Otter Appreciation Day Coming To MD + Cherry Blossoms Near Peak Bloom

MARYLAND — A Maryland museum will host an otter appreciation day this month. Residents can also check out the National Cherry Blossom Festival in the District of Columbia.

Other outdoorsy activities include a hike on the first day of spring, a farm history event and an oyster planting workshop.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from National Park Service Chesapeake Gateways and Chesapeake Conservancy. Here's what Jody Hedeman Couser submitted to help you explore the Chesapeake Bay:

"OtterMania!

You are invited to the Calvert Marine Museum to celebrate one the Chesapeake Bay watershed’s favorite mammals. Learn otterly terrific facts about the North American river otter at learning stations throughout the museum and make an otter craft. Don’t forget to visit Chumley, Calvert, and Chessie Grace, the museum’s resident otter ambassadors. All activities will be included with museum admission. March 26, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm; Calvert Marine Museum, Solomons, MD. More information."

"It's Cherry Blossom Time!

The National Park Service has predicted that peak bloom for the cherry blossom trees in Washington, DC this spring will be March 23-25. The Park Service’s Bloom Watch page has regular peak bloom updates, a record of previous years' blooms going back to 2004, and illustrations of the bloom stage – from green buds to puffy blossoms. The park service has made it possible to experience this year’s Cherry Blossom Festival virtually (a great way to preview!). From this page, you can walk or boat the Tidal Basin with 360° views, join park ranger programs, virtually visit the National Cherry Blossom Festival, too, and watch performances from their stage."

"Jug Bay Equinox Hike

The official change in season from winter to spring occurs on Sunday, March 20, at 11:32 a.m, and is called the Vernal Equinox. Join Jug Bay Volunteer and Maryland Master Naturalist, Mike Quinlan, to welcome in the new spring season and enjoy a rare, after hours visit to the Sanctuary. You’ll look for signs of spring and end the day at the observation deck to hopefully watch a beautiful sunset. $5 per person; open to all ages able to walk 2-4 miles . March 20, 5:00 pm to 7:30 pm; Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary; Lothian, MD. More information and registration."

"Farm History Day

Enjoy forging demonstrations in Mt. Pleasant’s historic Blacksmith Shop, tours of the 1800s farmhouse, and presentations from local groups on animal husbandry and other historical practices relating to life on the land. Free, but advance registration is required. March 26, 9:00 am to 12:00 pm; Mt. Pleasant, Woodstock, MD. More information and registration."

"Help Clean Baltimore’s Inner Harbor: Oyster Cleaning Workshops

Baby oysters are being grown in oyster gardens along Baltimore’s Inner Harbor, including the Baltimore Museum of Industry’s waterfront campus. Oysters have an amazing ability to filter pollution out of the water – a full-grown oyster can filter up to 50 gallons of water every day! You can volunteer to help install and maintain large public oyster gardens in Canton and near Federal Hill. Oyster gardening events will be hosted two Saturday mornings per month from Oct-Dec and Mar-June. Children 10+ are welcome. Registration for workshops on March 19 and March 26 is now available. More information and registration."

RELATED:

• Chesapeake Bay Fishing Tips + Harriet Tubman Birthday Events
• Syrup, Eagle Festivals Happening In Maryland This Month
• MD Events Highlight Underground Railroad's Sailing, Songs
• Fossilized Feces Exhibit Comes To MD + Experts Offer Fishing Tips
• MD Black History Month: Composer Discussion + Civil Rights Movies
• Smithsonian Seeks Interns In Edgewater + Jug Bay Gives Free Tours
• Chesapeake Bay Oyster Talks, Patapsco State Park Hike Planned
• Ice Sculpture, Oyster Festival + Chesapeake Bay Photo Exhibit
• MLK Day Brings Free Park Entrance, Honorary Events To DMV
• Polar Bear Plunge Returns To Sandy Point, Winter Events Planned
• Sandy Point, Patapsco State Parks Will Host New Year's Day Hikes
• 100K Waterfowl Visit MD Sanctuary + London Town Offers Activities
• Winter Solstice Hike Planned + Top Trout Fishing Locations Ranked
• Winter Birding At Sandy Point + Kwanzaa Celebration In Annapolis
• MD Holiday Celebrations: Sandy Point Lights, Yuletide Festival
• Owls Will Migrate Over Maryland + Cookbook Features Local Recipes
• MD Sea Glass, Coastal Arts Festival Slated + Holiday Lights Begin
• Quiet Waters Park Outdoor Ice Rink Opens Soon In Annapolis
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed Movie Premiers + Nature Paddle Planned
• Bat Week Activities + Composting In Annapolis: Autumn Events
• Chesapeake Bay Jack-O'-Lanterns + MD Fall Foliage Road Trips
• Puppy, Halloween Train Rides Planned + Evening Canoe Event Slated
• Waterway Appreciation Planned + Waterfowl, Bird Watching Slated
• Oyster Festival Slated + Hispanic Cultural Events Planned In MD
• Track Fall Foliage + Visit Smithsonian Environmental Center
• Hidden Chesapeake Beach + Underground Railroad Commemoration
• Docking Contest, Shark Exhibit, Free Museum Tickets Offered In MD
• Monarch Butterflies Will Fly Over MD, Educational Events Planned
• Mystery & Ice Cream Train, Kayak Bird Watching Event Slated In MD
• Raft-Up Boat Concert, Sailboat Races Approach In Maryland
• Seafood Lesson, Gold Hike, Folk Festival Offered In Maryland
• Tall Ship, Lighthouse Day, Waterfront Festival Celebrated In MD
• Annapolis Tropical Concert Returns After Year Hiatus
• Chesapeake Bay Camping, Sunflower Hike: Explore Maryland's Nature
• Free Smithsonian Center, Train Museum Tours Offered In MD
• Sharkfest Comes To MD Museum, Exhibit Will Feature Live Predators
• Historic London Town Tells Revolutionary War Tales Around July 4
• Tall Ships Come To Annapolis For July 4, Skipjack Tours Available
• Save The Fireflies, Thank The Bees In MD: Pollinator Week Events
• Track Dolphins In Chesapeake Bay, Fish For Invasive Snakeheads
• Hike In Greenbelt, Paddle Board In Lothian On National Trails Day
• Antique Boat Show, Father's Day Cruise Come To MD Waters

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.