About
The house that became the Maydale Nature Center was built between 1928-1938 by a member of the Izaak Walton League of America. Formed in 1922, the Izaak Walton League works towards saving "outdoor America" for future generations, and is one of the oldest conservation organizations in our country.
The property was then sold to the Maryland National Park & Planning Commission in the late 1960's. M-NCPPC ran seasonal programming at Maydale until the early 1990's when it was closed due to budget constraints. Thanks to the late Councilmember Marilyn Praisner the property was taken over by MCPS through a partnership with the original Friends of Maydale (Friends of Maydale Nature Center). Between 1994 - 2007, Maydale served an estimated 4,000 students annually from six East County elementary schools.
The property was then sold to the Maryland National Park & Planning Commission in the late 1960's. M-NCPPC ran seasonal programming at Maydale until the early 1990's when it was closed due to budget constraints. Thanks to the late Councilmember Marilyn Praisner the property was taken over by MCPS through a partnership with the original Friends of Maydale (Friends of Maydale Nature Center). Between 1994 - 2007, Maydale served an estimated 4,000 students annually from six East County elementary schools.
Unfortunately, Maydale was again closed in the fall of 2007 due to severe building conditions, including the presence of lead, asbestos and mold. But thanks to the new Friends of Maydale and other community advocates, the County Council was persuaded to restore Maydale in the FY17 budget. Friends of Maydale Conservation Park was legally formed in May 2019 and looks forward to continuing to work with the purpose of "promoting and supporting continued conservation, education and recreation at Maydale Conservation Park."
We now have an online membership and member renewal form - Click here!
We now have an online membership and member renewal form - Click here!
To make an online payment for member dues or to make a tax-deductible donation to Friends of Maydale, click here. Thank you for your support.
Friends of Maydale Conservation Park, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 84-2667924