April is all about celebrating the Earth and our environment. Participate in one or more of these activities for a greater connection
Discover nature in your own backyard!
Every Saturday in April, M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is holding open houses at P.G. County nature-focused facilities. Enjoy FREE activities including nature crafts, animal feed demos, free giveaways, and more!
April 6, 11 am – 2 pm
Bladensburg Waterfront Park
April 13, 11 am – 2 pm
Clearwater Nature Center
Mount Rainier Nature Center
April 20, 11 am – 2 pm
Watkins Nature Center & Old Maryland Farm
Celebrate Watkins Nature Center 50th Anniversary!
April 27, 11 am – 2 pm
Patuxent River Park
City Nature Challenge
City Nature Challenge (CNC) is an annual community science challenge for cities across the globe to find and document the plants and wildlife found in urban areas. The National Aquarium is the regional coordinator for Baltimore City, Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford, Howard and Queen Anne’s counties.
The only way to protect our natural environment is to know what is there. It takes the entire community to document the plants, animals and critters in our area. In 2023, there were 550 volunteers making 7,785 observations. In all 1,305 species were identified.
CNC Basics
Observation Period Friday, April 26th – Monday, April 29th
This is the time to go out and make observations! Explore your backyard, park, city, or anywhere else in the Baltimore Metro Area and take as many pictures as you can of different wildlife.
- Step 1: Download the iNaturalist app.
- Step 2: Find wildlife and photograph what you find.
- Step 3: Share your observations by uploading your pictures to iNaturalist.
Upload and Identification Period Friday, April 26th – Sunday, May 5th
- Between these dates you can upload any photos you took before May 1st to iNaturalist. This will make them official iNaturalist observations.
- We need help identifying every species that was observed. If you want to help, you can suggest species IDs on iNaturalist.
Results Announced Monday, May 6th
The City Nature Challenge international organizers will release the results and announce the winning city.
Click here for more information.
Upcoming Earth Day Events
Saturday April 20
Earth Day Celebration: Seed Bomb Making
Continue the Earth Day fun by making a pollinator-friendly seed bomb. We’ll be using ecofriendly ingredients and seeds from native plant species that support pollinators such as bees and butterflies. 2-3 p.m. Odenton Regional Library, Odenton. aacpl.net
Earth Day Cleanup
Join park staff for a day of grass planting and beach clean-up. Supplies provided. RSVP to: sandypoint.statepark@Maryland.gov. Free. 10 a.m. Sandy Point State Park, Annapolis. dnr.maryland.gov
Earth Day Family Festival
Join the National Portrait Gallery and the Smithsonian American Art Museum and craft workshops while you learn how art and science can help protect the earth. 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. National Portrait Gallery, Washington. npg.si.edu
Small Island Big Song
Right before Earth Day, join Small Island Big Song for a moving concert experience combining music, spoken word, and stunning projections to showcase unique oceanic grooves and soulful island. $29.00 – $48.00. 8-9:30 p.m. Center for the Arts at George Mason University, Fairfax. cfa.calendar.gmu.edu
St Mary’s County Earth Day
Come out to the farm to enjoy vendor crafts, conservation information, food. Free. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Summerseat Farm, Mechanicsville.
Stream Cleanup
Celebrate Earth Day by cleaning up our Wells Run- Families welcome. https://www.upmd.org/calendar.aspx?EID=2610. 10 a.m.-12 p.m. University Park. upmd.org
Monday April 22
Earth Day Celebration!
Drop in to celebrate the earth with crafts and other activities. If you requested a Neighborhood Forest tree, pick it up anytime during this event! 4-7 p.m. Discoveries: The Library at the Mall, Annapolis. aacpl.net
Saturday April 27
Walk for the Woods 2024
Join Scenic Rivers Land Trust for our signature community event celebrating the joy of the outdoors and our local, protected woods. Enjoy a day of guided hikes exploring the heart of the Bacon Ridge Natural Area, Crownsville. Free. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. srlt.org