Arts & Entertainment

Paddling The Patuxent + Lattes And Lambs + Beaver Day Hike: MD Events

Kayak the Patuxent River during Paddle-A-Thon. Drink coffee with farm animals. Learn about beavers on a hike. Here are some Maryland events.

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MARYLAND — Spring is here, and that means Marylanders are itching to get outside. Upcoming events include a Paddle-A-Thon in Lothian, a barnyard open house in Accokeek and a beaver hike in Gaithersburg. Residents can also learn about fishing, spring wildflowers and deer-resistant plants.

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:

"Save the Date! Patuxent Paddle-A-Thon

Heads up on this popular June event at Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary. Put your paddling skills to the test paddling Maryland’s longest and most beautiful river. The Paddle-A-Thon provides two paddle opportunities: 4.2 and 11 mile paddles. You are encouraged to bring your own gear, however, there are a limited number of kayaks, canoes, paddleboards, paddles, and PFD’s for rent. $65 to $95. June 10, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary, Lothian, MD. More info and registration" (opens soon)."

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"Lattes with Lambs

This year at the Lattes with Lambs barnyard festival[,] the “ewes are the Muse.” Sir Nigel the sheep, Mayor Birdie the cow, and all of their barnyard friends are celebrating the new farm babies with a community art show. Meet all your favorite farm animals, learn about heritage breeds, sip on a delicious latte while exploring a special gallery of artwork, enjoy sheep-shearing or milking demos, learn about how to turn wool into yarn and participate in nature and garden-themed activities for kids of all ages. April 15, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Piscataway Park/National Colonial Farm, Accokeek, MD. More information and tickets"

"International Beaver Day Hike

Beavers are the largest rodents in North America and the second largest rodent in the world. Once thought to be a nuisance, beavers are the new heroes of climate change. Come for a hike to the newly emerging beaver colony on Long Draught Branch and learn why beavers are being encouraged to settle in watersheds across the United States. April 7, 5 p.m.; Seneca Creek State Park, Gaithersburg, MD. More information."

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"Sign Up For Weekly Fishing Reports

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has resumed its weekly fishing reports for the 2023 season. Don’t miss out on any of the local knowledge that can make your fishing trips more rewarding by signing up to receive the reports in your inbox. The reports cover Upper, Middle and Lower Chesapeake Bay, Freshwater Fishing and Atlantic Ocean and Coastal Bays. Sign up for (or check out) the weekly Maryland DNR Fishing Reports."

"Best Places for Finding Spring Wildflowers

The appearance of spring wildflowers is fleeting, so we’ve put together a collection of great places in the Chesapeake Bay watershed to help with seeking them out. From a botanical standpoint, the watershed includes a nice variation of [habitats] for wildflowers: wetlands, woodlands, open lands, and rocky areas. There are a great number of easily-accessible places that showcase all of these habitats and make for rewarding wildflower hikes. Starting in the northern part of the watershed, Rocks State Park provides a nice combination of rocky, higher elevation habitat and moist soils. In the DC area Rock Creek Park is a surprising “must” for spring wildflower connoisseurs. Spring is the best time to visit Battle Creek Cypress Swamp in search of wildflowers under a dense canopy of cypress trees. And Shenandoah National Park, with over 200,000 acres and more than 850 species of flowering plants, is not surprisingly one of the top places for finding spring wildflowers! Get links to help with finding wildflowers in Shenandoah National Park and read about more great places to find spring wildflowers."

"Deer-Resistant Gardening Strategies

What to do when these charismatic ungulates munch their way through your landscaping, negating hours of hard work and costly plants? Brookside horticulturist and author Gregg Tepper will share the best native, deer-resistant plants and strategies for rebuffing deer with effective and safe, natural deer repellent products. Gregg will also make suggestions for plants that are both deer-resistant and beneficial to birds and insects. $12 for nonmembers. April 29, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.; Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD. More information and registration (p. 13)."

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