Irvine Nature Center

Irvine Nature Center is an independent nonprofit environmental education organization in Baltimore County, Maryland, serving over 35,000 visitors and program participants annually, including thousands from underserved communities in the Baltimore region. Today, Irvine’s property has expanded to 211 acres with 8 miles of scenic trails through wetlands, forests, and meadows – and delivers impactful nature- based enrichment programs.

In August 2023, a strong downburst storm with winds of up to 70 mph swept through the greater Baltimore area. Irvine’s Woodland Garden, one of Irvine’s unique outdoor exhibits and centerpiece for the nature center’s programming, was damaged when a 180-year-old, 70-foot hickory tree was uprooted, striking a large tulip poplar, smaller hickories, maples, understory trees, large shrubs, and more. Irvine’s Natural Resources Manager and Master Gardener determined the tree should remain to serve as an educational feature to showcase how fallen trees provide important habitat on their own as well as teaching how natural woodlands change over time. 

Funds from the Restoration Initiative grant will go towards: Replacing damaged flora, repairing the deer fence damaged by the fallen tree, and replacing the metal plant permanent labels and the larger educational plant signs provide detailed background about the various plants and why they are important to the ecosystem.