Cylburn Arboretum Friends

  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Staff
    • Board
    • Our History
    • Cylburn Master Plan
  • Members
  • Rentals & Permits
  • Contact Us
  • Visit
    • Buildings and Facilities
    • Know Before You Go
    • Explore Cylburn Arboretum
    • Cylburn Arboretum Tour Information
  • Programs & Events
    • Upcoming Events
    • Monthly Programs
    • Annual Events
    • Field Trips
    • Cylburn Nature Camp
  • Give
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Gifts of Stock
    • Ways to Give
  • Volunteer
  • Property Partners
  • Visit
    • Know Before You Go
    • Buildings and Facilities
    • The Collections
    • Cylburn Arboretum Tour Information
  • Programs & Events
    • Upcoming
    • Annual Events
    • Monthly Programs
    • Field Trips
    • Cylburn Nature Camp
  • Give
    • Ways to Give
    • Donate
    • Membership
    • Gifts of Stock
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Opportunities
  • Property Partners
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • Staff
    • Property Partners
    • Board
    • Our History
    • Financial Statements
  • Members
  • Rentals & Permits
  • Contact Us

Maryland Master Naturalist Program

at Cylburn Arboretum

Share your love of nature!

Cylburn Arboretum Friends (CAF) is pleased to partner with University of Maryland Extension to offer Maryland Master Naturalist  training. This volunteer training program engages students as stewards of Maryland’s ecosystems through science-based education and volunteer service.

The program costs $250, due upon acceptance to the program. The program consists of 60 hours of training, which includes classes and field trips in the subjects of Maryland Natural History, Flora & Fauna, Ecological Principles, How Humans Affect the Landscape, The Science of Science, and Teaching & Interpretation.

To become certified as a Maryland Master Naturalist, you must complete 40 volunteer hours at or for the benefit of Cylburn Arboretum within one year of completing the training.

We are planning our next Master Naturalist Course for Fall of 2027

  • More information on the State Master Naturalist Program can be found at https://extension.umd.edu/masternaturalist.
  • Please contact Erika.Castillo@Cylburn.org if you have any questions.

Visit

  • Hours
  • Buildings and Facilities
  • Know Before You Go
  • The Collections
  • Cylburn Arboretum Tour Information

Events

  • Upcoming
  • Monthly Programs
  • Annual Events
  • Field Trips
  • Cylburn Nature Camp

Give

  • Ways to Give
  • Donate
  • Membership
  • Gifts of Stock
  • Donate a Tree or a Bench

Members

  • Members
  • Monthly Programs

Rentals & Permits

  • Rentals & Photography

Contact Us

  • Contact Us
What could have made these scars on a young beech What could have made these scars on a young beech tree on Cylburn’s Ravine Trail? The answer is deer rubbing!

Male deer (bucks) have incredibly fast-growing antlers, and as they develop, they rely on a special covering tissue called velvet to provide blood flow and nutrients. Once the antlers are done growing, the velvet has served its purpose and dries up. In order to remove the dead tissue, bucks will scratch their antlers against trees. This behavior typically begins in mid-September and continues throughout the fall mating season as bucks continue to rub in order to establish scent-marked territory.

This rubbing can be harmful to trees, especially young ones, which are preferred by bucks for their small circumference (perfect for itchy antlers!) The scrapes deer cause can leave trees vulnerable to infections and stunt their growth. A tree’s cambium, which allows it to grow and expand, is directly underneath its bark, and is easily damaged by deer rubbing. If you visit Cylburn’s gardens, you can find many trees with deer guards around them in order to prevent rubbing damage. (Swipe right to see some examples.) A stop by the crepe myrtles in front of the mansion or a walk on the trails are good chances to see what can happen to trees that are not protected.
Follow on Instagram
  • Visit
  • Programs & Events
  • Give
  • Volunteer
  • Property Partners
  • About Us
  • Members
  • Rentals & Permits
  • Contact Us

Copyright © 2026 • Cylburn Arboretum Friends • 4915 Greenspring Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21209 • 410-367-2217