Upcoming Events
Native Seed Swap - November 1, 2025 - 9am - Noon, Fountain Rock Nature Center
Master Naturalist Webinar Series with Randy Bass - I’m a Naturalist, Not a Meteorologist! Part 1: Weather, Climate, and the Rhythms of Nature - December 4, 2025, 7pm
Master Naturalist Webinar Series with Randy Bass - I’m a Naturalist, Not a Meteorologist! Part 2: Climate Patterns and Change: Understanding the Long View - March 5, 2025, 7pm
Native Seed Swap - November 1, 2025 - 9am - Noon, Fountain Rock Nature Center
Master Naturalist Webinar Series with Randy Bass - I’m a Naturalist, Not a Meteorologist! Part 1: Weather, Climate, and the Rhythms of Nature - December 4, 2025, 7pm
Master Naturalist Webinar Series with Randy Bass - I’m a Naturalist, Not a Meteorologist! Part 2: Climate Patterns and Change: Understanding the Long View - March 5, 2025, 7pm
- What is the difference between weather and climate? Weather describes the observed atmospheric conditions at a point in time, while climate is the average of the recorded atmospheric conditions over time. In other words, climate is what you expect, weather is what you get.
- This interactive, two-part webinar will provide you a high-level, yet informative overview of weather and climate. In the first webinar we'll review the relationship between climate, weather and phenology; discuss the factors in nature that affect climate and weather; go over the basic principles of weather observing and forecasting, and talk about weather safety and preparation. The second webinar will examine climate, including longer-range phenomena from months to years, climatologies of the area; and an overview of climate change.
- Randy Bass brings more than 35 years of meteorological expertise across the military, private sector, and federal government. A retired Air Force weather officer, he has supported global operations, the Intelligence Community, and satellite programs, later advancing aviation weather innovation at the Federal Aviation Administration. As founder of Bass Weather Services, Randy provides expert forecasting, research, and consultation to businesses and legal teams, having contributed to more than 50 investigations where weather played a critical role. He holds degrees in Meteorology from North Carolina State University and Texas A&M University and most recently managed the FAA’s $20 million Aviation Weather Division, leading national efforts to enhance flight safety and efficiency through advanced weather research and applications.
Past Events
Fountain Rock Native Plant Sale Plant - September 20, 2025
Nature Summit - October 1, 2025
Webinar: Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species of Maryland - Paula Becker - September 3, 2025 (recording will be posted soon)
15th Annual Butterfly Count - Catoctin Creek Park and Nature Center - July 27, 2025
Webinar: Venom - Kerry Wixted - June 4, 2025
CommuniTyler Fountain Rock Park Work Day - May 18, 2025
Webinar: Watersheds & You - Katrina Fauss - March 5, 2025
Regenerative Landscaping - Dr. Sara Via - December 4, 2024
Incredible Journeys - Bird Migration - Gemma Radko - September 4, 2024
14th Annual Butterfly Count - Catoctin Creek Park and Nature Center - July 28, 2024
Blossoms & Bees: Exploring 150 Million Years of Plant-Pollinator Evolution - Taylor Roman - June 5, 2024
Croaks, Peeps, and Color: Exploring the World of Amphibian Communication - Kerry Wixted - March 6, 2024Volunteer Appreciation Event and Master Naturalist Graduation - January 20, 2024
Winter Tree Identification - Bradley Simpson - December 6, 2023
2023 Fountain Rock Native Plant Sale - September 23, 2023
Animal Corridors/Biodiversity - Karen Russell - September 6, 2023
13th Annual Butterfly Count - July 23, 2023
Driving Electric: The Future is Now - Ron Kaltenbaugh - June 14, 2023
Spring Flowers - Kathy Barylski - April 4th, 2023
Weird, Wild & Wonderful - Kerry Wixted - November 9, 2022
Fountain Rock Native Plant Sale Plant - September 20, 2025
Nature Summit - October 1, 2025
Webinar: Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Species of Maryland - Paula Becker - September 3, 2025 (recording will be posted soon)
15th Annual Butterfly Count - Catoctin Creek Park and Nature Center - July 27, 2025
Webinar: Venom - Kerry Wixted - June 4, 2025
CommuniTyler Fountain Rock Park Work Day - May 18, 2025
Webinar: Watersheds & You - Katrina Fauss - March 5, 2025
Regenerative Landscaping - Dr. Sara Via - December 4, 2024
Incredible Journeys - Bird Migration - Gemma Radko - September 4, 2024
14th Annual Butterfly Count - Catoctin Creek Park and Nature Center - July 28, 2024
Blossoms & Bees: Exploring 150 Million Years of Plant-Pollinator Evolution - Taylor Roman - June 5, 2024
Croaks, Peeps, and Color: Exploring the World of Amphibian Communication - Kerry Wixted - March 6, 2024Volunteer Appreciation Event and Master Naturalist Graduation - January 20, 2024
Winter Tree Identification - Bradley Simpson - December 6, 2023
2023 Fountain Rock Native Plant Sale - September 23, 2023
Animal Corridors/Biodiversity - Karen Russell - September 6, 2023
13th Annual Butterfly Count - July 23, 2023
Driving Electric: The Future is Now - Ron Kaltenbaugh - June 14, 2023
Spring Flowers - Kathy Barylski - April 4th, 2023
Weird, Wild & Wonderful - Kerry Wixted - November 9, 2022