In February of 2005, the County purchased 18.4 acres from the Middle Patuxent Nature Center Foundation (now the Robinson Nature Center Foundation). This parcel was deeded to the Foundation as a gift from Anne S. Robinson under the conditions that the Foundation sell the property to the County and that a nature center be constructed on the property. Mrs. Robinson also required the Foundation to donate $1 million to the County for the purposes of design and construction of the County’s first Nature Center. Other funds held by the Foundation can be used for the same purpose, or other purposes related to the nature center such as programming and staffing.

The main objective of the Robinson Nature Center is to bring people together with nature, to learn, to experience nature and the environment around them, and to promote an ethic of stewardship of the land.

To that end the Robinson Nature Center will provide Howard County residents with interesting and exciting educational programs that are based on sound scientific information. The focus will be on experience-based learning for the expressed purpose of teaching the importance of our natural and historic resources. Through these programs we will bridge the gap between people and nature and foster responsible stewardship of all our natural resources.

The center will be comprised of a modern nature center with customary indoor exhibits and displays along with outdoor interpretive trails. The trails will be used for outdoor education, and interpretation of the historic Simpsonville Mill and its surrounds. The indoor exhibits and displays will be both interactive and static in nature. In addition to the main exhibit room, the Center will have a large Discovery Room specifically designed for children’s activities with many “hands-on” exhibits and activities. The Discovery Room will capture the attention of children and educate them about their natural environment. The exhibits and activities will be based on sound environmental science while at the same time, offering an exciting and enjoyable learning experience. The programs and exhibits will address environmental issues on a local, regional and global level. The Center will also provide space for meetings, conferences and special events again bringing people together to learn more about our natural environment.

The Robinson Nature Center will be in harmony with the site. Beyond preserving the integrity of the site, we must create a building that “fits" the site. It will be designed and constructed using “Green Building” technologies emphasizing the importance of conserving energy and natural resources.

Currently the County has budgeted $3,471,000 for design and construction of this project, which includes $700,000 from the Foundation. The remaining $300,000 donation will be transferred to the County in two equal payments: one at the start of construction and the final payment when the Center is complete. The project will be fully funded for construction upon the approval of the Fiscal Year 2010 Capital Budget Request.

History and schedule of public meetings and public participation:

• November 1, 2006 - Advisory Committee work session on design program took place at 7761 Waterloo Road, Jessup.
• December 13, 2006 – Citizen’s Budget Meeting, 7:30 PM, Banneker Room, George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City. The meeting was conducted by the County Executive to gather public input for the FY2008 Capital Budget.
• December 20, 2006 - Recreation and Parks Advisory Board Public Hearing on the 2008 Capital Budget for Recreation and Parks. The hearing was held at 7:30 PM at the Department of Recreation and Parks Headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD.
• February 15, 2007 - Planning Board Public Hearing (FY2008 Capital Budget) - 7:00 p.m., George Howard Building, Banneker Room, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, Md 21043.
• March 7, 2007 – Citizen’s Budget Meeting, 7:30 PM, Banneker Room, George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City.
• April 19, 2007 – Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Meeting, 7:30 PM, Banneker Room, George Howard Building, 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City.
• October 23, 2007 - The Howard County Department of Recreation and Parks conducted a public meeting to present the conceptual plans for the Anne and James Robinson Nature Center at 7:00 p.m. at the Hawthorne Center, 6175 Sunny Spring, Columbia, MD 21044. The meeting was hosted by the Hickory Ridge Community Association. The public was invited to view the concept plans and provide comment.
• December 19, 2007 - Recreation and Parks Advisory Board conducted a public hearing on the fiscal year 2009 Capital Budget at the Department’s Headquarters, 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD..
• February 13, 2008 - Planning Board Public Hearing (FY2009 Capital Budget) - 7:00 p.m., George Howard Building, Banneker Room, 3430 Courthouse Drive, Ellicott City, Md 21043.