Learn about the beauties of nature at the most fun event of the year!
NCAC presents its 5th annual
NatureFest
Prepare to be amazed, get your hands dirty, and have loads of fun as we learn about the beauties of nature together! This is a free event for families of all ages.
When: Saturday, May 31, 10 AM-2 PM
Where: College of Southern Maryland,
8730 Mitchell Road, La Plata
Register online to save time on your arrival!
Share NatureFest with your friends and family

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
TBD / Native Birds of Prey
Learn all about native birds of prey from Mike Callahan!
Every Hour / Flight of the Butterflies Movie
Rest your weary feet in CE 101 during this beautifully themed movie documenting the discovery of Monarch migration patterns. Showtimes: 10:15 AM, 11:15 AM, 12:15 PM, 1:15 PM
11 AM–12 PM / Native Bees
Visit BU 105 to learn about native bees from Sam Droege, a Wildlife Biologist at the Eastern Ecological Science Center in Laurel, MD!
11 AM–12 PM / The Last Bivalvian
Join the Chesapeake Mermaid in the BI building for an exciting look into the aquatic world of mollusks!
12 PM–12:45 PM / Oyster Jeopardy
The world is your oyster...or is it? Test your knowledge in BU 107 with Richard Siciliano of the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners.
12–1 PM / Chesapeake Mermaid Pictures
Don't miss the queue for VIP sessions and pictures with our visiting Chesapeake Mermaid! Line up at the BI building.
1–2 PM / Volunteering in Calvert County
Visit the Calvert Nature Society in BU 106 to learn about the many, many volunteer opportunities in Calvert County!
Get ready for
Get to know
Create a
Get out and

Thank you to our 2025 exhibitors
Alice Ferguson Foundation
USGS Bee Lab
Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary (NOAA)
Earth Liaison
MD Volt Inc.
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
University of Maryland Extension—Charles Counter Master Gardener
Port Tobacco River Conservancy
Town of La Plata and CSM La Plata—Bird/Bee City, Bird/Bee Campus
Bona Terra
Forrest Tech
USGS Bee Lab
Butterfly Alley
Goodman LLC
Bloom Wild
Ecobay
Southern Maryland Audubon
Maryland Bird Nerd
American Chestnut Land Trust
Southern Maryland Conservation Alliance
Nanjemoy Creek Environmental Education Center
CSM Vertical Agriculture
CSM Environmental Studies Degree / Bottle Cap Art
CSM BIO DEP Owl Pellet Dissection / Pollinator Garden Scavenger Hunt
SMECO-EV Program
Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association
Owl Moon Raptor Rescue
Herpetology/Amphibian Display
CSM Seed Library
Paracord Bracelets by Nathan Daetwyler
Monarch Display
Sensory Table
Chesapeake Bay Laboratories
Robert Ramos Photograpy
Kid's College Display
King's Kingdom
Roundhouse String Band
CC Planning and Growth Management
Microcope Critters Display
121 Creations
Calvert Kettle Corn
Caretta Inspired Journeys
Souther Maryland Astronomical Society
Southern Maryland Engineering PartnershipChristine Owens
Salted Scoop
School House Pottery
Calvert Nature Society
NatureFest 2024











NatureFest 2023
Did you miss out on NatureFest?
Watch and listen as our director, Ms. Georgia, talks about NatureFest 2023 and all of its fun!
Credit: Bill Smith, videographer

A couple of helpful resources and fun activities!
When you attend NatureFest, your child will receive activity kits. The Charles County Master Gardeners have created these resources to help them further understand how to assemble and use their kits.
You may also reference Instructional videos here:
Charles County Extension YouTube channel
And further resources are available here:
For more fun nature-based resources, please check these out:
For more amazing online resources, check out the Maryland Agriculture Education Foundation's website.

Thank you to the following individuals who helped NatureFest 2021 become a reality through their donations:
Bill and Marlene Smith
Jacqueline Jenkins
Laverne R. Madison
Lester and Bettina Bailem
Michelle Chenault
Pat Biles
Teresa Jones
Teri White
Terry Thir