The Oregon Ridge Nature Center, the first nature center built by Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks, houses an exhibit hall, a living classroom containing native animals, a non-lending nature library, an auditorium for school visitations and other audio-visual presentations, various nature observation areas, and a staff working area. After exploring the Center, visitors can hike on a network of trails and experience firsthand three diverse habitats – the forest, the field, and the stream. Additionally, the meadow contains picnic tables, several outdoor exhibits and a wildlife management pond.
Weekend public programs give visitors the opportunity to enjoy and learn about the changing seasons and diverse wildlife in one of Baltimore County’s largest tracts of pristine deciduous forest, which also encompasses field and stream habitats. Programs on our seasonal calendar include nature hikes to learn about trees, wildflowers, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians, and stream life. Seasonal programs include Holiday Wreath Making, Holiday Crafts for Kids, Halloween programs, Night Hikes, canoe and tubing adventures, and summer camps for children ages 4 to 12.
The Oregon Ridge Nature Center Council lecture series features authors, botanists, biologists, scientists and other environmental experts. Lectures are held at 7:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month (except for February, June, July and August). In place of a lecture in June, the council sponsors an annual picnic.
Special events include Maple Sugar Days, the Annual Pancake Breakfast, Primitive Technology Weekend, Music in the Woods: Traditional Music Fest, and the Honey Harvest Festival.
Contact the Oregon Ridge Nature Center office for more information on these and other programs.
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Revised August 22, 2007
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