Programs held at the National Wildlife Visitor Center

The National Wildlife Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 197.

Springtime Surprises: Puppet Show 
Friday, May 4th, 11:30am & 3pm,
All Ages
Join a very special American Toad on a springtime day at Patuxent as he bumps into old and new friends after a long winter.
No Registration Necessary.

Bird Walk
Saturday, May 5th, 7:30-9:30am,
Ages 14+
Search for early spring migrants in various refuge habitats on this guided hike.  Wear good walking shoes, bring binoculars & a field guide if you can.

Flutterby Butterfly
Tuesday, May 8th, 1-2:30pm,
Ages 5-7
Discover the incredible life of the butterfly through stories, crafts, and a hike in this fun program.

Bird Walk
Wednesday, May 9th, 8:00-10:30am,
Wednesday, May 23rd, 8:00-10:30am, Ages16+
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars recommended.

Nature Tots: Marvelous Mamas
Friday, May 11th, 10:30-11:30am & 1-2pm,
Ages 3-4
Come celebrate Mother's Day by learning about how nature's mamas nurture and care for their babies in the wild through stories and crafts.

Migration Madness!
Saturday, May 12th, 1-2:30pm,
Ages 8-10
Did you know that today is International Migratory Bird Day!?  Come out to the Patuxent Research Refuge for an interactive program with hands-on activities to explore the birds that migrate right though our own backyards! 

Endangered Species Tour
Tuesday, May 15th,
11:00am & 1:30pm,
Ages 14+
Join us for two behind-the-scenes tours of the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center to observe the graceful endangered whooping cranes and much more! Arrive early, as tours will leave on time and will last approximately one hour. Space is very limited, registration required.

Endangered Species Presentation
Tuesday, May 15th, 12:30-1:15pm,
Ages 14+
Listen to Refuge Manager Brad Knudsen discuss endangered species and the role United States Fish and Wildlife Service plays in the lives of these fragile species. 
No Registration Required.

American Bird Conservancy presents
Endangered Hawaii
Tuesday, May 15th, Film at 3:00pm (30 min)
Learn about the tragic extinctions of Hawaiian island bird species and the suggested solutions or future mitigation methods in place that are saving these endemic and fascinating bird species.

Worlds of Wildlife
Tuesday May 22nd, 1-2:30pm,
Ages 5-7
Come celebrate Biodiversity Day!  Discover Patuxent's amazing variety of life from big to small and fuzzy to slimy through interactive games, stories and a hike.

Animal Advertisers
Thursday, May 24th, 2-3:30pm,
Ages 8-10
Most animals use camouflage to hide.  Come learn why and how some animals advertise their presence with bold colors and bizarre behaviors. 

Tiny Tots: Nature and Music
Wednesday, May 30th, 10:30-11:30am,
Ages 18mos-3yrs
Come learn about the wildlife at the refuge through songs and rhyming.

Programs held at the
North Tract

The North Tract is located on
Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32.

Weed Warriors
Wednesday, May 2nd,
1-3pm,
Wednesday, May 16th,
1-3pm,
Ages 14+
Non-native invasive plants are threatening our wildlife habitat. We need YOU to help stop them from spreading! Bring gloves and water (and hand tools if available).

Spring Stirrings!
Sunday, May 6th, 8:30-10:30am,
Ages 6+
What is that noise? Is someone singing? Join us to look and listen for the sights and sounds of familiar residents and new visitors.

Maryland Mammals
Saturday, May 19th, 10-11:30am, All Ages
Join a park ranger on a hike through Patuxent's ponds, rivers, and woodlands searching for mammals. Discover the mammals of Maryland, their characteristics and how they have adapted to Maryland's steamy summers and chilly winters.

Butterflies: Nature's Festival of Colors
Saturday, May 12th,
8:30-11am,
Saturday, May 26th,
8:30-11am,
Ages 10+
Discover the role that butterflies play in the ecosystem and learn to identify several common native to Maryland on this guided 2.5 mile walk. Field guide recommended. Bring water and dress for the outdoors.

"Tree ID 101" Hike
Sunday, May 20th, 1-3pm,
Ages 6+
Always wanted to learn to identify your local trees, but didn't know where to start? Join a naturalist as we discover how easy it is to identify some of our local trees by leaf, bark and flower in this informative hike.

Herp Search
Saturday, May 26th, 12:00-1:30pm,
All Ages
Join a refuge naturalist on this guided search for reptiles and amphibians. Wear good walking shoes!

Night Hike
Saturday, May 26th, 8-9:30pm,
Ages 5+
Discover the nighttime world of the refuge
as you look and listen for nocturnal animals
on this guided walk.

Bird Walk
Sunday, May 27th,
8:15-10:15am,
All Ages
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars recommended.

Programs held at the National Wildlife Visitor Center

The National Wildlife Visitor Center is located on Powder Mill Road between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 197.

Animal Adaptations!
Tuesday June 5th, 10:30-11:30am,
Ages 5-7
Reptiles, amphibians, birds, fish, insects and mammals, oh my! Learn what makes these animals different and how it helps them survive in this fun hands-on interpretive program.

Monarch’s Migration Puppet Show
Wednesday, June 6th, 11:30am & 3pm,
All Ages
In honor of National Pollinator Month, discover where Monarch is migrating to and why in this humorous puppet show! All ages welcome. Program is approximately 20 min. NO REGISTRATION NECESSARY!

Bird Walk
Wednesday, June 6th, 8:00-10:30am,
Wednesday, June 20th, 8:00-10:30am, Ages16+
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars are recommended.

Kids’ Fishing Day
Saturday, June 9th
8:30am or 9:30am
Age 15 and under
Novice anglers can learn how to cast a rod, identify types of fish and enjoy the experience of fishing. All fishing equipment will be provided for the event, and there will be staff available to assist. Catch and release fishing only. PRE-REGISTATION REQUIRED!
Pre-register at 301-497-5887

Watch Out!
Sunday, June 10th, 2:00-3:30pm,
Ages 8-10
What does poison ivy look like? And how do you tell a copperhead from other snakes? Come and find out about some of the venomous animals and poisonous plants here in Maryland!

Twilight Tram Tour $$
Tuesday, June 12th, 7:15-8:15pm,
All Ages
Enjoy a 45 minute guided tour through the habitats of Patuxent Research Refuge on an all electric, open-air tram. View wildlife and their habitats while discovering how Patuxent is managing those habitats. Tickets are $4 each. Please bring exact change. Space is limited.

Nature Tots: Water, Water Everywhere
Thursday, June 14th,
10:30-11:30am & 1-2pm,
Ages 3-4
On a hot day in June, what do you do to cool off? Jump in a pool, drink lots of water? Life of all kinds needs water. Discover the forms water takes and the habitats it is found in through songs, crafts, and stories.

Devoted Dads
Friday, June 15th, 2-3:30pm,
Ages 5-7
Join us to learn all about nature's most daring and devoted Dads. Discover the incredible ways they help protect and care for their babies.

Nature Tots: Busy Bees
Monday, June 25th,
10:30-11:30am & 1-2pm,
Ages 3-4
In celebration of National Pollinator month, buzz on over to Patuxent to discover how bees help give us flowers and food by becoming a bee in this hands-on, interactive program.

Micro Martians!
Thursday, June 28th, 1:00-2:30pm,
Ages 8-10
Who knew so much life could be found in a drop of water. Come explore a fascinating world of alien-like creatures unseen to the naked eye in this fun interpretive program.

Totally Transformed!
Saturday June 30th,
10-11:30am,
Ages 5-7
Ever wish you could change into someone else; metamorphose? Well there are many animals that do just that. From frogs to dragonflies, learn about the animals that go through metamorphosis in this interactive interpretive program.

Programs held at the
North Tract

The North Tract is located on
Rt. 198 between the Baltimore-Washington Parkway and Rt. 32.

Wildflower Walk
Saturday, June 2nd,
10am-12:00pm,
All Ages
Come search for wildflowers on the refuge. Learn why these summertime blooms are so important in the refuge ecosystem. Remember to dress for the weather. Field guides are recommended.

Weed Warriors
Wednesday, June 6th, 9am-12pm,
Wednesday, June 13th, 9am-12pm,
Ages 14+
Non-native invasive plants are threatening our wildlife habitat. We need YOU to help stop them from spreading! Bring gloves and water (and hand tools, if available).

Butterflies: Nature's Festival of Colors
Saturday, June 9th, 9:00-11:30am,
Saturday, June 23rd, 9:00-11:30am,
Ages 10+
Discover the role that butterflies play in the ecosystem and learn to identify several common species native to Maryland on this guided 2.5 mile walk. Field guide recommended. Bring water and dress for the outdoors.

What’s Buggin’ Bats?
Saturday, June 16th, 7:30-9:00pm,
All Ages
Come and discover Maryland’s bats and the dangers they face. Learn the vital role they play in the environment and why they are so helpful.

Totally Turtles!
Sunday, June 24th,
2-3:30pm,
Ages 8-10
Learn how these ancient reptiles have adapted to survive on land and in the water. Discover the types of turtles that live in Maryland today!

Bird Walk
Saturday, June 30th, 8:15-10:15am,
All Ages
Search for birds in several refuge habitats on this guided hike. Field guides and binoculars recommended.

Herp Search
Saturday, June 30th, 12:00-1:30pm,
All Ages
Join a refuge naturalist on this guided search for reptiles and amphibians. Wear good walking shoes!

Night Hike
Saturday, June 30th,
8-9:30pm,
Ages 5+
Discover the nighttime world of the refuge
as you look and listen for nocturnal animals
on this guided walk.