Irvine Nature Center

Founded in 1975, Irvine Nature Center has earned a reputation for providing quality environmental education for all ages. Located in the Caves Valley region of Baltimore County, Irvine provides programs for Baltimore-area schools and the public. We also offer a number of special events each year.

Irvine Nature Center is a non-profit educational organization, offering pro­grams of environmental studies and natural science to children and adults of the greater Baltimore area. We pro­vide these experiential learning op­portunities in many forms, including: Public Programs for children, families and adults, Field Trips, Nature Birth­day Parties, Doodlebugs Nature & Art Pro­gram, Summer Na­ture Camps, Special Events, Green Weddings, and our Ur­ban Education Program. We provide more than 20,000 children and adults with more than 500 program sessions annually.  We also welcome guests to explore our 116 acres of woodlands, wetlands and meadows, enjoy our resident animals and our interactive exhibit hall free of charge.  Irvine has emerged as a leader among Mary­land’s environmental education centers and incorporates a unique and comprehensive focus on the natural science of the Piedmont into its interactive exhibit hall and educational programming.

Through extensive educational program­ming, Irvine Nature Center’s goals are to ex­pose children and adults to the importance of environmental literacy. We focus our visitors, members and friends on the importance of environmental stewardship for the grow­ing of a culture of youth and adults who can translate concern for Earth into actions that help preserve our natural world, and create a healthier planet. It is also our aim to continue to support and grow our innovative School­yard Discovery program to reach more Balti­more City Public School students and to teach them that nature and the environment do exist in their neighborhoods.

We invite you to explore our interactive exhibit hall, nature store, and walking trails. Visitors are welcome seven days a week from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Browse this section to get directions, read our mission statement, learn our history, get answers to frequently asked questions, or learn more about our move to our Caves Valley property. Here you will also find a staff directory and information about employment opportunities at Irvine.