Irvine Nature Center was founded in 1975 and is now one of the largest independent non-profit nature centers in Maryland, with 211 acres of woodlands, wetlands, and meadows and more than 800 environmental education program sessions provided to over 51,000 children and adults annually. Irvine shows its visitors, members, and friends the importance of environmental stewardship and teaches a concern for the planet that translates into actions that help preserve our natural world and create a healthier planet.

Irvines forests are quite variable, ranging from upland oaks-hickory forest to bottomland red maple, sycamore and pin oak forests along some of the small streams and wetlands.  There are also significant forest sections that predominantly consist of Tulip Poplar.  The most common forest type on the site is young early successional-stage forest which occurs throughout property as the result of reforestation efforts or natural regeneration.  These young forests vary throughout the property but generally contain a mixture of swamp white oak, pin oak, river birch, sycamore, red maple, persimmon, sweetgum, black cherry, and/other species.  There are also some areas of natural regeneration, especially in the southern part of the property that are almost exclusively black willow. 

Irvine is home to several trees that have been recognized in Maryland’s Big Tree Program. Irvine has one large White Oak and two large Pin Oaks that are in the database. Irvine boasts the current largest known Pignut Hickory in the state of Maryland. We also have several specimen trees that visitors can visit on trail, including the Seven Trunk Sycamore that is so large where the trunks split off you can comfortably sit inside the tree. We also host Maple Sugaring events and tap our Red and  Sugar maples as demonstrations for how maple syrup is collected.