April nature center programs will include:
- Adaptive Recreation–Birding 101 Series. Through May 15. 4–6 p.m. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda. Curious about birding, but not sure where to begin? This series is for you. All skills levels welcome. Ages 18 and older. Registration required (registration will close 48 hours prior to the start of each individual class). $45 per person for entire series; $15 per person per class.
- Online Native Plant Sale. April 8–22 (Plant pickup, April 27). | 9:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. (Pickup). Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Growing native plants encourages beneficial insects, birds and wildlife. Support your backyard ecosystem and Maydale Nature Classroom with this fundraising event. Online sales only. For more information, visit Maydale Online Native Plant Sale.
- Family Puzzle Palooza. Saturday, April 20. 10 a.m.–noon. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. Cozy around a campfire while completing a 520-piece original Brookside Nature Center puzzle. Puzzlers encouraged to bring snacks. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $40 (one registered attendee may bring up to five other puzzlers).
- Butterfly Gardening for Beginners. Saturday, April 20. Noon–1 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Learn the types of plants to attract butterfly species, how to choose the best plants for your garden and tips to get your butterfly garden started at this beginner-friendly gardening program. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
- Nature Night In. Saturday, April 20. 5:30–8:30 p.m. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda. A fun night of nature-based games, crafts, a picnic dinner and hike, weather permitting. Children must be potty-trained and dressed appropriately for the weather. Pack a nut-free dinner, snack and water. Registration required. Ages 4-10. $20 per person.
- Seed Bombs. Monday, April 22. 2–3 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Celebrate “Earth Day” by making tiny “green grenades” of native herb, flower and vegetable seeds to create pockets of beauty and habitats for pollinators in your garden. Ages 4 and older. Registration required. $7 per person.
- Nature Center Pop-up. April 26 and 28. 4–6 p.m. 11 a.m.–2 p.m. Friday, April 26, 4-6 p.m. Long Branch Arliss Neighborhood Park, 8810 Garland Avenue, Silver Spring. Sunday, April 28, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville. Visit the Nature on Wheels vehicle and meet a naturalist to learn about the park, explore some natural objects, ask questions and do biology-themed activities. Registration optional. All ages. Free.
- Full Moon Fridays. Friday, April 26. 6:30–8 p.m. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Boulevard, Bethesda. Enjoy the full moon for a hike and campfire. Registration required. Ages 10 and older. $8 per person.
- Ready, Set, Go! Friday, April 26. 6:30–8:30 p.m. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Avenue, Wheaton. A family friendly, nature-themed scavenger hunt adventure on the trails of Wheaton Regional Park. The hunt will be facilitated using the GooseChase smartphone app. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $15 per person.
