Explore the land and enjoy the many
wonders of the outdoor world at

Our mission: To promote and enhance the knowledge, understanding, appreciation and protection of the natural resources through quality interpretive programs and exhibits for the citizens of Rockville.

Just minutes away from Rockville Town Center are 120 acres of beautifully preserved forest, open meadow areas, and a winding creek bustling with a variety of wildlife. The City of Rockville has added a feature to this natural wonder – the Croydon Creek Nature Center.

Filled with excitement and discovery, the nature center highlights nature in the urban setting. Interesting exhibits and informative programs provide educational opportunities to help visitors understand the importance of “thinking globally and acting locally.”

Outside the nature center, Rockville Civic Center Park offers marked and unmarked trails through the forest and by the creek for hikers of all ages to explore the natural beauty of the park. Trail Map

What's Inside?

The Mayor and Council approved the Cultural Arts Commission's choice of Gaea's Corner, the mixed media mosaic designed by local artist Deirdre Saunder. The mosaic covers an entire wall inside the nature center and, as the artist's rendering shows, the mosaic focuses on local wildlife and environmental features. See if you can find the fish eating another fish, a rabbit, three eels, a school of fish, an owl, two dragonflies and two butterflies.

So many animals to see!

Rover is an Eastern box turtle who received his name by virtue of having a dog eat part of his carapace (top shell).  Without these crucial couple of inches, Rover would be a sitting snack for any raccoon, fox or dog since there is nothing to protect his head or front legs.  Rover and Carolina, our other box turtle, will live out their entire lives at the nature center, which could be another 80 years!

Currently, the nature center is also home to 4 different species of water turtles, 3 species of snakes, a salamander, toads, minnows and a tree frog – all native to this area.  Most of our captive animals are permanently injured and could not survive in the wild. To learn more about these and other wildlife you may find in your backyard, come to Croydon Creek Nature Center!

Exhibit Room
Bird watch through the binoculars, relax on the oak and hickory bent-wood benches, leaf through nature magazines, or see what venomous snakes are (and are not) found in Maryland.  Become a high-tech birder, using the computer program "Maryland Birds."  You can hear the bird calls, learn about their habitats, and more.

Discovery Room
Visit with our live critters to observe up-close some of the animals that live in and around Rockville.  You'll see snakes, turtles, toads, and more.  Don't miss the rare albino corn snake!  Explore the displays inside the naturalist desk, or make a picture from our granite rubbing tiles with nature themes.  Puzzles and books abound.  Like computer games? Come be challenged by Geo-Safari.  Our new wall mural by Lauren, one of our naturalists, will enchant you.

Nature Notions Gift Shop
Our Mission: through the sale of environmentally responsible, socially responsible and educational products, we raise funds for exhibits and programs at Croydon Creek Nature Center.

What’s Outside?

Grounds
Immediately surrounding the nature center are native plants attracting bees, butterflies and hummingbirds.   The meadow is a work of nature in progress with a bit of help from a community planting project.

Trails
Outside the nature center, the John G. Hayes Forest Preserve offers marked and unmarked trails through the forest and along the creek for hikers of all ages to explore the natural beauty of the park.  Trail Map

Hours of Operation

Tuesday through Saturday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday: 1 to 5 p.m.

Croydon Creek Nature Center is closed on Mondays, but open on Martin Luther King Jr Day and on Presidents' Day from 10 am - 2 pm. It is closed New Year's Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
 
For more information on the nature center, please call 240-314-8770.   

New Watershed Exhibit

The lower level is completed. The space now includes additional restrooms, a program room, work room and exhibit space.  A watershed themed exhibit opened in October 2009 and gives visitors a tour of our local watershed along with ways we can all positively impact watershed health.

Watch "Nature Center TV"

• NCTV SNEAK PEEK
  Watch this Rockville 11 news segment to get a sneak peek about this unique Rec & Parks camp!
    
• NCTV 2010
  Plants, Animals and TV Cameras! It can only mean one thing...Nature Center TV is back again! Watch the full Rockville 11 production that was produced in partnership with Croydon Creek Nature Center and NCTV campers! See also: NCTV 2009 Edition
     

For example, note a special occasion, dedicate a memorial, or promote your business through sponsoring an exhibit.  Your donation might be used to purchase one of the following, with an optional commemorative sign:

• garden bench 
• audio interpretive podium
• picnic table
• outdoor classroom/gazebo
• nature kaleidoscope (outdoor sculpture)
• binoculars for future boardwalk
• butterfly bench for wildlife garden

Giving Levels

Acorn  $25
Your donation means a great deal to us and will be used to purchase much-needed items such as the following:  5 perennial plants for the butterfly garden, one bluebird box or bird feeder.
 

Trillium  $50
Your $50 donation means a great deal to us and will be used to purchase much-need items such as the following:  5 insect nets, 15 clipboards or one pair of binoculars.
 

Redbud * $250
Donations of $250 will be used to purchase much-needed items such as:  weather garden sculpture or one set of mounted insect specimens.
 
 

Sycamore $500
Donations of $500 will be used to purchase program enhancing aids and exhibits such as a classroom microscope.
  

Oak  $1000+
Donations of $1000 or more will be used to purchase much needed items such as the following: Lower level wall mosaic, African American history exhibit, ADA walkway around building, nature center vehicle.
 

When you make a donation to Croydon Creek Nature Center, you are investing in the future of our region by investing in the education of its youngest citizens.  Your donation will go directly to the center to help support educational programs for over 10,000 students each year.  In addition, your donation will provide much-needed funds for trail building and maintenance, exhibit design and construction and programs.

 Directions | Field Trip Program Guide | Nature Notions | Nature Programs | Parties at Croydon Creek

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