Irvine Nature Center (Owings Mills, MD)

Founded in 1975, the 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.

As well, the Center has a museum, a nature store, and a walking trail. Visitors are welcome Monday-Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday between 9:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Irvine Nature Center is a non-profit environmental education organization whose mission is to inspire appreciation and respect for the natural world, to increase awareness of environmental issues, and to encourage individuals to sustain Earth's ecosystem.

Irvine began thirty-four years ago in an old barn at St. Timothy's School in Stevenson, Maryland. Today, Irvine is the only private, non-profit nature center in the region. We owe our existence to Olivia Irvine Dodge, our generous founder, who recognized the importance of preserving ecologically significant places and providing environmental education for children.

From these humble beginnings, Irvine has emerged as a leader among Maryland's environmental education centers. With a unique and comprehensive focus on the natural science of the Piedmont, Irvine serves 15,000 children and adults each year with more than 500 public and school programs. We have also pioneered several important initiatives, including Household Hazardous Waste Day, Baltimore County River and Streams Conference, and Native Plant Seminar. In 1975, we launched the Jones Falls Clean-Up with the Green Spring Valley Garden Club. Today, this annual initiative - now known as Project Clean Stream - attracts more than 1,200 volunteers, and is the largest watershed clean-up in the region.

At Irvine, we hold fast to our mission of inspiring appreciation and respect for the natural world, increasing awareness of environmental issues, and encouraging individuals to sustain Earth's ecosystems.