required. Open to the public.

A unique opportunity to make a large pack basket with basket maker Jeff Gottlieb. This sturdy, functional basket is strong enough for foraging, a trip to the farmers’ market, or to haul your gear along. First time weavers, don’t be daunted by this project! This 2-day class is open to all levels and offers beginners an introduction to basketry. Saturday, students will form the shape of their pack and begin weaving the basket. Sunday will focus on finishing the rim of the pack and attaching the straps (including learning to rivet). Each student will leave with a finished pack basket, ready for seasonal adventures! All participants will make a one-of-a-kind basket. This program is intended for adults and teens 15+.

Guest Instructor: Jeff Gottlieb, Naturalist, Craftsman, and Homesteader
Saturday, June 3rd and Sunday, June 4th
Saturday and Sunday, 9:00AM-5:00PM
Cost: $175/participant (Includes $60 for materials)
Member discounts apply to the class portion only, not the materials. Limited space – MUST REGISTER BY JUNE 1

Irvine is honored to host Jeff Gottlieb for this workshop: a naturalist, craftsman and homesteader from the hills of North Carolina. As a Craftsman, Jeff is drawn to the fascinating and satisfying pastime of making useful and beautiful objects from natural materials, including daily implements, natural buildings (he has built more than 60 including those at Irvine), art projects and artifact replicas. Jeff loves wood carving, drawing, sculpture, knots, rope making and leather work. It is important to Jeff to connect these to any cultural, practical, historical and ceremonial uses of these items by Indigenous peoples. Not only will this workshop allow you to learn the process of pack making, you also get to spend time listening to his stories and soaking in his deep knowledge of the natural world.

Join Irvine trustee, Leah Maddox, for an afternoon of sips and spring shopping.

Friday, March 3
11:00AM-5:00PM
7623 Bellona Ave
Ruxton, MD

15% OF SALES will benefit Irvine Nature Center

Branches of white pine can be trimmed to provide a wonderful basket material that is flexible and easy to sew – if a little sappy. In this workshop, participants will learn the ins and outs of choosing bark, cutting and peeling, making a pattern, and constructing a variety of different shaped vessels. This style of basketry is fun, fast, and provides opportunity to get creative with decoration, materials and shapes. Each person’s project will turn out to be completely unique! Everyone will leave with 1-2 completed smaller baskets. All materials provided. This program is intended for adults and teens 14+.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener
Wednesday, June 21st
6:00-8:30PM
Cost: $30/participant
Pre-registration required. Must register by 4PM on Monday, June 19th. Limited space – SIGN UP TODAY

Enjoy an evening hike to Irvine’s campsite for a chance to see the animals that start to emerge at dusk. At the campsite, we will light a fire and enjoy s’mores and stories as we wait for the full moon to rise over the meadows. Then, use the light of the moon to hike our way back to the building. This program is ideal for children ages 6+.

Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Friday, May 5th
7:00-9:00PM
Cost: $10 per participant, $30 per family
Pre-registration encouraged. Program will be canceled if minimum is not met. SIGN UP TODAY

How foraging for food can bring kids closer to nature A special class for families with children 6+ interested in finding out about the useful plants around us. Discover plants that are safe and easy to identify for tasty trailside nibbles or treating itches and scrapes while in the woods in this fun class. No registration necessary.

Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, April 16th
10:30-11:30AM
Cost: $8 per participant or $25 per family

Register TODAY

National Geographic

Head down to our campsite for a campfire and be serenaded by thousands of frogs! First at the campfire, we will learn some of the different frog calls and meet Irvine’s frog while enjoying some s’mores. Then on a short hike to the ponds, we will find out how many frogs you can tell apart by sound. Be sure to wear boots that will keep your feet dry, dress for the weather and bring flashlights. Remember, frogs like the rain so if it’s wet, we will start at the tent before hiking towards the wetlands. Recommended for families with children 6+.

Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Friday, March 31st
7:00-9:00PM
Cost: $10 per participant or $30 per family (applicable member discounts apply for Pacesetters & above)

Irvine is thrilled to introduce SUNRISE SUNDAYS on the first Sunday of each month. Arrive at dawn and take a stroll to enjoy a spectacular sunrise on Irvine’s 211-acre property. Say hello to Irvine’s executive director, Brooks Paternotte, as he welcomes members during this breath-taking time in nature. This is self-guided access. No registration required. This is a Members Only benefit. Learn more HERE.

Philip D. Orwig

Spring semester begins for all LITTLE BIRDS classes. Little Birds is a semester-long weekly class for children birth to 3 years alongside a caregiver. At this age, young children are naturally curious about their surroundings. Little Birds offers guided discoveries that are specially designed for this youngest age group. Together, children and their caregivers explore the wonders of wildlife through age-appropriate activities like live animal encounters, nature walks, songs, stories, and art experiences.

To learn more about all of Irvine’s caregiver & child classes, visit LITTLE BIRDS.

Spring semester begins for all EARTH FRIENDS OUTDOORS HOMESCHOOL classes, including:

Animals of Irvine (Ages 6-9) – Mondays
Forest Explorers (Ages 4.5-7) – Wednesdays
Farm & Forage to Table (Ages 8-12) – Wednesdays
STEM – Nature Style (Ages 6-9) – Thursdays

To learn more about all of Irvine’s HOMESCHOOLING options, visit EARTH FRIENDS OUTDOORS.

Join Irvine’s naturalists in a quest to make delicious maple syrup. Begin with a short walk in the deciduous forest, learn to identify maple trees, and try your hand at tapping a tree to collect its sugary sap. Then gather round the fire to see how we convert the sticky fluid into syrup. You’ll even get a taste of this liquid gold as a reward for all the hard work! All ages (with adult). Four public sessions to choose from.

Saturday, February 11th – Both session on 2/11 are SOLD OUT!
10:00 – 11:30AM OR 1:00 – 2:30PM
Sunday, February 19th
10:30 – 12:00PM (LIMITED SPACE) OR 1:30 – 3:00PM (SOLD OUT)
Cost: $10 per participant (applicable member discounts apply for Pacesetters & above)

Great for all ages – children under 3 are FREE!

Tickets available for Feb 19th only – Click to Reserve Your Spot

Dress for the weather, as this program is entirely outdoors.

Irvine’s Native Plant Sale & Workshop is back!

We’re thrilled to offer a morning of in-person, outdoor, hands-on learning, focused on NATIVE PLANTS.

THE SALE: The plant sale will be open to the public beginning promptly at 9AM, ending at 1:30PM. Come explore many native varieties from four area nurseries – Hill House Farm & Nursery, Kollar Nursery, Meadowsweet, Wood Thrush Natives and Irvine Nature Center. Get guidance from professionals on what will work best for your garden conditions. A huge variety of native ferns, perennials, and woody plants to choose from. Free Admission & Parking all day.

THE WORKSHOP: Expand your native plant knowledge! Whether you want to learn about native species, hone your plant identification skills, use natives to attract pollinators, solve problem areas in your yard, or refresh your landscaping in exciting new ways… there is a session for you. Participate in one, two or three sessions, plus take time to shop for native plants to bring home. Registering for three sessions will save you an additional $10 on your total workshop fees AND grant you exclusive early access to the plant sale from 8-9AM.

Learn from professional growers, ecologists and Master Gardeners – 10 workshop sessions to choose from. Workshops will run from 9:00am-12:30PM – sign up for one or multiple.
Shop for native plants with expert guidance from four area nurseries, who will help you select the perfect plants for your yard’s growing conditions. Gain early access to the plant sale when you register for three sessions!
Build your own container garden with native plants.

Early Bird Prices: $20 per workshop or $50 for a Day Pass which includes your choice of 3 workshops, plus early access to the sale

Regular Prices (if purchased after May 10th): $25 per workshop, $65 for a Day Pass which includes your choice of 3 workshops, plus early access to the sale

Registration NOW OPEN – Sign up Today!

(There is no fee or registration required for shopping only.)

DETAILED WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS AVAILABLE HERE

The 2023 Native Plant Sale & Workshop is sponsored by Biohabitats. We are grateful for their support!

Why garden with native plants?

“Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. By creating a native plant garden, each patch of habitat becomes part of a collective effort to nurture and sustain the living landscape for birds and other animals.” – Audubon

A unique opportunity for an intimate look at the Endangered Serpentine Ecosystem of Soldiers Delight. Experience the truly distinctive and globally rare ecosystem of Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area, with the guidance of experts, Laura Van Scoyoc, President of Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc. (SDCI), and Dr. R. Wayne Tyndall. Both have dedicated years to studying, restoring, and conserving the unique flora and rich biodiversity which thrives in the unusual substrate of serpentine bedrock. As you encounter wildflowers that grow in few other places, you will learn about the unusual circumstances which created this special habitat and witness first-hand the results of efforts of conservationists who are working hard to preserve it for generations to come, even in the face of a changing climate and overuse of trails during the pandemic. Find out more about this unique habitat in our May Eat, Drink, & Learn event.

Two hikes will be offered: Saturday, a shorter, gentler, 1-mile walk on easier terrain, for those who would like to experience the barrens, without trekking across rockier sections of the habitat. Sunday, the entire 2.5-mile circumference of the Serpentine Trail, portions of which are fairly uneven and more challenging to traverse. Both hikes will be led by Laura Van Scoyoc, and possibly Dr. R. Wayne Tyndall, retired Plant Ecologist with the Maryland DNR and scientific advisor to SDCI. Participants are invited stay after for a casual Q&A with Laura. Bring a snack/lunch to enjoy post-hike.

Instructor: Laura Scoyoc, President of SDCI
Saturday & Sunday, June 17-18th
10:00 (length varies)
Cost:$10-20/participant

Register for either the Saturday or Sunday hike HERE.

In honor of World Turtle Day, come celebrate Maryland’s diverse turtle species by getting an up-close look at some of our terrific turtles! This program offers a behind-the-scenes glimpse at how Irvine’s Naturalists care for and feed our turtles. This program is intended for children 6+ with accompanying adult.

Instructor: Irvine Animal Caretakers
Sunday, May 21st
1:00 – 2:00PM
Cost: $10/child (accompanying adult is free)
Pre-registration is encouraged. Program will be canceled if minimum is not met. SIGN UP TODAY

Celebrate Spring at Irvine. Lots of fun for all the family with games, crafts, and nature activities. Try your hand at building a bird’s nest and decorate an egg, plant flower seeds to take home, explore the woodland garden, look for birds along the woodland trail and more. Ideal for ages 3-7.

Instructors: Clare Walker and Irvine Naturalists
Sunday, April 30th
10:00AM-12:00PM
Cost: Early Bird $10/child 2+, After April 15th price is $15/per child 2+
Register early and save! Do not delay – event might sell out. PURCHASE TICKETS

Do you know the difference between a frog and a toad? Find out as we explore Irvine’s wetlands for frogs, toads and dip for tadpoles. At the tent, meet some of our ambassador amphibians up close to practice your identification skills. Try your hand at an origami frog, play games, and have an un-frog-ettable afternoon of fun. For dipping, we will head to Irvine’s wetlands, a 15-minute walk down a short hill. Wear waterproof boots but expect to get a little wet and muddy. This program is ideal for children ages 5-10, although younger ages are welcome.

Instructors: Irvine Naturalists
Sunday, April 2nd
1:30-3:30PM
Cost: $10/children 3+ (Adults and children 2 and under are free)
Pre-registration Recommended – program will likely sell out! SIGN UP TODAY

In this workshop, learn the traditional skill of folded bark baskets – how to ‘slip’ bark from a precut log, score and bend to transform into a basket of your own. Baskets have been fashioned from bark by cultures around the world; in Maryland, the eastern woodland Indians created them from tulip polar. This class can be offered just once a year as there is a short window between May and June when tulip poplar bark can easily be removed and shaped into a basket. This small-group class is suitable for beginners, each participant will start with a miniature basket and progress to a regular sized one. All materials supplied. All participants will make a one-of-a-kind basket. This program is intended for adults and teens 14+.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, May 21st
1:00 – 5:00PM
Cost: $45/participant
Limited Space, must register in advance!

Come join us for a sound bath and herbal tea meditation with Lionel Matthews from Tranquility Sound Therapy and community herbalist Kate Galarza. We’ll start the night with a tea meditation. Kate will serve an herbal tea blend infused with calming and nourishing plants. We’ll use our senses to experience the infusion and discuss the therapeutic actions of each plant. After the meditation, enjoy a peaceful sound bath as the practitioner will utilize crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, ocean drums and the natural sounds of nature as tools to bring the mind and body to a blissful meditative state. Be sure to carve out some time to nourish YOURSELF so you can nourish the loved ones around you. This program is intended for adults.

Instructors: Lionel Matthews, Sound Healing Therapist and Kate Galarza, Community Herbalist
Friday, June 2nd
6:30-8:00PM
Cost: $25/participant6:30-8:00PM
Limited Space – REGISTER TODAY!

Journey into the universe within and all around, using a unique blend of yoga and shen (qi, or life force, of a spiritual nature) to connect our minds and bodies to a greater spirit. Preparing ourselves with a mantra which awakens us to the practice of kindness and cultivation of the heart, Pangu Yoga creates an embodied experience which ties graceful movement to breath, intertwining visualizations of nature, while your practice is surrounded by the natural wonders of Irvine Nature Center. Bring a yoga mat (and blanket, optional). We will take our time moving and breathing with this powerful life force and make sure we end with plenty of time for deep relaxation to further integrate our experience.

The yoga movements and techniques are simple and accessible to all levels of ability. No experience with yoga or qi gong is needed.

Instructor: Kelly Stickney, Yoga Therapist and Instructor, Pangu Shengong (qi gong) and Pangu Yoga Instructor
Offered Sundays, ~~April 30th, May 7th~~, and May 14th
3:00-4:30PM
Cost: $20/session or $45 for all 3 sessions

People in 100s of cities and 80 nations on 6 continents will take part in the celebration of tai chi. “One World… One Breath” is the global event’s motto, with the sole purpose of promoting personal and global health and healing. The day will take place at wedding point overlooking the valley of the Irvine campus. The Qi-MaryP Qigong team will lead the local event celebrating and practicing various forms of these two 4,000 year old Tai Chi/Qigong moving mediations set to calming music. No experience is needed; all are welcome. This program is intended for adults.

Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis,GFI
Saturday, April 29th
9:30 – 10:30AM
Cost: $10/participant
Pre-registration available, walkups welcome.

Did you know that there are about NINETY nest boxes on Irvine’s property and that well over half of them get utilized every spring/summer? In fact, since 2008, we have documented almost 3000 baby birds fledging from our boxes! The vast majority come from three species of ‘secondary cavity nesters’: House Wrens, Tree Swallows, and Eastern Bluebirds.

In May and June, these songbirds are busy setting up breeding territories, building nests, and beginning to lay eggs for this year’s broods. Come witness the nesting process up close (Eggs! Babies!) as you learn about Irvine’s extensive network of boxes and the species that raise their families within. Find out how you can contribute to a nationwide ‘citizen science’ database by tracking nesting birds in your own yard and submitting your findings to Project NestWatch. Then, take to the trails and learn how volunteers statewide are collaborating on the Third MD/D.C. Breeding Bird Atlas. Find out how you can take part-at Irvine or even in your own backyard-by venturing out into nature this summer in search of nesting activity among any birds you encounter. You’ll be contributing to a crucial long-term database, from which scientists study population trends of species throughout the state. No prior birding experience necessary. For adults and children, ages 10+.

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education
Saturday, June 10th
9:00-11:00AM
Cost:$15/participant
Pre-registration is encouraged. Program will be canceled if minimum is not met. SIGN UP TODAY

The third in our NEW SERIES of Quarterly Adult Day Trips! Spend the day with other nature lovers, traveling together in the Irvine mini-bus to explore some of the Mid-Atlantic’s best wildlife hotspots.

Start with a tranquil morning of canoeing on the scenic Deer Creek in northern Harford County. We will launch from Eden Mill Nature Center, using their canoes and gear. Two certified canoe instructors will provide a no-stress paddling lesson before we start out and accompany us throughout our two hours on the water. Our guide will be renowned local naturalist Frank Marsden, founder and long-time Director of Eden Mill and an extraordinary nature photographer. Nobody knows the Deer Creek like Frank, and every outing with him becomes a memorable and fascinating lesson in natural history, ecology, and ‘becoming one’ with nature.

After lunch, head to Shenks Ferry Wildflower Preserve along the Susquehanna River. Known for its stunning variety of spring ephemerals, Shenks Ferry offers one of the most splendid displays of forest wildflowers in the eastern U.S., especially in April and May. Dr. Clare Walker will lead the way as we explore the delights of these short-lived blooms. Be sure to bring your camera! Finally, stop for an evening meal at a relatively new and highly-rated farm restaurant in York County. The Spring Nature Excursion departs from Irvine and participants travel together in the Irvine bus. This program is intended for adults.

Instructors: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education, & Dr. Clare Walker, Master Gardener/Master Naturalist
Saturday, May 6th
8:45AM-8:45PM
Cost: $80 + $15 Fee/Donation to Eden Mill Nature Center + Cost of Dinner
Limited space – register today!

Irvine’s mix of woods, wetlands and meadows make it a top local birding destination. Enjoy the peak of spring bird migration and a chance to see orioles, warblers, tanagers and more on these weekly walks with Irvine’s Director of Education and lifelong birder. This program is intended for ages 10+.

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education
Offered Monday, May 1st, Monday, May 8th, Saturday, May 13th, and Sunday, May 21st
8:00-10:00AM
Cost:$10/participant per date
Pre-registration is encouraged. Program will be canceled if minimum is not met. SIGN UP TODAY

📷Common Yellowthroat by Keith Eric Costley

Celebrate Earth Day with Irvine. Meet Irvine’s resident animal ambassadors and learn how we can protect wildlife and their natural surroundings. Explore the exhibit hall and take a hike on Irvine’s 211 acres. Good for all ages. All are welcome. No registration necessary.

Instructors: Irvine Naturalists and Animal Caretakers
Saturday, April 22nd
9:00AM-5:00PM – trails & outdoor exhibits open
10:00AM-3:00PM – Exhibit Hall open
1:00PM-3:00PM – special activities including planting, composting, animal encounters & more
Cost: Free

Throughout history, wild spring greens have been used as both medicine and an important source of nutrients. Many of the first plants to grow in spring are ones brought to America for their medicinal value, but now considered weeds and can be harvested in quantity. We will discuss and ID which greens can be collected and how to make tasty spring salads and pestos using foraged nuts or infused into oil for medicinal salves. Recipes will be demonstrated (with optional tasting). This program is intended for Adults.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, April 16th
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $20
Limited space; register today!

Join us for a workshop where we will learn how to use Nature Observation and Tracking in our quest to photograph the treasures of Mother Nature. We will learn about her playground. The Forest is always talking to us; learn to listen and unlock its mysteries. Unlocking the mysteries generally leads to wonderful photographs. Participants in this non-technical course will explore the trails of Irvine through the lens of a camera and the eyes of a naturalist. No experience necessary. Please bring a camera or a phone to record your nature story. This program is intended for Adults and teens 16+.

Instructor: Frank Marsden, Nature Photographer
Saturdays, ~~March 11~~, March 18, April 15, May 13
9:00 – 11:00AM
Cost: $15/participant per date
Sign up for one class or the series.

Are you an early bird, looking to start your day in nature? With our NEW Early Bird Wednesdays, Irvine members are invited to gain early access to the 211-acre property and experience the sights and sounds before we open to the public.

Come observe the early morning activity of Irvine’s abundant bird life and witness these wonderful creatures during ideal birding conditions. With over 190 species, Irvine is known as a top birding hotspot in the Maryland Piedmont. Not sure what you’re looking for? Check out the bird identification cards in Irvine’s two bird blinds.

Use the time to walk the trails; Irvine maintains 8+ miles of paths winding through the forests, meadows, and wetlands, always changing with the seasons.

Come and relax at the therapeutic herb garden alone or with a friend. Bring a book, practice meditation, enjoy a cup of tea!

We invite you to wander the Woodland Garden and discover all of the native plants that are thriving in this protected space.

No registration required; just show up and enjoy this special time in nature. This is a Members Only benefit. Learn more HERE.

📷Shane Robertson

Are you an early bird, looking to access nature as you start your day? With our NEW Early Bird Wednesdays, Irvine members are invited to gain early access to the 211-acre property and experience the sights and sounds before we open to the public.

Come observe the sights and sounds of the seasonal warblers and witness these wonderful creatures during ideal birding conditions. Not sure what you’re looking for? Warblers is a common name given to the superfamily of Passeriformes (perching birds), sharing characteristics such as their small size and being vocal songbirds.

Use the time to walk the trails, Irvine maintains 8+ miles of paths winding through the forests, meadows, and wetlands, always changing with the seasons.

Come and relax at the therapeutic herb garden alone or with a friend. Bring a book, practice meditation, enjoy a cup of tea!

We invite you to wander the Woodland Garden and discover all of the native plants that are thriving in this protected space.

No registration required; just show up and enjoy this special time in nature. This is a Members Only benefit. Learn more HERE.

📷 Shane Robertson

Love to read? Love nature? Join a group of fellow book & nature enthusiasts for a monthly gathering at Irvine!

BOOK WORMS: Irvine’s Nature Book Club

Each month BOOK WORMS will gather to discuss the preselected book and enjoy refreshments and drinks (including beer & wine). BOOK WORMS will meet at various sites around the property, taking advantage of the seasonal splendor. (Indoors in inclement weather.) The goal is simple: Read, gather, share, connect. We hope you will join us! This is a 21+ event.

June Book: “The World Without Us” by Alan Weisman

Meets the third Wednesday of most months – sign up for the entire season, or register for individual dates
5:30-7:00PM
Facilitated by: Elizabeth Cook, Associate Director of Development

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $5 per person
Non-member $10 per person

FULL SERIES PRICING (SIGN UP FOR ALL 7 DATES & SAVE):

Member $30 per person
Non-member $60 per person

Register HERE

Dress for the weather; we will communicate location the day prior.

Love to read? Love nature? Join a group of fellow book & nature enthusiasts for a monthly gathering at Irvine!

BOOK WORMS: Irvine’s Nature Book Club

Each month BOOK WORMS will gather to discuss the preselected book and enjoy refreshments and drinks (including beer & wine). BOOK WORMS will meet at various sites around the property, taking advantage of the seasonal splendor. (Indoors in inclement weather.) The goal is simple: Read, gather, share, connect. We hope you will join us! This is a 21+ event.

May Book: “The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs” by Triston Gooley

Meets the third Wednesday of most months – sign up for the entire season, or register for individual dates
5:30-7:00PM
Facilitated by: Elizabeth Cook, Associate Director of Development

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $5 per person
Non-member $10 per person

FULL SERIES PRICING (SIGN UP FOR ALL 7 DATES & SAVE):

Member $30 per person
Non-member $60 per person

Register HERE

Dress for the weather; we will communicate location the day prior.

Love to read? Love nature? Join a group of fellow book & nature enthusiasts for a monthly gathering at Irvine!

BOOK WORMS: Irvine’s Nature Book Club

Each month BOOK WORMS will gather to discuss the preselected book and enjoy refreshments and drinks (including beer & wine). BOOK WORMS will meet at various sites around the property, taking advantage of the seasonal splendor. (Indoors in inclement weather.) The goal is simple: Read, gather, share, connect. We hope you will join us! This is a 21+ event.

April Book: “Landmarks” by Robert MacFarlane

Meets the third Wednesday of most months – sign up for the entire season, or register for individual dates
5:30-7:00PM
Facilitated by: Elizabeth Cook, Associate Director of Development

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $5 per person
Non-member $10 per person

FULL SERIES PRICING (SIGN UP FOR ALL 7 DATES & SAVE):

Member $30 per person
Non-member $60 per person

Register HERE

Dress for the weather; we will communicate location the day prior.

Love to read? Love nature? Join a group of fellow book & nature enthusiasts for a monthly gathering at Irvine!

BOOK WORMS: Irvine’s Nature Book Club

Each month BOOK WORMS will gather to discuss the preselected book and enjoy refreshments and drinks (including beer & wine). BOOK WORMS will meet at various sites around the property, taking advantage of the seasonal splendor. (Indoors in inclement weather.) The goal is simple: Read, gather, share, connect. We hope you will join us! This is a 21+ event.

March Book: “The Nature Fix” by Florence Williams

Meets the third Wednesday of most months – sign up for the entire season, or register for individual dates
5:30-7:00PM
Facilitated by: Elizabeth Cook, Associate Director of Development

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $5 per person
Non-member $10 per person

FULL SERIES PRICING (SIGN UP FOR ALL 7 DATES & SAVE):

Member $30 per person
Non-member $60 per person

Register HERE

Dress for the weather; we will communicate location the day prior.

Are you looking for a summer camp experience for your curious kid? Wondering what makes Nature Camp at Irvine different? Are you all registered and have questions about what to expect this summer?

Join us for a virtual Nature Camp Q&A to meet the camp director, learn more about the day-to-day, and ask all the questions!

Nature Camp at Irvine offers children ages two to twelve an immersive outdoor experience in a safe environment to discover, learn, play, and make great friendships. At Nature Camp we encourage exploration, experimentation, and connection in and with nature. We have full-day camps for ages 5-12 (plus half-day for little ones!) Our highly-experienced camp staff offers creative themes weekly – so that no two weeks are the same.

Thursday, March 9 at 12:30pm

Tuesday, March 21 at 7:00pm

Free

Registration required. SIGN UP HERE

Come explore Irvine, the first Thursday of the month, and observe Irvine at dusk, when the grounds are quiet… or are they? Use the time to walk the trails, relax at Wedding Point, check out our Aviary, explore the Wetlands, discover the Native American site, play in the Outdoor Classroom or wander the Woodland Garden. Perhaps you will encounter the many wild creatures that come out at dusk.

Join members of the Irvine team monthly for a special treat!

No registration required; just show up and enjoy this special time in nature. This is a Members Only benefit. Learn more HERE.

After Hours at Irvine is sponsored in part by Weyrich, Cronin & Sorra. We are grateful for their support.

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour gathering, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Stephanie Brownawell Holzman, MA, Head of Earth Friends Outdoors Homeschool Program, Master Gardener, Naturalist
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Nature has profound healing powers. Join us for a conversation with Dr. Heidi Schreiber-Pan and a panel of nature-lovers who contributed to her new book, The Outside Within.

The Outside Within follows various true accounts of everyday people who experience nature’s healing qualities and initiate self-awareness in the best of ways. The more-than-human world is filled with the possibility of delivering solace in hard times as well as sacred meaning-making for the human spiritual journey.

In a greater sense, this book illustrates nature’s ability to show up in big ways and provide what we need at the moment. The Blue Ridge Mountains taught me perseverance; you might find relaxation and comfort. Astonishingly, nature offers many experiences, lessons, truths, wisdom, and ancient medicines seemingly made to order for each one of us.

With nature as a mirror, teacher, counselor, and spirit guide, this book invites you on an outdoor journey filled with wild promises echoing from our ancient past of deep connection and passionate bonding with our Mother Earth.

Light refreshments will be served. Age 16+ Copies of The Outside Within will be available for purchase.

Guest Speaker: Heidi Schreiber-Pan, Ph.D, LCPC, Clinical Director of Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative & Center for Nature Informed Therapy
Sunday, April 23rd
1:00PM – 3:00PM
Cost: FREE, registration required

Tickets are required for this FREE event. Register TODAY

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Young children are naturally curious about the world outside. Come join us for a Little Birds class on a weekend! We will explore the wintery woods with our little ones in this 90-minute class. Meet an animal friend, make some sensory art, explore the trails, and finish with a story! All classes will have an indoor start before we head out on the trail. This program is perfect for families that cannot enroll a midweek Little Birds class. This program is intended for children from birth to 3 years.

Little Birds Drop-In sessions are offered twice each of the following dates. The morning session is encouraged for birth-18 months, afternoon session for 18 months-3 years.

Saturday, Jan 14th, Sunday, Jan 22nd, Saturday, Jan 28th, Saturday, Feb 5th
10-11:30AM and 1-2:30PM
Instructor: Arpa Hartoni
Cost: $25 per child/caregiver pair. One additional caregiver may attend at no charge.

Preregistration required – SIGN UP TODAY

Through Qigong and Tai Chi, participants will explore the ancient practices of moving meditation to align body, mind, and spirit and build a deeper connection to nature. In addition to learning and practicing these healing arts, we will also experience one or more additional components of the following: qigong forest bathing, qigong walks, mindfulness meditation, and focused breath work. The classes will begin in the tent or conference room, then transition to various beautiful locations throughout the Irvine campus. Age 18+ No prior experience needed. All are welcome.

Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis
Offered Sundays – now through August 13th (no class July 2nd)
9:30 – 10:30AM
Cost: $10/participant
Register for one or more session dates. Preregistration available, walkups welcome.

Join us at this fun training to learn about phenology and how it is being used to track the impacts that climate change is making on the plants and animals all around us. Phenology is the practice of observing the different lifecycles of plants from bud burst and leaf emergence to flowering and seeds, and requires the simple recording of these so data collection can be quickly mastered. After a quick introduction to the process, we will hike a mile loop to observe the plants that make up a ‘phenology trail’ at Irvine. Data collected can be compared with both historical records and different regions to show how our warming world is causing rapid changes to Maryland’s plants. After the training, you can take home the skills to make observations in your own yard to contribute to citizen science data; or join the Irvine Observation Team – taking a regular hike on the tail to observe the changing of the seasons. This program is intended for Adults. This program may be used to meet Master Naturalist Training Hours.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, March 26th
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: FREE

Sign up required.

Mysterious things have been spotted on the trails at Irvine. A pile of feathers, a fluff of fur, mysterious tracks….what is going on? Put your observation skills to the test as we study a ‘critter crime’ scene in the woods to try to answer the questions: what happened and who dunnit?! Learn about the signs animals leave behind as we learn how to identify tracks and scat to solve the riddle of the Mystery on the Trails. Drop-off program for Children 7-12.

Instructors: Dr. Clare Walker, Senior Naturalist
Saturday, March 25th
10:00AM – 12:00PM
Cost: $20 per participant
Pre-registration Required.

Discover a cost-effective way to create a pollinator patch to help bees and butterflies – SEEDS! This workshop will explain the techniques used to grow native plants from seed, which plants work well, and how and when to transplant. All participants will take home a plant tray of native flower seeds plus a guide for their care. This program is intended for Adults.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, March 25th
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $20/participant

Discover the process of creating a traditional and beautiful pine needle basket. In the first session, you will learn how to start your basket using a hand-made wood base and then how to coil long-leaf pine needles using waxed linen thread. Splitting the class over 2 evenings allows you to work on the project at home if you wish to create a larger basket. In the second session, we will cover finishing techniques and different stitches so you can take home a completed pine needle basket. Although suitable for beginners, this class will be most enjoyable for anyone who either has some basketry/sewing experience or enjoys working with their hands on small-scale projects. Threads will be provided, or you can bring your own colors to create a unique basket. All participants will make a one-of-a-kind basket. This program is intended for Adults and teens 16+.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Wednesdays, March 22nd & 29th (must be available to attend both dates)
6:00 – 8:00PM
Cost: $35/participant
Limited Space, participants must register in advance!

REGISTER TODAY

Just because it’s the dead of winter doesn’t mean you have to stop foraging as evergreens are now easy to spot! These trees have a long history of use to treat coughs and colds, and traditionally supplied much-needed vitamins during the winter. Today, many can be found in gourmet recipes. Learn which evergreens to harvest and which to avoid as we cover identification of different evergreen species and foraging etiquette. If you have foraged at Irvine before you know there is usually something to taste! For Adults

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, March 19th
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $20 per participant

Register HERE

***Due to the weather forecast for Friday, Irvine is moving the Owl Prowl to Saturday, March 11. You can still register for the new date.***

Irvine’s mix of woods, meadows, and wetlands makes ideal habitat for several species of owls, and clear winter nights are the perfect time to listen for them. Join Irvine naturalists for an evening of learning about these awesome creatures of the night. Meet a few of Irvine’s nocturnal Animal Ambassadors, learn about their natural history and calls, then hit the trails for a chance to hear them in the wild. It promises to be a hoot!

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke & Paige Vance
Friday, March 10th (NOW Sat, March 11th)
7:00 – 8:30PM
Cost: $12/participant

Register HERE

Dress for the weather and have fun as a family as we explore the winter world using all our senses. Look for animal homes, find out who is the best at seeing animals hidden along the trail and, if we are lucky, read track stories in the snow. Finish by warming up with a story and s’mores around the campfire. For Families with Children 4+

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, January 29th
2:00 – 3:30PM
Cost: $7/individual OR $20/family

This program is SOLD OUT.

Join Irvine’s naturalists in a quest to make delicious maple syrup. Begin with a short walk in the deciduous forest, learn to identify maple trees, and try your hand at tapping a tree to collect its sugary sap. Then gather round the fire to see how we convert the sticky fluid into syrup. You’ll even get a taste of this liquid gold as a reward for all the hard work! All ages (with adult). Four public sessions to choose from.

Saturday, February 11th – Both session on 2/11 are SOLD OUT!
10:00 – 11:30AM OR 1:00 – 2:30PM
Sunday, February 19th
10:30 – 12:00PM (LIMITED SPACE) OR 1:30 – 3:00PM (SOLD OUT)
Cost: $10 per participant (applicable member discounts apply for Pacesetters & above)

Great for all ages – children under 3 are FREE!

Tickets available for Feb 19th only – Click to Reserve Your Spot

Dress for the weather, as this program is entirely outdoors.

The second in our NEW SERIES of Quarterly Adult Day Trips! Spend the day with other nature lovers, traveling together in the Irvine mini-bus to explore some of the Mid-Atlantic’s best wildlife hotspots.

This excursion starts with a guided tour of the fascinating Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania, in northern Lancaster County, currently the home to over 50 gray wolves on 80 acres of forested land and provides a unique experience to learn about these top-tier predators. Established in 1980, when state laws about owning exotic pets became much stricter, the Sanctuary was created as a refuge for illegally owned wolves and wolf-dogs confiscated by the PA Game Commission. As the Sanctuary grew over time, it became a non-profit organization focused on conservation and outreach.

Next, it’s a short drive to Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area, one of the largest late-winter staging grounds for Snow Geese in North America. These spectacular birds gather from wintering sites all over the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast and descend upon Middle Creek’s 6,000-acre managed wetlands in late February. Their numbers swell to 100,000 or more before their annual departure for the arctic a few weeks later. The breathtaking spectacle includes roughly 5,000 larger Tundra Swans and a host of smaller waterfowl. Bring your camera for this unforgettable sight!

On the return trip, we will enjoy a delicious evening meal at a casual and highly-rated restaurant in the Lititz area. The Late Winter Nature Excursion departs from Irvine and participants travel together in the Irvine bus. This program is intended for Adults and teens ages 15+.

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education
Saturday, March 4th
9:00AM –9:00PM
Cost: $95 per person (includes tour of Wolf Sanctuary; does not include cost of dinner)

This program is SOLD OUT! Look for additional Adult Nature Excursions coming soon.

Celebrate National Seed Swap Day at Irvine and get your garden off to a great start. Native plant seeds collected at Irvine plus other locally sourced seed will be available at the swap. If you have any native plant seed, vegetable, or herb seeds you’re willing to swap, bring them along. You do not need to bring seeds to participate. Learn what it takes to make sometimes-fussy native seeds germinate, as we prepare any seeds that require scarification or stratification. Age 16+ Each participant will go home with a tray of winter sown seeds to take home.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener
Sunday, January 29th
11:00AM – 12:30PM
Cost: $15 per participant

Register HERE – Limited Space, must register in advance!

Sadly this program has been canceled due to illness.

Learn the art of fire building in a fun and supportive environment. Discover where to find dry wood and tinder even in winter and how to build and start a fire. Try using ferro rods, experiment with everyday fire-starting materials from lip balm to hand sanitizer and much more. Dress for the weather and we will keep a kettle on the fire for hot drinks. For Adults and Teens 14+ *This is an event for women and any individual who identifies as trans, gender-neutral, or non-binary are welcome to attend.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker
Sunday, January 15th
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $15 per participant

Advance Registration Encouraged

This #GivingTuesday it’s all about the animals! Animals are an integral part of Irvine’s environmental education program. Did you know that the staff and volunteers at Irvine Nature Center care for over 50 resident animals, including raptors, reptiles, amphibians, and a few mammals? Each animal is here as a result of injury, illness, or human intervention. Each has a story, and their stories help Irvine’s naturalists and educators teach both children and adults about the impact that human development can have on native animal species. Irvine’s resident animals make the BEST TEACHERS!

On this #GivingTuesday, we are hoping to raise $5,000 to help Irvine care for our animal ambassadors. Contributions will help cover expenses for food, cleaning supplies, medicine, veterinary care, bedding, heating and lighting.

Your gift will make a big difference in the lives of these special residents at Irvine. Thank you for your support.

Help us cover the MONTHLY COSTS for:

DONATE TODAY

Create a beautiful, all-natural wreath for your home, while enjoying some seasonal holiday teas and conversation. Join the Irvine Nature Center for this workshop where we will learn how to identify different evergreens and vines available locally. Then create a beautiful but sustainable wreath. We will provide an assortment of evergreen boughs, berries, fruits, vines, cones, and ribbons. Each participant will take a natural evergreen wreath home. This program is intended for Adults and Teens Ages 16+. If younger teens are interested, they must be accompanied by an adult.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, December 3rd
9:30-12:00PM
Cost: $25 per participant

Register HERE – Limited Space, must register in advance!

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Director to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Considering an Outdoor Wedding? Looking for the perfect venue?
Join us for an exclusive Wedding Open House and meet and greet, where you can:

– Enjoy Food Tastings provided by many of our approved caterers
– Talk one on one with highly rated, award winning vendors
– Enjoy a guided tour of Irvine’s beautiful venue, including all of the ceremony location options
– Explore Irvine further by visiting the sights and walking the trails

This is an exclusive event for serious couples preparing for their upcoming weddings. Now booking for Spring, Summer and Fall 2023.

Space is limited and registration is required. RESERVE YOUR SPOT TODAY. Registration is now closed – contact Jessica Moran with questions at MoranJ@ExploreNature.org

Wondering what your wedding or special event could look like? Browse our Gallery of Events HERE

Join us for a special evening of live music from the Jody West Band, inspired food and spirits, and fabulous silent auction, all benefiting Irvine and our mission to connect children and families with nature. Guests will enjoy a seasonal feast, oyster bar, bourbon tasting, specialty cocktails, s’mores by the fireside, and so much more! VIP tables and ticket packages include reserved seating, valet parking, and access to the exclusive Hay Bale Lounge. A limited number of general admission tickets will be released on October 14th.Join us for what is often called the best fall party in town. This blue-jean chic ‘ungala’ promises to be stunningly spectacular and will sell out.

Friday, October 28th, 7PM

Tickets required for entry.

Special Thanks to our 2022 Corporate Sponsors and Underwriters!

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Director to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

Hosted the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30AM
9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Director to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

Hosted the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30AM
9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Director to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

Hosted the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30AM
9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Director to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

Hosted the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30AM
9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Director to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

Hosted the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30AM
9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Administration to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

Hosted the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30AM
9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Director to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

Hosted the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30AM
9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Are you looking for a preschool that encourages adventurous play, discovery, outdoor exploration, and connection with others for your toddler?

The Nature Preschool at Irvine, offers children ages three to five a supportive, safe learning environment that emphasizes discovery, experimentation and connection through play in and with nature. A variety of schedule options are available to meet families’ needs, including morning or full day, and 2-, 3-, 5-day enrollment with or without Aftercare.

Join us for a tour and observe a class with our Nature Preschool Director to learn more about our child-led, play-based, almost exclusively outdoors program.

Tours are good for anyone considering enrollment for school years 2023-24, 2024-25, and beyond.

Hosted the 2nd Thursday of every month at 9:30AM
9:30-10:15AM
Free

Children welcome to attend!

Registration required. REGISTER HERE

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for a FREE story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom (or indoors in inclement weather.) This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Katie Rooney, MA, Director of Early Childhood Education
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26, June 16

Tales & Tails is made possible in part by:

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Tales & Tails at Irvine Nature Center IS BACK!

Join us every Friday for story time & an animal encounter in the Outdoor Classroom. This ‘caregiver and child’ program will allow you to build connections with nature and your neighbors in an outdoor learning environment. Visitors are encouraged to come early or stay after to discover Irvine’s trails, meadows, and wetlands with the family. This program is ideal for children 5 and under and an accompanying adult.

Instructor: Daje’ Reeder, Early Childhood Educator
Fridays*
11:00 – 11:45AM
Held in Irvine’s Outdoor Classroom**
FREE! All are welcome.

No registration required. **Outdoor Classroom access begins at 10:45.

*Tales & Tails will not run on Oct 28, Nov 25, Dec 23, Dec 30, April 7, May 26

Irvine is pleased to be a 2022 site for Caw to Action – a Volunteer Day of Service with The Baltimore Ravens and United Way of Central Maryland and we need your help!

Join TEAM GREEN at Irvine and help with Meadow Restoration. Volunteers will assist with ongoing meadow restoration and remove invasive plant species to make room for native seeds. This is a physical volunteer opportunity for adults only and will be held exclusively outdoors.

Leaders: Kyle Gillen, Natural Resource Manager
Monday, October 3rd
10:00AM-1:00PM

Volunteers are required to sign up in advance. LINK TO REGISTER

About Caw to Action: The Baltimore Ravens are partnering with United Way of Central Maryland to host volunteer days across the Greater Baltimore area. The community service, Caw to Action, offers both virtual and in-person events to allow Ravens fans from across the country to participate. We encourage volunteers to follow their passions and choose a project based on their philanthropic interests. Projects can be completed as a corporate team, family, school, individual, or however else you like to give back to the community.

Part of Irvine’s 7-part Adult Lecture Series – Eat, Drink & Learn

Boots on the Ground: Restoration of the Incredible and Endangered Serpentine Ecosystem at Soldiers Delight

It is the surprising secret of Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area and Wildlands in Owings Mills that the type of rock underlying it, climate change, and a long history of Native American fires have made this site globally special. The bedrock lying beneath Soldiers Delight is serpentine, an uncommon rock which originated from the mantle of the Earth during tectonic plate collisions about 200 million years before the Age of Dinosaurs. Soils from this bedrock have an unusual chemistry which is too harsh for most plants and contributes to distinctive and rare vegetation. The serpentine ecosystem developed at least 4,000 years ago, in response to a changing climate, in conjunction with widespread Native American fires. The demise of American Indian tribes marked the beginning of the end for almost all serpentine barrens in the eastern United States. But at Soldiers Delight, the richest biodiversity site on State land, conservationists have been working since 1989 to restore and conserve this special place. Learn about this endangered ecosystem and why conservationists are cautiously optimistic for its survival even amid a changing climate and in the face of other human-related threats such as invasive species, white-tailed deer, and improper visitation.

Signature Drink: endangered Cocktails

Guest Presenter: Dr. R. Wayne Tyndall, Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc.; Maryland DNR & Laura Van Scoyoc, Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc.
Thursday, May 18th
6:30-9:00PM

FULL SERIES PRICING (7 EVENTS):

Member $390 per person
Non-member $455 per person

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $60 per person
Non-member $70 per person

Register HERE

Dr. Robert Wayne Tyndall (Wayne) joined the Board of Directors of Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc. in 2021 after retiring from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Wayne joined the Natural Heritage Program of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources in 1987 to begin a career in biodiversity conservation at the grassroots level. He soon learned that his academic training in Plant Ecology (M.S., Old Dominion University; Ph.D., University of Maryland-College Park) could contribute to the restoration of rapidly vanishing “barrens”, savannas, and grasslands of eastern North America.

One especially important restoration effort began in Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area. Funneling knowledge of academic scholars and government restoration ecologists, he helped initiate the Serpentine Ecosystem Restoration Program at Soldiers Delight in 1995 after a research phase beginning in 1989. His current role with SDCI is mainly as a scientific advisor, where he hopes to bridge the gap between state-of-the-art conservation science and government decisions affecting Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area. Dr. Tyndall’s professional writings, papers and publications appear under the authorship of “R. Wayne Tyndall”.

In 2002, Laura Van Scoyoc had just purchased a home in Woodstock and was interested in seeking out conservation-oriented volunteer opportunities close to her new neighborhood. An online search led her to Single Volunteers of Maryland, an organization dedicated to providing volunteer opportunities in a variety of philanthropic areas. Since ecology and conservation were closest to Laura’s heart, she scanned the options most likely to include saving the planet. There she found a call for volunteers to help eradicate invasive vegetation at a serpentine wilderness in northwest Baltimore County, not too far from her new home. Laura started working with other volunteers on the Serpentine Ecosystem Restoration Project, or SERP, and the rest, as they say, is history.

After helping to remove non-native plant species with the SERP crew at Soldiers Delight Natural Environment Area for several months, she got to know former Soldiers Delight Conservation, Inc. board member Lesley Bosley, who invited Laura to attend one of SDCI’s board meetings, held periodically at the Soldiers Delight visitor center. Once Laura saw how committed SDCI members were to conserving and restoring the unique habitat that makes up the serpentine barrens ecosystem, Laura joined the board. Soon, Laura was fully immersed in the noble work of SDCI. She testified before the Baltimore County Council against proposed changes to the Urban-Rural Demarcation Line (URDL) in Owings Mills, which would have shifted zoning of a prime piece of serpentine barrens into commercially developable land. She educated neighbors of Soldiers Delight about the perils of landscaping their yards with invasive, non-native shrubs and trees. She hosted tables at fairs and festivals throughout the region to educate the public about the beauty and value of the globally rare ecosystem that defines the Soldiers Delight NEA, as well as getting word out about the risks of invasive vegetation to a larger audience.

As president of SDCI since 2007, this longtime software engineer now devotes much of her free time to furthering causes which are fundamental to the success of restoring Soldiers Delight to its original, pristine glory and preserving what is left of the more than 39 species of rare and endangered flora and fauna which call the serpentine barrens home. As part of her duties, Laura serves as community liaison for SDCI, attending public meetings and events wherever Soldiers Delight and its core issues might be a stakeholder. She interfaces with the community at every level, offering her substantial knowledge and unwavering support of the causes in which SDCI is involved, namely educating the public about Soldiers Delight and working to conserve and restore its ecosystem for future generations.

But that’s not all. Besides continuing to volunteer with the SERP project every winter, Laura also actively participates in prescribed burns performed twice per year at the Soldiers Delight habitat, weather permitting, by a professional burn crew from Blackwater Wildlife Refuge. These burns are necessary for sustainment of the serpentine ecosystem. Laura has taken federal wildland firefighting courses and has been trained in wildland fire behavior and sawyer skills, including firefighter chainsaw operation. Laura’s dedication to the conservation and restoration of Soldiers Delight is an inspiration to all who serve with her on the SDCI board of directors. She not only talks the talk; Laura walks the walk as the epitome of what it means to be committed to our planet’s health.

Part of Irvine’s 7-part Adult Lecture Series – Eat, Drink & Learn

Wolves Demystified: The True Nature of North America’s Most Controversial Predator

Wolves have been plagued by myth and misinformation for centuries. This has led to conservation issues across the globe, but it has also led to wolves being improperly handled as household pets. At the Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania, gray wolves and wolf-dogs are given back their dignity. The sanctuary, located in Lititz, PA, has been rescuing these mysterious and misunderstood creatures since 1980. Currently the sanctuary is home to 55 gray wolves and wolf-dogs. Through guided tours they also seek to dispel some of the common myths about wolves and provide a more accurate and respectful image of this keystone species. Learn more about the Wolves of Speedwell and about the true nature of the gray wolf in “Wolves Demystified”.

Signature Drink: WHISKEY

Guest Presenter: Michelle Mancini, Education Coordinator, Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania
Thursday, April 27th
6:30-9:00PM

FULL SERIES PRICING (7 EVENTS):

Member $390 per person
Non-member $455 per person

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $60 per person
Non-member $70 per person

Register HERE

Michelle Mancini has had an interest and a passion for gray wolf conservation for most of her life. She received her Master of Environmental Studies from the University of Pennsylvania where she studied the social, political, and environmental impact of gray wolf reintroduction to Yellowstone National Park. She started volunteering at Wolf Sanctuary of Pennsylvania ten years ago and has been Education Coordinator there for the past six years. She still volunteers her time on Saturdays to help with the care and feeding of the wolves and to help give guided educational tours.

Part of Irvine’s 7-part Adult Lecture Series – Eat, Drink & Learn

The Pressure is Rising: Climate Change, Humans, & the Future of Barrier Islands

Barrier islands represent the intersection of changing weather, sea-level, species migration, and human influence. They represent the first line of defense against ocean-side flooding and storm surge along much of the US Atlantic Coast, yet these systems are highly vulnerable to changing climate. Warming temperatures and species invasions are modifying the native vegetation, while rising sea levels, increased storms, and human pressures threaten the future stability of these landscapes. Understanding the natural roles and services provided by barrier islands and their constituent organisms is fundamental for addressing management, conservation, and response to climate change.

Signature Drink: A Pressing Concern Cocktail

Guest Presenter: Dr. Julie Zinnert, Coastal Plant Ecologist, Virginia Commonwealth University
Thursday, March 23rd
6:30-9:00PM

FULL SERIES PRICING (7 EVENTS):

Member $390 per person
Non-member $455 per person

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $60 per person
Non-member $70 per person

Register HERE

Dr. Julie C. Zinnert runs the Coastal Plant Ecology Lab at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has worked in coastal systems since 2001, with a focus on the barrier islands of Virginia and North Carolina. Her research centers on plant interactions with biotic and abiotic factors in the context of global change across spatial and temporal scales in coastal systems. The importance of sea-level rise, alterations in storm frequency, and temperature changes are at the forefront in explaining long-term changes in coastal plant communities. Trained as a plant physiological ecologist, she is interested in understanding the mechanisms responsible for individual species distributions under various environmental conditions to inform predictions for response to climate change. She is a creative person and spends much of her non-working time knitting, sewing, designing, gardening, dyeing yarn with native plants, and traveling while raising two wonderful children.

Part of Irvine’s 7-part Adult Lecture Series – Eat, Drink & Learn

The View from Here: Observations on Climate Change, Habitat Loss, and other Challenges Facing Baltimore Checkerspots and other Maryland Butterflies

Animals across the planet are threatened by an alarming number of factors, many of which can be traced back to the consequence of an ever-increasing human population. While all species are connected to one another through a complex web of relationships, many are being increasingly pushed to the margins, and are now experiencing life as rare, threatened, and endangered species. They are increasingly cut off from optimal habitats and from other populations of their own species. Insects, while still ubiquitous on the landscape, are not immune to this denigrated role. An alarming number of insect species are currently in decline, as are their increasingly fragmented habitats, resulting in a landscape they cannot easily traverse. Climate is expected to exacerbate these impacts and is predicted to result in the disappearance of Baltimore Checkerspots – Maryland’s State Insect – from the Maryland Piedmont. This talk focuses on research, anecdotes, and predictions about the consequences of climate change on Checkerspots and other butterflies in the Mid-Atlantic Region and will allow time for a discussion on how we as citizens might be a voice for change.

Signature Drink: butterfly pea blossoms & Botanicals, plus checkerspot beer

Guest Presenter: Paula Becker, Ecologist, Maryland DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service will present on behalf of Jen Selfridge, Invertebrate Ecologist, Maryland DNR Wildlife & Heritage Service
Thursday, February 23rd
6:30-9:00PM

FULL SERIES PRICING (7 EVENTS):

Member $390 per person
Non-member $455 per person

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $60 per person
Non-member $70 per person

Register HERE

Jen Selfridge serves as the Invertebrate Ecologist for the Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife and Heritage Service, of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Originally from Brooklyn, New York, she started her career studying threatened and endangered shorebirds on New York State barrier beaches after receiving a Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the City University of New York – Brooklyn College. She later managed the Butterfly Conservatory at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City until moving to Syracuse to obtain her Master of Science Degree in Conservation Biology at the State University of New York – College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Upon completion of her degree, she moved to Montana where she surveyed mammals and birds in remote areas of the eastern part of the state. She moved to Maryland in 2005 and has served as the State’s Invertebrate Ecologist since that time.

At DNR, Jen oversees the state list of rare, threatened, and endangered invertebrates. In addition to inventory projects and rare species monitoring, she conducts research into the life history and habitat needs for often poorly known insect species. She plans and participates in management and restoration projects, including prescribed burns, mechanical clearing, and thinning projects, invasives species control and meadow enhancement. She believes that even the smallest creatures have fascinating stories to tell. She enjoys hiking in the mountains of the northeast and is an avid reader of fiction.

Paula Becker has been an ecologist with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program for over 25 years. Her current duties include Volunteer Coordination and Outreach for the State’s non-game and endangered species program, as well as rare species surveys and habitat restoration. Prior to joining Maryland DNR, she served as a naturalist for New Jersey State Parks and Forests, provided Integrated Pest Management at a native plant nursery, and trained as a wildlife rehabilitator in Seattle, Washington. She holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Forest Biology and Resource Management, with concentrations in wildlife biology and plant ecology from the State University of New York – College of Environmental Sciences and Forestry.

Part of Irvine’s 7-part Adult Lecture Series – Eat, Drink & Learn

Barn Owls in Maryland: Collective Mission – Increase and support maximum nesting potential for Barn Owls in Maryland

Maryland DNR ranked Barn Owls in the 2015-2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) as a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (Chap 3, page 39, Table 3.12.) The Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership has included Barn Owl as target species for which to conduct research and provide conservation action statewide. The Partnership has established the Farmland Raptor Project. The conservation goals for Barn Owls in Maryland include 1) the creation and management of a statewide nest box program, 2) gain a more detailed understanding of Barn Owl ecology in Maryland and 3) make conservation recommendations and increase public awareness based on research findings. The data collected by this project will increase the profile of important areas throughout Maryland where continued conservation action will affect Barn Owl survivorship as well as a wide variety of birds and other wildlife.

Project partners include: Maryland DNR, Wildlife and Heritage Division and National Estuarine Research Reserve, Calvert County Natural Resources Division., Maryland National Park and Planning Commission, Audubon Chapters of Central and Southern Maryland, Frederick and Howard County Chapters of Maryland Ornithological Society.

My talk will focus on the evolution and taxonomy of Barn Owls world-wide, what we know about Barn Owl ecology and past and future conservation efforts in Maryland.

Signature Drink: Bourbon and Barn Owls

Guest Presenter: Andy Brown, Emeritus Senior Naturalist, Calvert County Natural Resources Division; Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership
Thursday, January 26th, 6:30-9:00PM

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $60 per person
Non-member $70 per person

Register HERE

Andy Brown is retired from Calvert County Natural Resources Division where he worked for 34 years as a Naturalist. He has a BS in Wildlife Management from Frostburg State University and a MS in Public Administration from Central Michigan University. Andy grew up in Prince Georges County, Md where he began birding as a teenager with Prince Georges Audubon and received his bird banding license at age 16. Andy began working with Barn Owls in the Patuxent River Valley in the early 1990’s. He currently serves on the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership Farmland Raptor Committee as the Barn Owl Coordinator and is on the Board of Directors for the Eastern Bird Banding Association. He currently resides in Frederick County, MD.

Part of Irvine’s 7-part Adult Lecture Series – Eat, Drink & Learn

Nature Under Your Nose: My Journey to Increasing Representation in Outdoor Spaces

Growing up in the Washington DC area, I never would have imagined that my love of playing outside, my love of animals, and the environment would be the tools I use to become a force of change in a time where participation and representation of people of color is lacking in outdoor spaces.

Signature Drink: aromatic aperitifs

Guest Presenter: David Greaves, Photographer, Biologist, Remedial Project Manager, The Environmental Protection Agency; Founder, Nature Under Your Nose
Thursday, November 17th6:30-9:00PM

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $60 per person
Non-member $70 per person

Register HERE

David Greaves is a wildlife photographer from Clinton, Maryland who serves as a biologist and Remedial Project Manager at The Environmental Protection Agency in Philadelphia. David’s love for the environment and wildlife was fostered during his childhood, where he found inspiration through PBS nature, Wild America, and Nova and reading animal encyclopedias.

As founder of Nature Under Your Nose, David believes that nature can be experienced at any time and in any place. Through the power of photography, he encourages people of all ages in communities of color to explore the natural world around them. His work encourages the viewer to look around and explore the diversity of nature that can be found in their backyards or discovering nature while traveling abroad. There is a story behind each of his images and each of his images evokes a sense of emotion in the viewer.

David believes in the concept that nature does not discriminate and is here for everyone to enjoy and everyone SHOULD get out and enjoy it. To learn more about his work follow him on Instagram @natureunderyournose or at https://dgreaves.picfair.com.

Part of Irvine’s 7-part Adult Lecture Series – Eat, Drink & Learn

Sea Turtle Rehabilitation at the National Aquarium: The Conservation Impact from Massachusetts to Florida

All seven species of sea turtles are classified as either threatened or endangered, and several of these species are common, seasonal visitors to the mid-Atlantic and New England coasts during months when water temperatures are above 68 F. The National Aquarium has been rehabilitating sick and injured sea turtles for thirty years, but surprisingly the conservation impact of this program reaches far beyond the waters of Maryland. The average sea turtle patient at the National Aquarium will travel more than 1,400 miles during rehabilitation – from stranding location to release location. You’ll learn more about the complex, and highly collaborative process to conserve critically endangered sea turtles.

Signature Drink: Caretta Caretta Cocktail

Guest Presenter: Caitlin Bovery, Rehabilitation Manager, National Aquarium Rescue Program
Thursday, September 22nd
6:30-9:00PM

FULL SERIES PRICING (7 EVENTS):

Member $390 per person
Non-member $455 per person

SINGLE EVENT PRICING:

Member $60 per person
Non-member $70 per person

Register HERE

Caitlin Bovery developed her passion for marine science at a young age growing up along the New Jersey coastline and visiting the barrier islands of the Carolinas with her family in the summers. After seeing a baby sea turtle crawl to sea at just 6 years old, she proudly told her parents she wanted to be a marine biologist. She began her career at The College of William & Mary studying blue crab and scallop fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay, earning a Bachelor of Science in Biological & Environmental Sciences. From there, she pursued her dreams of becoming a marine biologist in various positions along the Gulf and Atlantic coast, studying everything from sea grass ecology to sea turtle nesting distributions, until ultimately earning a Master of Environmental Science degree from Florida Atlantic University using aerial surveys to study sea turtle migration patterns. Since then, Caitlin continued her career into the field of sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation at Gumbo Limbo Nature Center in Boca Raton, FL, and joined the National Aquarium as the Rehabilitation Manager in January of 2022. Caitlin is dedicated to marine conservation and furthering the mission of the Aquarium to inspire conservation of the world’s aquatic treasures.

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. During this 2 hour class, we engage in place-based learning and hiking. Students will explore many topics such as land stewardship, wild plant identification and recipes, and natural arts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 27, Oct 25, Nov 8, Dec 13, Jan 24, Feb 21, Mar 28, Apr 25
1:30 – 3:30PM
Cost: $40 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 5-10.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour program is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Stephanie Brownawell Holzman, MA, Head of Earth Friends Outdoors Homeschool Program, Master Gardener, Naturalist
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Attention Homeschool Families! If you are looking for occasional classes for your homeschooler, Bauer Explorers is perfect. This 2.5 hour class is designed to connect children with seasonal nature study, creative arts and messy maths exploration. We promote respect for plants, animals, the land, and each other through a nurturing environment. Hikes, live animal encounters, and open-ended wild nature play are integral to our learning each session.

Instructors: Irvine’s Earth Friends Educators
Select Tuesdays, Sept 20, Oct 4, Oct 18, Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 6, Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 14, Mar 21, Apr 11, Apr 18, May 2, May16
1:30 – 4:00PM
Cost: $45 per child (teachers and pacesetter members save 10%)

Notes: Register for a specific date or for the year-long series. All classes are drop-off. All classes are held outdoors, in all types of weather. Bauer Explorers is also offered on different dates for students 11-14.

REGISTER FOR ONE OR MULTIPLE DATES

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Friday, April 21, 2023 – Stewardship Superheroes To commemorate Earth Day, we want to bring our youth together to explore different topics regarding environmental stewardship and the impact each of us has on the Earth. Participants will spend the day learning sustainable strategies that can be practiced in daily life through hands-on activities and games. Our program will last for 7 hours, but we hope the values it will instill last a lifetime.

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Friday, April 21st
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Monday, April 10, 2023 – Wilderness Survival – What would you do if you got lost in the woods? In the Wilderness Survival Day Off Camp, children will learn outdoor survival skills that can keep them safe in the event that they ever find that they have lost their way. Students will learn how to properly pack for an outdoor excursion so that they are prepared for different conditions and scenarios that may arise. They will learn skills such as basic navigation and map reading, shelter building, fire building and safety, water collection and filtering, and how to use the resources around them to help them survive. Don’t miss out on this awesome learning experience for your child!

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Monday, April 10th
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Future DAY OFF CAMPS include:

Fri, Apr 21, 2023

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Monday, February 20, 2023 – Maple Magic – Maple syrup season is one of our favorite times of the year here at Irvine, and we hope your child will join us for a close up look at the process of collecting maple sap and turning it into the delicious syrup we all know and love! Participants will hike through our trails to visit our tapped trees and learn how the process has changed over time. We will visit the Barn to observe the process of sap changing to syrup as we enjoy some delicious treats by the fire!

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Monday, February 20th
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Future DAY OFF CAMPS include:

Mon, Apr 10, 2023
Fri, Apr 21, 2023

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Monday, January 23, 2023 – Winter Wonders – One can only marvel at the abundance of natural wonders during an Irvine winter. In this Day Off Camp, we will be taking a closer look at the often unnoticed beauty that our coldest season has to offer. Participants will take to the trails to search for signs of wildlife as they hike down to see some of Irvine’s picturesque streams and ponds in a frozen state. After some icy experiments and games, we’ll warm up with some hot cocoa by the fire before returning to warmth at the Nature Center to finish the day with some winter themed crafts.

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Monday, January 23rd
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Future DAY OFF CAMPS include:

Mon, Feb 20, 2023
Mon, Apr 10, 2023
Fri, Apr 21, 2023

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Monday, January 16, 2022 – Animal – “ations” – Do you ever wonder where some of our coolest native species disappear to during the winter months? Come learn the ins-and-outs of how different animals prepare for the colder months. Hibernation, migration, and brumation are a few of the “ations” we’ll learn about through a fun-filled day of activities, habitat exploration, and visits from some of our favorite animal ambassadors!

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Monday, January 16th
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Future DAY OFF CAMPS include:

Mon, Jan 23, 2023
Mon, Feb 20, 2023
Mon, Apr 10, 2023
Fri, Apr 21, 2023

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Tuesday, November 8, 2022 – All About Animals – If your child loves getting up close and personal with animals as much as we do, this is definitely the program for him or her! Participants will learn about the 5 classes of vertebrates and the adaptions that make them unique through animal meet-and-greets, hands-on exploration of animal artifacts, and experiencing animals in their natural habitats as we take to the trails! Our animal programs fill up fast, so don’t wait too long to sign up!

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Tuesday, November 8th
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Future DAY OFF CAMPS include:

Mon, Jan 16, 2023
Mon, Jan 23, 2023
Mon, Feb 20, 2023
Mon, Apr 10, 2023
Fri, Apr 21, 2023

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Friday, October 21, 2022- Resilient Reptiles – Reptiles come in all different shapes and sizes and are some of the most resilient animals on the planet! Join us this National Reptile Awareness Day and meet our diamond back terrapin, hognose snake and several of their reptilian friends here at Irvine! Additionally, we will explore the Wetlands in the hopes of catching one last peek at some of our wild reptiles before they disappear for the winter!

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Friday, October 21st
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Future DAY OFF CAMPS include:

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Wednesday, October 5, 2022- Indigenous Peoples of the Chesapeake – In celebration of upcoming Indigenous People’s Day, we will commemorate the Native American tribes of the Eastern Woodlands for all they have taught us about connecting with the environment and using our natural resources sustainably. We will hike to Irvine’s Native American Site where children will get an insider look at Longhouse and Wigwam replicas that pre-colonial Native American tribes would have lived in. Participants will develop a respect for Native American culture as they learn about tool use, clothing, food, fire-making methods, and even games that are different than we see in today’s world.

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Wednesday, October 5th
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Future DAY OFF CAMPS include:

Your child will love spending their day off from school at Irvine for a day of exploration and outdoor activity. Days are filled with animal encounters, science experiments, hiking, nature crafts and more! Day Off Camps are for children age 5-12.

Monday, September 26, 2022- Fabulous Fall – Fabulous is the best way to describe fall here at Irvine, and we invite your child to join us in enjoying some of our favorite fall activities! We will head out on the trails to experience the crisp fall air and nostalgic smell of fallen leaves as we hike to the Native American site. There, children will get to explore the 3-Sisters’ Garden and take part in several fall themed games and activities, including s’mores by the fire to round out the day!

Instructors: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Monday, September 26th
9:00AM – 4:00PM
Cost: $110 per child (member discounts apply)

Future DAY OFF CAMPS include:

The potential benefits of awe for your mind, body, and social connections make it an emotion worth cultivating. But you don’t have to take a trip to Mount Everest to reap its benefits. One of the most common sources of awe is found in nature. Awe is also found in the everyday like watching the leaves of a tree change from green to yellow. Join us for an hour of awe as we mindfully walk through the trails at Irvine Nature Center. We will speak about what awe is, why we need to practice it and how to cultivate it on a daily basis. The class will conclude with seated reflection and sharing in community. This program is intended for adults and children age 14+.

Instructor: Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative Staff
Saturday, October 29th
11:00AM-12:00PM
Cost: $15 per participant

REGISTER HERE

The potential benefits of awe for your mind, body, and social connections make it an emotion worth cultivating. But you don’t have to take a trip to Mount Everest to reap its benefits. One of the most common sources of awe is found in nature. Awe is also found in the everyday like watching the leaves of a tree change from green to yellow. Join us for an hour of awe as we mindfully walk through the trails at Irvine Nature Center. We will speak about what awe is, why we need to practice it and how to cultivate it on a daily basis. The class will conclude with seated reflection and sharing in community. This program is intended for adults and children age 14+.

Instructor: Chesapeake Mental Health Collaborative Staff
Monday, September 26th (also offered Saturday, October 29th)
6:00-7:00PM
Cost: $15 per participant

REGISTER HERE

Join us for a sound bath and herbal tea tasting with Lionel Matthews from Tranquility Sound Therapy and community herbalist Kate Galarza. The night will begin with the sound bath as the practitioner utilizes crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, gongs, ocean drums and the natural sounds of nature as tools to bring the mind and body to a blissful meditative state. Following the sound bath session, participants will enjoy 5 calming and nourishing single-plant herbal teas to continue the night of relaxation. We’ll use our senses to experience the infusions and discuss the therapeutic actions of each plant. Be sure to carve out some time to nourish YOURSELF so you can nourish the loved ones around you. Age 16+ No experience necessary. All are welcome.

Instructors: Lionel Matthews, Sound Healing Therapist & Kate Galarza, Community Herbalist
Friday, October 7th
6:00-7:30PM
Cost: $25 per participant

Register HERE

Unfortunately due to low enrollment, this event has been canceled. A future date will be announced soon.

This is a two-part event offered by Mend Acupuncture – a class and an acupuncture session. We will start with an interactive class where we discuss a brief history of Chinese medicine and how it differs from Western medicine. You’ll be able to ask questions and see how a typical treatment happens at a local clinic (our partner, Mend Acupuncture). You’ll leave the class with tips, tricks, and tools to use in your own life to better live in harmony with the seasons. After the class portion, you will have the opportunity to experience the relaxing and balancing benefits of acupuncture for yourself. Age 15+ Choose to attend the class from 10-11AM ($10), sign up for a 30-minute community acupuncture session between 11am-1PM ($35), or both!

Instructor: Julia Flaccavento, RYT-200; Practitioner: Dana Robinson, L.Ac., Mend Acupuncture
Saturday, September 17th
Class 10:00 – 11:00AM; Acupuncture 11:00AM-1:00PM
Cost: Class only – $10 or Acupuncture & Class or Acupuncture only – $35 per person

REGISTER HERE

Fire Cider is a traditional herbal folk remedy that uses simple, accessible kitchen ingredients to create a powerful winter wellness tonic! This vinegar-based infusion can relieve sinus congestion, ward off colds and flus, increase digestion and circulation, and keep our immune system strong all winter long.

In this class we’ll discuss the history and tradition of Fire Cider, the benefits and medicinal properties of each ingredient, as well as guidelines for sharing this medicine with family and friends. Everyone will create their very own batch of Fire Cider to take home, as well as the knowledge to keep this herbal tradition alive for generations to come! Please bring a pint sized jar. All other materials will be provided. This workshop is intended for adults and teens, age 16+.

Instructor: Katelyn, Hey Thanks! Herbal Co.
Sunday, November 6th
10:30AM-12:00PM
Cost: $45 per participant

Register HERE

Preregistration required.

Want to stay well this winter? It’s easier than you might think! In fact, most everything you need to tend to the common cold can be found just outside your door, in your spice cabinet or in the produce section of your local grocery store. In this class you’ll begin to see common herbs and foods in a whole new way as we discuss traditional herbal remedies like fire cider, elderberry syrup, herbal honeys and cold care teas. You’ll craft your own custom herbal blend to make an immune boosting syrup at home and leave class feeling inspired, empowered and prepared for any illness this chilly winter season might throw your way. This program is intended for adults and teens, age 16+.

Instructor: Katelyn, Hey Thanks! Herbal Co.
Saturday, October 22nd
10:00-12:00PM
Cost: $45 per participant

Register HERE

Preregistration required.

This event has been canceled. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Restorative Yoga offers an autumn reset as the body, heart, and mind slow down and let go of worries and burdens with deep relaxing yoga shapes and the sensorial experiences of aromatherapy. Held in the lap of Mother Earth, we invite each grounded yoga pose, using supportive props and plant scents, to soothe and heal vulnerabilities and stresses. Return home with greater ease, clarity, and spaciousness and your own homemade bottle of aromatherapy spray to carry you into winter. This program is intended for Adults and teens age 14+. Beginners welcome.

Bring your own yoga mat, two pillows, one small blanket, and a sarong or long scarf. Supplies are provided for making your own aromatherapy spray.

Instructor: Mira Tessman MA, LCPC – Yoga Therapeutics, Mindfulness Meditation, and Mindfulness-Based/Trauma-Informed Psychotherapy, Wellspring Healing Arts
Sunday, October 16th
3:00-5:00PM
Cost: $35 per participant

Register HERE

Preregistration encouraged by Wed, 10/12. Program will be canceled if minimum is not met.

Participants will enjoy practicing these moving meditative forms of body, mind, and spirit to deepen their connection to nature. Qigong forest bathing and Qigong walks will be additional components of each class. Age 18+ No prior experience needed. All are welcome.

Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis
Offered Sundays, October 9th – November 13th
9:30-10:30AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Sign up for one or multiple sessions. Preregistration available, walkups welcome.

Participants will enjoy practicing these moving meditative forms of body, mind, and spirit to deepen their connection to nature. Qigong forest bathing and Qigong walks will be additional components of each class. Age 18+ No prior experience needed. All are welcome.

Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis
Offered Sundays, October 9th – November 13th
9:30-10:30AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Sign up for one or multiple sessions. Preregistration available, walkups welcome.

Participants will enjoy practicing these moving meditative forms of body, mind, and spirit to deepen their connection to nature. Qigong forest bathing and Qigong walks will be additional components of each class. Age 18+ No prior experience needed. All are welcome.

Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis
Offered Sundays, October 9th – November 13th
9:30-10:30AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Sign up for one or multiple sessions. Preregistration available, walkups welcome.

Participants will enjoy practicing these moving meditative forms of body, mind, and spirit to deepen their connection to nature. Qigong forest bathing and Qigong walks will be additional components of each class. Age 18+ No prior experience needed. All are welcome.

Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis
Offered Sundays, October 9th – November 13th
9:30-10:30AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Sign up for one or multiple sessions. Preregistration available, walkups welcome.

Participants will enjoy practicing these moving meditative forms of body, mind, and spirit to deepen their connection to nature. Qigong forest bathing and Qigong walks will be additional components of each class. Age 18+ No prior experience needed. All are welcome.

Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis
Offered Sundays, October 9th – November 13th
9:30-10:30AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Sign up for one or multiple sessions. Preregistration available, walkups welcome.

Participants will enjoy practicing these moving meditative forms of body, mind, and spirit to deepen their connection to nature. Qigong forest bathing and Qigong walks will be additional components of each class. Age 18+ No prior experience needed. All are welcome.

Instructors: Mary Pinkard, NQA Level II Instructor, and Michele Tsonis
Offered Sundays, October 9th – November 13th
9:30-10:30AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Sign up for one or multiple sessions. Preregistration available, walkups welcome.

Unfortunately due to low enrollment, this event has been canceled. A future date will be announced soon.

Come enjoy a wellness workshop designed to educate and empower individuals through community, health, and connection. This class gives people the opportunity to learn tools to optimize their mental health and take an active part in their own wellbeing. Growth is achieved through consistent, focused practice and we explore the key areas of breathwork, gentle movement, cold water, journaling, and time with nature. Explore Irvine through a half day immersive workshop designed to remedy the stresses of modern working life and provide a space for growth and connection. Intended for ages 14+ No experience necessary. All are welcome.

Instructor: Coby Sultran
Sunday, September 18th
9:00AM-12:00PM
Cost: $35 per participant

Register HERE

Pre-registration encouraged by Friday, 9/16. Program will be canceled if minimum is not met.

Join us for a workshop on the art of mindful nature photography. The Natural World is constantly telling us a story. Learn to use your powers of Nature Observation to hear the story and your camera to create a visual interpretation of this story. Participants in this non-technical course will explore the trails of Irvine through the lens of using photography as meditation. No experience necessary. All are welcome. This program is for ages 18+

Instructor: Frank Marsden, Nature Photographer
Saturday, September 24th, October 22nd and November 19th
9:00-10:30AM
Cost: $15 per participant

Pre-registration encouraged. Sign up for one class or choose to do all 3 as a series. Register HERE

Join us for a workshop on the art of mindful nature photography. The Natural World is constantly telling us a story. Learn to use your powers of Nature Observation to hear the story and your camera to create a visual interpretation of this story. Participants in this non-technical course will explore the trails of Irvine through the lens of using photography as meditation. No experience necessary. All are welcome. This program is for ages 18+

Instructor: Frank Marsden, Nature Photographer
Saturday, September 24th, October 22nd and November 19th
9:00-10:30AM
Cost: $15 per participant

Pre-registration encouraged. Sign up for one class or choose to do all 3 as a series. Register HERE

Join us for a workshop on the art of mindful nature photography. The Natural World is constantly telling us a story. Learn to use your powers of Nature Observation to hear the story and your camera to create a visual interpretation of this story. Participants in this non-technical course will explore the trails of Irvine through the lens of using photography as meditation. No experience necessary. All are welcome. This program is for ages 18+

Instructor: Frank Marsden, Nature Photographer
Saturday, September 24th, October 22nd and November 19th
9:00-10:30AM
Cost: $15 per participant

Pre-registration encouraged. Sign up for one class or choose to do all 3 as a series. Register HERE

Irvine Nature Center presents HOLIDAYS WITH HOOT – a fun, nature-based holiday event. Celebrate the season at this delightful morning of family activities. Meet our animal ambassador owls and learn more about these amazing birds up close. Create crafts and play games inspired by nature. Enjoy hot chocolate around a campfire and get pictures with Irvine’s special ambassador: HOOT!

Instructor: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Saturday, December 10th
10:00AM – 12:00PM
Early Bird Price: $10 per child, or $15 per child if purchased after 12/1/22 (Adults and children under 2 are free)

Have some seasonal fun making sustainable and thoughtful herbal gifts to pamper body, hands, and lips. In this hands-on workshop, participants will create an herbal lip balm for chapped lips, and beebalm body cream and relaxing herbal bath bombs using oils infused with herbs collected at Irvine. Make and take home 4 of each product (1 for you, 3 to give as gifts) made from quality, sustainable ingredients. All participants will leave with multiple herbal bodycare products. This program is intended for Adults.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, December 4th
1:00 – 3:30PM
Cost: $35 per participant

Register HERE – Limited Space, must register in advance!

Create a beautiful, all-natural wreath for your home, while enjoying some seasonal holiday teas and conversation. Join the Irvine Nature Center for this workshop where we will learn how to identify different evergreens and vines available locally. Then create a beautiful but sustainable wreath. We will provide an assortment of evergreen boughs, berries, fruits, vines, cones, and ribbons. Each participant will take a natural evergreen wreath home. This program is intended for Adults and Teens Ages 16+. If younger teens are interested, they must be accompanied by an adult.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, December 3rd
1:00 – 3:30PM
Cost: $25 per participant

Register HERE – Limited Space, must register in advance!

Ignore the mall and take a chance to stretch your legs after all that food. Hike with Irvine naturalist Clare and hunt for signs of the many animals that call Irvine home as we explore how they are preparing for winter. Then gather round a campfire to toast some s’mores and listen to a traditional Thanksgiving story. Dress for the weather. This program is intended for families with children ages 4+

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Friday, November 25th
2:00-3:30PM
Cost: $5 per participant

Register HERE

Instead of shopping, choose nature and fresh air with Naturalist Clare. On this hike we will explore some of the less known trails at Irvine as the seasons change. Notice how plants and animals are preparing for the cold weather of winter. Learn some of the history of this land that has shaped the habitats we see today. Dress for the weather with good shoes. This program is intended for adults.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Friday, November 25th
10:00AM – 12:00PM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Have you ever wondered how squirrels survive the winter? What do squirrels eat when the ground is frozen and the trees have no leaves? Join Naturalist Paige for lots of fun as we learn how squirrels prepare for the cold winter months! This program is intended for children 6+, with Accompanying Parent

Instructor: Paige Vance, Animal Caretaker
Saturday, November 19th
10:00-11:00AM
Cost: $10 per child (accompanying parent is free)

Register HERE

Looking to attract a wide array of beautiful birds? Learn helpful tips for turning your backyard feeding station into a magnet for a greater variety of birds. Explore which foods you should offer to attract new species, how to keep birds safe with proper hygiene, and which feeder types – and locations – generally offer the best protection from both predators and those pesky squirrels. We’ll also discuss how simple ‘citizen science’ endeavors, like Project FeederWatch, can make monitoring backyard birds even more fun, while contributing to a continent-wide scientific database! We’ll end with a visit to Irvine’s bird-feeding blinds to learn how to easily identify some of the ‘look-alike’ species you might attract. This program is intended for adults.

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education
Saturday, November 12th
9:00-11:00AM
Cost: $15 per participant

Register HERE

This is the first in a NEW SERIES of Quarterly Day Trips! Spend the day with other nature lovers, traveling together in the Irvine mini-bus to explore some of the Mid-Atlantic’s best wildlife hotspots.

For this first excursion, we will witness the beginning of fall waterfowl migration, when tens of thousands of ducks, geese, and swans descend upon the tidal marshes of Dorchester County. Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge is one of the very best sites on the East Coast to witness Bald Eagles and one of the last strongholds of the rare Delmarva Fox Squirrel. The day will include a visit to the nearby Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Visitors Center. On the return trip we will stop for an evening meal at a local seafood restaurant in the Kent Narrows area. The Fall Nature Excursion will depart from Irvine and participants will travel together in the Irvine bus. This program is intended for Adults and teens ages 15+.

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education
Saturday, November 5th
8:30AM-8:30PM
Cost: $80 per participant (does not include dinner)

Register HERE – Limited Space!

Trip will be cancelled if minimum registration is not met.

Visit Irvine during the spooktacular season leading up to Halloween. Join Irvine’s Animal Caretakers, Mallory & Paige, for a special animal encounter and to learn about the tricks animals play in the wild. After the trickery, enjoy a special treat! This program is perfect for families with children age 6+.

Instructor: Mallory Mlynarek + Paige Vance, Animal Caretakers + Environmental Educators
Saturday, October 22, 2022
1:00-2:30PM
Cost: $10 per child (accompanying adult is free)

Register HERE

Explore the nut trees: oaks, hickories and walnut as we learn the keys to identification by leaf, nut and bark. Do you know your white from red oaks – at Irvine we have 8 different species? If you want to know the best type of acorns for foraging (and wildlife) this is the hike for you! Discover which nuts are worth collecting to eat and methods to process, store and open.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, October 9th
1:30-3:30PM
Cost: $15 per participant

Register HERE

Visit Irvine’s re-created Native American site to learn more about Maryland’s First People. Families can learn about pre-colonial American Indian culture in the eastern region with hands-on activities and demonstrations of traditional skills. Help with the harvest of our 3 sisters garden, grind corn, throw an atlatl, try your hand at starting a friction fire, make cordage and more. Native American Indians have made, and continue to make, lasting contributions to our nation in every arena. Help celebrate their achievements and learn about just some of their history. We are pleased to donate a portion of the program fee to the Baltimore American Indian Center. This program is intended for families with children 6+.

Please note: Irvine’s Native American Educational Site is a 15-minute walk from the parking lot, and will be clearly marked. Guided hikes to the site will depart from the parking lot at 11, 12, and 1pm. If you require transportation to the site, please notify us in advance.

Instructor: Irvine’s Environmental Educators
Saturday, October 8th
11:00AM-3:00PM
Cost: $15 per individual OR $30 per family

Register HERE

Approximate Schedule of Events –

Throughout the day there will be demonstrations of traditional cooking methods, friction fire making methods, corn pounding and grinding, turning pelts into buckskin, clay beads and pots, making cordage and more!

11:00 Guided Hike to Native American Educational Site departs from Nature Center parking lot

11:30am Opening Circle & Friction Fire Demonstration

12:00pm Guided Hike to Native American Educational Site departs from Nature Center parking lot

12:00pm Bark Baskets and Weaving Demonstrations

12:30pm Atlatl Throwing

1:00pm Guided Hike to Native American Educational Site departs from Nature Center parking lot

1:30pm Atlatl throwing & Cordage Demonstrations

2:00pm Friction Fire Demonstration & Traditional Story at the fire circle with popcorn

2:30pm Harvesting the Garden

2:45pm Closing Circle & Land Acknowledgement

You are welcome to come for all or a portion of the day’s event!

Join Irvine’s Animal Caretakers for an up-close look at some of Irvine’s coolest animals and what makes them so special! This program will shed light on some of nature’s most misunderstood creatures from snakes to vultures. Meet Naturalists Mallory and Paige under the tent for an animal presentation, followed by a nature-based craft project. This program is intended for children 6+.

Instructor: Mallory Mlynarek + Paige Vance, Animal Caretakers + Environmental Educators
Friday, September 30th
6:30-7:30PM
Cost: $10 per child (accompanying adult is free)

Register HERE

Did you know that even though you rarely hear them sing there are more birds to be seen during autumn than any other time of year? And Irvine is a great place to explore the diversity of east coast birds! Become better acquainted with the field marks, habits, and timing of dozens of migrants which pass through Irvine’s woods, meadows, and wetlands every fall, en route to warmer climes to the south. Join Irvine’s resident bird nerd for a 2-hour guided hike. Beginning birders welcome; no experience necessary! This program is intended for Adults and Children 10+

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education
Sunday, Sept 18th, Oct 2nd + Oct 16th
8:00-10:00AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register* HERE

PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED

Did you know that even though you rarely hear them sing there are more birds to be seen during autumn than any other time of year? And Irvine is a great place to explore the diversity of east coast birds! Become better acquainted with the field marks, habits, and timing of dozens of migrants which pass through Irvine’s woods, meadows, and wetlands every fall, en route to warmer climes to the south. Join Irvine’s resident bird nerd for a 2-hour guided hike. Beginning birders welcome; no experience necessary! This program is intended for Adults and Children 10+

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education
Sunday, Sept 18th, Oct 2nd + Oct 16th
8:00-10:00AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register* HERE

PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED

Did you know that even though you rarely hear them sing there are more birds to be seen during autumn than any other time of year? And Irvine is a great place to explore the diversity of east coast birds! Become better acquainted with the field marks, habits, and timing of dozens of migrants which pass through Irvine’s woods, meadows, and wetlands every fall, en route to warmer climes to the south. Join Irvine’s resident bird nerd for a 2-hour guided hike. Beginning birders welcome; no experience necessary! This program is intended for Adults and Children 10+

Instructor: Brian Rollfinke, Director of Education
Sunday, Sept 18th, Oct 2nd + Oct 16th
8:00-10:00AM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register* HERE

PREREGISTRATION REQUIRED

Pawpaws are one of the jewels of the foraging calendar and well worth hunting for. Find out why the largest fruit on the East Coast is rarely available to buy despite their unique tropical flavor. Take a hike to explore the season’s bounty at Irvine during one of the best times of the year to forage. Then discuss ways to harvest, prepare and preserve the many fall foods now available to ensure maximum flavor.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener
Sunday, September 18th
2:00 – 4:00PM
Cost: $15 per person

Limited Space – Register Today!

Pictured: Dr. Clare Walker serving PawPaw Ice Cream at the 2021 Pumpkins on the Green.

Enjoy the opportunity to explore Irvine’s grounds at dusk while witnessing and listening to native woodland critters. Meet Naturalist Paige at the tent for a brief introduction followed by an hour-long guided hike, followed by a campfire with S’mores! Wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle. This program is intended for adults and children age 4+.

Instructor: Paige Vance, Naturalist
Saturday, September 17th
6:00-7:30PM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register TODAY!

Want to help our monarch butterflies continue their amazing migration to Mexico? Discover the secrets to making your yard irresistible to monarchs in this workshop packed with the latest pollinator garden research. Do you know which plants are most likely to be chosen by picky monarch mums looking for a place to lay her eggs? Or which fall flowers provide the best nectar? Learn about the plants that offer the best nutrition and how location will determine the number of monarchs they will attract. Age 18+ All participants will take home a starter pack of plants for your butterfly garden.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, September 10th
1:30-3:30PM
Cost: $20 per participant

Register HERE

Learn about the magic of metamorphosis as we meet crawling caterpillars, a sparkling chrysalis and beautiful butterflies. Can you drink like a butterfly? How about telling the difference from a girl and boy monarch? Want to try your luck on a caterpillar hunt? A morning of hands-on-fun, learning about this very special butterfly. This program is intended for children ages 3+.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, September 10th
10:30-11:30AM
Cost: $10 per child (accompanying parent is free)

Register HERE

Know what’s cooler than just playing in Irvine Nature Center’s awesome outdoor playspace? Meeting an o-possum-ly adorable animal ambassador and cooling off with a popsicle! Join our friends at (cool) progeny for unstructured nature play in the shade. Bring a picnic and stay for lunch before exploring Irvine’s trails! Register in advance. (Fee includes admission to Irvine for the day).

(cool) progeny Passport Family: $5
Irvine Nature Center Member Families: $5
General Public: $15

REGISTER through (cool) progeny HERE

Flutter over to Irvine’s Butterfly House to learn about native butterflies in Maryland, specifically magical Monarchs! We’ll delve into their marvelous migration routes, their metamorphic life cycles, and their madness for milkweed! We will take a hike through our pollinator meadow, play some games, and even tag some monarchs with a Naturalist as part of Monarch Watch. This program is intended for children age 7-15.

Instructor: Paige Vance, Environmental Educator and Animal Caretaker
Sunday, August 28th
10:00 – 11:30AM
Cost: $10 per child

Register HERE

Take an easy hike around Irvine to see the meadow in its late summer glory. Discover how to safely harvest wild plants for both food and medicine as we discuss their uses and benefits. Then relax as we brew teas (hot and iced) to taste as we discuss how to prepare and store leaves, flowers and fruits. Age 18+ Great for anyone interested in learning to forage – all skill levels welcome.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener
Saturday, August 27th
2:00 – 4:00PM
Cost: $15 per person

Register HERE

Celebrate BATS on International Bat Night as we dispel some common myths of these maligned animals. Learn about the different species found in Maryland, why some species are in trouble, and how you can help. We will hike some gentle trails through the woods and meadow to look and listen for bats with an echo-locator. This program is intended for adults and children age 8+.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, August 27th
7:30 – 9:00PM
Cost: $15 per participant

Register HERE

Summer evenings are filled with the hum, click and buzz of insects. Discover who, how and why insects are calling and how you can use them to tell the temperature! In this program, we will learn the calls of 6 target insect songsters and then go outside to the quiet of Irvine’s woods and meadows to listen for them. You will then be ready to monitor for the annual Cricket Crawl citizen science weekend which tracks the changing populations of these nighttime insects. This program is intended for adults and children age 8+.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Friday, August 19th
7:30-9:00PM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Meet Naturalist Paige under the deck to talk about our terrific turtles! Enjoy this opportunity to meet some of the Maryland turtles residing here at Irvine. We will also take a trek to our wetlands to search for basking turtles. The ponds are a 15 minute walk from the parking lot. Please bring footwear that you don’t mind getting wet and muddy, plus a hat, sunscreen and plenty of water. This program is intended for children age 7+.

Instructor: Paige Vance, Environmental Educator and Animal Caretaker
Sunday, July 24th
10:00 – 11:30AM
Cost: $10 per child

Register HERE

We apologize for the inconvenience, but this program has been canceled.

Celebrate national moth week as we look for these fascinating insects at Irvine. Discover the world of moths: from the nighttime beauty of the luna moth, to giants such as the cecropia moth, to the amazing defenses of the tiger moth, plus meet some colorful moth caterpillars from Irvine’s butterfly house. Then hike some gentle trails to hunt for these nighttime insects. At the gazebo we will use lights and sheets to draw moths from the pollinator meadow and discuss how you can attract and support moths in your yard. This program is intended for children 12+ and adults.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, July 23rd
8:00-10:00PM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

From flowers to fruits and early seeds, mid-summer is a time for both harvesting and observing where fruits will soon be ripening. Explore Irvine on a gentle hike before we sit and sip a summer tea while discussing correct plant identification, harvest and preparation methods. Age 18+ Great for anyone interested in learning to forage – all skill levels welcome.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist and Master Gardener
Saturday, July 23rd
2:00 – 4:00PM
Cost: $15 per person

Register HERE

Fly on over to our Aviary to learn about our resident raptors, what makes them great hunters, and what they eat. We will start with an Aviary Tour then dissect raptor pellets to explore what their diet is made of. Families will even get a chance to watch a raptor munch on their lunch! This program is intended for children age 7-15.

Instructor: Paige Vance, Environmental Educator and Animal Caretaker
Sunday, July 17th
10:00 – 11:30AM
Cost: $10 per child

Register HERE

Fly on over to our Aviary to learn about our resident raptors, what makes them great hunters, and what they eat. We will start with an Aviary Tour then dissect raptor pellets to explore what their diet is made of. Families will even get a chance to watch a raptor munch on their lunch! This program is intended for children age 7-15.

Instructor: Paige Vance, Environmental Educator and Animal Caretaker
Sunday, August 7th
10:00 – 11:30AM
Cost: $10 per child

Register HERE

In this hand-on workshop, learn how to correctly identify and harvest wild herbal plants for salves. The healing abilities of different plants will be discussed so each participant can create a personalized oil infusion to take home. Then we will use a blend of prepared infusions to make your own salve using ingredients harvested at Irvine. Class will meet in our indoor fern rooms but explore areas close to the building to identify herbal plants. This program is intended for children 12+ and adults. Preregistration required.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, July 17th
1:00 – 3:00PM
Cost: $25/participant

Limited Space! Register HERE

In this hand-on workshop, learn how to correctly identify and harvest wild herbal plants for salves. The healing abilities of different plants will be discussed so each participant can create a personalized oil infusion to take home. Then we will use a blend of prepared infusions to make your own salve using ingredients harvested at Irvine. Class will meet in our indoor fern rooms but explore areas close to the building to identify herbal plants. This program is intended for children 12+ and adults. Preregistration required.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Sunday, July 17th
1:00 – 3:00PM
Cost: $25/participant

SIGN UP TODAY!

Explore the sights and sounds of Irvine on a warm summer evening. The animals at Irvine are used to people disappearing at the end of the workday, so dusk is a great time to see secretive mammals. On a gentle hike we will listen to our summer songsters from insects to owls, look for fireflies and the first stars and return by the light of the moon. Finish by meeting one of Irvine’s nocturnal animal ambassadors. This program is intended for families with children 6+

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, July 16th and Friday, August 12th
7:30-9:30PM
Cost: $10 per participant

Limited Space! Register HERE

Explore the sights and sounds of Irvine on a warm summer evening. The animals at Irvine are used to people disappearing at the end of the workday, so dusk is a great time to see secretive mammals. On a gentle hike we will listen to our summer songsters from insects to owls, look for fireflies and the first stars and return by the light of the moon. Finish by meeting one of Irvine’s nocturnal animal ambassadors. This program is intended for families with children 6+

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, July 16th and Friday, August 12th
7:30-9:30PM
Cost: $10 per participant

Register HERE

Did you know that Maryland has 15 species of bumblebees, but that many are disappearing? After a powerpoint introduction, we will look at real specimens of the most common species before going outside to try some field identification. Learn about the lives of these fascinating and charismatic bees from their special ability to buzz pollinate to the dangers of the fly that creates zombie bees! This program is intended for children 12+ and adults.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker, Master Naturalist
Saturday, July 16th
1:00 – 3:00PM
Cost: $15/participant

Register HERE – Sorry, this event has been cancelled.

What makes fireflies flash? Enjoy one of the joys of summer evenings as we explore Irvine’s grounds at dusk and search for fireflies. Come join us to take a closer look at fireflies and learn about their magical bioluminescent bottoms!

Instructor: Paige Vance, Environmental Educator

Age: perfect for families with children 5+

Cost: $10/person

Register HERE!

Branches of white pine can be trimmed to provide a wonderful basket material that is flexible and easy to sew – even if a little sappy.

In this workshop, participants will learn the steps from choosing bark, cutting and peeling it, making a pattern, and constructing a variety of different shaped vessels. This style of basketry is fun, fast, and provides opportunity to get creative with decoration, material, and construction. Each person’s project will be unique! Participants will take home 1-2 small, completed baskets. All materials provided. Good for age 16+

Instructor: Clare Walker, Master Naturalist

Fee: $30/person, includes full-day admission to Irvine

Limited space in this class. Register today!

Celebrate the first fruits and nuts of the season as we explore the seasonal bounty at Irvine. Learn how and when to collect wild plants to harvest leaves and their fruit, when at their best. We will discuss methods to prepare foods using what we harvest, from traditional beverages to modern recipes, plus how to preserve the seasonal abundance. Age 16+. Plan for a gentle hike around Irvine during this program.

Instructor: Dr. Clare Walker

Cost: $15

Preregistration requested. Sign up today!

Celebrate National Pollinator Week at Irvine with a fun-filled, family morning learning about buzzy bees and beautiful butterflies. Visit our pollinator meadow and enjoy nature-based games and crafts while learning about these important animals.

Instructors: Irvine Educators

Age: perfect for children 3+ and their families

Cost: $15/child (no fee for adults and children under age 3)

Register HERE!

Irvine Nature Center is excited to designate June 18th and 19th FREE ADMISSION DAYS in honor of Juneteenth. We invite the community to discover all that Irvine has to offer – hiking, exploration, connection.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

While at Irvine, Hike the 8+ miles of trails, Visit the 8 resident raptors in the Aviary, Play in the Outdoor Classroom, Discover the Native American Site, Observe the diversity in Maryland’s ecosystems in the meadows, wetlands and forests that make up our 211-acre campus.

Open Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June 19th, 9AM-5PM

Admission: free

Irvine Nature Center is excited to designate June 18th and 19th FREE ADMISSION DAYS in honor of Juneteenth. We invite the community to discover all that Irvine has to offer – hiking, exploration, connection.

ALL ARE WELCOME!

While at Irvine, Hike the 8+ miles of trails, Visit the 8 resident raptors in the Aviary, Play in the Outdoor Classroom, Discover the Native American Site, Observe the diversity in Maryland’s ecosystems in the meadows, wetlands and forests that make up our 211-acre campus.

Open Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June 19th, 9AM-5PM

Admission: free

Summer is a time for warmth and expansion, as plants and animals in our region are at their most productive. We too, can open up to the healing powers of the natural world by intentionally connecting to ourselves and others. Come join Mira and Phillip in a 1.5 hour event that invites the healing powers of nature to improve mental health and wellbeing through the practices of yoga and mindful walking. This event will include yoga/mindful movement and a guided, nature-informed mindfulness walk. It will conclude with a final sharing circle. No experience is needed. This is a donation-based event, with a sliding scale suggested donation of $20-$60. Bring a yoga mat and water bottle. Age 16+ All are welcome.

Instructors: Phillip McKnight, Certified Mindfulness Instructor, and Mira Tessman, MA, LCPC, RYT-500, C-IAYT

Register Today!

This event has been postponed due to weather. The new date is Tuesday, June 21.

Calling all parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers! Want to get out and about? Looking to meet other parents? Join us for a new program offered with our friends at (cool) progeny, Babies and Friends.

Meet new friends and mingle while enjoying an outdoor guided walk with one of Irvine’s environmental educators. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and be ready for an easy hike on the beautiful trails of Irvine. We suggest bringing a wearable carrier for your little one, too. Designed for caregivers of infants and toddlers. All are welcome.

Cost: $5/Caregiver + Little for all members of Irvine Nature Center or (cool) progeny OR $10/Caregiver + Little for non-members. Program fee includes admission to Irvine Nature Center for the day!

Preregistration is encouraged. Purchase tickets here.

This event has been postponed due to weather. The new date is Tuesday, June 21.

Calling all parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers! Want to get out and about? Looking to meet other parents? Join us for a new program offered with our friends at (cool) progeny, Babies and Friends.

Meet new friends and mingle while enjoying an outdoor guided walk with one of Irvine’s environmental educators. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and be ready for an easy hike on the beautiful trails of Irvine. We suggest bringing a wearable carrier for your little one, too. Designed for caregivers of infants and toddlers. All are welcome.

Cost: $5/Caregiver + Little for all members of Irvine Nature Center or (cool) progeny OR $10/Caregiver + Little for non-members. Program fee includes admission to Irvine Nature Center for the day!

Preregistration is encouraged. Purchase tickets here.

Calling all parents and caregivers of babies and toddlers! Want to get out and about? Looking to meet other parents? Join us for a new program offered with our friends at (cool) progeny, Babies and Friends.

Meet new friends and mingle while enjoying an outdoor guided walk with one of Irvine’s environmental educators. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and be ready for an easy hike on the beautiful trails of Irvine. We suggest bringing a wearable carrier for your little one, too. Designed for caregivers of infants and toddlers. All are welcome.

Cost: $5/Caregiver + Little for all members of Irvine Nature Center or (cool) progeny OR $10/Caregiver + Little for non-members. Program fee includes admission to Irvine Nature Center for the day!

Preregistration is encouraged. Purchase tickets here.

Come observe the sights and sounds of the seasonal warblers at Irvine during the early hours. With our new Warbler Wednesdays, Irvine members are invited to gain early access to the property, to observe these wonderful creatures during ideal birding conditions.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Warblers is a common name given to the superfamily of Passeriformes (perching birds), sharing characteristics such as their small size and being vocal songbirds.

Use the time to walk the trails, relax in the two bird blinds, or wander the Woodland Garden. Perhaps you will encounter more than just warblers!