Welcome to Baltimore Woods Nature Center | Nature in Your Hands

Owl Prowl: Stories of the Night
2024-02-24 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
SOLD OUT! On wintry nights, owls call among the trees and wander about the woods on silent wings. Join us to tune into your senses and enjoy experiencing the nighttime world of owls. We will go for a quiet walk through the forest, pausing in several spots to call for owls and share stories about these beautiful birds.
This program is SOLD OUT. Please call 315-673-1350 to be added to the waitlist.
More details: This program is designed for ages 10 and up. This program will include a walk on the Valley Trail, which is one of our most difficult trails with hilly terrain. Snowshoes will be provided, if necessary. Please bring a flashlight. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Winter Lives of Mammals
2024-02-17 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
While we get to retreat to a home with heaters and blankets, other mammals spend their entire winter outdoors, enduring everything from the frigid cold to howling blizzards. These animals have developed extraordinary adaptations to survive the season with little food and harsh temperatures. Through a discussion and an outdoor exploration, join us to discover the lessons our neighboring mammals can teach us about how to make it through the winter.
Click to register for this Winter Lives of Mammals!
More details: This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

This program will follow the Harrison Loop. This moderate trail is mostly flat with packed crushed stone. The surfaces may be muddy or icy this time of year. Resting benches are available. Our total route will be about ½ mile.

Nourishing Ourselves Through Nature: Wellness Through Feeder Watching and Finches are a Guide
2024-02-17 08:30 - 10:30 (America/New_York) | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Baltimore Woods Nature Center is excited to Partner with Matt Young’s Mindful Nature Expeditions to offer a series of 6 outdoor excursions between February and July of 2024. This naturalist wellness class will combine observing nature with mindfulness, creating a practice that incorporates a heightened sense of awareness, both in ourselves and the environment around us. Labeling or identifying species is not the only focus, but instead, the intention is also to slow down and notice how to use nature, including birds, butterflies, trees, flowers, and more as our guide. This style of observation invites reciprocity, sit-spots and self-reflection, journaling and exploration, and an acknowledgment of our physical and emotional responses while we engage with the outdoors.
This is the first of 6 sessions which will be focused on “Wellness through feeder watching and finches are a guide.”
Register Now For Wellness Through Feeder Watching!
More Details: This program is designed for ages 18 and up. Space is limited, online registration is required. To learn more about the overall program and guide Matt Young, visit baltimorewoods.org/nourishing-ourselves-through-nature/

Invasive Woven Wonders
2024-02-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Sold Out ~ This program is sold out but we hope you will join us at another exciting educational nature program this season.
Basketry is one of the world’s oldest crafts. Using invasive plants removed from Baltimore Woods we will weave and plait our own creations. While we work we will talk about the history of basket making in Central New York and the different techniques and materials that have been used for generations.
More details: This program is designed for adults. All materials will be provided. We will be working with our hands. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Sweetheart Snowshoe & Gourmet Dinner
2024-02-14 17:00 - 19:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Make this a Valentine’s Day to remember: a lantern-lit snowshoe through the winter woods, just for you and your loved one. The warm glow of luminaries will guide you on snow-covered trails as you discover nature’s romantic winter story. After your walk, warm up by the fire with some hot cocoa. Then, take home a delicious three-course dinner prepared by Chef Luke Szabo of Scratch Farmhouse Catering complete with dessert. Cost is $150/couple. Two sessions are available: Session 1: 5:00 – 6:00pm or Session 2: 6:30 – 7:30pm.
Small Bite Starter
coquille bisque & homemade focaccia w/ bomba calabrese
Green Salad
local greens, fermented garlic & hyssop dressing
Side
cabbage, romanesco and oyster mushroom “paprikash”
Entrée selections
“Gullah” Style Lobster and Scallop Rice
heirloom Charleston rice w/ southern seasoning & seafood chunks. Topped w/ shrimp mousseline, smoked tomato butter, pickled southern trinity and caramelized fennel
Beef Short Ribs
sous vide beef short ribs, parsnips, celery root and blue cheese ravioli. San Marzano soubise, caramelized fennel, pine nuts, roasted garlic & herbs
House Made Veggie Pasta
house mode ricotta and Muranda gouda cavatelli, pesto, charred carrots and artichokes, hazelnut and marinated shallot crumble
Dessert
chocolate clementine ice cream w/ pistachio pound cake

Space is limited to 20 couples per session. There are two, hour-long sessions for this event with separate registration for each. Pre-registration is required. Snowshoes and lanterns are provided. Menu selections can be made during the registration process and registration is per couple.
Registration for this program closed on Tuesday February 13 at 3:00pm.

Forest Therapy Walk
2024-02-11 13:30 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Experience nature in a unique way on a guided Forest Therapy Walk throughout Baltimore Woods! Forest Therapy, also known as “forest bathing,” stems from a Japanese practice known as Shinrin Yoku. Led by June Leo-Randazzo, a Certified ANFT Forest Therapy Guide, this program invites participants to immerse themselves in nature and open their senses to the surroundings of the forest.
Extensive scientific research has found forest therapy walks to have numerous physical health benefits including activation of the ‘rest and restore’ parasympathetic nervous system, decreases to anxiety and depression, improving creativity, and much more. Your stress will peel away as your nervous system relaxes and you simply experience the medicine of the forest.
During this slow, mindful, and quiet walk, June will provide a series of relaxing invitations to engage all your senses, release your mind chatter, and deepen connections to nature, allowing you to connect with yourself and others through nature in new ways. You will have opportunities throughout for both individual reflection and to come together as a group to listen and share what we are noticing. The 2.5 hour walk ends with a tea ceremony with wildcrafted tea foraged from the area and snacks.
Register for the February Forest Therapy Walk!
More details: This walk is designed for ages 14 and up. Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. You will be notified ahead of the program on where to park and meet on the day of the walk. The walk will take place if it rains or snows. In case cancellation is necessary due to dangerous conditions, you will be notified by email the morning of the walk.

Animal Signs: Basics of Tracking
2023-02-25 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Tracking uses the skills of observation and deduction to tell the story of life in the woods. In this program, we’ll learn how to identify and interpret signs of animals. Then, we’ll put our skills into practice to get to know the daily lives of animals at Baltimore Woods.
This program is designed for adults.
Please dress for the weather. Snowshoes are available to use during the program.
This program will involve a hike with moderate hills.
Learn how to identify animal tracks!

Wonders of Winter Water
2023-02-18 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Water’s uniqueness defines winter. Through hands-on activities, we will learn about how water’s special properties create the beautiful, crystalline snowflakes of this season, and we will explore how the difference of only a few degrees in temperature can mean the difference between manageable rain and an unwieldy foot of snow. Join us for this family program as we discover the science behind one of the most important substances on Earth.
This program is designed for ages 7 and up.
Please dress for the weather. Snowshoes will be provided if necessary.
Discover the wonders of winter water!

Clever Corvids: Crows, Ravens, and Jays in Winter
2023-02-17 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Corvids such as crows, ravens, and jays are known for their intelligence, adaptability, and social nature. On this walk around the preserve, we will search for corvids, learn about their behavior, and discover how they are similar to us humans.
This program is designed for teens and adults.
Please dress for the weather. Bring binoculars if you have them; snowshoes will be provided if necessary.
This program will involve a brief hike on moderately hilly terrain.
Search for corvids at Baltimore Woods!

In Search of Weird Winter
2023-02-10 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Plants and animals meet the challenges of winter in some surprisingly weird ways. Let’s take a spin around the Valley Trail in search of winter spiders, stoneflies, and small mammals to discover how embracing weird solutions can be quite wonderful.
This program is designed for adults.
Please dress for the weather. Snowshoes will be provided if necessary.
Register for In Search of Weird Winter!

Forest Therapy Walk
2023-02-04 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
During this winter season, shed your cabin fever and everyday stresses in a unique way by experiencing nature on a guided Forest Therapy Walk throughout Baltimore Woods! Forest Therapy, also known as “forest bathing,” stems from a Japanese practice known as Shinrin Yoku. Led by June Leo-Randazzo, a Certified ANFT Forest Therapy Guide, this program invites participants to immerse themselves in nature and open their senses to the surroundings of the forest.
Extensive scientific research has found forest therapy walks to have numerous physical health benefits including activation of the ‘rest and restore’ parasympathetic nervous system, decreases to anxiety and depression, improving creativity, and much more. Your stress will peel away as your nervous system relaxes and you simply experience the medicine of the forest.
During this slow, mindful, and quiet walk, June will provide a series of relaxing invitations to engage all your senses, release your mind chatter, and deepen connections to nature, allowing you to connect with yourself and others through nature in new ways. You will have opportunities throughout for both individual reflection and to come together as a group to listen and share what we are noticing. The walk ends with a tea ceremony with wildcrafted tea foraged from the area and snacks as we gather around an outdoor fire where we start and end this 2 hour walk.
This program is designed for ages 14 and up and adults.
Cost: $30
Register to experience a Forest Therapy Walk at Baltimore Woods!
More details: Space is limited. Pre-registration is required. You will be notified ahead of the program on where to park and meet on the day of the walk. The walk will take place in rain or snow. In case cancellation is necessary due to dangerous conditions, you will be notified by email the morning of the walk.

Winter Wilderness Skills
2022-02-26 11:00 - 13:00 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Prepare for your next winter adventure by learning the essential wilderness skills to keep you warm and safe when the weather turns cold. We will have demonstrations and discussion of survival skills, both primitive and modern, including fire making, gear and shelters. We will also cover topics like survival priorities and what to do if you get lost in the woods.
Register for Winter Wilderness Skills!
More details: Please dress for the weather. Snowshoes will be available if necessary. Pre-registration is required and due to limited capacities associated with the pandemic, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. At Baltimore Woods Nature Center, the health and safety of our staff and visitors is of utmost importance. All in-person programming will follow best practices for keeping our participants safe, including physical distancing and wearing facial coverings.
This program is for adults.
Cost: $10 members; $15 public

Winter Wild Adventures
2022-02-19 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Join us on a grand winter adventure for the whole family! Experience games and fun challenges where you’ll learn and practice basic winter survival skills from fire and shelter building to winter navigation and tracking. Through a little collaboration with each other and with nature, you’ll acquire some handy skills to survive the winter. Please dress for the weather. Snowshoes will be provided, if needed.
Register for Winter Wild Adventures!
More details: Please dress for the weather. Snowshoes will be available if necessary. Pre-registration is required and due to limited capacities associated with the pandemic, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. At Baltimore Woods Nature Center, the health and safety of our staff and visitors is of utmost importance. All in-person programming will follow best practices for keeping our participants safe, including physical distancing and wearing facial coverings.
This program is recommended for families with kids ages 5 and up. Children ages 2 and under are free.
Cost: $6 members; $9 public

In Search of Weird Winter
2022-02-18 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Plants and animals meet the challenges of winter in some surprisingly weird ways. Let’s take a spin around the Valley Trail in search of winter spiders, stoneflies, and small mammals to discover how embracing weird solutions can be quite wonderful.
Register for In Search of Weird Winter!
More details: Please dress for the weather. Snowshoes will be available if necessary. Pre-registration is required and due to limited capacities associated with the pandemic, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. At Baltimore Woods Nature Center, the health and safety of our staff and visitors is of utmost importance. All in-person programming will follow best practices for keeping our participants safe, including physical distancing and wearing facial coverings.
This program is for adults.
Cost: $6 members; $9 public

Sweetheart Snowshoe & Gourmet Dinner
2022-02-12 | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Make this a Valentine’s Day to remember: a lantern-lit snowshoe through the winter woods, just for you and your loved one. The warm glow of luminaries will guide you on snow-covered trails as you discover nature’s romantic winter story. After your walk, warm up by the fire with some hot cocoa. Then, take home a delicious three-course dinner prepared by Chef Luke Szabo of Scratch Farmhouse Catering complete with dessert. Cost is $125/couple. Click one of the session times below to register.

Starter
Celery root pierogis with mushroom “braten”
Salad
Garden salad with house vinaigrette
Side Dish
Roasted brassicas, garlic sauce and romesco

Entrée selections include:
Braised Short Ribs
with sweet corn and Manchego ravioli, roasting sauce, herb butter
Seafood Pot Pie
shrimp, scallops and lobster, stuffed in house pie shell
and baked with Newberg sauce and topped with old bay crumble
Hearty Winter Vegetable Cassoulet
topped with goat cheese panisse, and herb butter

Dessert
Apple bread pudding with brown butter and maple bourbon ice cream

Space is limited. There are two, hour-long sessions for this event with separate registration for each. Pre-registration is required. Snowshoes and lanterns are provided. Menu selections can be made during the registration process and registration is per couple.
Session 1: 5:30 – 6:30pm
Sweetheart Snowshoe & Gourmet Dinner

or
Session 2: 7:00 – 8:00pm
Sweetheart Snowshoe & Gourmet Dinner

Little Lichen Love Stories
2022-02-04 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Lichens are commonly seen yet poorly understood, beautiful yet bewildering love stories between two (or more) entirely different living things. These tiny creatures can be found year-round, and are far more complex, vital, and tough than meets the eye. On this guided walk, we will explore the bizarre, delightful micro-world of lichen interactions and the places they grow through use of hand-lenses and microscopes. Join us as we learn to listen to the silent little love stories happening all around the Woods!
Register for Little Lichen Love Stories!
More details: Please dress for the weather, be prepared for a moderate hike with some hills, and bring a hand-lens if you already have one. Snowshoes will be available if necessary. Pre-registration is required and due to limited capacities associated with the pandemic, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. At Baltimore Woods Nature Center, the health and safety of our staff and visitors is of utmost importance. All in-person programming will follow best practices for keeping our participants safe, including physical distancing and wearing facial coverings.
This program is for adult
Cost: $6 members; $9 public

Winter Birding Basics
2021-02-06 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Bare branches and fewer birds makes for the perfect time to learn the basics of birdwatching. We’ll grab binoculars and set out onto the preserve to hone our skills and discover how special winter bird watching really is. We will go for a short hike, please come dressed for the weather. Pre- registration is required and due to limited capacities associated with the pandemic, walk-ins cannot be accommodated. This program is recommended for ages 8 and up.
Register for Winter Birding Basics
More details: At Baltimore Woods Nature Center, the health and safety of our staff and visitors is of utmost importance. All in-person programming will follow best practices for keeping our participants safe, including physical distancing and wearing facial coverings.

Superlative Life
2021-02-05 12:00 - 2021-02-26 12:00 UTC | NY
The great naturalist Edwin Way Teale wrote that winter is a time of superlative life. The abilities of plants and animals to survive the cold Central New York winters are varied and astounding. Follow along as Naturalist Tom Meier sets forth to understand the adaptations and drive of winter wildlife in a time when giving up is not an option. Program for ages 5 and up.
Register for Superlative Life!
A Virtual Program Available for viewing February 5-26
When you register, we’ll ask you to provide the email you’d like to use to view the program. On February 5th at 12pm, all registered participants will receive a personal email invitation with a link to view the program directly from YouTube. The program will be available for viewing until February 26th at 12pm.
Registration for this program will be rolling throughout the month, allowing participants who sign up any time before February 25th at 12pm to receive an invitation link within 24 hours.
We are pleased to continue to offer virtual program experiences for our community to have engaging experiences with nature and stay connected with the Baltimore Woods preserve and staff no matter where you are! These programs take our education team significant time and effort to produce and if you can support us with a donation, it is greatly appreciated. Our typical in-person programs run at $9 per person, and if you are able, we suggest a donation of $10 per household for this virtual program experience. In light of these challenging times, we understand that not everyone will be able to make a contribution, and that others may be able to help support our environmental education programming with a larger donation – no gift is too small, and we thank you for your support!
Thank you for allowing us to be your resource for environmental education and stewardship in Central New York.

Meet the Artist: A Live Zoom Session with Diane L. Menzies
2021-02-04 10:00 - 11:00 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Join Jamesville artist Diane L. Menzies for an intimate exploration of Woodlands and Water: Paintings of Meaningful Places, a nature-inspired collection of oil paintings on display at Baltimore Woods Nature Center. Led by art-gallery coordinator Karen Jean Smith, participants will get an up-close look at a few of the featured oil paintings, learn more from Diane about the inspiration and process behind the work, and share their own personal stories or experiences that Diane’s artwork inspires.
Artists and nature-lovers alike will enjoy learning more about the artistic process and engage with this collection in a unique way. Attendees are encouraged to view the virtual gallery, now available on the Baltimore Woods website.
Program is recommended for ages 15 and up. Cost is per device log in: $10 members; $15 public.
Register for Meet The Artist!
More details: When registering, you will be asked to provide the email address you wish to use to view the program. Participants will receive a Zoom invitation link to that address on February 3rd by 5pm. You may log into the Zoom conference room 15 minutes ahead on Thursday, February 4th and the program will begin at 10:00am. If you have any technical issues logging in, please contact us via email at connect@baltimorewoods.org. This email address will be monitored throughout the program.

Combat Winter Blues
2020-02-29 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Connecting with nature in the chilly dark winter months can be challenging. We’ll talk about the effects of winter on our state of wellness and the challenges humans face in getting outside during this cold season in Central New York. Nature can be very beneficial in fighting the “winter blues”! Participants will take a walk across our backyard wildlife trail and through the Harrison Loop and we’ll brainstorm lots of ways to invite nature into our lives! We’ll warm up inside and make beeswax wrap candles to let a bit of nature and light into our homes during winter!
Be prepared to go outside; snowshoes provided if necessary.
Program for adults.
$6 members; $9 public.
Register for Combat Winter Blues!

Beauties of Winter
2020-02-27 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Sometimes nature reminds us to slow down. Come join us for a walk where we will do just that: slow down, look, listen, and find the beauties of our woods that are often hidden during other times of the year. Dress for the weather; snowshoes will be provided, if necessary
Program for adults.
$6 members; $9 public.
Register for Beauties of Winter!

Star Party: Mercury and Venus
2020-02-15 17:30 - 20:00 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
This is our best chance to see the elusive planet Mercury, right after sunset, plus great views of the winter skies surrounding the constellation Orion. Venus will also be visible as it makes its way around the sun, getting closer to Earth each week. Back-up date Feb. 16th.
Program for all ages.
$6 members; $9 public.
Register for the Star Party!

Mammal Detectives
2020-02-15 13:00 - 14:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Discover the different evidence mammals leave behind as they travel through the forest. We’ll gain new investigation skills as we explore and try to answer the who, where, and why of mammals in the winter. Dress for the weather. Trail will be moderate with hills.
Program for ages 8 and up.
$6 members; $9 public.
Register for Mammal Detectives!

Talkin’ Twigs : Exploring Winter Trees
2020-02-13 10:00 - 11:30 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Don’t be a fair-weather tree friend. Trees are good to know all year round! Winter trees can be challenging to identify, but with a little help, each of us can find ways to get to know their wintry faces. Program has a short hike on flat terrain.
Program for adults.
$6 members; $9 public.
Register for Talkin’ Twigs!

Trail School: Trails of the Tricksters
2020-02-06 10:00 - 12:00 UTC | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Foxes and coyotes move all around Baltimore Woods at night. This trip will take us far and wide as we follow wild tracks wherever they might lead! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Dress for the weather. Be sure to bring water and a snack for the trail.
Program for ages 5-15.
$6 members; $9 public.
Register for Trail School!

Owl Prowl: Owls in Time
2020-02-01 19:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Owls have been both feared and adored throughout human history. Come listen to stories about owls in time followed by a winter night walk in search of these mysterious birds of prey. Dress for the weather; snowshoes will be provided, if necessary.
Program for ages 10 and up.
$6 members; $9 public.
Register for Owl Prowl: Owls in Time!
