September Nature Center Programs of Montgomery Parks Will Include ‘Hiking with Your Dog’ and ‘Etch and Sip Hard Cider Night’

Per Montgomery County: A variety of hikes including “Hiking with Your Dog,” a native plant sale and “Etch and Sip Hard Cider Night” are among the many special events that will be featured throughout September by Montgomery Parks.
The September nature center special events will include:

• Fall Native Plant Sales. Sept. 1-18. Maydale Nature Classroom (online only): Online sale runs through Monday, Sept. 18. Plant pickup on Saturday, Sept. 23. In-person sale at Pope Farm Nursery, 7400 Airpark Road, Gaithersburg will be held Saturday, Sept. 16–Sunday, Sept.17, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Free admission. No registration is required.
• Family Nature Hikes: Fall. Wednesdays, Sept. 13–Nov. 15. 1-2:30 p.m. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Explore Cabin John Regional Park with a park naturalist. The nature center’s resident animal ambassadors will make appearances. Ages 3–5. Registration required. $150.
• Virtual Family Trivia Night. Wednesday, Sept. 13. 6-7 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Gather around the table with family and friends with Quizmaster Jenn as she conducts a nature-themed trivia night for the whole family. All ages. Registration required. Free.
• Let’s Hike. Friday, Sept. 15. 6:30-8 p.m. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Adults-only evening hike in Wheaton Regional Park. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $8.
• Hiking with Your Dog: Bark in the Park. Thursday, Sept. 21, 4-7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m.- noon. Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Learn how to prepare for a fun time with your dog at the virtual workshop on Thursday, Sept. 21, and then come to Locust Grove Nature Center on Sunday, Sept. 24, to put the skills into practice. Participants on Sept. 24 will receive a free doggie Swag bag. Ages 16 and older. Registration required. $10 (per session).
• Etch and Sip Hard Cider Night. Friday, Sept. 22. 5-7 p.m. Meadowside Nature Center, 5100 Meadowside Lane, Rockville. Create a personalized nature-themed pint glass piece and afterward enjoy a splash of cider on the raptor deck with a naturalist-led raptor talk. Ages 21 and older. Registration required. $20.
• Autumnal Equinox: Sunrise Stretch at the Sycamore. Saturday, Sept. 23. 6-7 a.m.
• Locust Grove Nature Center, 7777 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda. Start fall and your day taking in the healing and calming effects of nature. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $20.
• Beginning Birding for Everybody. Saturday, Sept. 23. 9-10 a.m. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Learn birding basics on a frustration-free “flat” bird practice trail. The wildlife pond boardwalk is accessible for all budding birders. Ages 18 and older. Registration required. $7.
• Nature Center Pop-Up. Sunday, Sept. 24. 1-4 p.m. Rock Creek Regional Park, 15700 Needwood Lake Circle, Rockville. Talk with a naturalist, explore natural objects, ask questions and try out some biology-themed activities. All ages. Registration recommended. Free.
• Trip to Mt. Cuba Center. Wednesday, Sept. 27. 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Leaves from Black Hill Nature Programs, 20926 Lake Ridge Drive, Boyds. Visit the Mt. Cuba Center near Wilmington, Del., home to more than 1,000 species of native plants, many of which are threatened by extinction. Registration required. $60 ($58 for Friends of Black Hill).
• The Scoop on Poop. Thursday, Sept. 28. 10:30-11:30 a.m. Maydale Nature Classroom, 1638 Maydale Drive, Colesville. Program is designed to teach young children and their caregivers about the wildlife and nature in their own backyards through activities, explorations, games, hikes and take-home crafts. Registration required. Ages 3–5. $6.
• Escapadas de Tortugas. Saturday, Sept. 30. 10:30 a.m.-noon. Brookside Nature Center, 1400 Glenallan Ave., Wheaton. Help find a lost turtle. Follow the clues and find her. A fun scavenger hunt at the nature center. Please note: this program is in Spanish. Ages 8 and older. Registration required. $5.

Visit the Fall 2023 Montgomery Parks Program GuideGo to the Montgomery Parks event calendar for a complete list of special events and programming and to learn how to sign up using ActiveMontgomery. Stilt Street, Boyds.