August starts giving hints that the end of summer could be in sight, so the nature centers of Montgomery Parks are offering many ways to make the most of the month. The schedule includes Lake Tours by Kayak and Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park.
The August schedule of special events at nature centers will include:
- Treasure Hunting in Wheaton Regional Park. Saturday, Aug. 12. 10 a.m.-noon. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Go geocaching on a hike with a park naturalist. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $7.
- Macroinvertebrate Sampling with the EPA. Saturday, Aug. 12. 11 a.m.-noon. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Walk along Paint Branch Creek with EPA scientists and perform macroinvertebrate sampling. The history of Paint Branch, best management practices and the importance of stream health will be discussed. Registration required. Ages 10 and older. Free.
- Lake Tour by Kayak. Aug. 13, 16, 30. Sunday, Aug. 13: 8-10 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (55-and-over); 6-8 p.m. Black Hill Nature Programs, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Leisure kayak tour of Little Seneca Lake. Basic paddling experience necessary. Ages 12 and older (Aug. 13 event at 10:30 a.m. is 55 and older). Registration required. $30 ($29 Friends of Black Hill).
- Citronella Candle Making. Saturday, Aug. 19. 10 – 11 a.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Make your own citronella soy candle and ward off mosquitoes in your backyard the natural way. Ages 14 and older. Registration required. $7.
- Fall Wildflower Walk. Sunday, Aug. 20. 10 a.m.-noon. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda. Enjoy a leisurely stroll through the park with master naturalists who will interpret the last spectacular show of wildflower color before the season changes. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $7.
- End of Summer Night Hike. Saturday, Aug. 26. 8:30 – 9:30 p.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Explore the outdoors with a naturalist-led hike and learn about nocturnal animals. Registration required. Ages 6 and older. $6.
- Play Day at Clarkmont Local Park. Thursday, Aug. 31. | 11 a.m.-noon. Clarkmont Local Park, 13905 Stilt Street, Boyds.
