Carrie Murray Nature Center (CMNC) is operated by Baltimore City Recreation and Parks. CMNC offers

environmental education Environmental education (EE) refers to organized efforts to teach how natural environments function, and particularly, how human beings can manage behavior and ecosystems to live sustainably. It is a multi-disciplinary field integrating discipli ...

programs for children, families, and adults as Baltimore City's only

nature center A nature center (or nature centre) is an organization with a visitor center or interpretive center designed to educate people about nature and the environment. Usually in a protected open space, nature centers often have trails through thei ...

. A native live animal collection, outdoor bird

aviary An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds, although bats may also be considered for display. Unlike birdcages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where Bird flight, they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flig ...

, and indoor exhibits are features of the center, which is nestled in the expansive and historic Gwynns Falls/Leakin Park, the largest urban forested park east of the

Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...

. The nature center serves an estimated 30,000 visitors annually, including individuals and families as well as groups from schools, faith-based groups, recreation centers, and camps. During the school year, the nature center offers field trips and outreach programs for students of all ages, including the Forest Preschool at Carrie Murray Nature Center, a forest immersion program for preschool-age children. The nature center also offers summer camps, public programs, special events, and volunteer opportunities.

Background

Baltimore City Recreation and Parks (BCRP) established the nature center after receiving a generous donation from former

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

baseball hall-of-famer

Eddie Murray Eddie Clarence Murray (born February 24, 1956), nicknamed "Steady Eddie", is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman, designated hitter, and coach. Spending most of his MLB career with the Baltimore Orioles, he ranks fourth ...

The Baltimore Sun ''The Baltimore Sun'' is the largest general-circulation daily newspaper based in the U.S. state of Maryland and provides coverage of local, regional, national, and international news. Founded in 1837, the newspaper was owned by Tribune Publi ...

, Jan 14, 2006 The center was dedicated in 1985 and was named after Eddie's mother, Carrie Murray.

References

External links

{{Nature centers in Maryland Buildings and structures in Baltimore Nature centers in Maryland Culture of Baltimore Tourist attractions in Baltimore