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❄️☃️February Spotlight: Embracing Winter's Quiet Beauty 🌨️🌬️
 As February settles in, the world around us is wrapped in a peaceful stillness. Nature may be in its winter dormancy, but there's magic to be found in the quiet moments... the crisp air, the patterns of bare trees against the sky, and the delicate beauty of snowflakes or frost-kissed leaves. It's the perfect time to pause and appreciate the serene wonders of the season. Whether you're out for a walk or cozied up indoors, take a moment to reflect on the peaceful rhythm of winter.
This month, let’s celebrate the season’s subtle charm by creating something inspired by the outdoors!
See the end of this newsletter to find a fun and simple craft that will bring a touch of nature’s beauty into your home. 🎨
Photo: Winter cardinal by Susan Schatz, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
🌲❄️🌨️⛄
🐿️🐦❤️February Programs ❤️🐦🐿️
February 1 and 2: Groundhog Day 🕳️ 🌞
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Nature Center
Groundhog Day is celebrated on February 2! Groundhog, whistle pig, woodchuck, or weatherman—whatever you call them, they’re full of surprises! What’s the story behind this quirky tradition, and how much do you really know about groundhogs? Visit the Nature Center to explore a special display and dive into the biology and ecology of this large, native rodent.
On February 2, add to the fun by creating your own groundhog craft—will your groundhog see its shadow?
February 3: Nature Crafts - Hibernating Animals
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Nature Center 🐻💤
This activity got snowed out last month, but we’re giving it another try! One way some animals survive winter is by simply sleeping through it—this is called hibernation. Join us to learn about hibernation, then get creative and make your own hibernation scene to take home.
🦌 Photo: Deer Sleeping in Snow by Olivia Rintoul-Thomas, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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February 4: Skunk Cabbage 🌱🌸
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Nature Center
Discover the fascinating world of skunk cabbages, aptly named for their distinct scent! Among the earliest flowers to emerge in our area, these unique plants are a true sign of the season. Visit the Nature Center to learn all about them, then take a stroll across the picnic area to see (and smell) skunk cabbages for yourself!
February 9: Cemetery Hike 🗺️ 👣
Noon at the Nature Center
Join a volunteer ranger for a hike along the park's Cemetery (Red) Trail and explore its rich agricultural and natural history. Learn about the historic Howard Chapel Cemetery and the legacy of a prominent, formerly-enslaved landowner and his family. This 3.5-mile round-trip hike includes varied terrain and two "step-across" creek crossings. Be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes, dress appropriately for the weather, and bring plenty of drinking water.
💗 Photo: Howard Chapel Cemetery sign with Valentine's Day Decorations, by Volunteer Ranger Bonnie Bell via Friends of Seneca Creek and Patuxent River State Parks.
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February 10: Nature Crafts – Valentine’s Day 💌🌷
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Nature Center
Celebrate Valentine's Day by showing someone you care! Join us to create beautiful 3D pop-up tulip cards—perfect for sharing your love and appreciation.
February 15: Owl Pellets 🔬🧫
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Nature Center
Discover the mysterious hunters of the night—owls! Join us to explore their unique traits, habits, and diets. Get hands-on by dissecting owl pellets to uncover what they’ve been eating. This program is best suited for ages 8 and up, but everyone is welcome to join the adventure!
🦉 Photo: Snowy barred owl by Scott Suriano, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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February 16: Great Backyard Bird Count 2025
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Nature Center 🐦🦅 🦆 🦢
Spend some time in the park watching birds for the Great Backyard Bird Count. In as little as 15 minutes, observe the birds around you, identify them, count them, and submit your counts to help scientists better understand and protect birds around the world. Stop by the Nature Center for more information about this fun annual activity.
February 17: Nature Crafts – Winter Scene Paper Craft ⛄ 🎨 ✂️
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Nature Center
Welcome to Maryland, where February 17 could bring either a freezing winter or a warm spring day—who knows? Let’s embrace the uncertainty and get creative as we pretend to know the forecast and make our own winter scene.
🌲 Photo: Winter on the C&O by Alex Keto, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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February 22: Signs of Spring Hike 🌼🌷🌱
1 p.m. at the Nature Center
It’s not too early to look for signs of spring! Join a volunteer ranger for a short hike to discover the first signs of the season as the forest begins to awaken from winter. Keep an eye out for emerging life and enjoy the fresh air.
Be sure to wear weather-appropriate clothing and shoes suitable for muddy trails. The program will be canceled in case of rain or snow.
February 23: Nature Journaling 📓 🖊️
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Nature Center
Deepen your connection to the natural world through nature journaling! This activity helps sharpen your curiosity and observation skills, offering a fresh perspective on the world around you. Join a Volunteer Ranger to create your own nature journal (or bring one you’ve already started) to keep a record of things you see in nature. We’ll talk about the different ways you can keep a nature journal and then spend some time observing nature in the park.
📔 Photo: Nature Journal Pages by Volunteer Ranger Bonnie Bell, via the Friends of Seneca Creek and Patuxent River State Park.
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February 24: Nature Crafts – Constellations 🌠🌌✨
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Nature Center
As the nights grow shorter and the days get longer, there are still plenty of stars to enjoy before bed. Join us to learn about the constellations and the pictures they form in the sky, then create your own starry masterpiece to hang above your bed.
❄️🌨️❤️🐦⛄
🌲❄️ Craft Activity: "Winter Tree Collage" 🖍️✂️
As we embrace the quiet beauty of winter, it’s the perfect time to bring a bit of nature indoors with a simple craft. The Winter Tree Collage invites you to capture the peaceful stillness of the season, using materials that reflect the bare elegance of trees in winter. This fun and easy activity is a great way to connect with the outdoors while staying warm and cozy inside.
Materials:
🌲Brown construction paper or cardstock (for the tree trunk and branches)
☃️White or light blue construction paper (for the background)
🌨️Cotton balls (for snow)
🧴 Glue
✂️ Scissors
🌿Optional: Small twigs, real leaves, or pine needles from outdoors (for texture)
🌲✨🎨❄️
ADVISORY: Avian Influenza in Maryland
Highly Pathogenic H5 Avian Influenza (HPAI), often called “bird flu,” has been detected in wild birds and poultry farms on the Eastern Shore of Maryland. The presence of HPAI should be considered endemic throughout Maryland’s wild bird populations, especially waterfowl and raptors. Risk to human health is low and outdoor activities are safe, but some precautions are advised. Anyone who sees sick or dead birds in the wild should not handle or move the birds, but should report them by calling 1-877-463-6497 (Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or leave a voicemail) or if in a Maryland State Park, they can also be reported to a park ranger. Read the latest updates on the Maryland Department of Natural Resources website.
Unless otherwise noted, events are held rain or shine, free and fun for all ages; donations are always welcome. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
Dress for the weather/activity, wear sunscreen and insect repellent, bring plenty of water and snacks, and remember to check for ticks.
Please email us or call 443-962-0216 for additional information or to register (recommended).
Save Our Pollinators!
Donate today to support butterfly and bumblebee
habitat and education in state parks!
Donations in any amount are a helpful way to make a difference. Thank you!
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 Annual Pass Available for Purchase
$75 for Marylanders; $100 for out-of-state visitors
Our annual State Park and Trail Passport grants unlimited day-use admission and boat launching at state parks, and a 10 percent discount on state-operated concessions and boat rentals.
To enhance convenience and value, this year's pass will arrive in a self-contained packet with a detachable hang-tag, and will be valid for a full year from the month of purchase.
Our network of state parks include more than 900 miles of trails for biking, hiking, and horseback riding, as well as unique water access and camping facilities.
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