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Adventure awaits at Masonville Cove! Keep on the lookout for these exciting missions and learn more about the environment. AGENTS OF DISCOVERY ABOUT AGENTS OF DISCOVERY Love learning about nature? Love doing things outdoors? Love playing games on your smart phone? We’ve got just the thing for you! Agents of Discovery is an augmented reality, geo-triggered app that gets you outside, active, and engaged in the world around you. With Agents of Discovery, you become a top-secret Agent, dedicated to solving the mysteries of science, culture, technology, and nature. Download the app from Google Play or the App Store . BE PREPARED! Before you get here, you need to download the Agents of Discovery free app from the app store that you use for your smart phone. Signal on campus varies but you are welcome to use our building's guest WiFi to download the app. After the app is installed, open it and click the Missions button, then Search for “Masonville Cove Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership”. Tap the DOWNLOAD button to save the Mission. The game uses the GPS in your phone, so you’ll need to have Location Services turned on. MISSIONS AT MASONVILLE Be one of our secret agents while you learn about nature! Your Mission is to locate hidden Challenges and discover new and exciting facts about the country's first urban wildlife refuge partnership! Agent Eagle is your animal field agent that can give you help finding your Challenges. Complete all the challenges, and you get an awesome prize back at the Masonville Cove Environmental Education Center. Please stay on the marked trails while you explore. Make sure you sign in at the Environmental Education Center, grab a trail map, and get the latest information on any trail closures. We look forward to seeing you here, and best of luck on your missions! More Resources Agents of Discovery at Patuxent Research Refuge

Learn about the Friends of Masonville Cove, what we do, and how to join! FRIENDS OF MASONVILLE COVE ABOUT THE FRIENDS The Friends of Masonville Cove are committed to preserving the natural beauty of the space and promoting sustainable practices in our communities. Our members come from diverse backgrounds and share a passion for protecting wildlife and their habitats. Join Today! WHAT WE DO With over 35,000 students inspired by Masonville Cove programs and an average of 3,000 visitors a year, we’re transforming how people connect with nature while inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards. From clean-up efforts to wildlife monitoring and yoga, join us in fostering a refuge for people and wildlife. FOSTERING A REFUGE: FOR PEOPLE & WILDLIFE Community Collaboration Fun Inclusion JOIN THE FRIENDS The Friends are building strong connections and navigating how to establish as a 501(c) (3) organization. For more information email us @ friendsofmasonvillecove@gmail.com To join us and be notified of meetings and Friends-led programs, please submit this form. What's your name? Do you have any preferred pronouns?* Tell us about yourself! What are you interested in and what are you passionate about?* Do you prefer to be contacted by Phone? If so, leave your number! Email* What's your ZIP Code? * Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Submit Join the Friends

Learn about what drives us— our mission, vision, and values. ABOUT US MISSION The mission of the Masonville Cove Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership is to: Inspire all people to explore, discover and respect nature, growing the next generation of environmental stewards. VISION Masonville Cove Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership will be a leader in urban conservation, known for superior educational programs and as a community asset and recreation destination where everyone has equal opportunity to benefit from meaningful outdoor and stewardship experiences. CORE VALUES At Masonville Cove, we value: Fun – Delighting in innovative and impactful programming to deepen the understanding and enjoyment of nature. Collaboration – Growing partnerships and making connections to fulfill our mission. Community – Engaging as good neighbors and stewards of the environment to serve as a community asset. Inclusiveness – Respecting and empowering all people to engage with and benefit from nature.

Learn about field trips, school programs, and summer programs for school-aged children. EDUCATION PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS ABOUT OUR EDUCATION PROGRAMS The Living Classrooms Foundation provides students of all ages and abilities with outstanding opportunities for experiential learning. Living Classrooms Foundation uses hands-on education and a low teacher-to-student ratio and hands-on learning to make science come alive for students. Living Classrooms Foundation and the National Aquarium also offer several grant-funded programs for specific Baltimore City and Baltimore County schools. SCHEDULE A FIELD TRIP EXPLORE THIS SECTION Living Classrooms Foundation Grant-Funded Programs for Masonville-Area Schools LEARN MORE Living Classrooms Foundation Fee-Based Group Field Trips for Masonville Schools LEARN MORE Summer Education Programs at Masonville Cove LEARN MORE National Aquarium Programs at Masonville Cove LEARN MORE Menu Learn about field trips, school programs, and summer programs for school-aged children. Student Field Trips Half-Day Field Trips Up to 30 Students $300 for 2.5 hrs 30 to 45 Students $400 for 2.5 hrs Full-Day Field Trips Up to 30 Students $600 for 5 hrs 30 to 45 Students $750 for 5 hrs Field trips at Masonville Cove are coordinated and led by Living Classrooms Foundation's team of trained educators. Contact us to schedule a program or to learn more. Full Day Programs Who Killed Rocky Rockfish? Suggested For: Grades 2-5 During this murder mystery trip students will use their observation and critical thinking skills to investigate the suspects: Solute Sally, Hot Water Harry, Lindsay Litter, Oscar Osprey, and Food Chain Frank and help the detectives at Masonville Cove solve the mystery of Who Killed Rocky Rockfish. While investigating students will learn about water quality and how humans impact the health of the Chesapeake Bay and the plants and animals that inhabit it. Full or Half Day Programs Customized Lesson Plans Suggested For: All Grades Don’t see a program that fits quite right for your students? Have our education team develop a custom program tailored to your students’ learning goals and objectives! Mix and match from a menu of available lessons, experiments, and activities to design a day that’s sure to make lasting memories. Birdy Bonanza Suggested For: Grades 2-5 Spend a fun-filled day exploring and learning about our feathered friends. Through a variety of hands-on activities students explore different bird adaptations that help them survive such as their beaks, feathers, and how they construct their nests. On our beautiful nature trails, your young ornithologists will hone their skills of species identification and how birds interact in our ecosystem. No birding day is complete at Masonville Cove without learning about our resident Eagles! Take a walk in their shoes and find out the challenges and conservation efforts that have impacted eagles over the years. Exploring the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Suggested For: All Grades Discover your connection to the Chesapeake Bay and learn about this unique ecosystem through hands-on investigations and interactive activities. Students are introduced to the concept of Watershed and how our actions on land impact the health of our local waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. Half Day Programs Budding Botanists Suggested For: Grades 2-5 This day is All About Plants!  Students will explore Masonville’s Nature trails and learn how to identify different native plants and test their skills at identifying the different plant parts in nature.  In the lab, students will learn about plant anatomy beginning with a seed dissection and then get up close and personal- viewing leaves, roots, stems, and flowers through a microscope.  But plants aren’t just on land! Discover how aquatic plants adapt in our watery environments by modeling adaptation in this hands-on lab. Erosion, Weathering, and Landslides, Oh My! Suggested For: Grades 2-4 In this half day field trip students will discover if water has the power to create canyons, test their engineering skills while they try to prevent a landslide and look for signs of erosion in the field during a nature walk on our beautiful waterfront property! Hidden Hibernators Suggested For: Grades K-2 Now you see them, now you don’t! Where did they go? Learn about the mysteries of hibernation and the magic of camouflage in these hands-on explorations. Students will try to successfully prepare for winter and hide in plain sight as they learn about our hidden hibernators. Wonders of Wildlife Suggested For: Grades 2-5 This program will take you on a journey to explore and engage with the Wonders of Wildlife! Hands-on activities will help students grow or deepen their understanding of different forms of wildlife communication, how some wildlife can seem invisible when in plain sight, and how to use clues in nature to determine what wildlife has been nearby. Students will get the opportunity interact with different animal artifacts and meet one of Masonville Cove’s animal ambassadors! Stream Study: Baltimore's Water Quality Suggested For: Grades 5 and Up Dip your toes in the water of Stream Ecology while investigating the water quality of Masonville Cove’s stream. Participants will learn about the Patapsco River’s Health by conducting abiotic water quality tests such as Dissolved Oxygen, pH, Salinity, and Turbidity. Learn from the stream’s macroinvertebrates by completing a biotic index and discover how much these little critters can tell us about the health of our local waterways! Terrapin Tales Suggested For: Grades 3 and Up Calling all herpetologists! Learn how scientists study Diamondback Terrapin populations by examining nests, measuring eggs, and determining survival of hatchlings from simulated terrapin nests. Consider threats such as predation and human impacts and gain understanding of how you can help save Diamondback Terrapins. After your data is collected in the lab, take a break with our resident Terrapins, Topaz and Pearl as they show off their unique adaptations that make them so special! Insect Encounters Suggested For: Grades K-3 Students will experience what it’s like to be an insect at Masonville Cove! First students will embark on a journey through the Monarch’s life cycle, overcome obstacles and hopefully get some help along the way as they journey to Mexico for Fall migration. As a Mason Bee students will learn about the important social structures and groups that bees form to help them survive and thrive in their environments. Students then head out on one of our many nature trails on a Bug Hunt classifying the creepy crawlies found along the way as insect or non-insect by identifying characteristics of an insect. Island Fever Suggested For: Grades 3-8 Students are introduced to the concept of urban heat islands and investigate temperatures of different surfaces when exposed to heat/light with infrared thermometers. Combined with hands-on experiments that investigate how plants help cool the hearth and engineering design challenges to address the problem of Urban Heat Island, students will gain an understanding of why urban areas tend to be hotter than rural, more natural areas. Tracks and Scat Suggested For: Grades 1-5 You may not see them, but we know they were there! Nature leaves us clues all around telling us who has visited an area. Learning how to identify tracks, scats, and other clues left behind from various animals can help us know a lot about the habitat around us. Put your observation skills to work and see if you can solve nature’s mysteries! BACK TO TOP FEE-BASED GROUP FIELD TRIPS Experience Masonville Cove in-person! A variety of programs and experiences are available with live instruction and hands on activities. See you soon! Masonville Neigborhoo School Programs Both of these innovative education programs are managed by Living Classrooms Foundation and made possible by grant funding. SLURRP School Leadership in Urban Runoff Reduction Program (SLURRP) is a South Baltimore Gateway Partnership funded program that educates students about storm water runoff and the effects that it has on their "schoolshed." This program combines outreach programs led by Living Classrooms Foundations, teacher-led lessons, action projects, and an immersive full-day field trip to Masonville Cove to provide students with a Meaningful Watershed Education Experience (MWEE). BEE SMART Baltimore Environmental Education Summer Math and Reading Trailblazers (BEE SMART) is a summer program for rising 3rd through 5th grade students that uses STEM as a vehicle to motivate student learning, increase participants' reading levels, and ultimately prevent summer learning loss. The BEE SMART program is based out of South Baltimore, but provides opportunities for students to spend time at multiple locations (including Masonville Cove) throughout the summer. BACK TO TOP GRANT-FUNDED PROGRAMS FOR MASONVILLE AREA SCHOOLS Specialty Summer Youth Programs Living Classrooms Foundation works with other education and youth programs to offer valuable environmental and outdoor education and recreation opportunities. SUMMER SCIENCE AND NATURE PROGRAM Learn, Make New Friends, and Experience Nature with us at Masonville Cove in Living Classroom Foundation's exciting Summer Program. Summer 2024 Registration is Open! Registration for Week 1: Exploring the Chesapeake Bay Registration for Week 2: Discovering Careers in Science Registration for Week 3: Nature's Superheroes Explore, Discover, and Engage at the Nation's First Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership -- Masonville Cove! Check our Events Page for Registration Each Month! BACK TO TOP DROP-IN FIELD TRIPS

Join us on September 23 at Masonville Cove for a day of Urban Conservation and free family-friendly fun, kayaking, Bioblitz, bird banding, and animal exploration! URBAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION DAY September 23, 2023 JOIN US ON SEPTEMBER 23 AT MASONVILLE COVE FOR A DAY OF URBAN CONSERVATION AND FREE FAMILY-FRIENDLY FUN. THIS YEAR WE CELEBRATE 10 YEARS OF URBAN WILDLIFE CONSERVATION! KAYAKING BIOBLITZ BIRD BANDING ANIMAL EXPLORATION Register for the 2023 10th Urban Wildlife Conservation Day Celebration activities. Use the links on this page or on the events page to sign up. We look forward to seeing you! Kayaking pre-registration is required and space is limited. Trees from TreeBaltimore are limited to two per family in Baltimore City. Trees may be ordered for free through the link for pick up at the event or picked up for free while supplies last at Masonville Cove on 9/23. 10th Urban Wildlife Conservation Day Events TreeBaltimore at Masonville Cove More info Details Kayaking for UWCD More info Details BioBlitz with the National Aquarium 2023 More info Details

WILDLIFE AT MASONVILLE MASONVILLE COVE WILDLIFE FUN FACTS Did you know that.. Muskrats, a water rodent commonly found at Masonville Cove, have webbed back feet, laterally flattened tails, and the ability to hold their breath underwater for 15-20 minutes. A Bald Eagle’s grip is 10 times stronger than a human’s. A Squirrel’s front teeth never stop growing and they can smell and find food buried beneath a foot of snow. A Canada Goose can sleep while they’re migrating and can fly for up to two weeks at a time Dolphins used to live in the Chesapeake Bay. In 2018, there were 1,129 dolphin sightings reported through Chesapeake Dolphin and these numbers are increasing every year! Wildlife Sightings LEARN MORE Tips for Spotting Wildlife LEARN MORE Birding at Masonville LEARN MORE US Fish & Wildlife Surveys LEARN MORE More Resources LEARN MORE Wildlife Sightings by Ela Carpenter (onsite US Fish and Wildlife Biologist) COYOTES AT MASONVILLE COVE US Fish & Wildlife Survey survey cameras have reported sighting coyotes on the Masonville Cove campus. BABY EAGLETS On April 20th, 2021 it was reported that the eagles eggs have hatched and there are baby eaglets in the nest! On April 20th, 2021 it was reported that the eagles eggs have hatched and there are baby eaglets in the nest! January 15, 2021- On m y second day of work I was out in the field with Robbie doing the seasonal mammal camera surveys. I was happy to see a pair of coyotes visiting MC on a regular basis! My understanding is that in the past we haven't seen coyotes here too often. Attached are a photo and videos, one in MC and the other on the gravel road outside MC. There were a couple of sightings of a pair at Cox Creek as well, but I don't know if it's the same pair. As a Baltimore native I'm so happy to have this opportunity to study wildlife in my hometown and share it with others. I'm looking forward to working with and learning from all of you. Coyote Canis Latrans Now on Sale Tips for Spotting Wildlife at Masonville Cove Bring binoculars Be quiet and aware of your surroundings Don't make a lot of noise Be respectful of the wildlife at Masonville Birding at Masonville Ebird Maryland-Masonville Cove List of Top Bird sightings at Masonville Cove: Ruddy Duck European Starling European Grosbeak Savannah Sparrow Bonaparte’s Gull Wood Duck Lesser Scaup Spotted Sandpiper Barn Swallow Bufflehead DNR Birding Hotspots in Maryland US Fish & Wildlife Surveys More Resources DNR’s Useful backyard wildlife habitat resources Learn about creating urban wildlife habitats by designating a green space near your home as a Baltimore Greenspace If you find injured wildlife in your neighborhood, consider reaching out to a local wildlife refuge center to help rehabilitate them.

Fill out a field trip request form to start planning your hands-on educational experience at Masonville Cove. JOIN THE FRIENDS! The Friends are building strong connections and navigating how to establish as a 401(c)3 organization. See below for more information or email us @. To join the Friends and be notified of meetings and Friends led programs, please submit the form below. What's your name? Do you have any preferred pronouns?* Tell us about yourself! What are you interested in and what are you passionate about?* Do you prefer to be contacted by Phone? If so, leave your number! Email* What's your ZIP Code? * Yes, subscribe me to your newsletter. Submit

Check on site closures or restrictions that may impact your visit. SITE CLOSURES & ANNOUNCEMENTS There are no weather related closings at this time. The campus is open during the regularly scheduled hours of Monday through Saturday 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM WEATHER DELAYS & CLOSINGS SCHEDULED CAMPUS CLOSINGS IN 2024 January 1, 15 February 19 March 29 May 27 June 16 July 4-5 September 2 October 14 November 28-29 December 23-25 (2025) December 31- January 2 SITE CLOSURE INFORMATION As of September 2022 a portion of the campus beyond the fence line is temporarily closed due to construction. Access to the fishing piers is still available. Check back for updates! The Captain Trash Wheel trail and Upland trail are still open and offer great views of Baltimore City! Eagle Restrictions

Learn about the partnership between organizations which have worked together to make Masonville a valuable community resource. MASONVILLE COVE PARTNERSHIPS ABOUT MASONVILLE'S PARTNERSHIPS At Masonville, federal organizations, state organizations, non-profits, and community groups have come together to restore an incredible piece of land for the benefit of local wildlife and the surrounding community. Masonville was designated in 2007 as a placement site for sediment removed from the Baltimore shipping channels. With that designation came numerous benefits for the community, centering around restoring waterfront access in the previously polluted site. In order to accomplish these changes, the Port of Baltimore partnered with Living Classrooms Foundation and the National Aquarium to help engage the surrounding communities. Thus began the partnership of these organizations, which together with Maryland Environmental Service, continue to work to restore Masonville Cove for the benefit of local communities and wildlife. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service became an additional partner in 2013 when Masonville Cove was designated the nation's first Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnership. Urban Wildlife Refuges are sites that are in close proximity to major metropolitan areas. Urban Wildlife Refuge Partnerships are urban refuges where "the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Community, and Partners come together to promote conservation." Today the proof of Masonville Cove's success as a refuge partnership is in the numbers: the Cove is consistently named one of the top birding spots in the state, and provides rich education experiences for thousands of students and visitors. MASONVILLE COVE IMPACT REPORT The Maryland Department of Transportation Maryland Port Administration (MDOT MPA) purchased the site to use a portion of it to contain dredged material, or sediment removed from shipping channels. Placing the sediment at Masonville allows large ships to travel the deep channels to Baltimore safely, keeping the Port of Baltimore open for business. In return, MDOT MPA has worked tirelessly to restore the environment in the Cove and has worked closely with the surrounding community to provide a community resource, restoring safe waterfront access at Masonville Cove. Living Classrooms Foundation manages the state-of-the-art environmental education facility at Masonville Cove, acting as a host to visitors and an educational outreach team to neighborhood schools. Living Classrooms Foundation offers field trips to groups of all ages and abilities, and uses hands-on education and a low teacher-to-student ratio to help make learning fun and impactful. The National Aquarium works closely with community groups to arrange large-scale restoration efforts, giving community ownership to the restoration success of this beautiful waterfront site. Community members have come together through the National Aquarium to conduct shoreline debris clean-ups, wetland plantings, and neighborhood beautification projects. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provides wildlife management at Masonville Cove. As an integral partner in the Masonville Cove effort, USFWS helps to ensure the success of native wildlife, and responsible wildlife management practices, and provides assistance with on-site educational programs. COMMUNITY GROUPS A variety of community groups have worked closely with the Masonville Cove project partners to provide guidance and feedback regarding proposed projects designed to improve the area for public use. Integral groups include the Masonville Citizens Advisory Committee , the Greater Baybrook Alliance , and Baltimore Green Space . These partnerships help to maximize Masonville's impact as a valuable resource for the community.

Join us at Masonville Cove for free weekend and evening events. EVENTS UPCOMING EVENTS December 2025 Today Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 30 1 2 3 4 5 5:00 PM First Friday - Cookie Decorating +1 more 6 8:00 AM Bird Banding Fall 2025 +2 more +3 more 7 8 9 10 11 12 8:00 AM Bird Banding Fall 2025 +1 more 13 8:00 AM Bird Banding Fall 2025 +1 more +2 more 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 9:15 AM December Morning Yoga (12/20) +1 more +2 more 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 5:00 PM First Friday - Sunset Sound Meditation +1 more 3 10:00 AM Guided Nature Walk +1 more 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 9:15 AM January Morning Yoga (1/10) +1 more +2 more Free public programs and events are held year-round at Masonville Cove. Activities include Saturday public programs for kids and families, afternoon and evening programs, shoreline cleanups, and more. With so many activities to choose from, you'll find there's something for everyone to enjoy at Masonville Cove. ABOUT EVENTS AT MASONVILLE COVE