EARTH DAY @ QUIET WATERS PARK

April 19, 2015 10am-4pm

A Celebration of Environmental Education, Partnerships and Volunteering!

PROGRAMS LISTED ON BACK!

Displays and Information from 10am-4pm at the Blue Heron Center include: Friends of Quiet Waters Park, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Anne Arundel Bird Club, Anne Arundel County Master Gardeners,South River Federation (with activity), AnneArundel Sierra Club and Arlington Echo Outdoor Education Center.

For more information Contact Park Ranger Dave DeVault at 410-222-1777 or .

Community Native Planting 8am-Noon Volunteers Needed! Join us at theButterfly and Reading Garden next to the reflecting pool as we plant native plants that attract butterflies. Bring gloves and a trowel. This garden is maintained by the Friends of Quiet Waters Park and Garrett’s Light. Midshipmen from the Naval Academy will be pitching in to help!

Beekeeping Demonstrations 10am and 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 Quiet Waters Park hive will be shown and discussed. Open to all ages. The program lasts about an hour. Meet at parking lot “J”.

Bird Hike 10am Meet Anne Arundel Bird Club members Pat and Juanita Tate at the Blue Heron Center. Explore the wooded trails with an opportunity to see many different kinds of birds including resident songbirds, waterfowl, and maybe some migrants. Bring binoculars and a field guide if you have them (not required), and dress for the weather. If raining lightly, bring an umbrella, as we can still find lots of good birds!"

Vernal Pond Exploration 11am-Noon For ages 8 and up. Vernal ponds (unique, temporary wetlands), are the breeding grounds for a number of amphibians and other species. Join us for an introduction to vernal ponds and then travel to a few for a first-hand look. This program will include both walking on and off paved trails, so sturdy shoes are recommended. Meet Ranger Dave Burman at Parking Lot J next to the Park Visitor Center.

Compost Demonstration Noon-1pm Anne Arundel County 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 Dept. of Recycling) by attending the compost demonstration. Meet at the Compost Demonstration site on the Wildwood Trail. Park at the Blue Heron Center parking lot.

Trash Bash Clean-Up. 1-2pm Volunteers Needed! Join Park Ranger Nate Cramer as we target an area of the park that could use some sprucing up. Garbage bags and a game plan will be provided. Bring work gloves if you can. For all ages. Meet at parking lot “J”.

“Bugs” in the Water: 1-2pmFor ages 5 and up. Explore the world of macroinvertebrates as they would be found in any natural setting such as a creeks, rivers, or streams. This is a hands-on first look at what is living in and under our local water-ways. Great fun for all!Meet the Arlington Echo staff at the Blue Heron Center.

Woodland Wonders 2-3pm For all ages. This half mile nature hike will focus on the fascinating flora and fauna found in our region. Learn about the stories behind the names and some of the medicinal, culinary and native American uses for the trees we encounter, what wildlife calls the park home, wildflower identification, and much more. Meet Ranger DeVault at Holly Pavilion.

Beginners Kayaking on Harness Creek 230-4pm. Join Park Rangers Kate Hardy and Bob Sands for this kayak trip on Harness Creek. The program starts at the Paddle or Pedal Boat/Bike rental operations in Quiet Waters Park. Meet at the Blue Heron Center parking lot. The boat dock is a 1/3mile hike from the parking lot. Nature, pointing out landmarks and kayaking tips will be the focus of this trip. No experience necessary. Ages 13 and up. Limited space. $15 fee. Contact to sign-up.