The Maryland Naturalist Center

Organization Name

The Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc.

Web Site Address of Organization

http://www.marylandnature.org

Email Address of PrImary Contact

cdavis@marylandnature.org

Mailing Address

P.O. Box 18750
6908 Belair Road
Baltimore, MD 21206-0750

Phone Number

410-882-5376

Program(s) Description

The Society is establishing an ecological literacy center in Overlea, the Maryland Naturalist Center. The Center will promote ecological literacy by supporting a natural science collections center, by offering a social cross-roads and program center for people interested in learning more about nature, and by incubating, developing, and delivering team-based, long-term, inter-generational nature programs in neighborhoods and communities, in cooperation with other place-based organizations.

Other Information You Would Like to Add?

The Natural History Society of Maryland, Inc. was founded in 1929. Its mission is to foster stewardship of Maryland's natural heritage by conserving its natural science collections, educating its citizenry, and inspiring its youth to pursue careers in the natural sciences. From 1936 to the early 1970s the Society maintained a public Natural History Museum in Druid Hill Park in Baltimore, through which it sponsored nature activities for children and adults, organized outdoor experiences in natural settings, published about nature in Maryland, and organized research expeditions throughout the State. Following a relatively dormant period, in 2006 the Society began implementing a strategic plan and purchased the 9000 ft2 ‘Town Hall’ building on US Route 1 in Overlea to establish the Maryland Naturalist Center. By early 2008, volunteers moved more than 40,000 natural science collections objects and a library comprised of over 2,000 publications, assembled by the Society, from its former row house office to the Town Hall building, which requires renovation.

The project is currently in a facility and program development stage. People interested in supporting this effort by volunteering their skills, ideas, or otherwise or wishing more information about the the project should contact the Society at info@marylandnature.org.