Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc.

Bringing people and natural resources together by promoting and encouraging conservation, research and educational opportunities in Garrett County.
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                      Discovery Center

           located at Deep Creek Lake State Park

 

 

                                                 Photos by Caroline Blizzard.

 


The Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center, the Department of Natural Resources' interpretive environmental center along the shores of Deep Creek Lake at Deep Creek Lake State Park. The Discovery Center is a one-of-a-kind educational venue for people of all ages. Through hands-on exhibits that showcase the natural resources of Western Maryland, families can learn about the flora and fauna, wildlife, cultural and historical heritage that have turned this former logging and coal mining region into a popular modern day vacation destination.


Through colorful artwork, photographs and artifacts, the facility's numerous natural resources exhibits provide a behind the scenes look into Deep Creek Lake and its watershed, industrial development in the area, and conservation issues facing the region today. History buffs will enjoy learning about the cultural and historical heritage of the region, including coal extraction from the former Old Brant Mine, and the role the mighty Youghiogheny River played in timber logging at the turn of the century. The Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center also features an aquarium with native fish and other aquatic species from the lake and river, and a raised relief map that gives visitors a unique perspective of the mountainous terrain.


On-site naturalists, rangers and volunteers lead daily educational programs, from leisurely hikes that focus on birdwatching, tree identification and wildflowers, to more extensive educational programming that touches on such subjects as black bear management, endangered species of the Youghiogheny area, submerged aquatic vegetation, boating safety, and trail stewardship.


The Deep Creek Lake Discovery Center's 6,000 square foot facility also includes a classroom and conference areas complete with audio visual technology that is available for rent for use for educational purposes. Don't forget to stop by the Nature Shop, where you'll find a variety of environmental and educational gifts including toys, souvenirs from the region, field guides, and books with natural resource themes.


Don't forget to check out the LIVE Fish Cam that was donated by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc. The camera is located underwater near the Discovery Center. A TV in the Discovery Center shows the LIVE feed and what fish are moving around underwater that day. Anglers stop at the Discovery Center to check on the fish because christmas trees line the shores of the park creating excellent habitat and try to name the fishes spotted on the screen. Watch a video of our LIVE Fish Cam. 


 Deep Creek Lake State Park is located at 898 State Park Road in Swanton, Maryland.

For more information about the Deep Creek Discovery Center call (301) 387-7067.

Hours of operation subject to change depending on the season. 


 

 

Open for the Summer seven days a week 10am-5pm

Labor Day through Memorial Day 10am-4pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

 

Special events and school field trips may be scheduled through the week.




       LIVE ANIMAL DISPLAYS AND PROGRAMMING                                                             HISTORY  (Brant Mine and Home Site)

 

 

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Program reminders, Bird and animal sightings, weather updates and more!










 

                                                                   Special Events

               

 

Art in the Park


July 14,15, 2012
 July 9 - 10 a.m. -  5 p.m.
July 10 - 10 a.m. -  4 p.m.


Over 40 artists exhibit and sell their original artwork at this annual event sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers, Inc. to help local businesses and non-profits, provide environmental education, and fundraise for the Forest Canopy Walkway Project at the Discovery Center. Vendors at Art in the Park typically donate something to be auctioned off on behalf of the WGCSPV, Inc. to raise funds towards the forest canopy project and community members provide a ton of volunteer hours to make this event successful every year.


The WGCSPV, Inc. also hosts a Tye Dying Station where you can make your one of a kind Art in the Park T-shirt for $10.Proceeds benefit the Forest Canopy Walkway Project. The Discovery Center also hosts a booth with volunteers, where community members can observe the birds from the aviary up close and can even get a chance touch a range of different animals like snakes and frogs. The animals change every few hours, so visitors check in to see what is new.


Vendors/businesses include food, pottery, jewelry, photography, woodworking, watercolor and oil paintings and much more. If you are a vendor/business and would like to have a booth at this years Art in the Park, please call the Discovery Center ASAP. First come first serve. Spaces are limited! 



Come by boat or car to the event. Call 301-387-7067 or 301-387-7314 for more info.


Sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc. and

Garrett County Arts Council.  

 

                    

 

 

 

    Natural Egg Dying
                                                April 7, 2012
 
Get a chance to meet the Easter Bunny! 
Children will enjoy an egg dyeing session using all natural dyes. Bring no more than six, hard boiled eggs.

Wipe eggs off with a mild vinegar solution so eggs will take the dye. Bring your family and friends to the

Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park for this Volunteer sponsored program.The Easter Bunny will have treats for the children.

Photos with the Bunny are also available. 



                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Photos by Caroline Blizzrd

Sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc.

Please consider joining our volunteer team. Fill out an application today. 
 

 


Ramp Cook - Off

April 28, 2012


Locals and visitors compete for a prize for the tastiest ramp dish.  You can

participate in this annual aromatic tradition by sampling their dishes, or

munching on grilled or deep fried ramps or entering a dish of your own.


Ramps are flavorful wild onions high in healthy vitamins and minerals and distinguished by its strong garlic and onion odor. They have the cholesterol-reducing capacity of garlic and folk medicine maintains that ramps keep away colds and flu.

Judging will take place at 11 a.m. and tasting by the public will begin by 12 p.m. A panel of two judges will determine the winner based on creativity, ramp flavor and presentation. There will be interpretive events on site, tasting, live music and fun for the whole family.

                                                                                                                                                         

Pre-registration for the event is required no later than April 22. Electricity will be available if needed. For more details or to enter a dish, contact the Discovery Center at 301-387-7067.  Donations benefit the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers.


Fill out a registration form today! Mail or email.



Sponsored by the Western Garrett County State Park Volunteers Inc.

Please consider joining our volunteer team. Fill out an application today.

 

 

 

 

 

  Holiday Open House

  at the Discovery Center




Open House at

The Discovery Center

Deep Creek Lake State Park

 

Saturday December 8, 2012 from

 

FREE photo with Santa!

 

                                                                                                           ·        Make a craft frame for your photo

                                                                       ·        Enjoy cookies and hot chocolate!!

 

Don’t forget to do your Holiday shopping while visiting the Discovery Center.

Nature related books, sweatshirts and educational toys.

Also adopt the care of a red tailed hawk, owl, snake or monarch.

For more information call 301-387-7067

 



Dare to Cook

Call to book your group today!


Join us as we unlock the secrets of the Dutch Oven.

Park staff will lead this tasty program on getting the most from your dutch oven while camping or enjoying it at home in your backyard.

- Learn how to properly season, store and care for your dutch oven.
- Cook a desert, lunch and dinner from start to finish.
- Each family or group receives a lodge dutch oven, tongs, and booklet
- Spend time cooking your friends, family or organization


Watch Dutch Oven Video



Call 301-387-7067 or 301-387-7314 for more info.



Monarch Butterfly Trip to MEXICO
February 15 - 19, 2011                 SOLD OUT



currently taking names of people interested in our next trip (daes to be determined) for more information.
Call the 301-387-7067 or email Caroline at cblizzard@dnr.state.md.us
 
The trip was a great success!  The butterflies were amazing this year.  The colonies have recoverd from last years devistating rains and put on a terrific show.  They had moved down to water sources at 10,000 feet and were clustered in large puddles and formed tornados of butterflies in the air.  We connected with the school in Macheros at Sierra Pelon and delivered clothing and school supplies as well as a year book from Swan Meadow School a beautiful quilt square that will hang at both schools!  The kids in Mexico made lovely cards for the kids in Garrett County.
 
 

 


Water is Life


The Discovery Center at Deep Creek Lake State Park is starting a new theme this year called Water is Life. This theme will highlight the importance of Deep Creek Lake, its health, conservation and preservation efforts, community issues, and how people impact the lake. The idea was grafted off of the North American Lake Management Society's lake appreciation month which the lake area celebrates every June.

The Discovery Center will be adding programming and the Natural Resource Management Area will be developing new resource guides and outreach materials that will be available to the public by the following year reflecting the 'Water is Life' message. Knowing Deep Creek Lake has to come from a multitude of different knowledge base levels. The health of the lake is determined by the actions the lake community takes and being watch dogs against those who may be degrading the health of the lake will also play a vital role. The responsibility of the lake is everyone's job upstream or down stream, and maintaining a growing economy for Garrett County needs to be sustainable in its on-going growth and development.

The year long plan currently includes the development of a GPS boat tour; new displays showcasing sub-aquatic vegetation; continuing stream wader and monitoring programs; expansion of the Nature Shop library with lake, water quality, and wetland books; updating park materials; and holding workshop classes at the Discovery Center. We hope that the Discovery Center will start opening lines of communication to fix misconceptions and develop communication with community members who are searching for answers.

For more information, please call the Discovery Center at 301-387-7067.
For Lake Management Information, please call 301-387-4111.