Environment & Natural Resources

This session will provide a brief overview of Maryland's forest land over time and identify current forest conditions and threats today. 

This is the first of the Fall 2025 Forestry and Natural Resources Webinar Series, which features webinars that explore different aspects of Maryland's forests and natural resources. Each webinar will be hosted and led by Daniel Pratson, Natural Resources Specialist with University of Maryland.

These webinars are for anyone interested in Maryland's forested landscape, including landowners, farmers, researchers, natural resource professionals, students, etc.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (October 25) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and tour the on-campus farm. Please note in this special Saturday session - other academic units will not be available; other University amenities and facilities will operate on weekend hours.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (October 24) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and meet in small groups with current students in your AGNR major of interest.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (October 17) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and MEET YOUR MAJOR! Team members from your intended AGNR major of interest will meet in breakout groups to provide supplemental programming.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (October 3) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and MEET YOUR MAJOR! Team members from your intended AGNR major of interest will meet in breakout groups to provide supplemental programming.

Are you interested in studying environmental science, animal science, plant science, nutritional science or another agricultural and natural resources area?  Then come learn what we have to offer in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR).  These sessions will give you a chance to learn about AGNR, its nine undergraduate (BS & BLA) degree programs, minors, our hands-on approach to learning, beyond the classroom experiences, life as a Terp, and more. Please note that each visit date offers a unique experience. On this visit (September 26) guests will attend a general presentation, hear from current AGNR students, and tour the on-campus farm.

Wild bees play a critical role globally in pollination.  This presentation will examine wild bees generally, illustrating their characteristics, their importance in the food chain, and the challenges they currently face in this changing world.  As a group, we will discuss recommendations on how to support these key pollinators and how to make your landscapes more bee-friendly.

Garden Discovery Days - Discover Vegetables! (9/28) - will meet requirements for Girl Scout Junior Gardener badge (Grades 4-5)

Visit the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood and learn the essentials of vegetable gardening and garden design, then plant your own!

See different types of plants, including how, when and where they grow best.

Experiment and closely examine the effects of sun, water, and soil types on plant growth.

Participate in an optional hike.

Program is approximately 1 hour 45 minutes long.

Suggested for grades 4 - 5.

Discover Vegetables! will meet the requirements for the Girl Scout Junior Garden Badge.

Come dressed for the weather. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone for every 6 children in your group. Tickets are $15 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.

Discover Nature! (9/28) - will meet requirements for: Daisy Clover Petal & Eco Learner Badge and Cub Scout Tiger Into the Wild (Grades K-1)

Visit the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood and learn about nature from Master Gardener guides.

Learn how to prepare for, explore, and protect nature by using resources wisely, and to Leave No Trace.

Read about examples of resourcefulness and practice re-purposing with a craft.

Program is approximately 1 hour long.
Suggested for grades K - 1.

Discover Nature! will meet the requirements for the Girl Scout Daisy Clover Petal and Eco Learner Badge and Cub Scout Tiger in the Wild Adventure.

Come dressed for the weather. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone for every 3 children. Tickets are $12 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.

September 28th PM - Discover Trees (will meet requirements for Girl Scout Cadette Trees & Cub Scout Arrow of the Light Into the Woods (Grades 5-8))

Visit the Montgomery County Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood, explore the connection between trees and humans, and visit an orchard!

Study tree anatomy and learn to distinguish between them.

Have some fun and make art with leaves.

Program is approximately 2 hours 20 minutes long.

Suggested for grades 5 - 8.

Discover Trees! will meet the requirements for the Girl Scout Cadette Trees Badge and the Scouts BSA Arrow of Light Into the Woods Badge.

Come dressed for the weather. This program will take place outside in rain or shine. If the weather is extreme, the event may be postponed or cancelled.

This is not a drop-off program. We request 1 chaperone for every 10 children in your group. Tickets are $12 per child; adult chaperones are free and do not require a ticket.

Please bring a check to the event made out to the University of Maryland.