Celebrate Earth Month on May 5 as youth take center stage, and the celebration is specially geared towards ages 2–14. Explore the science and art of sustainability through child driven projects, plantings, and activities. Registration encouraged but not required.

Discover the joys and benefits of gardening! Drop by the Discovery Center to ask questions about gardening and get your Gardening Info Pack about invasive and native plants, pollinators, and gardening for wildlife. Included will be a take-home activity for kids. Please register for this FREE program so that we can prepare enough Gardening Info Packs (one per family). Sorry, but we won’t be able to distribute info packs to anyone that hasn’t registered. Registration required (please register one person per household).

The native plant sale by the Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs (FOBH) is returning to in-person shopping this spring! Most of the plants are grown by our volunteer gardeners with all proceeds of the sale supporting Black Hill Discovery Center and Seed Classroom. The sale will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5 at the Black Hill Discovery Center Parking Lot. Members get to shop early! For a plant list, how to become a member, and further details about the sale, check out the Friends of Black Hill Nature Programs website www.friendsofblackhillnature.org.

Join us for an afternoon of beautiful harp music and the natural beauty of Black Hill all around you. No need to register; just come to the Discovery Center and enjoy.

Beautify your backyard with native plants! New- we are moving the Spring sale to our nursery location at Pope Farm. Ask the experts your questions about growing low-maintenance and pest-resistant varieties that help attract wildlife to your garden. Shop a unique selection of the highest quality plants and seeds. Free Admission. No Registration Required. Sales support educational programs at Locust Grove Nature Center. The Live, in person sale will be held at Pope Farm Nursery 7400 Airpark Rd. in Gaithersburg (only one greenhouse will be open to the public for these sale hours only- Pope farm is closed the rest of the year)

Springtime is filled with festivities. Join us as we search for leprechauns and hunt for their pots of gold or for a Mother’s Day hike with craft.

Growing native plants encourages beneficial insects, birds, and other wildlife in your community. Support your back-yard ecosystem with this fundraising event benefiting Maydale Nature Classroom. Online sales begin Monday, April 8th with plant pickup Saturday, April 27th. Online sales only.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve with Smokey Bear! Enjoy various activities, a campfire with s’mores, and of course, a noon countdown to ring in the New Year! Registration Required.

Happy “Noon” Year’s Eve! Does your bedtime arrive before midnight, but you still want to celebrate the New Year? Then join us as we engage in fun-filled activities leading up to mid-day. Bring your favorite juice drink to toast to the New Year and we will provide the activities and a small snack. Please register all child participants. Only participants that are pre-registered will be allowed to participate.  Wait listers cannot be accommodated. 

Join us as we decorate terracotta pots for Mother’s Day! Choose a pot to decorate, pick your flowers, and get creating! Each participant will receive one terracotta flowerpot, soil, and a live plant.

Socials for 55+ is a program is tailored for individuals aged 55+, and this session offers a chance to explore the beauty of the night sky and make new friends who share your passion for stargazing. This particular night will be lighted by a full moon as well as the Lyrids Meteor Shower. Lyrids are known for their occasional outbursts where the rate of meteors can surge up to 100 per hour. Join us for an unforgettable evening under the stars! We will provide coffee, tea, and hot chocolate. Please feel free to bring snacks or a light picnic. We will have limited binoculars and spy scopes to share. Please bring your own stargazing equipment if you are able. Registration is required.

This is a perfect way to learn the basics of biking from certified bike coaches.

We do have a limited number of bikes and Helmets available free of charge in case you don’t have one (we will ask to hold something as collateral during the program – cell phone/credit card/etc.).

**For those who bring their own bicycle – we ask that you ensure that the bike is in SAFE/WORKING order PRIOR to attending the group ride**

Pre-requisites/Requirements:

Ages 6+
Must bring a positive attitude – get ready to have fun!
Participants must wear CLOSED TOED SHOES

Registrants must provide their own:

Water bottle/hydration pack

It is also highly encouraged that participants wear:

Sunscreen
Bike gloves
Above the ankle socks
Reminder to check the email Inbox associated with the REGISTERED participant prior to the event for information specific to your program.

In the event of inclement weather, we will either cancel our program or adjust it to accommodate.
If we must cancel a program, we will do our best to notify you 24hrs in advance.

This is a no rider left behind group ride – think “party pace”

There will likely be some “session-ing” and skills instruction along the way.

This is a perfect way to meet other riders and build skills on your bike.

We do have a limited number of bikes and Helmets available free of charge in case you don’t have one (we will ask to hold something as collateral during the program – cell phone/credit card/etc.).

**For those who bring their own bicycle – we ask that you ensure that the bike is in SAFE/WORKING order PRIOR to attending the group ride**

Pre-requisites/Requirements:

Ages 6+
Must know how to ride a bicycle
Must know how to operate a bicycle with gears/hand brakes (no coaster brakes)
Participants must wear CLOSED TOED SHOES

Registrants must provide their own:

Water bottle/hydration pack

It is also highly encouraged that participants wear:

Sunscreen
Bike gloves
Above the ankle socks
Reminder to check the email Inbox associated with the REGISTERED participant prior to the event for information specific to your program.

In the event of inclement weather, we will either cancel our program or adjust it to accommodate.
If we must cancel a program, we will do our best to notify you 24hrs in advance.

This is a perfect way to expand on your skills aboard a bicycle from certified bike coaches.

Depending on the location you can expect a program that includes:
- Bike set up and safety
- Body position
- Shifting and cadence
- Looking ahead
- Effective braking
- And more!

**Please pay attention to the location of the program as some programs will require dirt tires**

We have a limited number of bikes and helmets available free of charge in case you don’t have one (we will ask to hold something as collateral during the program – cell phone/credit card/etc.).

**For those who bring their own bicycle – we ask that you ensure that the bike is in SAFE/WORKING order PRIOR to attending the group ride**


Ages 6+
- Must already know how to ride a bicycle with gears
- Must bring a positive attitude – get ready to have fun!
- Participants must wear CLOSED TOED SHOES

Registrants must provide their own:

- Water bottle/hydration pack

It is also highly encouraged that participants wear:

- Bike gloves
- Above the ankle socks


Reminder to check the email Inbox associated with the REGISTERED participant prior to the event for information specific to your program.

In the event of inclement weather, we will either cancel our program or adjust it to accommodate.
If we must cancel a program, we will do our best to notify you 24hrs in advance.

Spring Break for History