Getting Back to Nature in Columbia

Today the Robinson Nature Center is hosting their first-ever Bird Bonanza. It’s a family -friendly event presented in cooperation with Howard County Recreation and Parks:

Join Robinson staff, volunteers, and the Howard County Bird Club to celebrate birds and contribute to the worldwide community science effort of the Great Backyard Bird Count. Stop by tomorrow between Noon-4pm to come get a picture with our Osprey friend and enjoy fun activities, live animals, and bird walks.

This event will be held rain or shine.

Image from Robinson Nature Center social media

What to expect:

Bird-themed crafts, games, and activity stations.
Meet a live raptor.
Gather at the campfire and warm beverages
Guided bird walk with the Howard County Bird Club
Help with the Great Backyard Bird Count.
Beginners encouraged!
Children must be accompanied by a registered adult.

For ages 3 yrs +. Located at the Robinson Nature Center. $6 for center member, $8 for nonmember. You need to preregister and buy tickets for this event. Please note that they intend to hold it even if it rains.

Bird Bonanza, Sunday, February 16, 1-4 pm

I must say I really like the words “beginners encouraged!” I wish that more experiences in life came labeled that way.

A recent article in the Baltimore Banner featured another event at the Robinson Nature Center:

The women who spent a sweet morning learning about maple sugaring in Columbia, Jess Nocera

The article mentions that one of those in attendance grew up in Northeast Ohio, “a big maple sugaring area.” I did, too. I have happy memories of attending the Maple Festival in Chardon and sampling molten syrup “stirs” that we stirred into maple cream candy. If the nature center ever hosts an all-out maple festival, I’ll be the first to sign up.

One piece of information about the Robinson Nature Center that I’ve been meaning to share. I learned this a while back but hadn’t figured out how to work it into a blog post.

The nature center is a participant in a program called Museums for All, which enables visitors showing a SNAP EBT card to receive free admission. This program is a way of removing existing barriers for people who might otherwise be barred from museums. This means that they are welcome to experience the opportunities that museums in their own communities are offering.

This reminded me of the commitment that the Inner Arbor Trust has made to provide free programming in Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods. I like it.

What do you have planned for this wet February day?

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