Learn about the beauties of nature at the most fun event of the year!

NCAC presents its 5th annual

NatureFest

Prepare to be amazed, get your hands dirty, and have loads of fun as we learn about the beauties of nature together! This is a free event for families of all ages.

When: Saturday, May 31, 10 AM-2 PM

Where: College of Southern Maryland,

8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata

Registration (free)

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SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

TBD / Native Birds of Prey

Learn all about native birds of prey from Mike Callahan!

TBD / King's Kingdom

Discover, pet, and hold native reptiles and amphibians at this family-oriented animal showcase.

Every Hour / Flight of the Butterflies Movie

Rest your weary feet in CE 101 during this beautifully themed movie documenting the discovery of Monarch migration patterns. Showtimes: 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM

11 AM–12 PM / Native Bees

Visit BU 105 to learn about native bees from Sam Droege, a Wildlife Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD!

11 AM–12 PM / The Last Bivalvian

Join the Chesapeake Mermaid in the BI building for an exciting look into the aquatic world of mollusks!

12 PM–12:45 PM / Oyster Jeopardy

The world is your oyster...or is it? Test your knowledge in BU 107 with Richard Siciliano of the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners.

12–1 PM / Chesapeake Mermaid Pictures

Don't miss the queue for VIP sessions and pictures with our visiting Chesapeake Mermaid! Line up at the BI building.

1–2 PM / Volunteering in Calvert County

Visit the Calvert Nature Society in BU 106 to learn about the many, many volunteer opportunities in Calvert County!

Get ready for

live animal shows

Get to know

a frog

Create a

flower flag with flower pounding

Get out and

go on a nature scavenger hunt and win a prize

Thank you to our 2025 exhibitors

121 Creations

Alice Ferguson Foundation

American Chestnut Land Trust

Calvert Kettle Corn

Calvert Nature Society

Caretta Inspired Journeys

CC Planning and Growth Management

Chesapeake Bay Laboratories

CSM BIO DEP Owl Pellet Dissection—Pollinator Garden Scavenger Hunt

CSM Environmental Studies Degree—Bottle Cap Art

CSM Seed Library

CSM Vertical Agriculture

Earth Liaison

Ecobay

Forrest Tech

Herpetology and Amphibian Display

Kid's College Display

King's Kingdom

Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA)

Maryland Bird Nerd

MD Volt Inc.

Microcope Critters Display

Monarch Display

Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center

Nurture Natives

Owl Moon Raptor Rescue

Paracord Bracelets by Nathan Daetwyler

Port Tobacco River Conservancy

Robert Ramos Photograpy

Roundhouse String Band

Salted Scoop

School House Pottery

Sensory Table

SMECO-EV Program

Souther Maryland Astronomical Society

Southern Maryland Audubon

Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance

Southern Maryland Engineering Partnership with Christine Owens

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association

Town of La Plata and CSM La Plata—Bird/Bee City, Bird/Bee Campus

University of Maryland Extension—Charles Counter Master Gardener

USGS Bee Lab

Wild Ones Chesapeake Bay

NatureFest 2024

NatureFest 2023

Did you miss out on NatureFest?

Watch and listen as our director, Ms. Georgia, talks about NatureFest 2023 and all of its fun!

Credit: Bill Smith, videographer

A couple of helpful resources and fun activities!

When you attend NatureFest, your child will receive activity kits. The Charles County Master Gardeners have created these resources to help them further understand how to assemble and use their kits.