Organization Full Listing

Bear Branch Nature Center 
Carroll County Department of Recreation and Parks

300 John Owings Road
Westminster, MD 21158

410-386-3580 - voice
410-848-2567 - fax

Office Hours	Wed-Sat 11-5, Sun noon-5
Contact 1	Jenna Mele Park Naturalist 410-386-3580 - voice bearbranch@carrollcountymd.gov
Purpose	To connect people, parks, and programs in support of a strong, healthy community and natural environment.
Service	Bear Branch Nature Center is open Wednesday - Saturday from 11am - 5pm, and on Sundays from 12-5pm. The center features interpretive exhibits about local plants and animals, an outdoor water feature and play area, a Discovery Room for children, an observation beehive, live animals including an eagle, hawks, owls, snakes, salamanders, turtles, frogs, and toads, a planetarium and observatory. The nature center hosts field trips for K-12 students, public programs and festivals for all ages, birthday parties and private programs. The nature center is adjacent to Hashawha Environmental Center, a residential facility that is also operated by Carroll County Recreation & Parks. Hashawha Environmental Center is home to Carroll County Public Schools' Outdoor School, a residential environmental education program open to every sixth grade student in the county. The two facilities are located on 320 acres, with more than five miles of multi-use trails, a restored 19th century cabin, a lake, a pond, and access to both Bear Branch and Big Pipe Creek.
Fees	Free Admission
Subjects	Astronomy, Children - Activities/Entertainment, Meeting Rooms/Receptions, Nature Study, Volunteers - Needed, Wildlife
Last Updated	28 December 2023