Natural History Society of Maryland First Day Hike

January 1 @ 10 AM - 1 PM

Location: Annapolis Waterworks Park | 270 Defense Hwy, Annapolis, MD 21401

Start the new year outside with naturalist Kerry Wixted on a wintery hike around Annapolis Waterworks Park.

We will start hiking in a slightly hilly area filled with beech trees, then wind down to the former Annapolis reservoir. Let's look for mammal signs and winter birds and practice winter botany skills along the way. Our group will be small with a leisurely pace for a couple of miles and be full of shared observations.

Nature's GlowNatural History Society of Maryland

January 26 @ 1 PM - 4 PM

Location: Ladew Gardens | 3535 Jarrettsville Pike, Monkton, MD 21111

You may have just put away your Christmas lights but we still can light up your night! There are many animals, plants, minerals, and algae that glow in the dark. Some, like scorpions and calcite, only appear different under ultraviolet light. Others, like dinoflagellates and fireflies, are visible to the naked human eye. This may sound like an otherworldly phenomenon, but most can be found right here in Maryland!

Join the Natural History Society for an afternoon of luminescence and fluorescence in nature. Our theme comes with glowing reviews: Guests at the Ladew Garden Glowfest couldn't get enough! 

Presentation, 1:30PM: Fluorescent Minerals by Chris Luzier

Want to know about (non hazardous) glowing rocks? Learn about fluorescent minerals from our guest speaker, Chris Luzier! Over 500 minerals have been discovered to exhibit some kind of fluorescence when exposed to ultraviolet light. These include obscure minerals like hardystonite (which glows a deep midnight blue) and common ones like fluorite (glows in various possible colors) which is in your toothpaste! 

Todd's Inheritance

Our 2024 season has come to an end. Approximately 1500 volunteers and guests visited our beautiful waterfront property, located in North Point State Park, while learning of the rich history of Southeast Baltimore County. Thank you to our many partners, supporters and volunteers for your help in making this a most successful year. We will reopen in April with an all new line up of speakers and events.

The reviews are rolling in for the 11th annual Holiday Plane & Train Garden presented by the Glenn L. Martin Maryland Aviation Museum at its holiday location of 2323 Eastern Blvd. "This is fabulous for any age. Our kids were more engaged searching for the fun list of items on the amazing train garden then I have ever seen them at a garden. The new added displays of Washington DC this year are awesome!" The 2024 theme for this one-of-a-kind exhibit is "A Capital Christmas" featuring sites of DC along with Maryland sites and a mysterious UFO. Minions and famous people of Maryland are hidden within the display for a character hunt, making for a fun family search experience. Admission is free, donations always welcome. A photo ID is needed by adults. Open most Wednesdays, Fridays, and weekends, 11am to 4pm. check website for full schedule.