What is the Nature on Wheels?
The Nature on Wheels (NOW) is a mobile natural science field station that brings environmental education to schools, libraries, senior centers, festivals, organizations and parks all over Montgomery County. We offer programs aligned with curriculum standards led by engaging naturalist educators. Programming focuses on community science, career exploration, and community service.
The NOW is a modified RV which offers:
- a pop-out presentation stage
- digital screens for displaying educational content, videos, slideshows, etc.
- sound system
- equipment for hands-on science in the field
- benches
- tables
- pop-up tent
- other educational resources available
What programs does the NOW offer?
The NOW offers:
- Public programs including pop-up events and guided hikes. The NOW targets areas that don’t have a nature center nearby. See ActiveMontgomery.
- Festivals and large events. The NOW can table at festivals by offering interactive activities walk-up style for all ages.
- Private educational programs that can be booked by the hour. Programs are fun experiences for schools, libraries, senior center, businesses, or other organizations. See our program menu.
All programs can be tailored to suit the age and type of audience, from schools to scouts to libraries and senior centers.
Request a program using the NOW Request Form. Please request 4+ weeks in advance to allow time for scheduling, permits and staff coordination.
Pricing
Standard pricing is for outdoor programs offered at the vehicle. Programs often involve a short hike or field work activity nearby.
Indoor pricing is for stationary programs brought indoors for inclement weather or for sites that don’t have suitable outdoor natural space.
Festival pricing is for walk-up programs at festivals. Contact us if interested. Pricing will be published soon.
Fee Schedule
Item | Standard | Indoor | Festival |
---|---|---|---|
First hour | $250 | $220 | TBD |
Second hour | $200 | $60 | TBD |
Additional hours | $100 | $60 | TBD |
Idle hours | $50 | $50 | TBD |
To compare, typical field trip bus cost for MCPS | $300 | n/a | TBD |
Program Menu
Note: Reserve the NOW using the NOW Request Form. You will need an ActiveMontgomery account email to complete the form. Requests must be received at least 4 weeks before your requested dates and depend on staff availability.
The Nature on Wheels facilitator will contact you after you submit your request to discuss the most appropriate accommodations for your location and your group.
Most programs are best suited to children of similar ages, but some programs can be tailored to accommodate a wide range of ages.
Amazing Adaptations
How do plants and animals adapt to their surroundings? We will use a variety of examples, games, and maybe some special ambassadors to help you learn about our neighbors. Program can be tailored for very young as well as older audiences. Year-round. Ages 3 to 100. Can be offered indoors.
Birding 101
We’ll teach you the basics of bird identification and then lead you on a birding hike on your site or at a park nearby. For a special treat we can meet at a conservation or stream valley park with the chance to see a greater diversity of birds. Year-round. All ages.
BioBlitz
A BioBlitz is a fast way to document the biodiversity in a specific area and contribute to a massive dataset to help scientific researchers! We offer a tutorial on iNaturalist or Seek by iNaturalist and then send you out to record your findings using your smartphone or camera. Our naturalists will help you make identifications, walk you through uploading observations and help you enjoy nature through the lens of science. STEM. Recommended February to November. Adults groups only at this time.
Community Science
Does your group have a hypothesis or research question? We will teach you how to conduct a field study unique to your site or a nearby park! The NOW can provide tools and training to help you practice natural resource sampling techniques like conducting surveys on transects, reading dichotomous identification keys, filling out field data sheets, and collecting and doing preliminary data analysis. Year-round. Ages 10 to 100.
Invertebrate Exploration
From the basics of what makes invertebrates unique to the important roles they play in our ecosystems, we’ll explore invertebrates in the world around us. Outdoors March to October, or indoors year-round. Ages 2 to 100.
Nativescapes
This program can focus on what native habitats need to support wildlife and a healthy ecosystem. Alternatively, we can also educate you on how to create and maintain beautiful and functional native gardens to restore native ecosystems. Ages 5 to 100. March to October.
Wonders of the Watershed
Where does water come from? Where does it go? What happens between the source and sink? Depending on the age of your group, we can explore age-appropriate concepts related to water behavior and watershed issues in our region. Year-round. Can be offered indoors. Ages 2 to 100.
FAQs
The NOW can support a variety of programs. We are happy to speak with you if you have an idea for a program not listed on our website. Please use the NOW Request Form to request a program with the Nature on Wheels or give us a call.
The NOW typically meets you at a park or on your site (school, library, senior center, office building) ideally with access to a natural area. A short hike is often a part of the program.
Please consider weather conditions when planning your program as most programs are typically offered outdoors with some indoor offerings. Our reptiles, amphibians, and insect ambassadors cannot tolerate winter temperatures.
We provide field equipment, programs designed to meet curriculum standards, and great engaging naturalist staff. Here are some examples of what you can expect with our programming:
- Naturalist leads a program outdoors from our stage giving a presentation on an environmental topic using animal ambassadors, natural artifacts and slides/video.
- Schools: Science classes or after school programs gather for hands-on engaging natural science programs from our program menu
- Scouts: Pursue badge requirements or general natural science education programs in their neighborhood
- Libraries: The mobile nature center makes a great element for programs centered on reading and STEM
- Senior Centers: We can bring programs or projects such as birdwatching, gardening, or animal adaptations to celebrate long life learners or renew great memories
- Special Events: The Nature on Wheels tables at festivals, career or STEM nights or can celebrate your community’s connection to nature and parks. We can bring environmental science activities, field games, or interpretive programs. We have been to the Harvest Festival, Crossroads Farmers Market in Long Branch, MudFest, employee wellness fairs, and community/town festivals.
- The vehicle is 32’ long. Presentations can be made from the stage (adds 10 ft) or from the side of the vehicle. Please ensure there is adequate space for your group to gather and for the vehicle to park. Pavement is ideal, but we can park on firm (not soggy) grass in some circumstances.
- The vehicle does not have indoor exhibits; rather, educational materials and equipment are stored on board for use outside.
- We provide all field equipment for scientific exploration and community science.
- Benches (seating for approximately 18 adults) and a canopy (10′ x 10′) are also available and on-board.
- A pull-through space is preferred. Pull through means we can drive in and out without obstruction
- If the program requires use of the screen or sound system, power is required. The NOW has a generator, but electrical access is preferred to avoid the noise and smell of the generator. A standard 3 prong extension cord is sufficient. Neither is required if the program does not incorporate screens.
- We may request water access with a garden hose to reach the vehicle depending on the activities planned.
See the schedule of fees above. Cost varies by the length of the program. We can accommodate groups of 30 for most programs in the program menu, and can run multiple hours of programming (e.g., if your school would like to send multiple classes throughout the day). For festivals, our pricing will be published soon. Group size limits do not apply to festivals.
Our program is funded entirely from revenue, which means fees cover the costs of staffing, driving, fuel, and materials. Your organization may be able to get sponsorships to defray the cost for your event or program. Fees for school programs are often less expensive than renting buses for field trips.
- The vehicle does not have indoor exhibits; rather, educational materials and equipment are stored on board for use outside.
- The interior of the vehicle is used for storage of program materials. The vehicle is equipped with a miniature kitchen and RV bathroom.
- The vehicle is 32’ long. Presentations can be made from the stage (adds 10 ft) or from the side of the vehicle. Please ensure there is adequate space for your group to gather and for the vehicle to park. Pavement is ideal, but we can park on firm (not soggy) grass in some circumstances.
- We provide all field equipment for scientific exploration and community science.
- Benches (seating for approximately 18 adults) and a canopy (10′ x 10′) are also available and on-board.
- If the program requires use of the screen or sound system, power is required. The NOW has an on-board generator, but electrical access is preferred to avoid the noise and smell of the generator. A standard 3 prong extension cord is sufficient. Neither is required if the program does not incorporate screens.
- We may request water access with a garden hose to reach the vehicle depending on the activities planned.