5 Things to Discover at Robinson Nature Center

Surrounded by busy roads and busy lives, it isn’t hard to find five things to discover at Robinson Nature Center, a magical oasis of 18 wooded acres along the Middle Patuxent River. Designed using the latest sustainable design ideas, including recycled materials from a former barn on the property, Robinson Nature Center was awarded “Best Sustainability Project of the Year in New Construction” and recently received Platinum LEED (Leadership in Energy Design) Certification, the highest rating from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Pollinator Gardens
Before entering the building, pollinator gardens welcome visitors to the Robinson Nature Center. Water features trickle through the gardens, providing an essential element for the critters who populate them. Stop for a few minutes and enjoy the calming effects of the gardens. Admire and appreciate the busy pollinators.

Hands-on Opportunities
Visitors cannot help but notice the towering ceilings and light streaming inside as they walk into the Robinson Nature Center. It feels like you are walking into a forest. A stream is painted on the floor, representing the Chesapeake Bay and birds fly overhead. Volunteers are ready with animal pelts to demonstrate different types of fur. The day we were there, a Poop volunteer had visitors trying to match poop samples (replicas and not smelly) with the animal. Did you know that there is an animal that has square poop?

Further into the building, there is a display showing how mills work. Nearly 500 mills dotted Maryland’s rivers. Visitors can turn the mill wheel to watch how grain is ground.

Two-Story Interactive Tree
The interactive story tree, towering over two stories, allows visitors to see what lives in the upper reaches of trees and winds down to the forest floor. Signs, drawings, and interactive games provide a fun way to learn about Chesapeake Bay area trees and forests.

Nature Playspace
The Nature Playspace at Robinson Nature Center is outstanding. Musical instruments allow children to make noise, and wooden building blocks are perfect for a giant-sized game of Jenga. The slide zips kids through an underground tunnel, and a spider’s web and wooden logs provide ample opportunities for climbing and jumping. But the biggest hit with kids is the outdoor kitchen, which allows chefs to create, bake, and serve their pretend creations.

Trails
A mile of trails meanders through the forest around the Nature Center. You can walk along Skunk Cabbage Creek and the Middle Patuxent River. Ask at the front desk for self-guided tours of the trails and scavenger hunts. Many of the tree species are identified by signs, and there are wooden replicas of native birds.

Picnic
Picnic tables are strategically placed around the property. Stake one out and enjoy a delightful meal. Remember to pick up and properly dispose of your trash and recyclables.

Artwork
Robinson Nature Center is filled with art of all kinds. That’s one of the things that makes this place so unique. Take a few minutes to look at the walls and floors. Even outside, there is a huge bug house that, upon closer inspection, will hold some surprises.

Robinson Nature Center
6692 Cedar Ln, Columbia

Hours:
Wednesday-Saturday: 9 am-5 pm
Sunday: Noon-5 pm
Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
The parking lot is not accessible when the Nature Center is closed.