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WELCOME TO MARSHY POINT NATURE CENTER

Marshy Point Nature Center is Baltimore County’s pristine waterfront nature center on the Chesapeake Bay. Situated on the nature preserve of Marshy Point Park, and serving as a “Gateway to the Chesapeake” for the U.S. National Park Service, Marshy Point’s nearly 500 acres, combined with neighboring county, state, and federal land, creates a natural preserve encompassing over 3,000 acres. MPNC welcomes hikers, birdwatchers, and nature-lovers of all types from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. every day except Baltimore County government holidays. Throughout the year, the Nature Center also hosts an array of environmental recreation and education activities open to all ages.

The volunteer-based Marshy Point Nature Center Council supports a wide variety of nature programs and is supported by teacher-naturalists from the Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks. From summer camps and weekend canoe trips to natural history lectures and environmental clean-ups, the Center provides visitors with many opportunities to explore the Chesapeake Bay ecosystem. Every fifth grader in the Baltimore County Public School system visits Marshy Point through the Eco-Trekkers environmental education program. The Nature Center also partners with local schools to support the Maryland Green Schools initiative.

Browse our site to find out how to join us for one of our many nature programs!

We hope to see you at the Nature Center soon!

What’s New  

Support a Sustainable Lifestyle

Global warming, carbon emissions, rising energy costs, toxic chemicals – the news is full of disturbing reports about environmental problems that concern us all.  But you can make a difference!  Translate concern into action by finding opportunities to reduce your impact on the environment.  Where to begin?  Find out how big your ecological footprint is at www.earthday.net/footprint.  Eliminate paper and plastic bags by using durable bags made from recycled materials to transport your groceries or other consumer goods.  Want to know what gadgets and mechanical systems are available to reduce energy costs in your apartment or house?  Home Depot, among others, has an Eco-Options web page, check it out – www.homedepot.com/ecooptions.  Participate in Baltimore County’s curbside recycling program, or haul your discards to the County landfill for recycling.  Look for Green-labeled cleaning and other products at your favorite retailer.  You can make a difference!

Marshy Point Nature Center is Granted Green Status

After applying for certification to become a Green Center by the Maryland Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education, Marshy Point Nature Center has been granted Green status.  This coveted designation is awarded to nature centers that support local and regional Green School initiatives, apply environmental management practices to their buildings and grounds, and offer a variety of community environmental-learning opportunities.  Fitting the requirements, MPNC is delighted to join the already certified sixteen centers in the state, and will be the first Baltimore County Recreation and Parks facility to be designated with the honor.

Senior Hike Program

Although many of the programs of the Marshy Point Nature Center are geared for children, we also offer many programs for all who are interested in getting outdoors to learn about nature.  Once or twice each month, usually on Saturdays or Sundays, we even have organized outings for seniors, 55 and older.  Come hike with us as part of a fitness routine or to learn about the birds and wildflowers that grace the park.  These hikes follow easy to walk, maintained trails that wander through woods and fields bordering wetlands and marshes.  Allow about two hours for the planned activity, and bring water and walking shoes.  Come on, take a break from working, parenting, and grand-parenting; get outside and get moving and learning.  Check the calendar for the date and time of the next scheduled senior event.

Film Nights at Marshy Point Nature Center!

Whether you watch in a theater, at a drive-in, or in your home, watching movies is a fundamental part of American culture.  But did you know that you can watch movies at the Marshy Point Nature Center?  The MPNC Council carefully selects films that inform, educate, and entertain audiences of all ages about nature and the world around us.  The first Friday of each month is Family Movie Night.  Bring the whole family out for an entertaining nature film; a MPNC naturalist is on hand to answer questions.  Admission is $2 per person, or $5 for a family of three, and includes popcorn and beverages.  During warm weather months, conditions permitting, films may be shown outdoors.  Check our calendar to find out what’s playing next at the Marshy Point Nature Center!

Also, on the fourth Tuesday of each month, MPNC presents “Learning to Live Better: A Series of Motivating Films”.  Many of these films address contemporary environmental issues such a population growth, resource utilization, and climate change; others are presented because of their historical significance to the development and growth of environmental awareness.  The films, often produced by leading filmmakers, are intended to be thought provoking and are intended for teens and adults.  A member of the MPNC Council introduces each film and leads a post-screening discussion.  There is no charge for admission, and the Council provides refreshments.   See the calendar for the next screening of Learning to Live Better: A Series of Motivating Films.

Marshy Point Nature Center Gifts

Is Marshy Point one of your favorite places or a favorite of someone you know?  Then let the world know by wearing a Marshy Point Nature Center logo-emblazoned shirt or hat, or by using a Nature Center mug.  A jar of fresh, savory Nature Center honey, complements of our busy bees, is a great gift for anyone with a sweet tooth.  Check out these items and other great Marshy Point gifts at the Nature Center.  Your purchases help support our programs and activities, and increase public awareness of the Center.

(Gift baskets are available upon request)

Cattails

Members of the Marshy Point Nature Center Council receive our newsletter, Cattails, four times a year.  The four to six page publication features updates on Center activities, interviews with naturalists and articles about animals and plants that are found in the preserve.  Mail your completed membership form now to join the Council and begin your subscription to Cattails!  Back issues of Cattails are accessible online:

A History of the Marshy Point Nature Center 

Marshy Point Nature Center, a Baltimore County Department of Recreation and Parks facility,