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Resources
WILD
Montgomery County Parks
MontgomeryParks.org
Montgomery County Parks
Planning and Stewardship
ParkPlanningandStewardship.org
M ONTGOM E RY
Nature Center Programs
ParkPass.org
Montgomery County Parks Trails & Online Maps
MontgomeryTrails.org
Black Hill Regional Park Photo by Carole Bergmann
It was Rachel Carson’s belief that if people
appreciated these natural spaces, they would be
more likely to protect and care for them; therefore,
the Wild Montgomery campaign seeks to connect or reconnect - citizens with the County’s public
green spaces.
… you’re never more than two miles away from a park
… 19% of the land is parkland, with 61,520 acres
of federal, state, municipal and county parks
… there is a dedicated Department of Parks that
manages more than 33,000 acres of parkland
Showy Orchis Photo by Carole Bergmann
… more than 100 miles of natural surface trails are
maintained by the Department of Parks
Montgomery County Department of
Environmental Protection
montgomerycountymd.gov/dep
… there are 89,500 acres of forested land, of which
31,300 are protected in existing parks
Seneca Creek State Park (Gaithersburg)
dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/central/seneca.html
… 90,000 acres have been set aside for an Agricultural
Preserve, 17% of which is public parkland
C&O Canal National Historical Park
www.nps.gov/choh
The Montgomery Bird Club
mdkinc.com/mccbird
Wild areas…
Montgomery County Sierra Club
maryland.sierraclub.org/montgomery/
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Audubon Naturalist Society
audubonnaturalist.org
“Drink in the beauty... and wonder at the
There are hundreds of miles of natural
trails that wind through forests and
fields, peaceful stream valleys, protected
conservation parks, award-winning public
gardens, and nature centers that offer
people of all ages hands-on experiences.
Did you know that in
Montgomery County…
Despite urbanization, Montgomery County has a
wealth of “green getaways” that provide refuge for
wild species and respite for residents and visitors.
This brochure includes just a few of the many amazing
wild places already preserved in your backyard.
Rachel Carson, an environmental visionary who
lived in Montgomery County, knew that natural
surroundings are vital to our existence and important
for our happiness.
Enjoy and explore
Montgomery County’s
beautiful, wild places.
Green Frog, Rana clamitans Photo by Rita Bergmann
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A Guide to Montgomery
County’s Natural Spaces
WildMontgomery.org
meaning of what you see.”
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—R A C H E L C A R S O N
WildMontgomery.org
Printed on 100% recycled, post-consumer waste, processed chlorine free paper.
2/08
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reduce air and water pollutants
reduce greenhouse gases
reduce stormwater runoff
alleviate flooding
lower stream temperatures
control erosion
replenish groundwater
provide habitat for wildlife
are beautiful places for hiking, biking, fishing,
boating, birdwatching, and more!
Great
Green Getaways!
GREAT SPRING WILDFLOWER VIEWING
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C&O Canal National Historical Park
Montgomery County, Maryland
For MUCH more information on
these and other natural places to
explore in Montgomery County, visit
WildMontgomery.org
GREAT WATERS FOR CANOEING OR KAYAKING
Potomac River/C&O Canal, Pennyfield Lock
GREAT BIRD WATCHING SPOT
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Blue Mash Nature Trail
GREAT BUTTERFLY WATCHING SPOT
4 Black Hill Regional Park
GREAT FISHING
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Black Hill Regional Park
GREAT URBAN SURPRISE
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NW Branch Stream Valley Park
GREAT VIEWS
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Blockhouse Point Conservation Park
C&O Canal National Historical Park
GREAT STRENUOUS HIKE
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Billy Goat Trail, C&O Canal National Historical Park
GREAT MOUNTAIN BIKING AREA
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Schaeffer Farm, Seneca Creek State Park
GREAT WILDLIFE VIEWING
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McKee Beshers Wildlife Management Area
GREAT HISTORY HIKE
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Underground Railroad Experience Trail
GREAT PLACES TO ‘Get Away From it All!’
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Little Bennett Regional Park
Rachel Carson Conservation Park
GREAT DISABILITY ACCESS HIKES
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C&O Canal National Historical Park
Great Falls & “Violette’s Lock”
Heart Smart Trails
(three locations, visit MontgomeryTrails.org)
MONTGOMERY COUNTY NATURE CENTERS
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Brookside Nature Center
Meadowside Nature Center
Locust Grove Nature Center
Black Hill Visitor Center
WildMontgomery.org
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