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• Mosses for Beginners

  • When
    01 Nov 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    0

  Registration is closed

  

  If mosses intrigue you when you hike and you’d like to know more about them, this is your chance. Using slides, dramatization, models, and microscope work, Linda and Charlie Davis will introduce participants to moss anatomy, life cycle, ecology, human use, and gardening. The walk to your mailbox will never be the same.

  Leaders: Charlie and Linda Davis have inventoried mosses and liverworts for the National Park Service at Great Falls Park, Virginia, and at Piscataway Park and Fort Washington Park in Maryland. Charlie is a professional field ecologist who specializes in plants. Linda and Charlie offered monthly moss identification workshops for years at the Natural History Society of Maryland in Overlea, MD.

  Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made at least seven days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made less than a week before the event will not receive a refund, though the registration may be transferred to a friend. Events with fees of $10 or less are not refundable unless canceled by NHSM

  NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

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• PRIVATE EVENT: Geology of Baltimore City Walk

  • When
    01 Nov 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
  • Location
    Baltimore, Inner Harbor
  • Spaces left
    3

  Register

  

  Do you have a group interested in joining us for a private event? Email us JAsh@marylandnature.org.

  A large iron ring hangs from a wall, set in place many decades ago. And right below, there’s a big stone step. Look closely to see a peephole near the top. Who was spying? Join geologist Sam Glasscock to find the answer on this walk near the Inner Harbor. We will share the stories of rocks from many of our largest buildings and monuments, and you’ll discover how far away these beautiful slabs of stone traveled to find a home here in Baltimore.

  On this 1.25-mile walk, view structures built with igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks that formed roughly 3.8 billion years ago in Earth’s history and were erected during the last 200 years of American history. Who knew you could see ancient fossils, touch a stone almost as old as the Earth, and get a feel for Italy all in downtown Baltimore?

  Our trip leader is Sam Glasscock, who holds a Bachelor of Science degree in geological science and a Master’s in marine science. He currently works as an environmental scientist.

  • Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is complete.
  • Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
  • Bring a hand lens or loupe to look at details in the rock, if you have one. Some will be available for sharing.
  • No pets, please.

  NEW Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.

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• Fossil Club Nov: Fossil Finds & Field Stories

  • When
    05 Nov 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD

  Register

  

  Did you get to attend one of our fossil hunting trips this summer or did you go on your own adventure to find fossils? If the answer is Yes then this is the meeting for you!

  Come share your fossil discoveries, stories from the field, and all the trials and triumphs that went along with the hunt. Whether you traveled far or explored close to home, we’d love to hear about it. Bring your fossils (or photos of them), and if you’re not sure what you found, this is a great chance to get help with identification from fellow club members. We will have the projector set up so you can show photos you may have taken and share them. This will be a great opportunity to meet club members and see what we’re all about, and get ideas for your next fossil hunting adventure.

  Here are a couple of exciting fossil trips you’ll get to hear about at the meeting:

  • Valerie Horn’s visit to the Paltesaurus quarry, Switzerland.

  • Cory Deltrove’s fossil hunting trip to Holden Beach, North Carolina.

  NHSM’s Fossil Club is a group of novice and more experienced collectors who meet to share knowledge and discuss fossil identification, fossil locations, and other fossil-related topics. Monthly meetings feature guest speakers both from within the club and from outside organizations. We also strive to schedule frequent collection trips to various locations. 

  Although you don’t need to be a member to attend a meeting, membership gives you access to additional experiences. An annual NHSM membership is $35 for individuals, $50 for families; Fossil Club membership is an additional $5 for individuals and $10 for families. 

  If you are not yet a member of NHSM, click here to join. When you join as a new member, you can add the club membership(s) of your choice to your registration. Current NHSM members who wish to join any clubs should email the Community Coordinator at rbaldwin@marylandnature.org. 

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• Mosquitoes: More than Monsters?

  • When
    06 Nov 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  Ben Burgunder loves mosquitoes. Ironic, considering that his job involves killing them by the thousands to reduce the risk of West Nile virus! This presentation will cover the good, the bad, and the interesting when it comes to these pesky and deadly creatures. There will be time for all of the mosquito questions you are itching to ask! Ben will also share tips to reduce mosquito numbers around your home and prevent mosquito bites.

  Originally from Baltimore County, Ben Burgunder works as a public health specialist in Pennsylvania, searching for and eliminating the mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus. He earned a Master of Science in Entomology at the University of Maryland, College Park. His research there focused on West Nile virus surveillance in Chicago, a viral hotspot. Ben is also passionate about insect photography and using iNaturalist to learn more about the natural world.

  

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• Fall for Fungi, November

  • When
    07 Nov 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    North Point State Park
  • Spaces left
    0

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  Turkey tail, chicken of the woods, and scrambled egg slime. We aren’t talking poultry here. Get your camera out rather than your deep-fryer, and join us for our fall mushroom hunt with master mycologist William Needham. Let’s wander the trails to search for fungi that catch our eyes with unique coloring or gill placement and our ears with their odd name combinations.

  And while fall is a perfect time to search for fungi, nothing is guaranteed. Keep in mind that destroying angel or inky cap could be growing just around the next corner, and enjoy the day regardless of the number of mushrooms found during the hike.

  Our leader, William Needham, is the former president of the Mycological Association of Washington, with extensive field and practical experience with fungi. He is also a Master Naturalist in Maryland. He is active with several hiking and nature groups in the area and writes and co-edits hiking guides for the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club. He co-edited Hikes in the Washington Area, Part A, which includes Montgomery and Frederick Counties. His recently published book, The Compleat Ambler, is based in part on the blog Hiker’s Notebook, which was originally hosted on the Sierra Club Potomac Regional Outings website.

  Difficulty: Easy to moderate hike with many stops. There is one short downhill section that may be rocky.

  • Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is complete.
  • Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
  • Children over 10 are welcome to join.
  • Dress according to the weather. Layers of clothing work best. Include a hat for sun protection or warmth, depending on the season.
  • Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
  • Bring water, snacks, sunblock, bug spray, and a camera with accessories.
  • Bring binoculars and a hand lens or loupe for birding or looking at details, if you have them.
  • Bring your guidebooks, if you have them.
  • Bring a first aid kit for your personal use.
  • No pets, please.
  • All events are held rain or shine. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

  NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.

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• Evolutionary Biology - Intro to Comparative Anatomy and Phylogenetics

  • When
    08 Nov 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    0

  Registration is closed

  

  Aristotle said that nature could only be understood through observation, analysis, and classification. Humans have devised many ways to observe, analyze, and classify the natural world. Join our friends from the Johns Hopkins Center for Functional Anatomy and Evolution to learn about their favorite tools in evolutionary biology, comparative anatomy, and phylogenetics.

  This interactive workshop will start with Dr. Donald Morgan and PhD candidate Savannah Cobb discussing how comparative anatomy helps us understand living and fossil animals. In the afternoon, Dr. EJ Huang will introduce phylogenetics and explain how scientists determine evolutionary relationships.

  Get hands-on with real skeletal specimens and datasets to learn how researchers infer the ecology of extinct species and map them onto the tree of life!

  • Taxonomy is the science/study of classification.
  • Phylogeny is the science/study of evolutionary relationships between organisms.
  • Comparative anatomy is the study of how different species’ anatomical structures compare and contrast with one another.

  It’s a critical moment for this work. There are potentially 8 million species on Earth, and researchers have only described about 1.5 million. Some believe we are experiencing the 6th great extinction event meaning that many will go extinct before we can name them. It’s a race to record life as it disappears.

  Don’t be intimidated by science. All are welcomed – wherever you are in your understanding and study of nature.
  NOTE: Please bring a lap top to the class.

  

  Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

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• Leaves Three Ways with Sue Fierston

  • When
    09 Nov 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    4

  Register

  

  Capture fall by looking at leaves three different ways!  Start by learning the meditative art of contour drawing and practice on a variety of leaf shapes. When you’re done, try your hand at watercolor as you learn color mixing and techniques to paint your drawing.  Finish the workshop by learning how to hand print your leaves onto calligraphy paper.  You’ll leave the workshop with several prints and paintings, a naturalist’s record of an autumn day.

  Bring up to 10 flat, fresh leaves in a zip top bag.  You can keep leaves fresh in the bag by placing it in the crisper drawer of your refrigerator. All other supplies will be provided by the instructor, but feel free to bring your own watercolor set if you have one.

  Sue Fierston is a printmaker and current president of the international Nature Printing Society, a worldwide group of artists who are dedicated to nature printing in all forms. NPS members print real fish and leaves as well as tree bark and spiderwebs. Sue holds nature printmaking workshops in the spring and fall at the Smithsonian Associates and the Natural History Society of Maryland. Her prints and paintings can be seen at: suefierston.com and on Instagram at: @suefierston_leaves_three_ways. In June 2020, Swinging Bridge Press published her book Into the Woods: Families Making Art With Nature.

  Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  

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• Fossil Hunt at Stratford Hall - Fossil Club Members Only

  • When
    09 Nov 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
  • Location
    Stratford Hall Visitor Center
  • Spaces left
    2

  Register

  

  How big is your shark tooth collection? If your answer is between zero and a thousand, join us to search for fossil treasures at Stratford Hall. With private beach access and help from expert volunteers, this trip is a unique opportunity for those looking to learn about ancient life in this area and perfect their fossil-collecting techniques.

  Stratford Hall’s cliffs are part of a series of rock layers formed when ancient seas covered the area. Today, the Chesapeake Bay and rivers like the Potomac erode these old sea floor deposits, giving us a window into the past. These cliffs date from about 8 to 16 million years ago, during the Miocene Epoch. This location is one of the most scientifically important exposures of its kind in the Mid-Atlantic region and the world.

  Fossils that could be found include shark teeth from several different species, including Hemipristis or snaggletooth shark, tiger and tiger-like sharks, sand tiger sharks, C. Hastalis or the ancient white shark, and requiem sharks, and shells such as Chesapecten scallop and the Maryland state fossil, Ecphora, a predatory snail. Bones from whales and dolphin-like marine mammals, turtle shell pieces, sting ray dental plates and barbs, crocodile teeth, and fossilized crabs are also possibilities.

  This site is part of the Stratford Hall plantation owned by four generations of the Lee family and is now managed by the Robert E. Lee Memorial Foundation. The estate encompasses 1900 acres of farmland and forests on a high bluff overlooking the Potomac River. Field trip participants have access to tour the estate while at the fossil hunt.

  Travel time: It is an estimated three-hour drive from Baltimore to Montross, VA (on the south side of the Potomac River, adjacent to Westmoreland State Park). Guests are responsible for their own transportation. Many choose to spend the night before or after to break up the drive. Hotels can be found in the towns of King George and Colonial Beach.

  Difficulty: This field trip is moderately strenuous, involving hiking, cold water, and uncertain weather. There will be washed-up trees and debris on the beach that will result in scramble spots. If you do not want to climb over obstacles, you can remain on the beach that is accessible to you. However, please note that you will be wading in the water, and in colder months, we recommend wearing waders. Bare feet are never allowed. This is a rain-or-shine event.

  Age Restriction: The minimum age requirement is eight years old. This age limit is set by Stratford, and there are no exceptions. Please respect this policy when registering your family.

  NEW Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time, unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Rebecca at rbaldwin@marylandnature.org.

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• Herp Club Nov: Herping – Fieldwork and Leading a Survey

  • When
    12 Nov 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  Matt Neff, Curator of Estuarine Biology at the Calvert Marine Museum, will be presenting on herpetological fieldwork projects at the museum. He will also give a behind-the-scenes look at how to prepare for a herpetological survey, including planning, target species, and success stories. This will be a great opportunity to learn how scientists engage in field work and help with your own survey projects.

  As Curator of Estuarine Biology at the Calvert Marine Museum, Matt has opened several new exhibits, including one on the Eastern Hellbender, which focuses on this endangered salamander once found in the Bay. Matt is also beginning his fourteenth season of FrogWatch, a citizen science program that trains individuals to listen to and record their observations of frogs calling during the breeding season. Last year, over 1,200 observations were submitted of 14 different frog species across the region for the Southern Maryland and surrounding DMV chapter. Before coming to the museum, Matt was at the Smithsonian National Zoo for 12 years, working as a zookeeper in the Department of Herpetology. He is also a past-president and is still very involved in leading surveys with the Virginia Herpetological Society. Matt has always loved working with animals and teaching people about the natural world, and is happy to continue this passion with species native to Southern Maryland.

  This meeting will take place in Zoom. Please reigster to recieve the zoom link.

  Are you fascinated by reptiles and amphibians? The Natural History Society of Maryland’s Herp Club promotes the proper husbandry, conservation, study, and appreciation of reptiles and amphibians. Amateurs, professionals, and kids of all ages are welcome. Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of every month and are open to the public.

  Although you don’t need to be a member to attend a meeting, membership gives you access to additional experiences. An annual NHSM membership is $35 for individuals, $50 for families; Herp Club membership is an additional $5 for individuals and $10 for families.

  If you are not yet a member of NHSM, click here to join. When you join as a new member, you can add the club membership(s) of your choice to your registration. Current NHSM members who wish to join any clubs should email the Community Coordinator at rbaldwin@marylandnature.org.

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• Sika Deer Natural History, Ecology and Conservation

  • When
    13 Nov 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  Sika deer (Cervus nippon), a native of East Asia, have become an iconic yet mysterious part of the Delmarva Peninsula’s wildlife. In this talk, University of Delaware researchers Rebekah Manti and Andrew Slear will explore the natural history of these fascinating animals: their range, diet, reproduction, behavior, and the questions scientists are still working to answer. The presentation will also trace the history of how sika deer came to be established on the Delmarva and examine their cultural significance both in their native range and here in the U.S.

  Rebekah and Andrew will share insights from their ongoing research on sika reproductive ecology and calf survival, explaining not only what they’ve learned so far but also why this work is important for wildlife management and conservation.

  Rebekah Manti (Agnew) is the lead technician for the University of Delaware’s sika deer reproductive ecology study. Growing up in the northern suburbs of Chicago, her research interest began as a curiosity in veterinary medicine. Manti explored the world of vet med during her time at Michigan State University and discovered wildlife research along the way. As an undergraduate, she assisted a graduate study focusing on chronic wasting disease and the impact of trail use on wildlife populations. She was then offered an undergraduate research project that solidified her passion for studying ungulates. Following graduation in 2023, Manti worked for the state of Idaho as a chronic wasting disease technician, then moved to Maryland at the start of 2024 to be a sika deer technician. Manti returned as the lead technician for the 2025 capture and calving seasons and couldn’t be more excited to share all she’s learned! Following the 2025 season, Manti will continue pursuing her goal of working in academia, mentoring future biologists and conducting meaningful research.

  Andrew Slear is currently pursuing his graduate research at the University of Delaware, focusing on the reproductive ecology and calf survival of sika deer, a project he has been involved with since early 2024. A lifelong outdoorsman, Andrew developed a deep passion for wildlife and conservation through his experiences as an avid hunter and trapper in Appalachia. From a young age, he knew he wanted to build a career in wildlife studies, with a particular interest in large mammals. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Juniata College in 2021 and has since worked on a variety of wildlife research projects across the country. His hands-on experience includes studying pronghorn antelope, mountain lion, black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkey, elk, and, most recently, sika deer. After completing his graduate degree, Andrew plans to return to interior Alaska with his family to pursue a career in game species management with a focus on ungulate conservation.

  

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• Archaeology Club Nov: Archaeology of Maryland's Colonial Beginnings at St. Mary's Fort

  • When
    19 Nov 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  Dr. Travis Parno, the Director of Research and Collections at Historic St. Mary’s City, will be presenting on the Archaeology of Maryland’s Colonial Beginnings at St. Mary’s Fort.

  Ongoing excavations at the site of St. Mary’s Fort are shedding new light on the first decade of colonial settlement in early Maryland. The St. Mary’s Fort archaeological site offers a glimpse into the colonizers’ hopes, apprehensions, and adaptations of Chesapeake realities. This presentation provides an overview of the fort’s rediscovery in 2018, updates from the last five years of excavation at the site, and insights into where the work of interpreting the site will go from here.

  Dr. Travis Parno is the Director of Research and Collections at Historic St. Mary’s City. He has 20 years of experience excavating and researching historic sites in Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, and Bermuda. In addition to overseeing the Department of Research and Collections, Dr. Parno directs excavations at St. Mary’s Fort site, home to the first fort constructed by the European colonizers who established the Maryland colony in the spring of 1634. He is also a founding member of the Chancellor’s Point Working Group, a team of museum professionals and descendants advising the study and commemoration of enslaved individuals buried at the site of Chancellor’s Point.

  Dr. Parno received his B.A. in Anthropology from the College of William & Mary in 2006, his M.A. in Historical Archaeology from Bristol University in the UK in 2008, and his Ph.D. in Archaeology from Boston University in 2013.

  This meeting of the NHSM Archaeology Club will take place on Zoom. It is free and open to the public, although non-members are asked to please donate $5 to support the club.

  When you register for the program, you’ll receive the Zoom link and passcode via email with your registration confirmation. Please contact the community coordinator (rbaldwin@marylandnature.org) with any questions.

  NHSM’s Archaeology Club was founded in 2019 to promote the value of archaeology in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, and surrounding areas. The goal of the club is to educate citizens and residents in the ethics and methods of archaeology and to document, discover, and promote local history. The Arch Club is inclusive of all persons who have an interest in archaeology.

  Although you don’t need to be a member to attend a meeting, membership gives you access to additional experiences. Annual NHSM membership is $35 for individuals, $50 for families; Arch Club membership is an additional $5 for individuals and $10 for families.

  If you are not yet a member of NHSM, click here to join. When you join as a new member, you can add the club membership(s) of your choice to your registration. Current NHSM members who wish to join any clubs should email the Community Coordinator at rbaldwin@marylandnature.org.

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• Orchids of Calvert County: Hidden Treasures of Our Forests

  • When
    20 Nov 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  Calvert County is home to a surprising diversity of native orchids—beautiful, elusive, and often overlooked jewels of our local forests and wetlands. Karyn Molines, Division Chief for Calvert County Natural Resources, will highlight the orchid species found right here in Southern Maryland, from the spring-blooming pink lady’s slipper to the fringed orchids of summer and the autumn coralroots.

  Through photographs and field observations in Calvert County parks, twelve species of orchids have been documented in over 100 locations. We will discuss efforts taken to  monitor these locations and learn how to protect the habitats. This program offers an opportunity to appreciate the rare beauty of Maryland’s wild orchids and the importance of conserving the ecosystems dependent to their survival.

  For more than 30 years, Ms. Molines has been a naturalist and educator, leading field trips and natural history workshops. She has a B.S. in Zoology from the University of Maryland, College Park, a M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University, and a Certificate in Natural History from the Graduate School, USDA. She is a member of the first class of the Maryland Climate Leadership Academy and became a Certified Climate Change Professional®.

  Her day-job as the Division Chief for Calvert County Natural Resources includes managing the county’s nature parks including Battle Creek Cypress Swamp, Biscoe Gray Heritage Farm, Flag Ponds Nature Park, Kings Landing Park, Gatewood Preserve, and several boat and kayak launches. She manages a certified Tree Farm, most recently overseeing a selective thinning of approximately 36 acres. Other areas under her direction include the preservation of the cultural resources found in the county’s natural areas. She oversees environmental education programs for the public, families, adults, school children, and teachers. She is responsible for implementing the County’s deer management program. Karyn is a founding board member of the Maryland Native Plant Society and manages their membership and website and leads field trips on plant identification.

  

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• Museum Store Sunday at NHSM — One Day Only!

  • When
    30 Nov 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD

  Register

  

  NHSM is thrilled to join over 2,200 museums across the globe for Museum Store Sunday, a day dedicated to purposeful shopping and community support. Though our museum remains officially closed for renovations, we’re opening our doors for one extraordinary day to host a holiday marketplace unlike anything you’ll find in stores—or online.

  Why Shop NHSM’s Museum Store Sunday? Because every purchase fuels our mission. Revenue from this event helps keep museum admission free and program fees low or zero—ensuring that education remains accessible to all. This is our fourth year participating, and it’s become a cornerstone fundraiser that supports exhibits, outreach, and conservation efforts year-round.

  What You’ll Discover:

  • The Big Book Sale – Nature and science titles, new and gently loved
  • Fossils Galore – From dinosaur coprolites to trilobites and shark teeth
  • Minerals That Dazzle – Crystals that glow, shimmer, and span the periodic table
  • Beanie Baby Bonanza – Every creature imaginable, from rat to butterfly, crab to caribou
  • And much much more.

  These items are tariff-proof, organic, natural, and in some cases, over 300 million years old. You won’t find them on Amazon—and you won’t forget the experience.

  Give More Than a Gift—Give Wonder and Awe Whether you’re shopping for a curious child, a science-loving friend, or a collector of the extraordinary, NHSM’s Museum Store Sunday is your destination for gifts that inspire.

  Members Get More NHSM members get early access (9:00AM) to the marketplace and 10% off at checkout. It’s our way of saying thank you for supporting science, history, and community. Not a member yet? Join today and unlock the benefits—just in time for the holidays.

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• Fossil Club Dec: The Shark AI Project: Stimulating AI Education through Fossil Shark Teeth

  • When
    03 Dec 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD

  Register

  

  Dr. Victor Perez will join us for our December meeting to discuss a recent project that introduced middle school students to computer science and artificial intelligence (AI) through the engaging lens of fossilized shark teeth. This three-year project was funded by a National Science Foundation Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers grant. Middle school students and teachers specifically learned about a branch of AI called computer vision by building models that could identify pictures of fossilized shark teeth. During the presentation, Dr. Perez will discuss the program design and outcomes, and demonstrate how attendees can build their own computer vision models using free online platforms. If you are interested in learning more about the project before the talk, check out the SharkAI Project website.

  In addition, Dr. Perez will talk about the newly established Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation Paleontology Program (aka PGPaleo) and share some opportunities to get involved as a volunteer or through our educational programming.

  Dr. Victor Perez is the Paleontology Manager for Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation, including Dinosaur Park in Laurel, MD. As a Maryland native, Dr. Perez’s paleontology journey began as an avid fossil collector along Calvert Cliffs. His primary expertise is on the Cenozoic fossil record of sharks and rays, but he has broad interests throughout the geologic timescale and across all branches of the tree of life. He earned his PhD in Geology, with minors in Zoology and Science Education, from the University of Florida. After graduating, Dr. Perez worked as the Assistant Curator of Paleontology at the Calvert Marine Museum and later taught in the Environmental Studies Department at St. Mary’s College of Maryland.

  This meeting will take place in person at the NHSM building at 6908 Belair Rd, Overlea, MD 21206.

  NHSM’s Fossil Club is a group of novice and more experienced collectors who meet to share knowledge and discuss fossil identification, fossil locations, and other fossil-related topics. Monthly meetings feature guest speakers both from within the club and from outside organizations. We also strive to schedule frequent collection trips to various locations. 

  Although you don’t need to be a member to attend a meeting, membership gives you access to additional experiences. An annual NHSM membership is $35 for individuals, $50 for families; Fossil Club membership is an additional $5 for individuals and $10 for families. 

  If you are not yet a member of NHSM, click here to join. When you join as a new member, you can add the club membership(s) of your choice to your registration. Current NHSM members who wish to join any clubs should email the Community Coordinator at rbaldwin@marylandnature.org. 

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• Gyotaku Hawaiian Style with Sue FIerston

  • When
    06 Dec 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  

  Go from black and white to Technicolor with Hawaiian-style gyotaku. In the traditional Japanese gyotaku process, fish are printed on paper immediately after being caught, using black ink, or sumi, then washed in the sea and eaten. The result is a gyotaku, a term derived from the Japanese words for fish (gyo) and print (taku).

  In this workshop, the process involves printing with colorful inks and thin acrylics, and adding color and texture with watercolor crayons and acrylic media. Learn to use all these techniques to print your fish and develop your own gyotaku style.

  This is a great opportunity for folks who have already taken the basic gyotaku class to increase their skills. If you are new to this art form, Sue will review basic gyotaku techniques, so it will be easy to catch up. Sue will be bringing squid, octopus, and, possibly, shrimp for those who are ready to try printing other sea life.

  People will leave the workshop with four to six fish prints on a variety of paper sizes. Participants should wear old clothes or bring an apron and an old bath towel.  The room will smell of fish by the end of the class if you are sensitive to odors.

  TERMS and CONDITIONS: This is an adult-only class. Because materials are prepared for each participant, cancellations with a refund minus the cost of the materials ($20) will be applied if cancelled within seven days of the course. Cancellations are not accepted within a week of the course date.

  INSTRUCTOR: Sue Fierston is a printmaker and current president of the international Nature Printing Society,  a worldwide group of artists who are dedicated to nature printing in all forms. NPS members print real fish and leaves as well as tree bark and spiderwebs.  Sue holds nature printmaking workshops in the spring and fall at the Smithsonian Associates and with us. Her prints and paintings can be seen at: suefierston.com and on Instagram at: @suefierston_leaves_three_ways.

  Sue published her book, Into the Woods: Families Making Art With Nature, in June 2020 with Swinging Bridge Press.

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• Seaweeds and Human Nutrition: Unlocking Marine Potential for Health and Agricultural Innovation

  • When
    11 Dec 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  This seminar will explore the multifaceted benefits of seaweeds (macroalgae) as powerful agents for human nutrition and sustainable agriculture. Rich in bioactive compounds, seaweeds are increasingly recognized as superfoods with high concentrations of essential nutrients — proteins, dietary fiber, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and micronutrients — offering promising solutions for global health and nutrition challenges.

  In addition to their dietary value, seaweeds serve as natural biostimulants in agriculture, promoting plant growth, enhancing antioxidant potential, enhancing resistance to stress, and contributing to soil health. Dr. Madhumi Mitra will highlight current research, practical applications, and future directions in the use of seaweed-derived products in the food and agriculture sectors.

  Dr. Madhumi Mitra is a tenured Professor of Biology and Environmental Sciences at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), where she also serves as the Biology and Chemistry Education Coordinator in the Department of Natural Sciences. With a multidisciplinary background and over two decades of academic experience, Dr. Mitra has made significant contributions to teaching, research, and service in the fields of biology, environmental sciences, and STEM education.

  Dr. Mitra earned her Ph.D. in Botany from North Carolina State University, specializing in palynology, and holds two master’s degrees: one in Botany with a specialization in Phycology from Calcutta University, and another in Medical Cannabis Science and Therapeutics from the University of Maryland Baltimore. She also holds an Executive Education Certificate in Artificial Intelligence Strategy from Cornell University and an Online Teaching Certification from UMES.Her research spans a wide range of topics, including marine algae, sustainable bioenergy, and smart farming with emergent technologies. She has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications, presented at numerous international and national conferences, and co-authored/edited two books — one on sustainable bioenergy with Springer and another on artificial intelligence with CRC Press. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes experiential learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovation in the areas of biological and environmental sciences.

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• White Line Woodcuts with Sue Fierston

  • When
    13 Dec 2025
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  

  White line woodcuts, also known as Provincetown prints, use a unique American printmaking technique developed in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in the early 20th century. The process involves printing multi-color images from a single block of wood. In this workshop, we will trace a 6 x 8-inch simple drawing or photo onto a wood block and cut the line drawing into the block using a woodcut gouge. These cuts become the white lines in the final print. We will paint the spaces between the lines with watercolor and hand-print the image onto printmakers’ paper using a wooden or metal spoon. By the end of class, you’ll have at least one unique print, a hand-carved woodblock, and supplies to continue the process at home.

  White-line woodblock printmaking began in 1915 and is the first woodblock printmaking unique to the United States. Western artists admired the Eastern traditional type of woodblock printing made by the Japanese artists. The Eastern art form required several blocks of wood to produce a finished print. The Western printmakers of 1915 created their own style of woodblock printing using only one block of wood. READ MORE

  Students must purchase a specialized woodcut knife before class from Imcclains.com.  This knife costs approximately $18. Bring a simple 6 x 8-inch drawing or photo (printed out on copy paper) and a large wooden or metal spoon, such as a salad or soup spoon. You can reuse the spoon for food, as it will not touch the paint. Take some time to search through examples of white line prints for inspiration.

  TERMS and CONDITIONS: This is an adult-only class. Because materials are prepared for each participant, cancellations with a refund minus the cost of the materials ($15) will be applied if cancelled within seven days of the course. Cancellations are not accepted within a week of the course date.

  INSTRUCTOR: Sue Fierston is a printmaker and current president of the international Nature Printing Society,  a worldwide group of artists who are dedicated to nature printing in all forms. NPS members print real fish and leaves as well as tree bark and spiderwebs.  Sue holds nature printmaking workshops in the spring and fall at the Smithsonian Associates and with NHSM. Her prints and paintings can be seen at: suefierston.com and on Instagram at: @suefierston_leaves_three_ways. Sue published her book, Into the Woods: Families Making Art With Nature, in June 2020 with Swinging Bridge Press.

  

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• Birds & Brews - Winter Edition

  • When
    13 Dec 2025
  •  
    10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Laytonsville, Waredaca Brewing Company
  • Spaces left
    14

  Register

  

  You could be so busy birding that you won’t notice it’s chilly on this winter bird hike at Waredaca Brewing Company. With the predicted winter irruption of birds headed south searching for food, the trails may be extra busy with viewings. Possible sightings could include ducks such as redhead or American coot, hawks like rough-legged, red-shouldered, and red-tailed, horned larks, dark-eyed juncos, finches, Eastern bluebirds, woodpeckers, nuthatches, wrens, cardinals, titmice, evening grosbeaks, and yellow-rumped warblers. Extra special sightings could include snowy owls and snow buntings. And with our hike ending in the taproom, those cold fingers will thaw while enjoying lunch with a tasty beverage. The total hike length will be two to three miles.

  The Waredaca site was originally a boys camp named the WAshington REcreational DAy CAmp, or Waredaca. The site grew into a premier equestrian center and is now the first farm brewery in Montgomery County. The property is certified by the Maryland Farm Stewardship Certification and Assessment Program, one of 20 horse farms in the state to receive the designation.

  Here is a link to Waredaca’s menu, www.waredacabrewing.com.  Each beer made on-site is named after the family, the stories, and the horses of Camp Waredaca and Waredaca Farm.

  Our leader, Lisa Norwalk, has been a birder since before birding was cool. She started 20 years ago, toting a field guide and only dreaming of a tool like Merlin to identify birdsong. Lisa is the treasurer of the Montgomery Bird Club, which is part of the Maryland Ornithological Society, and also leads bird walks for the club.  The grey catbird is her favorite.

  • Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is completed.
  • Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
  • All participants must be pre-registered. If you are on the waitlist and show up to the event uninvited, you will not be allowed to participate.
  • All children must meet age requirements and be registered as a guest of their adult.
  • Dress according to the weather. Layers of clothing work best. Include a hat for sun protection or warmth, depending on the season.
  • Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
  • Bring binoculars and a hand lens or loupe for birding or looking at details, if you have them.
  • Bring your guidebooks, if you have them.
  • Bring a first aid kit for your personal use.
  • No pets, please.

  All events are held rain or shine. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

  NEW Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.

  Show details
• White Line Woodcuts with Sue Fierston - 2nd Session

  • When
    13 Dec 2025
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    12

  Register

  

  Due to popular demand, we have added an afternoon session.

  White line woodcuts, also known as Provincetown prints, use a unique American printmaking technique developed in Provincetown, Massachusetts, in the early 20th century. The process involves printing multi-color images from a single block of wood. In this workshop, we will trace a 6 x 8-inch simple drawing or photo onto a wood block and cut the line drawing into the block using a woodcut gouge. These cuts become the white lines in the final print. We will paint the spaces between the lines with watercolor and hand-print the image onto printmakers’ paper using a wooden or metal spoon. By the end of class, you’ll have at least one unique print, a hand-carved woodblock, and supplies to continue the process at home.

  White-line woodblock printmaking began in 1915 and is the first woodblock printmaking unique to the United States. Western artists admired the Eastern traditional type of woodblock printing made by the Japanese artists. The Eastern art form required several blocks of wood to produce a finished print. The Western printmakers of 1915 created their own style of woodblock printing using only one block of wood. READ MORE

  Students must purchase a specialized woodcut knife before class from Imcclains.com.  This knife costs approximately $18. Bring a simple 6 x 8-inch drawing or photo (printed out on copy paper) and a large wooden or metal spoon, such as a salad or soup spoon. You can reuse the spoon for food, as it will not touch the paint. Take some time to search through examples of white line prints for inspiration.

  TERMS and CONDITIONS: This is an adult-only class. Because materials are prepared for each participant, cancellations with a refund minus the cost of the materials ($15) will be applied if cancelled within seven days of the course. Cancellations are not accepted within a week of the course date.

  INSTRUCTOR: Sue Fierston is a printmaker and current president of the international Nature Printing Society,  a worldwide group of artists who are dedicated to nature printing in all forms. NPS members print real fish and leaves as well as tree bark and spiderwebs.  Sue holds nature printmaking workshops in the spring and fall at the Smithsonian Associates and with NHSM. Her prints and paintings can be seen at: suefierston.com and on Instagram at: @suefierston_leaves_three_ways. Sue published her book, Into the Woods: Families Making Art With Nature, in June 2020 with Swinging Bridge Press.

  

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• Sexual selection, genomic conflict and speciation in stalk-eyed flies

  • When
    18 Dec 2025
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  With their eyes set at the ends of long, skinny stalks, stalk-eyed flies are some of the most unusual insects on Earth, and they’re found in many parts of the world, including right here in Maryland. In this talk, evolutionary biologist Dr. Gerald Wilkinson with the Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, shares discoveries from his studies of stalk-eyed fly species in Southeast Asia, which offers insight into how new species evolve.

  Join us for a fascinating exploration of how beauty, rivalry, and genetics shape life’s diversity, from tropical forests to our own backyards.

  You’ll learn how sexual selection, the drive to attract mates, and hidden genetic conflicts can spark dramatic changes in appearance and behavior, even leading to the formation of entirely new species.

  Dr. Wilkinson was born in San Francisco and grew up in Northern California, where he spent his childhood catching snakes and lizards. He earned his undergraduate degree in Zoology from the University of California, Davis, and went on to receive his Ph.D. in Biology from the University of California, San Diego. During his dissertation work, he made a groundbreaking discovery that vampire bats engage in reciprocal food sharing, a finding that continues to draw attention today.

  After completing his doctorate, Dr. Wilkinson conducted postdoctoral research in the United Kingdom at the Universities of Sussex and Edinburgh, studying sexual selection in flies, and later at the University of Colorado, where he investigated communal nursing in mice. He joined the University of Maryland, College Park, as an Assistant Professor, where he has now served for over 35 years.

  His research spans a wide range of topics in animal behavior, genetics, and evolution, including cooperation, communication, sexual selection, genomic conflict, speciation, the evolution of language, and longevity. His current work focuses on understanding why bats live unusually long lives and explores the delicate balance between cooperation and conflict across different levels of biological organization, from genes to whole organisms such as bats and stalk-eyed flies.

  Dr. Wilkinson has conducted field research across Africa, Central and South America, Southeast Asia, and Europe. When not immersed in science, he enjoys swimming, running, cycling, hiking, and nature photography.

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• First Day Hike

  • When
    01 Jan 2026
  •  
    10:00 AM
  • Location
    Annapolis Waterworks Park
  • Spaces left
    13

  Register

  

  Start the new year off right: outdoors for a wintery hike with naturalist Kerry Wixted. We’ll be on the lookout for winter birds and mammal signs and practicing our winter botany skills along the way.

  We will start hiking in a slightly hilly area filled with beech trees, then wind down to the former Annapolis reservoir. Our group will be small with a leisurely pace for three or four miles, and will be full of shared observations.

  Kerry Wixted is a Maryland naturalist with over 15 years of experience studying the flora and fauna of Maryland. Kerry connects nature to community through her outreach program, kerrysnature.org.  She also works currently as a vegetation ecologist at the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, and has worked in many areas for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, including Project WILD,  and as a program manager at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. Kerry holds a B.S. degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from Frostburg State University and an M.S. degree in Biology from West Virginia University. Find Kerry’s photo stream here: www.flickr.com/photos/kwixted0/.

  • Family-friendly event with a minimum age of 10 years and older.
  • Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is complete.
  • Watch for additional details in a welcome email a few days before the date.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather, and consider hand warmers, tea, etc, to keep yourself comfortable.
  • Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
  • Bring water and a hearty snack.
  • Bring binoculars and a hand lens or loupe, if you have them.
  • Bring your guidebooks, if you have them.
  • Bring a first aid kit for your personal use.
  • No pets, please.

  All events are held rain or shine. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

  NEW Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.

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• Winter Birds of Loch Raven

  • When
    04 Jan 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    Loch Raven, Towson MD
  • Spaces left
    8

  Register

  

  Let’s bundle up and hit the trails to look for all the winter birds who call Loch Raven their winter home. Join NHSM’s naturalist Nick Spero on the search for a variety of birds, from the juncos flitting about in the forest to those soaring overhead, such as eagles, kestrels, and hawks, to those fancy ducks floating in the icy water, such as widgeon, lesser scaup, hooded mergansers, common mergansers, buffleheads, and redhead ducks. Many of these birds choose this local reservoir as their winter hangout spot

  Our trip leader, Nick Spero, loves to hunt and fish, and primitive technology has piqued his interest since he was a child. You can view a video produced by NPR about Nick here.

  Difficulty: Moderately strenuous with the combination of cold weather and trails

  • Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is complete.
  • Watch for additional details in a welcome email a few days before the date.
  • Appropriate for ages 10 and up. Please consider the cold weather in deciding if this is the right field trip for your child.
  • Don’t underestimate the cold. Dress according to the weather. Layers with non-cotton clothing work best.
  • Pocket hand or toe warmers may take the edge off the cold, too.
  • Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
  • Bring water, snacks, and a camera with accessories.
  • Bring binoculars and a hand lens or loupe, if you have them.
  • Bring a first aid kit for your personal use.
  • No pets, please.

  All events are held rain or shine. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

  NEW Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.

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• Snails of the Potomac River

  • When
    08 Jan 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  Thirty-seven species of freshwater snails have been identified in Maryland, according to data from the Maryland Biodiversity Project. The Potomac River is a snail haven, home to almost half of these known species. In this presentation, Aydin Orstan will report on his recent two-year snail survey, which added three more species to the list: Cipangopaludina cf. japonica, Gillia altilis, and Laevapex fuscus. While some snails may be difficult to find, others are highly abundant. Anyone kayaking in the shallow waters of the river in the summer may see thousands of Leptoxis carinata on the rocks below and hundreds of Elimia virginica on the muddy shores.

  Aydin will introduce the snails, including the largest native species, Campeloma decisum, with shells up to 1.3 inches long and whose populations consist only of females, the 4-mm long limpet, Laevapex fuscus, only visible to the sharp-eyed who look under the rocks where it hides, and the larger Physa acuta, with its reverse-coiled shell, which may often be spotted outside of water since it breathes air.

  In addition to information about snails, tips about kayaking safely in the river, and good spots to see snails will also be shared.

  A native of Turkey, Aydin Orstan has a Ph.D. in chemistry, but his first love is natural history. He is a research associate at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, but conducts research work in the basement of his house in Maryland. Link to research:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aydin-Oerstan/research.

  

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• The Eagles & Gulls of Conowingo Dam

  • When
    10 Jan 2026
  •  
    8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
  • Location
    Darlington, Fisherman's Park, Maryland
  • Spaces left
    9

  Register

  

  Watch for eagles soaring and gulls bobbing on this hike along the Susquehanna River as it tumbles out from the Conowingo Dam at Fisherman’s Park. This spot is one of the top spots in the US for eagle viewing, and their numbers grow to the hundreds in the winter months. Eagles dot the trees and cruise over the rapids, watching for shad, herring, and eels to bob up to the water’s surface, stunned by the dam’s turbines. Birds migrate here from Canada and New York to take advantage of the easy feeding opportunities and the tail race that remains unfrozen all winter due to the water’s turbulence. Several eagle nests are located in the park and on the island near the center of the river.

  We will be on the lookout for some of the more uncommon species lesser black-backed gull and Iceland gull, as well as overwintering cormorants, various waterfowl, woodpeckers, winter wren, and peregrine falcon. We will begin our trip with plenty of time to watch from the dam overview areas. We will continue down the Lower Susquehanna Heritage Greenway Trail for about a mile, out and back, depending on our time. The trail follows the river along a rail bed, an abandoned line that allowed the Susquehanna Power Company to transport heavy equipment to the dam from the B&O Railroad in Havre de Grace during its construction. The trail is wide and flat.

  Eagles and waterfowl are the main attraction here, but the Conowingo Dam is impressive to view as well. Conowingo is listed as Maryland’s largest renewable energy source since its operation began in 1928. Owned and operated by Constellation Energy, the dam has 11 turbines, which can produce up to 572 megawatts of electricity, enough power to supply 165,000 homes under normal operating conditions.

  Our trip leaders are Dave Webb and Mark Johnson. Dave is an editor with Maryland Biodiversity Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to cataloging the flora and fauna of Maryland. The project promotes conservation, science, and education by building a nature study community. Check out the project here: https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/.  Dave also edits BugGuide.net, vetting the identifications of arthropods photographed by other outdoor enthusiasts, including his own photos.  Mark is a past president of the Harford County Bird Club, a master bird bander, and a former assistant editor of the Maryland Yellowthroat, published by the Maryland Ornithological Society.

  Participants may choose to hike a shorter distance and are welcome to walk back on their own at any point.

  • Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is completed.
  • Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
  • All participants must be pre-registered. If you are on the waitlist and show up uninvited, you will not be allowed to participate.
  • All children must meet age requirements and be registered as a guest of their adult.
  • Dress according to the weather. Layers of clothing work best. Consider hand/toe warmers or whatever you need to keep yourself comfortable. It will be cold.
  • Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces.
  • Bring water, snacks.
  • Bring binoculars and a hand lens or loupe for birding or looking at details, if you have them.
  • Bring your guidebooks, if you have them.
  • Bring a first aid kit for your personal use.
  • No pets, please.

  All events are held rain or shine. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

  NEW Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.

  Show details
• Wild Australia: Behind-the-Scene Tour at the National Aquarium

  • When
    14 Jan 2026
  •  
    11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
  • Location
    Baltimore, National Aquarium
  • Spaces left
    0

  Join waitlist

  

  No expensive plane ticket. No 24-hour-long flight. See the animals of Australia right here in our own backyard at the National Aquarium’s Australia: Wild Extremes exhibit. This special behind-the-scenes tour will show us many of the Australian exhibit inhabitants from a different view than we are usually allowed.

  This immersive exhibit mimics an Australian river gorge that is home to nearly 1,000 animals representing more than 70 species, many only found in Australia. Our tour will include visits with Hosmer’s and blue tongue skinks; snakes such as a black-headed python, carpet python, and death adder; Irwin’s, pig-nosed, and Kimberley snake-necked turtles; Johnston’s crocodiles; Mertens’ water and spiny-tailed monitors; and many other species native to Australia.

  Our tour leaders are Jacob Jackson, a dedicated herpetologist and wildlife filmmaker volunteering at the National Aquarium in Baltimore, and Matthew Benedict, lead herpetologist for the National Aquarium’s Australia: Wild Extremes exhibit. Matthew uses his extensive experience in herpetology to oversee the care and conservation of reptiles and amphibians in the exhibit. Matthew’s expertise ensures a rich educational experience for all visitors.

  • Everyone over the age of 16 is welcome.
  • Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is complete.
  • Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
  • We have access to a few aquarium entrance passes for free admission. Please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org for information on how you may be able to secure a pass.
  • Participants are responsible for buying their own admission ticket. Tickets are date and time-specific. Ticket prices are $49.95 for adults and $39.95 for seniors. Tickets can be bought in advance here: https://aqua.org/.

  Alternative weather date is Jan 21. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

  Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.

  Show details
• Hand Printing Tree Rings with Sue Fierston

  • When
    17 Jan 2026
  •  
    9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    3

  Register

  

  In this beginner-friendly workshop, students will learn how to print tree rings of many sizes and species.  Sue will demonstrate how to prepare the rings, including using a propane torch and wire brush to raise the wood grain for printing. NOTE: The tree rings will be prepared ahead of time for the class. We will not be prepping the rings; Sue is only demonstrating.

  We will talk about dendrochronology, the science of tree-ring dating, and try to determine the age of these rings. Participants will take home several tree ring prints in various colors printed on paper suitable for cards and framing.

  Bring a mask and an apron or wear old clothes. The soot from the tree rings is sticky.

  SNOW DATE – JANUARY 18

  TERMS and CONDITIONS: This is an adult-only class. Because materials are prepared for each participant, cancellations with a refund minus the cost of the materials ($10) will be applied if cancelled within seven days of the course. Cancellations are not accepted within a week of the course date.

  INSTRUCTOR: Sue Fierston is a printmaker and the past president of the Nature Printing Society,  a worldwide group of artists who are dedicated to nature printing in all forms. NPS members print real fish and leaves as well as tree bark and spiderwebs.  Sue holds nature printmaking workshops in the spring and fall at the Smithsonian Associates and with us. Her prints and paintings can be seen at: suefierston.com and on Instagram at: @suefierston.

  Sue published her book, Into the Woods: Families Making Art With Nature, in June 2020 with Swinging Bridge Press.

  

   

  Show details
• One Sky - How Culture Influences our Stories of the Night Sky

  • When
    23 Jan 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
  • Location
    Towson MD, Towson University Planetarium
  • Spaces left
    29

  Register

  

  Our location or culture does not matter: we all look up at the night sky. But do our stories about the night sky differ? Let’s learn the answer at a film screening of One Sky at Towson Planetarium. This documentary is an international collaboration designed to increase our understanding of cultural and Indigenous astronomy, its historical and modern applications, and how our One Sky connects us all. We will finish the evening with a trip to the roof to view the night sky through their telescope.

  One Sky is a collection of short films focusing on Indigenous cultures in Greece, India, Northern Canada, Japan, the Pacific Islands, and the Navajo people in the US. Each chapter is presented in an original style, featuring the work of international artists. Each film stands alone as a short story or in combination as a longer narrative. More information on The One Sky Project can be found here:https://oneskyproject.org/.

  Planetarium Director Christian Ready will moderate the screening and also lead us outside for a telescope observation after the show using their 16-inch diameter Ritchey-Chrétien telescope and other portable telescopes, if the weather permits. The Towson Planetarium is an all-digital system, newly built in 2021,​ and features a 24-foot diameter dome, 4K-by-4K ultra-high-definition image, and a quadrophonic sound system.

  Professor Ready fell in love with outer space at a young age. His desire to become an astronomer was fueled by watching reruns of the classic television show, Star Trek.  He works as the planetarium director and lectures in Towson University’s Department of Physics, Astronomy & Geosciences.  A video about Prof. Ready can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/779700944.

  • Our meeting location can be found in your registration confirmation email when payment is completed.
  • Watch for additional details in a welcome email sent a few days before the date.
  • All participants must be pre-registered. If you are on the waitlist and show up to the event uninvited, you will not be allowed to participate.
  • Children over the age of 10 are welcome.
  • All children must meet age requirements and be registered as a guest of their adult.
  • Dress according to the weather for our outside viewing time.
  • Wear sturdy closed-toe hiking or athletic shoes with non-slip soles that can safely handle slippery surfaces for our outside viewing. It may be icy.

  All events are held rain or shine. If any event is cancelled due to severe weather, you will receive an email or text. If you do not receive a weather-related email, the trip will proceed as planned.

  NEW Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made 14 or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within 14 days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $25 or less are non-refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  For questions, please email Jayne at JAsh@marylandnature.org.

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• Pines of Maryland: Evolution, Habitat, Threats and ID

  • When
    25 Jan 2026
  •  
    1:00 PM - 4:00 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    18

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  How many pine tree species do you think grow wild in Maryland? According to the Maryland Biodiversity Program, the answer is 11. (Four are non-native.) These evergreen conifers may be one of the first trees one learns to identify as a child, but can you differentiate between a loblolly and a pitch pine? In this workshop taught by Fred Chalfant, Urban Forester for the City of Baltimore, you will take a deep dive into the fascinating natural history of pines.

  Topics include:

  • The origins of pines, their evolution, and their relationships to other trees;
  • Specific Maryland pine forest habitats;
  • Identification of pines found in Maryland (native, naturalized, or planted);
  • Pine pests and diseases.
  • Value of pine species as forest products.

  This could be the “pinecal” of your natural history education.

  ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR: Bud Reaves hails from Baltimore, MD, and graduated from Loyola University and West Virginia University’s School of Forestry and Natural Resources.  Bud is retired now after serving fifteen years as the County Forester for AA County. Before that, Bud worked for the MD DNR Forest Service.  Bud keeps active as a consulting forester and chairperson of the Allegheny Society of American Foresters.    Bud is also on the adjunct faculty at AA Community College, where he teaches a certification class on Forest Conservation.  Bud is a SAF Certified Forester & Maryland Licensed Forester, as well as an ISA Certified Arborist & ISA Certified Urban Forest Professional.  Bud is an avid moss enthusiast and naturalist and has been an MNHS member for many years.

  Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made at least seven days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made less than a week before the event will not receive a refund, though the registration may be transferred to a friend. Events with fees of $10 or less are not refundable unless canceled by NHSM

  NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

  

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• Exploring Distant Exoplanet Atmospheres with the James Webb Space Telescope

  • When
    05 Feb 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is humanity’s new eye in the sky. Orbiting at about five times the distance from the Moon to the Earth, JWST is looking at the universe as isolated as possible, allowing us to study objects with an unprecedented level of detail. Among the objects being studied by JWST are exoplanets, planets orbiting stars other than the Sun. In this talk, Dr. Néstor Espinoza will share the latest advancements learned from those alien worlds, paving the road to answer the ultimate question, “Are we alone?“

  Dr. Néstor Espinoza is an Associate Astronomer and Mission Scientist for Exoplanet Science at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, he earned his PhD in 2017 from the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Following his doctorate, he became a Bernoulli Postdoctoral Fellow in Heidelberg, Germany, which is a joint appointment between the Max Planck Institute for Astronomy and the University of Bern in Switzerland. At the University of Bern, he led projects to detect new exoplanets and characterize their atmospheres using both ground- and space-based observatories. In recognition of his work, he received the prestigious IAU–Gruber Fellowship from the International Astronomical Union and the Gruber Foundation in 2018. In 2019, Dr. Espinoza joined STScI as a staff astronomer, where he played a key role in the commissioning of the James Webb Space Telescope, leading teams dedicated to maximizing its scientific return. He is an expert in exoplanet science and leads a dynamic research group at STScI focused on exploring the atmospheres of distant worlds with space telescopes.

  

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• Conserving Maryland’s Farmland Raptors

  • When
    12 Feb 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  The Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership’s Farmland Raptor Program is dedicated to advancing our understanding and conservation of raptors associated with grassland and farmland habitats across Maryland. The program focuses on four priority species: American kestrel, Northern harrier, American barn owl, and short-eared owl. In this talk, Alex Pellegrini will highlight his research on barn owls and short-eared owls, exploring their fascinating life histories and the challenges they face. He’ll also discuss ongoing local and global efforts to protect these declining species and what’s being done to secure their future in Maryland’s working landscapes.

  Alex Pellegrini is the Farmland Raptor Program Coordinator with the Maryland Bird Conservation Partnership. In this role, he manages statewide nest box programs and leads several research initiatives focused on grassland raptor conservation. His work also includes collaborations with the Global Owl Project, the Global Short-eared Owl Working Group, and Project Owlnet, contributing to research on owl taxonomy and migration.

  

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• Turtles of Maryland Workshop

  • When
    14 Feb 2026
  •  
    2:00 PM - 4:30 PM
  • Location
    6908 Belair Rd, Natural History Society of MD
  • Spaces left
    22

  Register

  

  Maryland is home to 17 types of turtles. Of those, 12 species are threatened by habitat loss, and 9 are experiencing population decline. All four sea turtle species found in Maryland are protected by the Endangered Species Act. In this presentation, you’ll learn how to tell turtles apart, and you’ll learn about dangers that turtles face, about native species and habitats, and about common non-natives in the state. Of course, no presentation on turtles would be complete without live turtles.

  Children aged 10 and older are welcome if accompanied by adult. 

  SNOW DATE – FWBRUARY 21

  Katrina Smith, author of the book Red-Eared Sliders (Animal Planet Pet Care Library), received a BS in biology from Eastern New Mexico University. She has been the adoptions coordinator for the Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society (MATTS) in Maryland for 24 years, where she has been involved in the care and adoption of over 2000 turtles.”

  Mid-Atlantic Turtle and Tortoise Society (MATTS)

  NEW – Payment and Cancellation Policy: Payment is due online at the time of registration. Cancellations made seven or more days in advance of the event will receive a refund minus a 5% processing fee. Cancellations made within seven days of the event will not receive a refund. Events and field trips with fees of $10 or less are not refundable at any time unless canceled by NHSM. NHSM retains the right to update or change these requirements at any time.

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• Thomas Say: An Exceptional American Naturalist

  • When
    19 Mar 2026
  •  
    7:00 PM - 8:00 PM
  • Location
    Online via Zoom

  Register

  

  Thomas Say (1787–1834), a native Philadelphian, led a brief yet extraordinary life marked by adventure, intellectual curiosity, and scientific achievement. A founding member of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia in 1812, Say participated in the Academy’s 1817 expedition to Florida and later joined Major Stephen Long’s 1819 journey to the Rocky Mountains. In 1825, he aligned himself with social reformer Robert Owen in the ambitious, though short-lived, experiment to establish a utopian community in New Harmony, Indiana. It was there that Say married and soon embarked on another scientific expedition, this time to Mexico.

  Say’s legacy lies in his foundational contributions to American taxonomy. He described over 1,500 insect species, more than 100 mollusks, and numerous other animals, including the coyote, which still bears the scientific name Canis latrans that Say assigned. Though he likely never set foot in Maryland, Say published the first formal treatise on the state’s fossil shells in 1824, demonstrating his wide-ranging influence.

  Remarkably, Say had only three years of formal education. A self-taught naturalist, he cultivated his expertise through observation, correspondence, and relentless study. The presentation will conclude by exploring how Say educated himself and speculating on his broader views of the natural world—topics on which, intriguingly, he left little written record.

   A native of Turkey, Aydin Orstan has a Ph.D. in chemistry, but his first love is natural history. He is a research associate at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, but conducts research work in the basement of his house in Maryland. Link to research:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Aydin-Oerstan/research.

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