Welcome to Baltimore Woods Nature Center | Nature in Your Hands

Nature Trivia Night at the Woods
2026-08-28 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-25 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-10-30 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-11-20 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-12-18 18:30 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Baltimore Woods Nature Center, 4007 Bishop Hill Road, Marcellus, NY, 13108, United States
Calling all toad treasurers, bird nerds, and perceptive plant lovers! Test your nature knowledge with your friends, family, or come solo in a fun-filled night of brain-teasing questions. Join us in making memories and connections to see who comes out at the top of the food chain. Light snacks and refreshments provided. The winning team each month will receive a prize!

Click to register for Nature Trivia Night at the Woods!

More Details: This program will be held inside the Interpretive Center. This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Trail Trek
2026-09-05 13:00 - 14:30
Exploring Baltimore Woods’s diverse and unique trail system can lead to new discoveries and be a fun way to stay active. Hikers have been exploring our preserve for 60 years, so join us to hike our newest trails; the Meadow, Bluebird, Schoolhouse Field, and Rim trails. The group will hike these trails to get outside, be active, and enjoy the fall weather. Who knows what we’ll discover! Free program, donations appreciated.

Click to register for Trail Trek!

More Details: The hike will be about 2 miles on uneven surfaces and include some moderate hills. We will walk at a pace comfortable for the whole group. This program is designed for ages 5+.Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Monarch March
2026-09-10 10:00 - 11:30
The Monarchs are on the move, and so are we for this fall hike. Learn about butterfly life cycles, winter migration, and appreciate their beauty as we search through the field for these unique insects. Throwback from March 1997!

Click to register for Monarch March!

More Details: This program will take place on trails of moderate difficulty. Our total route will be less than one mile. This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Gardener's Delight
2026-09-18 17:00 - 19:00
“Come feast on succotash, corn chowder, squash pie” just like we did September 30th, 1978. Throughout human history, we have gathered for the harvest season to celebrate those who care for our crops as we collect and prepare for the winter season. Join us over at our log cabin to celebrate our own growing season with our delights from the garden where we will make some tasty dishes by cooking over fire. Throwback to 1978.
Click to register for Gardener’s Delight!

More Details: This program will take place outside of our log cabin on flat grass with benches and picnic tables. This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Weed or Wildflower
2026-09-24 17:00 - 18:00
Where did the plants in our fields and open space come from? Where did they grow before the rise of pastures and farms? How do our old fields look like or unlike habitats that existed in Central New York before the 1800s? A guided trip through fields and meadows to explore human’s tinkering with the natural community. Throwback to 1978!

Click to register for Weed or Wildflower!

More Details: This program will follow natural trails on rolling terrain with grass, stones, exposed roots, and small steps. This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required. Meet at the Lower Parking Lot.

Hike into October: The Valley & Overlook Trails
2026-10-01 17:00 - 18:30
Celebrate 60 years of hiking at Baltimore Woods by walking the Valley & Overlook Trails in this monthly series! Over time, the preserve has changed and grown to include over 7 miles of trails, and we will explore the diversity of each ecosystem at The Woods. Join us to connect with other hikers, check out a trail you haven’t hiked before or get a new perspective on one you’ve done dozens of times. Free program, donations appreciated. Throwback event based on a 1991 program!

Click to register for Hike into October: The Valley & Overlook Trails!

More Details: This program will follow the Valley Trail and the Overlook Trail. These most difficult trails have narrow and steep sections with steps, roots, and loose soil. The surfaces may be muddy this time of year. Our total route will be about 1.5 miles. This program is FREE and designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Mammal Sketching Art Night
2026-10-02 17:30 - 19:00
As the seasons are changing, many mammals are active and preparing for winter. This is a great time to practice sketching the deer, squirrels, rabbits, and other mammals who call Baltimore Woods home. In this program, we will learn about mammal anatomy and movement through sketching taxidermy mounts and reference photos in the Interpretive Center. Drawing materials will be provided.

Click to register for Mammal Sketching Art Night!

More Details: This program is designed for adults and older children (10+). Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Mushroom Hunt
2026-10-03 10:00 - 12:00
Let’s go on a Mushroom Hunt! Join us as we hike the trails in search of the great diversity of fungi growing on our preserve! We will go over the basics of fungi identification, and investigate how their intricate networks sustain ecological communities to which we all belong. Throwback from March 1994!

Click to register for Mushroom Hunt!

More Details: This program will follow the Valley and Boundary Trails. These most difficult trails have narrow and steep sections with steps, roots, and loose soil. The surfaces may be muddy this time of year. Our total route will be about 1 mile. This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Fall Color Walk
2026-10-15 10:00 - 11:00
Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? The beauty and fascinating science of fall leaves make Autumn one of the most special times of year to spend time outside. Searching for fall colors has become an Autumn tradition at Baltimore Woods over the past 60 years. These walks used to be an annual tradition in the 80s and 90s. Join us for a hike to look at the beautiful changing colors and learn about seasonal changes in the woods. Throwback to the 1980s!

Click to register for Fall Color Walk!

More Details: This program is designed to be adaptable for accessibility needs. Our trails range in difficulty from wheel-chair accessible crushed stone paths to very difficult steep trails with loose soil, exposed roots, and steps. Please call ahead if you have concerns and we’ll be sure to choose a path that works for everyone in the group. This program is designed for ages 5+. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Forest Bathing Walk
2026-10-18 12:30 - 14:30
Experience nature in a unique way on a guided Forest Bathing Walk throughout Baltimore Woods! 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.

Click to Register for the Forest Bathing Walk!

More Details: This walk is designed for adults. 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 rain or shine. In case cancellation is necessary due to potentially unsafe weather conditions, you will be notified by email the morning of the walk. Dress for the weather, this program will be entirely outdoors.

Seed Dispersal
2026-10-23 10:00 - 12:00
Have you ever wondered how seeds move around our forests and meadows? Seeds are the lifeline to our landscapes, they depend on wind, water, animals, or even explosions and fire to disperse and thrive. Come along to learn about the different ways plants go on their own adventures. Throwback to 1978!

Click to Register for the Seed Dispersal program!

More Details: This program will follow the Harrison and Meadow Trails. These moderate flat trails are packed gravel, packed dirt, and grass. Resting benches are available. Our total route will be about 1 mile. This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

An Unusual Walk
2026-10-29 10:00 - 11:30
It’s a strange world out there! On this naturalist-led walk, we will be in search of witch-hazel, ghost flowers, and other unusual plant, animal, and insect life of Baltimore Woods. Throwback to 1992!

Click to Register for An Unusual Walk!

More Details: This program is designed for adults. This program will follow a variety of trails including hills, steps, exposed roots, and uneven surfaces. Please call ahead if you have concerns and we can happily adjust to the most suitable trails. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Hike into November: The Boundary Trail
2026-11-02 16:30 - 18:00
Celebrate 60 years of hiking at Baltimore Woods by walking the Boundary Trail in this monthly series! Over time, the preserve has changed and grown to include over 7 miles of trails, and we will explore the diversity of each ecosystem at The Woods. Join us to connect with other hikers, check out a trail you haven’t hiked before or get a new perspective on one you’ve done dozens of times. Free program, donations appreciated. Throwback event based on a 1991 program!

Click to register for Hike into November: The Boundary Trail!

More Details: This program will follow the Boundary Trail. These most difficult trails have narrow and steep sections with steps, roots, and loose soil. The surfaces may be muddy this time of year. Our total route will be about 1.7 miles. This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Fall Montezuma Field Trip
2026-11-06 10:00 - 12:30
As fall transitions towards winter, a grand spectacle of bird migration is unfolding and the Montezuma Wetlands Complex is one of the best places in North America to see it. As we tour the most active parts of Montezuma to watch geese, ducks, shorebirds, and more, we’ll discover the stories of how they can travel so far. We’ll also learn how the history of human interactions with the wetlands have given birds a wing up.

Click to register for Fall Montezuma Field Trip!

More Details: This program is designed for adults and older children. Meet at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge visitor center at 10 am. Please bring binoculars if you have them; a few extra pairs will also be available. Dress warmly. This program will involve traveling to various sites by car. We will mostly be doing stationary birding and a radio tour by car along the wildlife drive. We may visit an observation tower that includes stairs. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Woodpeckers of the Woods
2026-11-19 10:00 - 11:30
Have you ever wondered how woodpeckers avoid getting headaches, or how they find insects hiding under tree bark? Come along to learn about the many adaptations that help these resourceful birds to survive. We will watch woodpeckers at our birdfeeders, search for areas where woodpeckers have been especially active in the forest, and learn how they help our local ecosystems. Throwback to 2005!

Click to register for Woodpeckers of the Woods!

More Details: This program is designed for adults. This program will include a hike along the Valley Trail, which is one of our more difficult trails with hills and exposed rocks and roots. Please bring binoculars if you have them; a few extras will also be provided. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Turkey Walk
2026-11-21 10:00 - 11:00
Have you ever really thought about turkeys? Waddle around the preserve with us as we learn about and look for turkeys while enjoying the fall weather. Bring your family or friends to discover what makes these birds special and connect to nature! Throwback to 1984!

Click to register for the Turkey Walk!

More Details: All ages, children must be accompanied by an adult. The program will begin inside the interpretive center, then we will take a hike that includes uneven surfaces and some moderate hills, totaling about 1.5 miles. Please call ahead if you have concerns and we’ll be sure to choose a path that works for everyone in the group. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Hike into December: Field to Forest & Griffith Trails
2026-12-01 16:30 - 18:00
Celebrate 60 years of hiking at Baltimore Woods by walking the Field to Forest & Griffiths Trail in this monthly series! Over time, the preserve has changed and grown to include over 7 miles of trails, and we will explore the diversity of each ecosystem at The Woods. Join us to connect with other hikers, check out a trail you haven’t hiked before or get a new perspective on one you’ve done dozens of times. Free program, donations appreciated. Throwback event based on a 1991 program!

Click to register for Hike into December: Field to Forest & Griffith Trails!

More Details: This program will follow the Field to Forest and Griffiths Trail. These most difficult trails have narrow and steep sections with steps, roots, and loose soil. The surfaces may be muddy or icy this time of year. Our total route will be about 1 mile. This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Bird and Bug Bingo!
2026-12-04 18:30 - 20:00
Bringing back this classic and popular game night from the 2000s for one night only! You don’t have to know anything about birds and bugs to play this educational game. Great family program, free refreshments with admission. Super prizes for every Bingo!

Click to register for Bird and Bug Bingo!

More Details: This program will take place inside the Interpretive Center. This program is designed for all ages (4+).Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Fur, Fat, and Feathers
2026-12-11 10:00 - 11:30
How does the Black-capped Chickadee survive our cold winter nights? This outing will explore Baltimore Woods for signs of winter animal adaptations. We will discuss many of the different techniques animals use to cope with the winter months. Throwback to 1994!

Click to register for Fur, Fat, and Feathers!

More Details: This program is designed for adults. Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Fun with Felting
2026-12-17 16:00 - 17:30
Spending time working on a handcraft like needle felting can help you connect to nature and your community. Needle felting is a modern approach to an ancient fiber art that uses pressure to combine wool fibers into 2D or 3D art pieces. During this workshop, we will learn about the art of needle felting, the basics of how to needle felt, and create our own pieces inspired by nature and our 60th anniversary. In 2000, Baltimore Woods hosted multiple felting workshops and we’re excited to bring this art back! Join us to try out a new craft and connect to nature through creativity. Beginner and experienced artists welcome. All supplies will be provided. Throwback to 2000!

Click to register for Fun with Felting!

More Details: This program will be held inside the interpretive center. This program is designed for adults and older teens (16+). Space is limited. Online pre-registration is required.

Making Natural Holiday Decorations!
2026-12-19 13:00 - 16:00
Looking for a way to celebrate the holiday season and connect to nature? Try out making holiday decorations using materials from nature. Using natural materials to create holiday decorations is a fun, sustainable, and creative way to celebrate the holidays and connect to nature. Drop by the interpretive center to learn about some ways to craft with natural materials and then create your own decorations using materials like pinecones, sticks, grapevines, and more.

More Details: This program is FREE and pre-registration is NOT required. This program will take place indoors in the interpretive center program room. All supplies will be provided. This program is designed for all ages (3+)
