Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation
McDowell Nature Center Teddy Bear Picnic Bring your teddy bear and bag lunch for a picnic. Read a story and enjoy a nature walk with your bear! Meet at the Large Pavilion. Registration Required. Don’t forget your lunch!
McDowell Nature Center Large Pavilion Ages 2 - 6 FREE #44018 May 15 Wed 11:00am to 12:30pm
Adolescent What’s Up in Space? – Astronomy This Month Every month the night sky offers something new – come find out what’s up in space. This educational program will meet monthly at sunset in the Nature Center with a “virtual sky” regardless of weather. If skies are clear we’ll head outside after dark to use McDowell’s 8-inch telescope to observe the moon, planets, and beyond. Registration Required.
McDowell Nature Center Ages 6 and Older FREE Theme: Winter Stars: Orion, & More #43988 Mar 6 Wed 6:30pm to 8:00pm Theme: Up Late for State-wide Star Party! #43989 Apr 5 Fri 8:00pm to 10:00pm Theme: Saturn’s Rings & a Crescent Moon #43990 May 15 Wed 8:00pm to 10:00pm
Geotastic Geocaching Do you like to play hide and seek? Do you like to hike around in the woods? Then you will love geocaching! Geocaching is a high tech hide and seek. On the 2nd Wednesday in March, April and May we will meet at the nature center to learn a few tips and techniques and then we will go on a hunt for different caches. In May, we will hide our own cache for others to find! We can provide a GPS unit if needed or you can bring your own. Wear shoes suitable for moderate hiking. Registration required.
McDowell Nature Center Ages 8 and Older #44009 Mar 13 #44010 Apr 10 #44011 May 8
FREE Wed 4:30pm to 6:00pm Wed 4:30pm to 6:00pm Wed 4:30pm to 6:00pm
Spring Bird & Wildflower Walks Every spring, the forest floor comes alive with the blooms of wildflowers at McDowell Nature Preserve, and warmer weather means birds are on the move once again. Come prepared to walk approximately one mile on forest trails. Binoculars are available to loan or bring your own. Registration required.
McDowell Nature Center Ages 8 and Older #43997 Mar 16 #43998 Apr 20 #43999 May 11
FREE Sat 9:00am to 11:00am Sat 9:00am to 11:00am Sat 9:00am to 11:00am
Secret Parks of South Charlotte The Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation Department is home to 210 parks and facilities located on more than 17,600 acres of parkland throughout Mecklenburg County. Each month, we’ll visit one of the best-kept “secret” park properties. We may see 19th-century ruins, undisturbed forests, or the perfect spot for your next morning jog, all here in South Charlotte. Meets at McDowell Nature Center. We will shuttle in a van or caravan to the “secret” park-of-the-month. Registration required.
McDowell Nature Center Ages 8 and Older #44000 Mar 16 #44001 Apr 20 #44002 May 11
FREE Sat 2:00pm to 4:00pm Sat 2:00pm to 4:00pm Sat 2:00pm to 4:00pm
Spring 2013
Natural Dyes Prepare to get messy and have fun as you learn to make home-made cloth dyes from natural materials and dye your own bandana to take home. Registration required.
McDowell Nature Center Ages 8 and Older $3.00 #43873 May 4 Sat 10:00am to 11:30am
Pre-Teen & Teen Backyard Habitats Celebrate Earth Month by learning how to create a Backyard Habitat at home! Participants will learn the basic needs of wildlife, ideas and examples for low cost ways to meet these needs, and even participate in creating a habitat outside the nature center. Registration required.
McDowell Nature Center Ages 12 and Older FREE #44034 Apr 14 Sun 1:30pm to 2:30pm
Butterfly and Dragonfly Hike
McDowell Nature Center Ages 8 to Adult FREE #44019 May 18 Sat 10:00am to 11:30pm
Birds on the Water Kayak Tour Kayaking and bird watching come together during this leisurely paddle on Lake Wylie. After covering the basics of kayaking, we will set out in search of Kingfishers, Wood Ducks, Osprey and all the other birds that live or hang out on the water. Bring binoculars if possible; some available to borrow. Please layer clothes and dress appropriately for the weather, and understand that staff retains the right to cancel due to weather or temperature. Registration required. Ages 8 and Older $15.00 Single or $20.00 Tandem #43871 Apr 13 Sat 9:00am to 11:00am
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McDowell Nature Center Ages 8 and Older $3.00 #43872 Apr 21 Sun 1:00pm to 2:30pm
The prairie at McDowell is a great place to find butterflies and dragonflies. Join us and learn to identify several of the beautiful species that call McDowell their home.
McDowell Waterfront Dock
Get Going Guide
Earth Day Event: Composting 101 Composting is an easy way to reduce the amount of waste you send to the landfill. Learn two methods of home composting and take home your own “vermicomposting”cup. Registration Required.
Environmental Issues Forum Join us on the 4th Wednesday evening of the month for a discussion about relevant environmental issues and some of the things being done to address these issues. Topics will vary each month. Registration required.
McDowell Nature Center Teen to Adult FREE #44012 Mar 27 Wed 6:00pm to 7:00pm #44013 Apr 24 Wed 6:00pm to 7:00pm #44014 May 22 Wed 6:00pm to 7:00pm
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