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🌦️ April Spotlight: "April Showers Bring May Flowers" 🌸
Spring is a time of renewal, and one of the most well-known sayings of the season is "April showers bring May flowers." But have you ever wondered why?
April’s frequent rain showers soak the earth, giving plants the water they need to grow. These showers also help soften the soil, allowing seeds to sprout and new life to emerge. The rain washes away dust and pollen, replenishes lakes and rivers, and even nourishes trees, helping entire ecosystems thrive. By the time May arrives, all that rain gives way to a burst of colorful blooms, buzzing pollinators, and the fresh, green landscapes of spring.
So, the next time it rains, instead of staying inside, grab your rain boots and take a walk! Listen to the rhythm of raindrops, feel the cool mist on your skin, and notice how the world seems to awaken after a gentle spring shower. Nature is hard at work, setting the stage for the beauty of May!
Want to see April showers in action? Check out the end of this newsletter for a fun craft activity that uses rain to create beautiful artwork!
📷 Photo: 'April Showers Bring May Flowers' by Dawn DeVoe, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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🌦️🌈 April Programs 🌻🍃
April 6: Celebrate International Walking Day with a Hike! 🥾🌿
1 p.m. at the Nature Center
Join a volunteer ranger for a 3.5-mile hike (about 8,000 steps) along the Cemetery (Red) Trail, visiting the historic Howard Chapel Cemetery. The hike includes two "step across" creek crossings and varied terrain.
Be sure to dress for the weather, wear comfortable shoes, and bring plenty of drinking water. 🌼
📸 Photo: Image of boots and hiking sneakers in the grass, by Volunteer Ranger Bonnie Bell via the Friends of Seneca Creek and Patuxent River State Parks.
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April 7: Nature Crafts – Create Your Own Park! 🚲🏸🌲
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Nature Center
Join us in celebrating our parks with two fun craft activities! Choose from a simple and engaging My MD Ranger coloring sheet or take on a creative challenge by designing your very own state park. What features, landscapes, and activities would you include? Let your imagination run wild!
April 12: Hummingbirds
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Nature Center
Hummingbirds begin returning to our area in early to mid-April after migrating south for the winter. ✨
Visit the Nature Center to discover fascinating facts about hummingbirds, with a special focus on our native Ruby-Throated Hummingbird.
Create your own hummingbird spinner craft to take home! 🌀🎨
📷 Photo: Hummingbird by Louis Sapienza, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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April 12 and 27: Reptile Encounter 🐍
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Nature Center
Reptiles play a vital role in the ecology of our natural world. Join us to learn more and get the chance to see a live corn snake.
April 13: Campfire Conversations
1-4 p.m. at the Campfire Circle near the Nature Center
Gather around the campfire for a discussion about bamboo—why it's a concern, and how the park is managing it along the riverbank. 🔥🏕️
If it rains, we'll move the conversation indoors to the Nature Center.
📷 Photo: Campfire by Sarah Milbourne, Maryland Park Service, Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
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April 14: Nature Crafts – Bird Beaks and What They Can Eat! 🦉🦆🍓🌰🐜
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Nature Center
Did you know a bird’s beak shape determines what it can eat? Some are great for cracking seeds, while others are perfect for slurping up nectar! Test out different 'beaks' at our fun feeding stations and see which ones work best for different foods!
April 19: Signs of Spring Scavenger Hunt
1-4 p.m. at the Nature Center 🔍🌸🐸
Spring is in full bloom by mid-April! Visit the Nature Center to pick up a scavenger hunt card before heading out on a hike. See how many signs of spring you can spot and check off as you explore the park! 🌷
📷 Photo: 'Budding Red Bud' by Ashley Stubbs, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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April 20: Spring “Egg” Hunt 🌼
11 a.m. – 3 p.m. at the Nature Center
Stop by the Nature Center to pick up a crossword puzzle and set off on a clue-filled hunt along the Blue Trail. Find all six "eggs" and match the clues to learn about the park's birds and the eggs they lay. 🌸🐣🥚
April 21: Nature Crafts – Buzzing with Pollination 🐝🌻
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Nature Center
Discover how bees help flowers grow by spreading pollen! We’ll create our own fuzzy bee puppets and put them to the test in a fun Pollinator STEM challenge to see how pollen moves from flower to flower. Join us for a hands-on adventure in pollination!
📷 Photo: 'Flower Field by Elizabeth Rockman, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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April 26: City Nature Challenge
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at the Nature Center 🔍🌿🐦🦋🐞
Join us for the nationwide City Nature Challenge (April 25-28)! Use the free iNaturalist app on your smartphone to photograph and identify as many different species as you can. This event promotes biodiversity, enhances your observation skills, and encourages citizen science. Visit the Nature Center to learn more and get started!
📱 Please bring a smartphone and download the iNaturalist app in advance. More information can be found at https://www.citynaturechallenge.org/.
April 28: Nature Crafts – Modeling Clay Flowers 🌸🌷
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Nature Center
Spring is here, and plants are waking up from their winter rest! Some bloom with colorful flowers, while others grow in different ways. Take a walk to explore which plants have spring flowers and which do not, then get hands-on and craft your own unique flowers using modeling clay.
📷 Photo: Round-lobed hepatica wildflower by Volunteer Ranger Bonnie Bell, via the Friends of Seneca Creek and Patuxent River State Parks.
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🌸🌷🌿🌳🐦🌼🌞🦋🍃🌱🌻
🎨 Activity: Painting with Rain & Watercolors 🌧️
Rainy days don’t have to mean staying indoors—why not turn the rain into your artistic assistant? This creative activity lets you use nature’s touch to make a one-of-a-kind watercolor painting!
What You’ll Need:
✅ Watercolor paper or thick cardstock
✅ Watercolor paints (liquid or solid)
✅ Paintbrushes
✅ A tray or clipboard (to carry your artwork outside)
✅ A rainy day!
How to Create Your Rain-Painted Masterpiece:
1️⃣ Prep Your Paper: Start by placing your watercolor paper on a tray or clipboard so it’s easy to carry outside.
2️⃣ Add Some Color: Use a paintbrush to dot, streak, or splash different colors of watercolor paint onto the paper. Be creative—try making raindrops, swirls, or even a flower pattern!
3️⃣ Let the Rain Work Its Magic: Bring your painting outside and let the raindrops fall onto the wet paint. Watch as the colors blend, spread, and swirl together in beautiful, unpredictable ways. (If it’s not raining hard, try tilting your paper slightly to guide the water.)
4️⃣ Dry and Admire: Once you’re happy with your design, bring the paper back inside to dry. As it dries, take note of how the water changed the patterns and textures—it’s a painting only nature could create!
🔎 Science Connection: This activity is a great way to see how water moves and blends colors, just like rain carries nutrients through the soil to help flowers grow!
🌈 Bonus Idea: Try placing leaves, petals, or even small stencils on the paper before setting it in the rain to create unique outlines and patterns.
Let the April showers inspire your creativity—just like they help bring May’s flowers to life!
Photo: 'Flora Purple Rain' by Scott Marder, submitted to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Photo Contest.
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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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