20th Annual “Earth Day 5K Race and Walk” 8:30am This Sierra Club sponsored event starts at 830am next to the Visitor Center parking lot. Preregistration on race day at 7:30/8:15am. http://maryland2.sierraclub.org/groups/anne-arundel-group-0
Bird Hike 10am Meet Anne Arundel Bird Club member Ross Geredien at the Blue Heron Center. Bring field guide and binoculars. Depending on the weather and conditions, we will explore the trails where we hope to find a diversity of birds.
Community Native Planting 10am-2pm Meet at the Butterfly and Reading Garden next to the reflecting pool as we plant native plants that attract butterflies. This Garrett’s Light sponsored event needs more volunteers. Bring gloves and a trowel.
Beekeeping Demonstrations 10am & Noon Members of the Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners Beekeeping Project will discuss beekeeping including the life and decline of honeybees and what the public can do to help. Weather permitting the QuietWatersPark hive will be shown and discussed. Open to all ages. The program lasts about an hour. Meet at parking lot “J”.
Vernal Ventures 11am Park Ranger Dave Burman will lead this one hour exploration of vernal pools in the park. Wear sturdy shoes. For ages 8 and up. Meet at the VisitorCenter parking lot.
Reforestation Project 11am Volunteers are needed for this planting of native trees. Learn why native plantings are better and learn about the parks Weed Warrior program. Meet Park Ranger DeVault at Holly Pavilion for this one hour program.
Oyster Shell Recycling 11am & 1pm Learn why you should recycle oyster shells. Today, it is an extremely limited natural resource and a valuable one for improving waterways. Given the critical shortage of shell for use in restoring the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population, the Oyster Recovery Partnership developed the Shell Recycling Alliance (SRA) to save this extremely limited natural resource. This presentation takes place at the Blue Heron Center.
Compost Demonstration Noon AnneArundelCounty Master Gardeners will teach you how to make your own compost using yard waste and kitchen scraps. Receive a free compost bin (Courtesy of Anne Arundel County Recycling Department. Meet at the Compost Demonstration area on Wildwood Trail after parking at the BlueHeronCenter. A one hour program.
Trash Bash Clean-up Noon-1pm Volunteers are needed!MeetPark Ranger Chase Sands for this one hour beautification project. Meet at the Blue Heron Center parking lot.
Bird Hike 1-2pm Meet Anne Arundel Bird Club member Dave Gillum at the Blue Heron Center. Dave says: “We’ll walk around the composting area and out to the boat launch. We will see forest edge and woodland species and well as ducks. Bring binoculars and a field guide. Fine for adults and children 10 and older; we will be walking on paved trails.”
Children’s Nature Hour 1-2pm Recommended for ages 4-9. A reading of the Dr. Seuss classic “The Lorax” will be followed by a short nature walk. Led by Jennifer Pille. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Meet at the Lighthizer Gazebo.
Wildflower Nature Hike 2-3pm For all ages. This quarter mile nature hike will focus on Spring-blooming wildflowers and the fascinating native flora found in our region. Meet at Holly Pavilion.
Bird Club Slide Show 2pm Meet the Anne Arundel Bird Club! This presentation at the Blue Heron Center will introduce you to the club and its functions and activities, the birding “hotspots” of our region, and many of our beautiful resident and migratory birds. There will be featured photos of some of the top bird photographers in our community as well.
Health of the South River 3pm Riverkeeper Captain Diana Muller will discuss the current state of the health of the South River and it’s water quality. Learn about what is making our river so sick and what the Federation is doing to improve the health of the river. Meet at the Blue Heron Center.
Paddle the Quiet Waters 3pm For ages 9 and up. Children under 15 must be accompanied by a participating adult. SPACE IS LIMITED. Celebrate Earth Day with a Ranger-guided canoe trip on beautiful Harness Creek. 90 minute program. Meet at the Paddle or Pedal Concession (park at the Blue Heron Center parking lot and walk 1/3 mile to the concession building). Preregister is required by emailing Park Ranger Chris Winton at rpwint39@aacounty.org or call 410-222-1777.
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FREE PARK ENTRY ALL DAY!! Displays and Information from 10am-4pm at the Blue Heron Center include; Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, South River Federation, Anne Arundel Bird Club, Oyster Recovery Partnership, Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners, Anne Arundel Sierra Club and Watershed Stewards Academy.
The Friends of Quiet Waters Park will be hosting a “hands-on” Nature Exhibit at the ParkVisitorCenter and Chesapeake Children’s Museum will have nature crafts next to the reflecting pool.
Earth Day Detailed Activities Flyer
For more information Contact Park Ranger Dave DeVault at 410-222-1777 or at rpdeva00@aacounty.org.
